Hardrockers Beartooth has teamed up with country singer/songwriter HARDY on their newest song, “The Better Me.”
The motivational track, released on Friday (Sept. 15) via Red Bull Records, serves as Beartooth’s first-ever collaboration.
“I’ve always been a Beartooth fan,” HARDY shared. “I’m excited we finally got to do something together and I’m honored to be part of their new record.”
“The Better Me” brings inspiration to listeners as Beartooth lead singer Caleb Shomo, who has never been shy about sharing his struggles with mental health and self-image, sets his heart on becoming the best version of himself. After an introduction chorus, he takes the first lines of the song laying out the tomorrow is another day kind of theme, sharing his wishes to turn his life around before HARDY sings about falling into the same troubled routine despite not wanting to suffer.
“How many times have I said I was gonna be someone / When I get back onto my feet? / Tomorrow, I’m gonna make changes / ‘Cause today I can barely speak,” the two artists sing together throughout the uptempo chorus, which features thrashing drums and heavy electric guitar. “I know how to pull myself out / And it’s gonna hurt like Hell to set myself free / Just say it out loud, today’s the day I stop fu–ing around / And be the better me / (And be the better me, oh).”
Listen To Beartooth And HARDY’s New Song “The Better Me” Below
Story Behind The Song
Shomo shared the meaning behind the track in a press release saying, “There are times where we feel like there is a way better version of ourselves somewhere deep inside that we need to find and bring back to the forefront of our lives.”
“This song is about going through the things that brought me to that conclusion. Simply put, I made a choice to be a better me,” he added.
“The Better Me” is the latest offering from Beartooth’s upcoming fifth studio album, The Surface. The tune is also the only collaboration featured on the forthcoming project, which includes 11 tracks. And while HARDY has been chosen as the first artist to duet with Beartooth, he is no stranger to delving into the rock realm. Despite earning massive success in country music, the Philadelphia, Mississippi native has proven that several times, leaning heavily into both genres.
HARDY Previously Dabbled In Rock Music
In 2023, he released a half rock half country album entitled the mockingbird & THE CROW, which topped the US Billboard Rock Albums and Hard Rock Albums charts. The album also debuted in the Top 5 in all genres on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
And while HARDY fits right in with the rockers, he previously shared he received some pointers from some of the genre’s best, including Shomo, particularly when he was nailing down his screaming parts for his hit, “Sold Out.”
“There’s a trick to it. It’s not as loud or as harsh on your throat as you would think,” he told Billboard. “I kept trying to get better at it, and I had a bit of a conversation with Caleb Shomo from Beartooth about it and then Hunter Madison from Hunt the Dinosaur. When I wrote ‘Sold Out,’ I had just gotten off the road and was exhausted. My voice was nearly gone, and I thought, ‘I could do the scream really good. It’s better when your voice is raspy. I did, and it’s been a thing ever since.”
Both Artists Sit In Top 15 On Active Rock Radio Charts
HARDY as well as Beartooth, which also consists of guitarists Zach Huston and Will Deely, bassist Oshie Bichar, and drummer Connor Denis, are also currently sitting in the Top 15 on Active Rock radio charts in the US. HARDY has charted with “Sold Out” while Beartooth’s “Might Love Myself” continues its rise up the charts.
“The Better Me” follows Beartooth’s previous releases “Riptide,” “Sunshine!,””Might Love Myself,” and “Doubt Me,” which combined have garnered over 50 million streams to date. Fans can look for The Surface to arrive on Friday (Oct. 13). Fans can pre-order The Surface HERE.
Beartooth The Surface Track List
1. The Surface
2. Riptide
3. Doubt Me
4. The Better Me (Feat. HARDY)
5. Might Love Myself
6. Sunshine!
7. What’s Killing You
8. Look The Other Way
9. What Are You Waiting For
10. My New Reality
11. I Was Alive
