Mickey Guyton Explains Why She Re-Recorded 'Better Than You Left Me'
By Ariel King
October 1, 2021
Mickey Guyton released her debut LP, Remember Her Name, on September 24, the highly-anticipated record already garnering acclaim. With the album's closer seeing Guyton return to her 2015 debut single, "Better Than You Left Me," the country singer opted to take to Instagram to explain the move and meaning.
Sharing a video of herself singing along to the new version of the track, Guyton wrote over her image, "'Better Than You Left Me' was my very first single. Although I've changed so much since it was released this song is still a big part of my journey. The new 'fly higher' version represents who I am now. It was the perfect song to complete my new album. I hope you love it as much as I do."
Guyton's Instagram caption shared the same sentiment, repeating what she had written in her video. While the 2015 version of "Better Than You Left Me" saw slow twining instruments and a strong twang in Guyton's lyrics, the track's slow-moving instrumentals created a track perfect for serene slow dances. The new version creates more surrounding instrumentals, Guyton's vocals featuring more confidence in her voice as the track takes on a more cinematic appeal. Stream Guyton's 2015 version of "Better Than You Left Me" with iHeartRadio here, and her new version here.
Guyton was recently honored by CHMT as the 2021 "Breakout Artist of the Year" during their annual Artists of the Year event. The country singer has been vocal about fully embracing her Blackness in her career. She revealed that her career didn't begin to take off until she acknowledged that she was a Black woman in country music in her music, and began singing about her own perspective. While Guyton has admitted she gets nervous about being accepted before taking to the stage and was anxious ahead of her set at CMA Summer Jam, she's managed to be welcomed by many country fans.
Guyton will also be appearing on Mickey Mouse Funhouse on October 15, where she will portray a new character, country singer Wanda Warbler.