Maren Morris has become a rising star in the crossover world between country and pop, after spending the last several years as arguably the most popular young country singer and songwriter in the genre.
Now, Morris is debuting “Better Than We Found It,” a song that ponders whether we’ll leave this country better for our children than we found it. Its timely subject matter and passionate performance finds Morris addressing the challenge of wanting to speak out about issues that matter to her but facing criticism in the process.
“When time turns this moment to dust / I just hope that I’m proud of the woman I was / When lines of tomorrow are drawn / Can I live with the side that I chose to be on?” Morris sings in the chorus, ending with the titular question, “Will we leave this world better than we found it?”
The song was produced by in-demand producer Greg Kurstin, who’s recent slate of projects include albums by everyone from Paul McCartney to Foo Fighters, and serves as one in a series of singles she’s released throughout the past few months.
The song was co-written with Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz.
“I still have hope for this country and for the future of it, and as a new mother I wanted to promise my son that I’m going to do everything in my power to leave this world better than the one I came into and the one I see right now,” Morris told Rolling Stone of the song’s message.
The video for the single shows Morris strumming and singing in an empty church, with the profiles and voices of Nashville locals mixed in. It’s the perfect visual accompaniment for Morris’ emotional waltz.
Maren Morris’ optimistic new anthem “Better Than We Found It” is available now, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Black Women’s Health Imperative.
