American Aquarium - “A Better South” (Live From Athens)

[@Duffzig]

Being proud of who we were divides us. Being proud of who we CAN be will unite us. I believe in a better south!

[@williamjohnson5617]

Who else is here after watching this band at the Waltz event 🔥🔥🙋🏾‍👏💯

[@dxychck96]

Good message

[@christimiller1511]

Thank you for admitting this, singing about it, and facing it. That's what is needed - peace and love to you all.

[@robertcousins2047]

This song stopped their career in its tracks. Dumbest move ever

[@lelandlawrence4881]

I live in Buffalo,NY and love this song so much. I still feel this song can be applied to America in general. America is a great country but we still have so far to come.

[@robmcneil]

I live across the river from you (Canada) and I somehow feel a strong connection to this song. Go Bills

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Southern mutt here. The only places I’ve been to in NY state is Manchester, Niagara Falls and Buffalo. (Bills stadium is awesome) I enjoyed myself there and ate some good food. About 15 years ago my buddy needed me to ride up there with him cause he bought a Dukes of Hazzard General Lee car from a dude that lived in Buffalo. I got to drive it back to Savannah, Ga in it which was awesome. About 6 months later the same car dealer sells him a dang “Nightrider” car. I went back up there with him and got to drive that bad boy back too. Kit was talking to me while I was passing by the Omish in Pennsylvania ‘n shit. Was some good times.

[@christimiller1511]

YOU GUYS ROCK! I am with you…I’m from the South but don’t love the problems that the South won’t face. Personal responsibility !!!!

[@mikeetgen8987]

Saw this first when American Aquarium played the Five nights, Five Albums in Athens. BJ sets it up really well, and is the case with this one, all of his song-writing is thoughtful and honest. It was great to see this one come up on my YT feed.

[@SongwriterReacts]

PREACH! Thank you and I stand with you speaking out against our issues. Look forward to fighting for a better south with y’all.

[@CuriousChia]

Telling the truth and pulling no punches. Why I love his music and respect him personally.

[@mchan1945]

Yes sir!!! There's a long line of southern artists that struggle with this first one that pops in my mind is A.R. Ammons. Thank you American Aquarium for this and all your songs.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

A.R. Ammons? Edited: Ahhh, he was a poet. Love what the southern alt-country community is preaching and will continue to preach. I’m a southern mutt but 1/2 my blood is from a town near Scottsboro, Ala. As a musician myself who knows the land well I will be writing a song about that huge ‘ucking injustice called “The Scottsboro Boys.”

[@remingtontucker9364]

Hey I saw you at the grocery in os years ago small town hyms and dances for the lonely are 2 of my favorites

[@mistigens7233]

I heard this song 2 weeks ago and cried. I cried because it restored hope in MY generation that had dwindled down to almost nothing, especially within the last few months. Thank you for that and I continue to stand with you for a better south!❤️

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Always stand for a better south! Some folks are getting rowdy cause they know change is coming. It might be gradual but without a doubt it will arrive.

[@kylewesolowski1693]

thank you for standing up for what's right.

[@sandrahundseth1271]

Thank you all for such amazing music...feeling blessed on the Sunshine coast of 🇨🇦

[@Cobain1968]

Can’t wait to see you guys live again. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 👊🏻🤘

[@Frank-vl1ln]

I am a fan from the Netherlands too! Never got to see them live though, unfortunately

[@joeblow8940]

I think they are coming to Amsterdam soon. Check their website for the tour dates.

[@Cobain1968]

@@joeblow8940 I hope so 🤞🏻

[@heinvandewijgert3407]

Agree, time for a European tour, starting in Amsterdam 🙂

[@amccoy6055]

Goddamn, that second verse was well said. I was born in SC and grew up in GA and have had far too many conversations on this very topic. Most were civil, some got ugly, but thing’s needed to be said. I doubt I have ever articulated the points as well as BJ has done here. My family have been fans for years and lineup changes make me nervous but this album is fantastic. Keep up the good work, this song is as good as anything American Aquarium has ever put out and that is saying something.

[@samuelallen2831]

I’m born and raised in New England and lived there my whole life. And I gotta say, I listened to Lamentations on a whim; this song stood out to me for its message. Because I have a loose idea of what’s going on in the south in today’s society, and a little bit historically (the surface). It’s about time someone spoke out!

[@lisagilmer6632]

Nailed it. Perfectly.

[@vickymcwilliams4279]

This is great. Thank you.

[@stephenlancisi9087]

I think it's easy to simplify a complicated issue in a song for convenance sake. And before the snarky hate rolls in, I don't have roots in the south or even in America past 1 generation.

[@mikeetgen8987]

If it was easy, everyone would do it. Actually, that's one of the amazing things about song-writing; combining words and music as a was of provoking thought and reflection. Not for everyone of course, but nothing wrong with using an art form that leads to thinking and reflecting.

[@rommelsessionslive648]

Love the song! The vibe is perfect and the band looks really dope.

[@scottosuna]

Beautiful and powerful.

[@davemcg915]

One of my favourite from the album.

[@malorieross]

Love.

[@TheSkyeBox]

Chorus had a touch of a Tom Petty feel. The song writing was terrific.

[@DeborahAdamsC]

Love, love, love.

[@PJBidwell]

Great stuff.

[@joeharris7370]

duality of southern man.....that's from drive by truckers.

[@mmholling87]

I disagree the south has its issue just like much of the US but go to any big city and the segeragation is far worse and the income gap is much larger. But I agree we can all do better but it's not just the south that has issues.

[@jeffgraham9089]

Eloquent introduction. Great song.

[@ronyalemerrill]

Yep.

[@EightFaun]

This is good

[@ciscopack]

2 generations in VA and 12 in NC; I'm gen 12 of 14; not counting the Lost Colony family member from years before. Good stuff by AA.

[@ianduckworth234]

Fuck and YES! you guys are so amazing and something americans should look right the fuck up too! thanks for trying to make this a better place.

[@samclark4860]

Fucking love it

[@tommusik5863]

The truth is rarely that which makes you look good.

[@thatsyaboi8185]

I would disagree, you claim we have always been late to the right side of history. I know what you are referring to but that does not always mean we are always late to the right side of history. Also saying the "right side of history" is quite hypocritical because there is no right side of history. Just the winning side

[@mr.bandity9604]

There is still a morally right side, it doesn’t take much to realize that.

[@timlapointe7969]

I'm dumber for reading your post. Remain ignorant.

[@TheJohnGabriel]

@@mr.bandity9604 YOUR morals? Please….

[@DC2Ams]

Yes owning people is immoral

[@bobbiegun4612]

Legalize pot and shrooms! That's a better south

[@amccoy6055]

Whoosh. That is a fantastic answer to an entirely different question. Hell, that question isn’t even on this particular test. BJ is teaching advanced sociology and history and you just gave an answer from an open book multiple choice quiz in gym.

[@taylormay9938]

He sounds very much like a southern preacher. Lol

[@tjlowery9669]

Liberals

[@2mysockitalk]

sick burn feel better now?

[@camilove318]

Thank God 💙