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After nearly giving up on recording solo music, Eric Bazilian found inspiration in an unexpected place and turned it into ‘Better Times,’ a song about hope, connection, and finding common ground.
Before he penned anthems for the world, he was a songwriter looking for a spark.
That may be the most important part of his story.
Eric Bazilian, the legendary multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and founding member of The Hooters, has premiered the video for his latest track, “Better Times,” via American Blues Scene.
But the story isn’t really about how many millions of records he has sold.
It’s about what he did when he found inspiration in an unexpected place.
A songwriter seeking hope
Bazilian’s relationship with music has always been about genuine connection.
After nearly giving up on recording solo music, he channeled the urgent themes of freedom and independence into a song about hope and finding common ground.
He didn’t shy away from the political divides he observed while touring stateside with The Hooters.
Instead, he turned it into an artistic advantage.
Written for WXPN’s Philly Anthem series in celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, “Better Times” transforms the disillusionment of an American citizen into a rallying cry for everyone.
Then came the continuous shot
Bazilian didn’t stay inside a conventional studio box.
He took the track to the Swedish countryside, teaming up with director Max Telving of SVT television.
The video is a single, continuous camera shot from beginning to end.
It captures Bazilian at a pump organ at sunset, surrounded by locals singing along to the chorus.
It built a powerful moment out of pure simplicity.
But the message remained the foundation.
And then came the monumental history
This is where Bazilian’s legacy becomes especially relevant to MikesGig.
His work with The Hooters helped define an era of rock.
He helped arrange Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual, leaving his mark on “Time After Time.”
He drove Joan Osborne’s Relish to six Grammy nominations, earning a Song of the Year nod for writing “One Of Us.”
He performed at Live-Aid in 1985, the Amnesty International Concert in 1986, and Roger Waters’ The Wall in Berlin in 1990.
His deep catalog demonstrated something powerful:
Artists can create impact far beyond the stage.
Bazilian’s solo output includes albums, The Optimist (2000), A Very Dull Boy(2002), What Shall Become Of The Baby (2012) Bazilian (2021), and a co-release with Tania Doko Hers, His & Ours (2024) in addition to numerous collaborations with other artists. He will continue to play with The Hooters, produce and write with other artists, and release his own music. He will be playing select shows throughout 2026.
Find Eric Bazilian Online:
Official | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
What young musicians can learn from Eric
You don’t need million-selling records or Grammy nominations to make a difference, but Bazilian’s career offers timeless lessons: connect with people around you, write from personal experience, master diverse skills, and give back through music.
The MikesGig takeaway
Eric Bazilian built a lasting legacy because authenticity and storytelling remain powerful across decades.
MikesGig — Music Moves People.
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