"You Know Better Than I" (aka "Better Than I") is the signature song from the 2000 direct-to-video film Joseph: King of Dreams. It is performed by Joseph (David Campbell), and was written by John Bucchino.
| "You Know Better Than I" | |
|---|---|
| Song by David Campbell | |
| from the album Joseph: King of Dreams | |
| Released | 2000 |
| Songwriter(s) | John Bucchino |
| Composer(s) | John Bucchino |
The song is performed when Joseph is at his lowest point, almost giving up on his faith. He decides to trust fully in God and acknowledge that He is the master of the universe who has an ultimate plan, even if things seem bad at present and he doesn't fully understand why.
Meaning
editPluggedIn explains the song's meaning: "Persevering through dark times can yield great rewards. God's role in Joseph's comeback is clear, reinforced by 'You Know Better Than I', a song addressing His loving omniscience".[1]
Critical reception
editDecentFilms wrote: "In one small way, Joseph: King of Dreams even outshines the earlier film The Prince of Egypt: the spirituality of its signature song, 'You Know Better Than I', is much more profound than anything in the more mainstream 'There Can Be Miracles'...There's a message my kids can listen to as many times as they want".[2] DVD Verdict Review said: "The best of [the film's songs] is entitled Better Than I and deals with Joseph's acceptance that his destiny and the answers to life's questions must come from a higher source than his own understanding".[3] DailyReview wrote that "Better Than I evokes the best of '90s power ballads".[4] Variety said "the best of the songs by John Bucchino, 'Better Than I' and 'What Road Lies at Your Feet', are unabashedly soaring anthems that accept and celebrate the divine. Both tunes have potential to become standards for both mainstream entertainers and Christian music performing artists".[5] Stephen Schwartz wrote: "[John Bucchino] can write a soaring ballad with the best of them, as in 'Grateful' or 'Better than I' or 'If I Ever Say I'm Over you', and yet never feel sentimental or generic".[6]
References
edit- ^ "Joseph: King of Dreams | Video Review". Plugged In. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- ^ "Joseph: King of Dreams (2000)". Decentfilms.com. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- ^ "DVD Verdict Review - Joseph: King Of Dreams". Dvdverdict.com. 2000-12-11. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- ^ Neutze, Ben. "David Campbell sings John Bucchino album review | Daily Review: film, stage and music reviews, interviews and more". Dailyreview.crikey.com.au. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- ^ "Joseph: King of Dreams". Variety. 2000-11-06. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- ^ "John Bucchino and the origins of Wicked". Musicalschwartz.com. 1996-12-16. Retrieved 2014-06-03.