Post Malone released the official music video for "Better Now" on October 5, 2018, opting for a raw, stadium-scale concert recap rather than a scripted narrative. Directed by Chris Velona, the visual accompaniment captures the intense energy of Post Malone's live performances during his massive tour supporting the multi-platinum album Beerbongs & Bentleys. Instead of staging a fictional breakup story, the production relies on authentic black-and-white tour footage, giving fans a direct look at life on the road and the monumental scale of his arena shows.
The track itself became a defining pop-rap anthem, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earning Diamond certification from the RIAA. While the audio was "frankensteined" together in the studio from separate instrumental and vocal scraps, the music video grounded that emotional songwriting in real-world hysteria, flashing lights, and thousands of screaming fans.
The Conception of the Live Visual Approach
When planning a visual for a massive heartbreak anthem like "Better Now", artists often shoot elaborate dramatic clips featuring actors and plotlines. Post Malone and his team took a different route.
- Authenticity over fiction: Using live tour footage avoided the artificial feel of a scripted breakup narrative.
- Scale and energy: The black-and-white aesthetic emphasized the raw grit of touring rather than glossy pop perfection.
- Fan connection: Putting concertgoers front and center honored the massive community built around the Beerbongs & Bentleys era.
The video serves as a time capsule for a specific era of modern pop culture. It mirrors the pacing of the track, matching the high-tempo drums and acoustic guitar layers with rapid cuts of stage dives, guitar solos, and backstage candids.
Inside the Studio Creation of the Song
Understanding the video requires looking at how the song came together. Producer Frank Dukes revealed that "Better Now" didn't start as a cohesive idea.
- The verse melody: The original recording session produced a vocal melody with no lyrics and a completely different beat.
- The missing hook: The initial hook felt awkward and didn't match the flow.
- The Louis Bell intervention: Vocal engineer Louis Bell remembered an unused vocal snippet from an older session, which became the iconic chorus.
- The Weezer influence: Frank Dukes rewrote the guitar-driven backing track, taking stylistic cues from alternative rock bands like Weezer.
This patchwork creation process explains why the song feels both melancholic and anthemic. The contrast between heavy-hearted lyrics about lost love and a massive stadium-ready guitar crunch translated directly into how the live shows felt night after night.
How the Tour Life Shaped the Visual Identity
By late 2018, Post Malone was shifting from a rising SoundCloud-era phenomenon to an undisputed global superstar. Arena tours brought unique logistical hurdles and massive production setups.
- Backstage rituals: Cameras caught the quiet moments before going on stage, contrasting sharply with the deafening roar of 20,000-person crowds.
- The aesthetic choice: Shooting primarily in black-and-white helped unify disparate footage captured across dozens of different tour stops.
- End of era marker: Serving as the fifth and final single from Beerbongs & Bentleys, the video closed out a chapter that cemented his crossover appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Better Now music video released?
The official music video premiered on October 5, 2018, several months after Beerbongs & Bentleys dropped on streaming services.
Is there a storyline in the music video?
No, there is no scripted storyline. It is entirely composed of live concert footage and backstage clips from Post Malone's 2018 tour.
Who directed the music video?
The video was directed by Chris Velona, focusing on documentary-style tour visuals rather than a narrative concept.
Did Better Now win any awards?
While the track itself received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance, it became a massive commercial juggernaut, selling millions of copies worldwide.
