Taylor Swift wrote the song, intending to include it on her fourth studio album, Red (2012), but it did not make the final track list.

Little Big Town first performed the song live at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 2, 2016, and included it in the set list of their tours in 2018 and 2024.

[4] Swift sent an email to Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet informing him of the song,[5] and he played it to the other members, who were fond of the lyrics, finding them powerful.

[5] The group originally kept Swift's identity anonymous when telling their label of the song, saying that it was offered to them by a "young girl from Nashville".

[8] "Better Man" was released for streaming and download on October 20, 2016, via Capitol Nashville,[9] as the lead single from the group's album The Breaker (2017).

[9] Its pop-oriented,[13] acoustic guitar-driven arrangement incorporates a drum loop, pinging guitar effects,[11] and occasional keyboard tones.

[14][17] According to Little Big Town, the track could resonate with many people who had to face tough decisions about moving on from difficult situations, "no matter how hard that is, you just know down in your heart that it's time to do that.

The cycle is presumably broken at the end, when Philip Sweet's character has a baby girl and makes an effort to be a better role model.

[21] Little Big Town performed "Better Man" live for the first time at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 2, 2016.

[33] On the Hot Country Songs chart dated February 11, 2017, "Better Man" reached number one, earning the group their third leader.

Swift performed "Better Man" at Club Nomadic in Houston as part of the DirecTV special, Super Saturday Night on February 4, 2017.

Bryant's rendition was described favorably by both Billboard and Rolling Stone for the change in the song's perspective, as well as the harmonies provided by Runaway June.

[61] Credits adapted from the liner notes of Red (Taylor's Version)[62] Technical Musicians ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.