Better in Time

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"Better in Time" is a pop and R&B song set in common time composed in a moderate tempo of eighty beats per minute,Sheet music for "Better in Time". Sony BMG Music Entertainment Publishing (2008).{{harvnb|Lewis|2008}} in the key of G flat major with a vocal range from the tone of C₄ to the note of B₅. The song has a sequence of G–Bm–Em–G/D–C as its chord progression. Lyrically the song talks about someone who cannot forget her ex-partner, and at the end the protagonist knows that "it will all get better in time". Andrea Martin and J. R. Rotem wrote the song, and Rotem composed and produced it. On 29 January 2008, Lewis announced on her website that "Better in Time", along with "Footprints in the Sand", would be released as a double A-side single on 10 March 2008, as her third single in the United Kingdom, with 2008 Sport Relief, a biennial charity organised by Comic Relief and BBC Sport, selecting "Footprints in the Sand" as their official single. It was also her second international single. A new remix of the song was created for the single release.{{cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/better_in_time_footprints_in_the_sand_out_today/ |title='Better in Time' / 'Footprints in the Sand' out today! |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment |date=10 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161505/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/better_in_time_footprints_in_the_sand_out_today/ |archive-date= 2 October 2011 }} The double A-side was released with another song, "You Bring Me Down", as a B-side.

File:Leona Lewis performing Better in Time-Man Down, Glassheart Tour.jpg" at the Royal Albert Hall during her 2013 Glassheart Tour.|alt=Three women sing on stage. They wear similar outfit (a dark blouse and trousers).]]

"Better in Time" was critically acclaimed by music critics. In his review of the album, Chung Ah-young of The Korea Times described the single as "one of the best tracks [on the album] with impressive piano sounds harmonized with [Lewis] powerful vocals".{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/143_17735.html |title=Album Reviews |publisher=Hankook Ilbo |work=The Korea Times |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=29 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127071049/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/143_17735.html |archive-date=27 January 2008 |url-status=live}} Alex Fletcher from Digital Spy gave a mixed review to the double A-side. He called the single a "placid affair" with "its plinky-plonky piano and R&B groove resting uncomfortably next to Lewis's creamy vocal style".{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a90538/leona-lewis-better-in-time--footprints-in-the-sand.html|title=Leona Lewis: 'Better in Time' / 'Footprints in the Sand'|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Ltd|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|access-date=28 August 2010|date=10 March 2010|archive-date=11 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611070705/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a90538/leona-lewis-better-in-time--footprints-in-the-sand.html|url-status=live}} The BBC's reviewer Fraser McAlpine gave "Better in Time" three stars out of five commenting that "The tune's quite nice, fairly hummable without ever actually going anywhere and despite the floaty, Mariah-esque qualities of Leona's vocals, it never goes completely mental in the throat-breakdancing department".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2008/03/leona_lewis_better_in_time.shtml|title=Leona Lewis – 'Better in Time'|publisher=BBC|date=6 March 2008|access-date=8 March 2008|archive-date=11 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311124700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2008/03/leona_lewis_better_in_time.shtml|url-status=live}}

Chuck Taylor of Billboard gave a positive review, stating that the song is of "equal caliber to its predecessor ["Bleeding Love"], with a one-listen hook, elegant chug-along melody, a lyric about healing and Lewis' unquestionably emotive vocal versatility".{{cite magazine|title=Singles |page=46 |last=Taylor|first=Chuck|date=19 July 2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3RMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=leona+lewis+better+in+time+review&pg=PA46|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Company|issn=0006-2510}} Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe called it a "{{'}}love takes time' rumination", and along with another song of the album ("I Will Be"), described it as "predictable".{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/04/08/lewiss_huge_voice_lifts_spirit/ |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=The New York Times Company |first=Sarah |last=Rodman |date=8 April 2008 |access-date=28 August 2010 |title=Lewis's huge voice lifts 'Spirit' |archive-date=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119234224/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/04/08/lewiss_huge_voice_lifts_spirit |url-status=live }} Sean Fennessey for Vibe noted that the track "is the best thing [on the album], is mannered and takes nearly three minutes to get off the ground".{{cite journal | title=Leona Lewis – Spirit |journal=Vibe |publisher=Time Inc |first=Sean |last=Fennessey |date=June 2008 |issn=1070-4701|page=66 }} It ranked at number four on the "10 Best Singles of 2008" list by American magazine Entertainment Weekly.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20162677_20164091_20247335_6,00.html|title=10 Best Singles of 2008|date=18 December 2008|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc|access-date=28 August 2010|archive-date=14 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114004227/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20162677_20164091_20247335_6,00.html|url-status=dead}} "Better in Time" was nominated at the 2009 BRIT Awards in the category of Best British Single,{{cite news |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 August 2010 |title=Brit Awards 2009: Winners list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7841069.stm |date=20 January 2009 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203092038/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7841069.stm |url-status=live }} and later the song was included on the awards' compilation album.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LCEXP8 |publisher=Amazon United States. Amazon Inc |access-date=30 August 2010 |title=Music From Brit Awards 2009 Volume 1}}

Lewis on the red carpet of the 2009 [[VH1 Divas.|left|upright|alt=A woman is standing up. She is wearing a long pink dress with a black corset. She is holding her hands in front of her body.|thumb]]

The double A-side "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand" debuted at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart on 1 March 2008; rising 36 places, it debuted in the top 40 the following week, at number 38.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/I%20Decided |title=The Official Charts Company - Leona Lewis - Better in Time/Fooprnts in the Sand |work=Official Charts Company |access-date=17 May 2010|archive-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911035734/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/i%20decided/ |url-status=live }} On its fourth week, the song reached its peak position at number two, selling 40,476 copies and being beaten to the number one spot by Duffy's "Mercy".{{cite web|title=Did Duffy win fair and square?|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033556|publisher=Music Week|date=17 March 2008|access-date=30 August 2010|last=Jones|first=Alan|archive-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521191728/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1033556|url-status=live}} With this it became the third single by Lewis to reach the top five in the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=Official Charts Company - Leona Lewis |access-date=31 August 2010 |publisher=Official Charts Company |archive-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223003611/https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |url-status=live }} "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand" was certified as silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=Certifified Awards Search |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313211501/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archive-date=13 March 2012}} In the Australian charts, "Better in Time" debuted at number 32 on 27 April 2008, reaching the top ten two weeks later, her second single to achieve this feat. On 25 May 2008 the single reached its peak position, at number six, and remained within the top fifty for eighteen weeks. The song was later certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).{{cite web|url=http://aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations 2008|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=29 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829093045/http://aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm|url-status=live}} It debuted at number 34 on New Zealand's RIANZ Chart on 17 March 2008, eventually reaching number nine after five weeks, and by its seventh week had climbed to number six, thereby becoming her second consecutive top ten hit in the country. "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand" debuted in the German charts on 16 June 2008 at number five. Although it fell out the top ten the following week, it managed to reach the top five in the issue ending 27 July 2010, and rose to its peak position, at number two, in subsequent days. "Better in Time" entered the German chart on 22 February 2009 at number seventy-nine, where it stayed for three weeks. It achieved a gold certification by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI).{{cite certification|region=Germany|title=Better%20in%20Time|access-date=30 August 2010}} In Denmark "Better in Time" entered the charts at number twenty-nine on 9 May 2008, and managed to rise twenty-three places in the next two weeks. On 6 June 2008 the single reached its peak position, number three. Next week, it fell out two places, but it retook its peak the following issue, and the song continued in this position for three weeks.

"Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand" debuted and peaked at number eight on the European Hot 100 Singles in the issue ending 29 March 2008, becoming the highest debut of the week.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2008-08-02#/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2008-03-29&order=gainer |title=Week of March 29, 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Company |date=29 March 2008 |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630185426/http://www.billboard.com/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2008-08-02%23/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2008-08-02#/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2008-03-29&order=gainer |url-status=live }} Moreover, "Better in Time" was also a success in the chart, the single eventually reached number seven on the chart in the week ending 2 August 2008.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/song/leona-lewis/better-in-time/11034377#/song/leona-lewis/better-in-time/11034377 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Company |access-date=1 September 2010 |title=Better in Time - Leona Lewis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107112440/http://www.billboard.com/song/leona-lewis/better-in-time/11034377 |archive-date= 7 November 2012 |url-status=dead }} In Switzerland, the single entered at number thirteen, becoming the highest release of the week.{{cite web |url=http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Leona+Lewis&titel=Better+In+Time&cat=s |title=Leona Lewis - Better in Time |access-date=1 September 2010 |publisher=Hung Medien |archive-date=1 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201125303/http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Leona+Lewis&titel=Better+In+Time&cat=s |url-status=live }} On 27 July 2008, its ninth week, it reached its peak position at number five, becoming Lewis's second top five in the country. It managed to stay within the top ten for eleven weeks and it was last seen in the chart on 22 March 2009, forty-two weeks after its debut. In the week ending 26 April 2008, "Better in Time" debuted at number sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-04-26/hot-100?order=gainer |title=Week of April 26, 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Company |date=26 April 2008 |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917230059/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2008-04-26 |url-status=live }} in the same week that her previous single, "Bleeding Love", topped the chart.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-04-26/hot-100?order=position |title=Week of April 26, 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Company |date=26 April 2008 |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917230059/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2008-04-26 |url-status=live }} Next week it dropped out of the chart but later re-entered the Hot 100 at number seventy-five, becoming the best comeback of the week.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-08-02/hot-100 |title=Week of August 2, 2008 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Company |date=2 August 2008 |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519214515/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-08-02/hot-100 |url-status=live }} The song reached its peak position at number eleven on its fourteenth week, where it stayed for another week.{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/song/34178 |publisher=αCharts.us |access-date=1 September 2010 |title=Leona Lewis - Better in Time |archive-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709140841/http://acharts.us/song/34178 |url-status=live }} In other charts of the United States, "Better in Time" peaked at number four on the Adult Top 40, ninety-nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, three at the Mainstream Top 40, and at number four on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it spent fifty-two weeks on the chart.{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Company|title=Week of October 24, 2009|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-10-24/adult-contemporary|date=24 October 2009|access-date=13 January 2010|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917230101/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/2009-10-24|url-status=live}} The single became the seventeenth best-selling single of 2008 in Austria, as well as the twenty-second in Germany and Switzerland, the thirty-sixth in New Zealand, the thirty-seventh in the UK, the fifty-fifth of Australia, the sixty-fourth in the Netherlands,{{cite web|url=http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr2008.html|title=Dutch Top 40 Year End|publisher=MegaCharts|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=25 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225213741/http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr2008.html|url-status=live}} and the seventy-second in Flanders, a region in Belgium.

File:Better in Time video.jpg

The music video was filmed at Hampton Court House School in London by the British director Sophie Muller in February 2008,{{cite web|date=21 February 2008 |title=Behind-the-scenes on 'Better in Time' shoot |url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/behind_the_scenes_on_better_in_time_shoot/ |access-date=3 September 2010 |publisher=Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161517/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/behind_the_scenes_on_better_in_time_shoot/ |archive-date= 2 October 2011 }} and was released at the end of the same month.{{cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/better_in_time_video/ |title=Better in Time video |access-date=3 September 2010 |publisher=Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment |date=29 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161544/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/better_in_time_video/ |archive-date= 2 October 2011 }} The video is inspired by fashion design, with Lewis performing in front of "unrelated photographic set-ups", and shows what goes on behind the scenes.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7245446.stm|title=Lewis makes footprints in States|publisher=BBC News. BBC|first=Liam|last=Allen|date=15 February 2008|access-date=17 February 2008|archive-date=18 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218235959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7245446.stm|url-status=live}} In some parts of the video Lewis is shown with a horse.{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=99220&in_page_id=7|title=Leona saddles up for chart success|publisher=Associated Newspapers|work=Metro|first=Andrei|last=Harmsworth|date=15 February 2008|access-date=17 February 2008|archive-date=17 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217034056/http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=99220&in_page_id=7|url-status=live}}

Lewis first performed the song live on the television programme Dancing on Ice on 9 March 2008.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Lewis also performed both sides of the single on BBC One's Sport Relief on 14 March 2008,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/7802107.stm |title=Rise to the challenge for Sport Relief |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=7 September 2010 |date=28 December 2008 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124222441/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/7802107.stm |url-status=live }} Good Morning America on 4 April 2008,{{Cite episode |title=Good Morning America |network=American Broadcasting Company |series=Good Morning America |series-link=Good Morning America }} and on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show along with "Bleeding Love".{{Cite episode |title=Jimmy Kimmel Live! |series=Jimmy Kimmel Live! |series-link=Jimmy Kimmel Live! |network=American Broadcasting Company}} On 3 September 2008 Lewis performed the song on Live with Regis and Kelly,{{cite web|url=http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/special/livestage/index.html |work=Live with Regis and Kelly |publisher=American Broadcasting Company |access-date=7 September 2010 |date=3 September 2008 |title=The Live Stage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824032659/http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/special/livestage/index.html |archive-date=24 August 2010 }} and on 1 October 2008 on the season finale of America's Got Talent.{{cite episode | title = Finale Results |series=America's Got Talent |series-link= America's Got Talent (season 3) |airdate= 1 October 2008|season=3 |number=20 }} The song was featured in the 90210 episode "Lucky Strike", originally aired on 9 September 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/90210/lucky-strike/episode/1225889/summary.html |publisher=TV.com. CBS Interactive |access-date=8 September 2010 |title=90210: Lucky Strike |archive-date=4 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104121641/http://www.tv.com/90210/lucky-strike/episode/1225889/summary.html |url-status=live }} On 24 November 2008, Lewis performed the song at the 2008 American Music Awards.{{cite magazine |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE49T3CG20081030 |title=Leona Lewis to join American Music Awards |date=30 October 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=Reuters |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917230100/https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE49T3CG20081030 |url-status=dead }} In May 2010, the song was added to the setlist of her The Labyrinth tour, performed as the fourth song of the show.{{cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/the_labyrinth_live_tour_dvd/ |title=The Labyrinth Live Tour DVD |date=9 November 2010 |work=Leona Lewis Official Website |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118041602/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/the_labyrinth_live_tour_dvd/ |archive-date=18 November 2010 }} "Better in Time" was included on the tour's live album and Blu-ray The Labyrinth Tour Live from The O2, released on 29 November 2010. In 2011, Lewis performed a reggae version of the song at BBC Radio 1 segment Live Lounge, where she mashed up the single with "Man Down", a song by Rihanna.{{cite web|publisher=Sony Music UK. Sony Music Entertainment |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011 |title=Leona performs Reggae version of 'Better in Time' / Rihanna's 'Man Down' in the Radio 1 Live Lounge |url=http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/news/20409/0/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174153/http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/news/20409/0/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 }} It is also one of thirty-eight songs included on the benefit album Songs for Japan, a compilation album released in response to the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tōhoku, Japan), released on 25 March 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660688/songs-japan-includes-eminem-justin-bieber-lady-gaga-more.jhtml|title=Songs For Japan Includes Eminem, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga And More|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=25 March 2011|access-date=2 October 2012|publisher=MTV News. Viacom Inc.|archive-date=29 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429010601/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660688/songs-japan-includes-eminem-justin-bieber-lady-gaga-more.jhtml|url-status=dead}} "Better in Time" was used in the American television series Pretty Little Liars, for the second season finale "unmAsked", in the masquerade ball scene.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaimie-etkin/pretty-little-liars-recap_4_b_1369003.html|title='Pretty Little Liars' Recap: Season 2 Finale Gets 'Psycho' With Mona|first=Jaimie|last=Etkin|date=21 March 2012|access-date=30 December 2012|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL Inc|archive-date=27 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927054147/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaimie-etkin/pretty-little-liars-recap_4_b_1369003.html|url-status=live}} In 2013, Lewis performed the song along with "Man Down" during her Glassheart Tour.{{cite web|last=Corner|first=Lewis|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a473838/leona-lewis-begins-glassheart-tour-in-germany-pictures.html|title=Leona Lewis begins 'Glassheart' tour in Germany - pictures|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK|date=17 April 2013|access-date=9 May 2013|archive-date=27 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427082633/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a473838/leona-lewis-begins-glassheart-tour-in-germany-pictures.html|url-status=live}}

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Australian Maxi single and UK Sport Relief CD single{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0013FXV5W|title=Better in Time: Official Sport Relief Single 2008 (Single)|access-date=30 August 2010|publisher=Amazon United Kingdom. Amazon Inc|archive-date=15 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014545/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0013FXV5W|url-status=live}}

1. "Better in Time" – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" – 4:09
3. "You Bring Me Down" – 3:54

CD single (Syco), CD single (RCA), Maxi single, and Swiss CD single{{cite web |url=http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=704336 |publisher=CeDe |access-date=30 August 2010 |language=de |title=Better in Time – 2track |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180659/http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=704336 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58

German Premium single{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0018JD5YA |publisher=Amazon Germany. Amazon Inc |title=Better in Time/Premium (Single, Maxi) |access-date=30 August 2010 |language=de |archive-date=15 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014547/https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0018JD5YA |url-status=live }}

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40
4. "Better in Time" (Video) – 3:58

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Sony single;{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-in-time-sony-single-r1392469|title=Better in Time [Sony Single]|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=25 April 2011|archive-date=7 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407093008/http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-in-time-sony-single-r1392469|url-status=live}} Swiss Maxi single{{cite web |url=http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=705839 |publisher=CeDe |access-date=30 August 2010 |language=de |title=Better in Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180725/http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=705839 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40

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"Better in Time"{{cite AV media notes |title=Spirit (North American version) |title-link=Spirit (Leona Lewis album) |others=Leona Lewis |year=2007 |type=Compact Disc |publisher=Sony BMG, J Records, Syco. |id=8 86970 25542 4 |location=Los Angeles, California}}

• Leona Lewis – vocals
• J. R. Rotem – instruments, musical arranger, writer and producer
• Greg Ogan – recorder
• Andrea Martin – writer
• Vlado Meller – mastering
• Serban Ghenea – mixer
• Lyndell Fraser – Pro–tools engineer
• Tim Roberts – Pro–tools engineer assistant

{{col-2}}

"You Bring Me Down"

• Leona Lewis – vocals, writer
• Salaam Remi – bass, piano, drums, writer
• Vincent Henry – saxophone, flute, clarinet
• Bruce Purse – trumpet, bass trumpet, flugelhorn
• Vlado Meller – mastering
• Manny Marroquin – mixer
• Taj Jackson – vocal producer, writer
• Gleyder "Gee" Disla – recorder
• Franklin "Esoses" Socorro – recorder

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Better in Time"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=21 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Leona Lewis|title=Better in Time|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|id=35|access-date=21 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Leona Lewis|title=Better in Time|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=21 April 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|nocert=true|salesamount=56,405|access-date=14 January 2018|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=Music in Italy |publisher=Federation of the Italian Music Industry |access-date=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2016 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Leona Lewis|title=Better in Time|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=19 January 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Leona Lewis|title=Better in Time|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|certweek=10|access-date=30 August 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Leona Lewis|title=Better In Time/Footprints In The Sand|award=Platinum|id=875-1918-1|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|access-date=26 May 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{Cite book

|last=Lewis

|first=Leona

|author-link=Leona Lewis

|title=Leona Lewis Spirit

|location=United Kingdom

|publisher=Hal Leonard

|year=2008

|isbn=978-1-4234-4568-5

|url-access=registration

|url=https://archive.org/details/spirit00lewi

}}

{{Refend}}

• {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1340982|label="Better in Time"/"Footprints in the Sand"}}
• {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1392469|label="Better in Time"}}
• {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1427576|label="Better in Time" (2 tracks)}}

{{Leona Lewis}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Better In Time}}

Category:2000s ballads

Category:2007 songs

Category:2008 singles

Category:Charity singles

Category:Leona Lewis songs

Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by J. R. Rotem

Category:Songs written by Andrea Martin (musician)

Category:Songs written by J. R. Rotem

Category:Comic Relief singles

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Syco Music singles

Category:J Records singles