Better than Today

File:Nerina Pallot at Cornbury Music Festival (2006) (2).jpg (pictured) wrote and produced "Better Than Today" with her husband, Andy Chatterley.|alt=A woman is on stage singing into a mic and playing a guitar.]]

"Better Than Today" was written and produced by married couple Nerina Pallot and Andy Chatterley.{{cite web|title=Better Than Today – Kylie Minogue {{!}} Song Info|url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/better-than-today-t19737023|work=AllMusic|publisher=RhythmOne|access-date=6 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604212658/http://www.allmusic.com/song/better-than-today-t19737023|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=live}} The song was originally included on Pallot's project Buckminster Fuller EP in February 2009.{{cite AV media notes |title=Buckminster Fuller EP (CD liner) |others=Nerina Pallot |date=2009 |location=United Kingdom}}{{cite web |title=Buckminster Fuller EP Digital Edition |url= http://nerinapallot.dloadshop.com/productmusic.asp?artistid=20 |website=NerinaPallot.com|access-date=6 March 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151024114641/http://nerinapallot.dloadshop.com/productmusic.asp?artistid=20 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2015}} After hearing Pallot's work, Minogue's A&R contacted her manager. Pallot stated when Minogue called her later, she "really didn't believe it was her", continuing, "when [Minogue] came to the studio in a nasty part of London I thought: 'OK, she really does want to do this'".{{cite news|last=Sawer|first=Patrick|title=Nerina Pallot: Cowell, Minogue and me |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7503628/Nerina-Pallot-Cowell-Minogue-and-me.html|access-date=6 March 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=4 April 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140903145633/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7503628/Nerina-Pallot-Cowell-Minogue-and-me.html |url-status=live|archive-date=3 September 2014}} Pallot and Chatterley were the first two writers and producers to work with Minogue when recording sessions for Aphrodite began in April 2009. "Better Than Today" was one of the prominent results of the collaboration.{{cite magazine|last=Sutherland|first=Mark|title=Kylie Minogue: Special K

|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957711/kylie-minogue-special-k|access-date=6 March 2011|magazine=Billboard|date=18 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906234420/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957711/kylie-minogue-special-k|archive-date=6 September 2018|url-status=live}} Pallot commented on working with Minogue, calling her "accommodating and lovely and approachable and normal {{sic}}".

Subsequent sessions Minogue had with the duo were not as successful. After Parlophone president Miles Leonard made Stuart Price the executive producer over the album in December 2009, Price and Jake Shears (a friend and former collaboration partner of Price and Minogue) began to re-produce the album. After being retooled by Price, "Better Than Today" was left as one of only two remaining collaborations Minogue had with Pallot and Chatterly, along with the album's title track. Additional production and mixing took place at London in 2009. "Better Than Today" was released as the third single from the album on 3 December 2010.{{cite web|title=Better Than Today|url=http://stage.kylie.com/discography/singles/better-than-today/|publisher=Kylie.com|access-date=19 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224120502/http://stage.kylie.com/discography/singles/better-than-today/|archive-date=24 February 2014}} It was released digitally in Minogue's native Australia on 28 February 2011 and physically on 18 March 2011.

"Better Than Today" is a dance-pop song with influences from other styles, including funk, soul and country.{{cite news|last=Wade|first=Ian|title=Kylie Minogue Aphrodite Review|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zdnv|access-date=6 March 2011|publisher=BBC Music|date=25 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211053757/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zdnv|url-status=live|archive-date=11 February 2011}} It also incorporates the use of the electric and acoustic guitar, synthesizers and drum programming by both Pallot and Chatterley.{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Than Today|others=Kylie Minogue|date=2010|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDR 6828}} According to the sheet music published by Hal Leonard Corporation, it is set in common time with a tempo of 110 beats per minute.{{cite journal|first1=Nerina|last1=Pallot|first2=Andy|last2=Chatterley|publisher=BMG Rights Management|title=Better Than Today: Kylie – Digital Sheet Music|year=2010|website=Musicnotes.com|at=MN0151526 (Product Number)|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0151526|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525093412/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0151526|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}} Minogue's version is composed in the key of F major with her vocal range spanning from the low-note of A₄ to the high-note of F₆. The chord progression F-E♭-Dm-Dm-E♭-F follows throughout her edition while the middle eight remains in F (Pallot's version did not contain a middle eight).

Many comparisons have been made on the song's style. Popjustice compared "Better Than Today" to the style used in Minogue's 1990 album Rhythm of Love.{{cite news|title=Popstar on stage sings song|url=http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4090&Itemid=9|access-date=6 March 2011|work=Popjustice|date=1 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629185647/http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4090&Itemid=9|url-status=live|archive-date=29 June 2011}} Hannah Kim of the Korea JoongAng Daily stated the track adds on to a "classic 70s disco sound".{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Hannah|title=New Releases: Kylie Minogue|url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923017|access-date=6 March 2011|newspaper=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=12 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121151334/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923017|url-status=live|archive-date=21 January 2011}} When reviewing the album, Ian Wade of BBC Music called the song a "tech-country strut". Fraser McAlpine of BBC said that without research, it "bears the musical fingerprint" of Shears. "It's got that 'Laura' bounce ... And the bit where Kylie goes way up high? Well you've heard the verses to 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin'' right? Sonically similar..."{{cite news|last=McAlpine|first=Fraser|title=Kylie – 'Better Than Today'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2010/12/kylie_-_better_than_today.shtml|access-date=6 March 2011|work=BBC: The Chart Blog|date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302171450/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2010/12/kylie_-_better_than_today.shtml|url-status=live|archive-date=2 March 2014}} Christel Loar of PopMatters and Nick Levine of Digital Spy praised the lyric in the song, "What's the point in living if you don't wanna dance?"{{cite news|last=Loar|first=Christel|title=Kylie Minogue: Aphrodite|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/127860-kylie-minogue-aphrodite/|access-date=6 March 2011|work=PopMatters|date=8 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629110345/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/127860-kylie-minogue-aphrodite/|url-status=live|archive-date=29 June 2011}} Levine specifically applauded Pallot and Chatterly for "coming up with probably the Kyliest Kylie lyric ever".{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Kylie Minogue: 'Better Than Today'|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a289425/kylie-minogue-better-than-today.html|access-date=6 March 2011|work=Digital Spy|date=23 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227161534/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a289425/kylie-minogue-better-than-today.html|url-status=live|archive-date=27 December 2010}}

The song has received positive reviews in context of the album. Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly called "Better Than Today" a standout track on Aphrodite.{{cite magazine|last=Wood|first=Mikael|title=Aphrodite|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20398289,00.html|access-date=6 March 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=30 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019041132/https://ew.com/article/2010/06/30/aphrodite/|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=dead}} Wade of BBC Music also gave a favorable review, saying the track "throws up imagery of line-dancing cyborgs". Loar of PopMatters labeled it a "sugary bounce". However in contrast to the positive album reviews, Nick Ward of The Nelson Mail was not impressed. He said that there is no "oomph" that "would have made ['Better Than Today'] complete".{{cite news|last=Ward|first=Nick|title=Kylie Minogue – Aphrodite|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/entertainment/cd-reviews/3946185/Kylie-Minogue-Aphrodite|access-date=6 March 2011|newspaper=The Nelson Mail|date=22 July 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630160324/http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/entertainment/cd-reviews/3946185/Kylie-Minogue-Aphrodite|url-status=live|archive-date=30 June 2012}}

When "Better Than Today" became a single, reviews for the song itself were mixed. McAlpine of BBC said "the relentless swaggering momentum" of the track "gets a little wearing". He continued, "At some point, something ELSE needs to happen, y'see {{sic}}. No matter how many times Kylie's voice swoops up high and skips back down again, no matter how firmly she pushes herself into those demanding choruses; it begins like Tigger and ends like a route march around an aerobics class." He gave the single three out of five stars. Popjustice, while stating the song is "rather enjoyable", added that it is a "no-harm-intended album track" instead of "the big balls-out I'm-bloody-Kylie comeback single". They remarked at a later date, saying that they were "slightly alarmed" when the song became a single.{{cite news|title=Song of the Day: 'Better Than Today' (Bills & Hurr mix)|url=http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5096&Itemid=279#ixzz17365IICj|access-date=6 March 2011|work=Popjustice|date=5 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629185707/http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5096&Itemid=279#ixzz17365IICj|url-status=live|archive-date=29 June 2011}} Nima Baniamer of Contact Music described the song as "a fun electro number", but it "sadly doesn't seem to pack a punch enough to stand firm as a lead-out track".{{cite news|last=Baniamer|first=Nima|title=Kylie Minogue – Better Than Today Single Review|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/singlereview/kylie-minogue-better-than-today|access-date=7 March 2011|website=Contactmusic.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323144355/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/singlereview/kylie-minogue-better-than-today|url-status=live|archive-date=23 March 2011}} Originally in an album review, Levine of Digital Spy called the tune "as uplifting a dance-pop ditty as we're likely to hear all year".{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Kylie Minogue: 'Aphrodite'|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/albumreviews/a250946/kylie-minogue-aphrodite.html|access-date=6 March 2011|work=Digital Spy|date=28 July 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525062132/https://www.webcitation.org/5wzbN3yrS?url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/albumreviews/a250946/kylie-minogue-aphrodite.html%3Fstart=3|url-status=live|archive-date=25 May 2024}} In a single review, Levine re-evaluated the song, stating that it is not "the freshest confection you'll sample this party season" but he continued, calling it "sweet, seductive and pretty much impossible not to succumb to over and over again". He gave the single four out of five stars.

File:Kylie Minogue, Live Bell Center, Aphrodite Live Tour, Nikon S9100, Montreal, 28 April 2011 (212) (5668311356) (cropped).jpg in 2011. The song became her sixth number-one single on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart.]]

During the week of 20 November 2010, "Better Than Today" made its UK Singles Chart debut at number 67.{{cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101114/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=20 November 2010|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005183652/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101114/7501/|archive-date=5 October 2018|url-status=live}} This was based purely on digital sales from the album as the single was not released until 3 December 2010. The day before its release, it reached a new peak of number 40,{{cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101128/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=4 November 2010|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145122/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101128/7501/|archive-date=7 November 2018|url-status=live}} before dropping to number 63,{{cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101205/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=5 December 2010|access-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220160436/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20101205/7501/|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live}} only to go on to peak at number 32 on 18 December 2010. As a result, "Better Than Today" is one of Minogue's lowest charting singles in the United Kingdom.{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Cameron|title=Kylie promises Perth a wet'n'wild show|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/exclusive-kylies-wet-n-wild-tour/story-e6frg30l-1226015326053|access-date=22 April 2011|newspaper=Perth Now|date=3 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405092132/http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/exclusive-kylies-wet-n-wild-tour/story-e6frg30l-1226015326053|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 April 2011}} It proved to be her least successful UK charting since 2008's "The One" which peaked at number 36.{{cite web|title=Kylie Minogue|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/43484/kylie-minogue/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=22 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415232402/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/43484/kylie-minogue/|archive-date=15 April 2019|url-status=live}} The single had similar results in other European countries, peaking at number 27 in Scotland and number 63 in France.

In the United States, "Better Than Today" debuted at number 44 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2011-01-08|title=Dance Club Songs: Top Dance Music Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=8 January 2011|access-date=8 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019172508/https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2011-01-08|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=live}} It rose to number-one on the issue date entitled 5 March 2011,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2011-03-05|title=Dance Club Songs: Top Dance Music Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=5 March 2011|access-date=8 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328005635/https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/2011-03-05|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=live}} not only becoming Minogue's sixth number-one single on the chart, but also her third consecutive number-one from the Aphrodite album on that chart. At the time, Minogue also held the third spot on the chart with "Higher", her collaboration with British recording artist Taio Cruz, becoming the first artist to claim two of the top three spots at the same time in the American dance chart's history.{{cite magazine|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/472860/kylie-minogue-makes-history-on-danceclub-play-songs|title=Kylie Minogue Makes History on Dance/Club Play Songs|access-date=28 February 2011|date=26 February 2011|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520075324/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/472860/kylie-minogue-makes-history-on-danceclub-play-songs|archive-date=20 May 2019|url-status=live}} After its release in Australia, the song made its debut on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 55.{{cite web|title=Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 21st March 2011|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm|work=The ARIA Report|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=23 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216114715/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm|archive-date=16 February 2011|url-status=dead|date=21 March 2011}} This proved to be her third single to miss the top-fifty along with "Finer Feelings" (1992), which peaked at number 60, and "Get Outta My Way" (2010), which peaked at number 69.{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}{{cite web|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing: 18th October 2010|page=4|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1077.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20101120130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20101121-0001/Issue1077.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-11-20|work=The ARIA Report|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|date=18 October 2010|access-date=22 April 2011}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In a March 2011 interview with Perth Now, Minogue expressed disappointment with the commercial performance of her singles from Aphrodite. Minogue said,{{quote|"It's confusing. I felt a little let down with my releases from Aphrodite,... I was caught out like a lot of artists were, with record companies figuring out how to do single releases these days. I remember doing a promo for one of the last singles and it just felt really old-fashioned. I'm pretty computer-savvy, something didn't feel right, but no one said anything to me."}}

Consequently, after acknowledging that both "Better Than Today" and "Get Outta My Way" charted poorly across the world, she announced there would be no more singles released from the album. However, "Put Your Hands Up" was released in late May 2011 following a press release from Astralwerks, Minogue's North American record label.{{cite news|title=Pop Superstar Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite – Live 2011 World Tour Reaches North America Tomorrow!|url=http://www.kylie.com/news/pop-superstar-kylie-minogue%E2%80%99s-aphrodite-live-2011-world-tour-reaches-north-america-tomorrow/|access-date=28 April 2011|publisher=Kylie.com|date=27 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504145304/http://www.kylie.com/news/pop-superstar-kylie-minogue%E2%80%99s-aphrodite-live-2011-world-tour-reaches-north-america-tomorrow/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 May 2011}}

Minogue premiered the video for "Better Than Today" at her official website on 19 November 2010.{{cite news|title=Better Than Today Official Video is Here!|url=http://www.kylie.com/news/better-than-today-official-video-is-here/|access-date=6 March 2011|publisher=Kylie.com|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105193110/http://www.kylie.com/news/better-than-today-official-video-is-here/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 January 2011}} The video was directed by Minogue herself with help from her tour staff, including her long-time stylist and friend William Baker.{{cite video|date=20 November 2010|title=Kylie Minogue – Better Than Today Introduction|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJF_4jz5Ug| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/6bJF_4jz5Ug| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|access-date=6 March 2011|quote=I put this together with the help of my touring crew...|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Paul|title=Kylie Minogue: Better Than Today – Brand new video|url=http://new.uk.music.yahoo.com/blogs/video_selection/2109/kylie-minogue-better-than-todaybrand-new-video/|access-date=6 March 2011|work=Yahoo! Music|date=22 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125031258/http://new.uk.music.yahoo.com/blogs/video_selection/2109/kylie-minogue-better-than-todaybrand-new-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2011}} The video resembles performances of the song done during her 2009 North American tour, featuring the same dances by choreographer Tony Testa.{{cite video|date=8 October 2009|title=Kylie's Tour Blog – Better Than Today (Dance Tutorial)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPS2V4E-bY8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/iPS2V4E-bY8| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|access-date=6 March 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

The video begins with Minogue dancing on a stage surrounded by laser beams. As the first verse starts, she is surrounded by female dancers wearing pink wigs as shoulder pads and a band wearing Pac-Man helmets. She is wearing a blue bodysuit with fringed material on top and silver, spiked Louboutin stilettos similar to the golden ones featured in the video for "Get Outta My Way".{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Adam|title=Kylie Minogue wore red on X Factor|url=http://www.fhm.com/girls/news/kylie-minogue-wore-red-on-x-factor-78546|access-date=27 March 2011|work=FHM|date=8 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111140431/http://www.fhm.com/girls/news/kylie-minogue-wore-red-on-x-factor-78546|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2010}} Screens in the background show several colourful projections inspired by Space Invaders and other arcade games. When the chorus starts, Minogue sits on two Marshall amps while animated flowers, 3D bears and bold letters echoing lyrics move through the screens. During the bridge, Minogue is surrounded once again with laser beams, some projected from her microphone stand. The screens display colourful lips inspired by the musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show.{{cite news|last=Bain|first=Becky|title=Kylie Minogue Is Ms. Pac Man in Her 'Better Than Today' Video|url=http://idolator.com/5694942/kylie-minogue-better-than-today|access-date=25 March 2011|work=Idolator|date=19 November 2010}} After the final chorus cuts through all scenes the video ends with Minogue surrounded by the laser beams again, lowering her beamed microphone stand.

Feedback to the music video was mostly positive. Pink is the New Blog applauded the video, labelling it a "very colorful, 80s video game inspired video".{{cite news|title=Watch: Kylie Minogue, 'Better Than Today'|url=http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2010/11/watch-kylie-minogue-better-than-today/|access-date=25 March 2011|work=Pink is the New Blog|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123032007/http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2010/11/watch-kylie-minogue-better-than-today/|url-status=live|archive-date=23 November 2010}} Gary Pini of Paper described the set of the music video as being "designed by Murakami and Pac Man" with "a cool microphone stand the shoots out laser beams".{{cite news|last=Pini|first=Gary|title=Kylie Minogue's "Better Than Today" Is Our Music Video of the Day|url=http://www.papermag.com/2011/01/kylie_minogues_better_than_tod.php|access-date=25 March 2011|work=Paper|date=3 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406112020/http://www.papermag.com/2011/01/kylie_minogues_better_than_tod.php|url-status=live|archive-date=6 April 2012}} Becky Bain of Idolator also enjoyed the "sexified" video, saying "You have to love a super cool chick like Kylie who isn't afraid to let her inner nerd out in the open." Bradley Stern of MuuMuse described it as a mixture of the music videos for "2 Hearts" and "The One". He continued, "...the video for "Better Than Today" kicks Kylie's X Factor performance up ten notches with laser lights, bright neon animations, extra furry pink shoulders–and of course, killer spiked heels."{{cite news|last=Stern|first=Bradley|title=Kylie Minogue: Better Than Today (Video Premiere)|url=http://www.muumuse.com/2010/11/kylie-minogue-better-than-today-video-premiere.html|access-date=25 March 2011|work=MuuMuse|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104140941/http://www.muumuse.com/2010/11/kylie-minogue-better-than-today-video-premiere.html|url-status=live|archive-date=4 January 2011}} HardCandy was reminded of the music video for "Can't Get You Out of My Head". "I love that she's brought back her 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' robots with an updated Tron feel to them." They added that the video was "nothing special or ground breaking".{{cite news|title=Kylie Minogue: Better Than Today (Video Premiere)|url=http://www.hardcandymusic.com/2010/11/kylie-minogue-better-than-today-video-premiere.html|access-date=25 March 2011|work=HardCandy|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123191013/http://www.hardcandymusic.com/2010/11/kylie-minogue-better-than-today-video-premiere.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2010}}

File:Kylie Minogue at the Hammerstein Ballroom NYC (4013207948).jpg.]]

Minogue premiered "Better Than Today" by adding it to the set list of her 2009 North American tour. Prior to performing the song on the first tour date in Oakland, she said, "I know it's taken me a little long to get [to the United States], so I thought I'd give you guys a first..." Rolling Stone commented on Minogue's background singers during the song, saying they had "the evening's most striking fashion innovation": neon pink wigs worn as shoulder pads.{{cite magazine |title=Kylie Minogue's Spacey Spectacle Lands at First-Ever U.S. Gig |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kylie-minogues-spacey-spectacle-lands-at-first-ever-u-s-gig-20091001 |access-date=20 March 2011 |magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Barry|last=Walters|date=1 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623114044/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kylie-minogues-spacey-spectacle-lands-at-first-ever-u-s-gig-20091001 |archive-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=live|df=dmy }} After the tour stop in Chicago, John Dugan of Time Out said that the performance was his "favorite song of the night".{{cite news|last=Dugan|first=John|title=Kylie Minogue at UIC Pavilion: Live review and gallery|url=http://timeoutchicago.com/music-nightlife/audio-file-blog/113490/kylie-minogue-at-uic-pavilion-live-review-and-gallery|access-date=20 March 2011|work=Time Out|date=8 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718161332/http://timeoutchicago.com/music-nightlife/audio-file-blog/113490/kylie-minogue-at-uic-pavilion-live-review-and-gallery|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 July 2011}} The song was added in the Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour setlist in 2011.{{cite web |url= http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/05/kylie_minogue_aphrodite_tour_new_york_city.php |title=Live: Kylie Minogue Makes Grand Entrance after Grand Entrance at the Hammerstein |website=The Village Voice|access-date= 3 May 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140429044433/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/05/kylie_minogue_aphrodite_tour_new_york_city.php |archive-date= 29 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all|first=Maura|last=Johnston|author-link=Maura Johnston |date=3 May 2011|location=Hammerstein Ballroom}} Simon Collins of The West Australian praising Minogue's ability to "regather herself to deliver the sassy stomp" of the song.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/music-reviews/music-review-kylie-minogue-ng-ya-163355|title=Music Review: Kylie Minogue|work=The West Australian|date=24 June 2011|access-date=24 June 2011|first=Simon|last=Collins|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525163206/http://thewest.com.au/entertainment/music-reviews/music-review-kylie-minogue-ng-ya-163355|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}

To promote the single, Minogue took on a number of television performances. On 7 November 2010, she sang the song live on The X Factor{{'}}s results show. She wore a red, fringed cocktail dress with small cut-outs in the waist and the silver heels featured in the music video. She received a standing ovation from all four judges; Dannii Minogue, who is a judge on the show and Minogue's sister, gave her praise. She called the performance a "ten out of ten".{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/5680182/kylie-minogue-the-x-factor-better-than-today|title=Kylie Minogue Plays Pac Man On 'The X Factor'|work=Idolator|date=8 November 2010|access-date=8 November 2010|first=Robbie|last=Daw|archive-date=17 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317054701/http://www.idolator.com/5680182/kylie-minogue-the-x-factor-better-than-today|url-status=dead}} Minogue reprised this performance for BBC One's Children in Need 2010 television special on 19 November 2010. She donned a bodysuit similar to the one featured in the video, but in white.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/take-that-shine-on-children-in-need-28572112.html|title=Take That shine on Children in Need|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=19 November 2010|access-date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200829131557/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/take-that-shine-on-children-in-need-28572112.html|url-status=live|archive-date=29 August 2020}} Minogue opened Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball on 6 December 2010, adding "Better Than Today" to her set list. She wore a sheer, white floor-length gown with the same silver heels.{{cite web|url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/international-news-news/kylie-adds-japan-tour-dates/38743|title=Kylie adds Japan tour dates|work=Star Observer|date=19 November 2010|access-date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829132704/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/international-news-news/kylie-adds-japan-tour-dates/38743|url-status=live|archive-date=29 August 2020}} She then went on to perform the song at the annual Royal Variety Performance on 10 December 2010.{{cite news|last=Bain|first=Becky|title=Kylie Minogue And Cheryl Cole Entertain The Brits at the Royal Variety Performance|url=http://idolator.com/5720432/kylie-minogie-cheryl-cole-take-that-royal-variety-performance|access-date=27 March 2011|work=Idolator|date=16 December 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713132155/http://idolator.com/5720432/kylie-minogie-cheryl-cole-take-that-royal-variety-performance|url-status=live|archive-date=13 July 2012}} Minogue and Gary Barlow got the chance to greet Prince Charles and Camilla at the London Palladium, where the event was held.{{cite web|title=The Royal Variety Performance Show 2010|url=http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/celebrity/pictures/31117/9/the-royal-variety-performance-show-2010.html#landing|work=Marie Claire|access-date=27 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214105830/http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/celebrity/pictures/31117/9/the-royal-variety-performance-show-2010-celebrity-photos-kylie-minogue-photos.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 December 2010}}

At the end of 2010, she performed a big band version of the song at Jools Holland's annual Hootenanny.{{cite episode|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wvjdq|title=Jools' 18th Annual Hootenanny − 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228072900/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wvjdq|archive-date=28 December 2017|access-date=31 August 2020|network=BBC Two|url-status=live|series=Hootenanny|series-link=Hootenanny (UK TV series)|date=31 December 2010|first1=Janet Fraser (director)|last1=Crook|first2=Jools (presenter)|last2=Holland|author2-link=Jools Holland}}

Australian CD single and UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Than Today|others=Kylie Minogue|year=2010|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=5249841792}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Than Today|others=Kylie Minogue|year=2010|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Parlophone|id=CDRS 6828}}

1. "Better Than Today" – 3:26
2. "Better Than Today" (Bills and Hurr remix) – 8:36
3. "Better Than Today" (The Japanese Popstars mix) – 6:45
4. "Get Outta My Way" (BBC Live Lounge version) – 3:40

UK CD2

1. "Better Than Today" – 3:26
2. "Can't Get You Out of My Head" (BBC Live Lounge version) – 3:12

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Better Than Today":{{cite AV media notes |title=Better Than Today |others=Kylie Minogue |date=2010 |url=http://www.mixkylie.co.uk/images/covers/large/jpg/1991_b.jpg |format=Promotional CD single |publisher=Parlophone |id=CDRDJ6282 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525063734/https://www.webcitation.org/5xEtF0ViQ?url=http://www.mixkylie.co.uk/images/covers/large/jpg/1991_b.jpg |archive-date=25 May 2024 |df=dmy }}{{cite web|title=Better Than Today (Legal Title)|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=10503565&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|work=BMI Repertoire|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.|access-date=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118131455/http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=10503565&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|archive-date=18 January 2013|url-status=dead|at=10503565 (work number)}}

• Nerina Pallot – producer, writer, background vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, engineer
• Andy Chatterley – producer, writer, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming, engineer
• Stuart Price – producer (additional), mixing
• Ben Vella – electric guitar
• Kylie Minogue – background vocals, lead vocals
• Jason Tarver – engineer (assistant)
• Dave Emery – mixing (assistant)

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• List of number-one dance singles of 2011 (U.S.)

{{Reflist}}

{{Kylie Minogue songs}}

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Category:2010 singles

Category:2010 songs

Category:Kylie Minogue songs

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Stuart Price

Category:Songs written by Andy Chatterley

Category:Songs written by Nerina Pallot