Eric Bazilian came up with his latest song while dripping wet.

The Hooters co-founder, who has lived in the same Main Line house for more than 30 years, said the idea for "Better Times" arrived in the shower. Five words looped in his head: Better times better come soon. He chased the phrase out of the bathroom and into his home studio, where he produced and recorded the track.

"Musical inspiration tends to happen with an instrument in my hands and a microphone in front of my face," Bazilian told Main Line Today. "The shower was an outlier."

The single was released July 21 as the first track in WXPN's Philly Anthems series, a project commissioning 12 original songs from Philadelphia-area musicians to mark America's 250th birthday. The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is backing the effort, which will wrap with a vinyl album release on Record Store Day in April 2027. Bazilian is one of five established artists tapped for the project alongside Christian McBride, Devon Gilfillian, Eliza Hardy Jones and Lady Alma.

Bazilian sang lead vocals and played guitars, bass, piano and keyboards on the recording. Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen, who is based in Wayne, played drums, and backing vocalist Alexis Cunningham rounded out the core lineup. Tommy Williams arranged strings, with additional engineering by Theo Aronson and mastering by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

The song explores disillusionment with promises made by people in power while still landing on hope. Bazilian said the feeling crosses political parties, religions and time frames.

For fans who want to see the full band, The Hooters return to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside for their 11th annual Fall Homecoming concerts on Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7. Tickets are available through AXS.com. The Keswick Theatre is at 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside.

The band released "45 ALIVE," a double live album recorded at the Keswick in November 2024, and played the MMRBQ festival at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on May 9 alongside Godsmack, Alice Cooper and Everclear.

His studio sits in the same house where pencil markings on the kitchen wall still track his children's heights as they grew.

Coming up

  • The Hooters' 11th annual Fall Homecoming concerts: Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside. Tickets at AXS.com.
  • WXPN Philly Anthems vinyl album release: Record Store Day, April 2027.