In their formative years Butterflies On Strings evolved from an electronic indie duo consisting of singer Allan on guitar with Patrick then on bass, using programmed synths and electronic drums. Patrick later made the shift to guitar and keys, opting to abandon the programming in favour of drafting in two new band members in the form of Fox and Cunningham as the band set about redefining their sound. Butterflies On Strings were recently featured as Gary Crowley's 'London Calling' act for his London feature on his BBC London Radio show. The band were then featured on Gill Mills' Best of Myspace show and were invited to play Danielle Perry and Kate Lawler's Kerrang & Q Radio night in East London.
The bands debut single "What Did John Stuart Mill Say Again?" is brimming with catchy hooks, exquisite harmonies and a hopeful energy that takes influence from both sides of the atlantic. The classic tunesmithery of the best of britpop meets the refinement of american indie to create something that is both fun and beautiful. It also hints at the energy and intensity of their live show that has become a staple part of the london music scene. 'What Did John Stuart Mill Say Again?' (out on April 1st 2011) is available through Rough Trade Records and the online stores.
The band currently resides in London, UK.
More information:
*http://www.butterfliesonstrings.com
*http://www.myspace.com/butterfliesonstrings
*http://www.roughtrade.com/site/shop_detail.lasso?search_type=sku&sku=336265#
What Did John Stuart Mill Say Again?
Butterflies On Strings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need release: I'm just not easy thinking that everything is fine,
When everything is fine now.
And now I'm starting wars against myself, and I have got no competition,
You're sat there on your own, wondering ‘why do I make things so complex?'
Maybe we're more simple than we thought, and all we did was build ourselves
from imported parts so we could do it cheap: but I can't do this.
I don't know how to progress, It's just a lack of confidence,
I need release: I'm just not easy thinking that everything is fine,
When everything is fine now.
Hitting the right note with people's hard: did Elliot Smith feel like that?
Sometimes I feel a little down about the fact that I'm not perfect,
And once I've hit the final stepping stone, I hit the shores and ride a wave again,
But riding waves is harder than it seems: and I can't do this.
I don't know how to progress, It's just a lack of confidence,
I need release: I'm just not easy thinking that everything is fine,
But everything is fine
The lyrics to Butterflies On Strings' song "What Did John Stuart Mill Say Again?" express the singer's struggle with self-doubt and lack of confidence in moving forward in their life. The opening lines convey the feeling of being stuck or stagnant, unsure of how to progress, and needing release from the anxiety that comes with feeling like everything is fine when it might not be. The singer is engaging in mental struggles with themselves, almost like they are fighting an internal battle, and the lack of competition suggests the struggle is one they know only they can overcome.
The lyrics then shift towards questioning the complexity of human nature and how we build ourselves from "imported parts" and whether or not this makes us more simple. This could be interpreted as societal norms and expectations being placed on individuals that shape who we are, rather than people being wholly unique. It's also possible that the singer is saying they feel like they are made up of different parts they don't fully understand, and this creates a sense of unease or discomfort when they try to move forward.
The final lines of the song suggest the singer is coming to terms with the fact that everything is fine, or perhaps they are trying to convince themselves that it is. They question the challenges faced by Elliot Smith - a musician who struggled with mental health and substance abuse, and ultimately took his own life - and suggest that even he struggled with hitting the right note with people, implying that we all struggle in our own ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how to progress, It's just a lack of confidence,
I feel stuck and stagnant, unsure of how to move forward. My biggest obstacle is my own self-doubt.
I need release: I'm just not easy thinking that everything is fine,
I crave some kind of escape or outlet, because pretending that everything is okay doesn't come naturally to me.
When everything is fine now.
Despite my inner struggles, objectively things seem to be going okay in my life at this moment.
And now I'm starting wars against myself, and I have got no competition,
My own negative thoughts and tendencies are causing me intense internal conflict, and there's no one else to blame or compete with.
You're sat there on your own, wondering ‘why do I make things so complex?'
I imagine others facing similar struggles, questioning their own tendencies to overthink and complicate things.
Maybe we're more simple than we thought, and all we did was build ourselves from imported parts so we could do it cheap: but I can't do this.
Perhaps we don't need to overcomplicate ourselves or our lives, and we just need to simplify and take things one step at a time. But right now, I feel incapable of doing so.
Hitting the right note with people's hard: did Elliot Smith feel like that?
Finding success and connecting with others through music is a challenge. I wonder if even successful musicians like Elliot Smith struggled with this.
Sometimes I feel a little down about the fact that I'm not perfect,
I fall into the trap of striving for perfection, and feel disappointed in myself when I fall short of that impossible standard.
And once I've hit the final stepping stone, I hit the shores and ride a wave again,
When I achieve a big goal, it only provides temporary satisfaction before I start seeking out the next challenge to tackle.
But riding waves is harder than it seems: and I can't do this.
I'm struggling to keep up with the constant ebb and flow of life's challenges and successes. It all feels like too much to handle.
But everything is fine
Despite all these internal struggles, I acknowledge that everything is objectively okay in my life at this moment.
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.