Bull began performing in and around Sydney in the early 2000s, eventually getting the attention of producer Tony Buchen in 2004. Buchen, having worked with other successful acts such as Blue King Brown, Macromantics and The Whitlams, felt that Bull's style of music required different approach to recording, and the two experimented with older recording techniques such as analogue.
Wanting to develop Bull's talent further, but still nurture his individual style, they then travelled together to New York City, where they produced and mixed songs for Bull's debut album at the Electric Lady Studios. Bull signed to Island Records, a part of Universal Music Australia, in 2007. In 2007, Bull supported Joss Stone on her Australian tour and, in 2008, increased in popularity by being played regularly by the radio station Triple J.
Bull's debut single was released in August 2008. Entitled "Small Town Girl", it was taken from his debut album We're Too Young. In 2008, Bull toured with Garage to V winners, Little Red. His first headlining national tour commenced in late 2008. A music video was also made for "Young Man," the second single from the album. Bull would continue to tour extensively in support of the album throughout the rest of 2008 and 2009, notably joining Tim Finn's national tour as an opening act, performing solo as opposed to with his six-piece band. He also opened for a MySpace secret show in Sydney featuring U.K. neo-soul singer Duffy in that same year.
In May 2009, Bull toured in support of Lisa Mitchell's Australian tour, prior to the July release of her Platinum selling debut album "Wonder". During the tour, Bull performed his support set solo. For her own set, Mitchell was to play guitar, accompanied by bass player Jan Bangma and drummer Robert Vasey. Before the second show of the tour, however, Mitchell's hand was cut in an accident. Due to Mitchell's injury, she was unable to play guitar and so Bull stepped in, learning the set on piano in lieu of the guitar parts. Bull played in the band for the remainder of that tour, fomenting Bull and Mitchell's friendship, which would lead to their collaboration on Bull's song "Dog" the following year.
In September of 2009, Bull released "We're Too Young", the recording of which had been completed the previous year with producer Tony Buchen. The album enjoyed a good critical reception, including a 4/5 star review in Rolling Stone Magazine.
Keep On Running
Andy Bull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a panacea, a surety, my insecurity calling for more than a thrill
But surely a man doesn't bend to a will
But you bend and you break and you mend
And you tell all your friends in a song that it's wrong and you're ill
I tried so hard it isn't funny
Tell me how I, how I should have done it
Will you tell me something
How long do I have to keep on running, running?
Can I keep on running?
A memory taken each day like a pill
The mark on the wall that you kick when you
Fight in the dead of the night 'til the voices are still
I'll swim in a sea of approval I think
Until when they bury me finally you can
See maybe a time when a swimmer will sink
I tried so hard it isn't funny
Tell me how I, how I should have done it
And I keep on looking
Will you tell me something
How long do I have to keep on running, running
Can I keep on running
Can I keep on running
Can I keep on running
Can I keep on running running?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
Can I keep on running
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
Can I keep on running
I tried so hard it isn't funny
Tell me how I should have done it
I keep looking
Tell me something
How long do I
Have to keep on running running?
I tried so hard it
Isn't funny
Tell me how I should have done it
I keep looking
Tell me something
How long do I
Have to keep on running?
I'll swim in a see of approval I will
Can I keep on running ?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
Can I keep on running ?
I'll swim in a see of approval I will
Can I keep on running ?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
Can I keep on running running?
The lyrics of Andy Bull's "Keep On Running" tell the story of someone who is constantly seeking validation and approval from others. The singer of the song is willing to do anything to gain acceptance, even if it means sacrificing their own identity and values. The line "I'll swim in a sea of approval" serves as a metaphor for this quest, suggesting that the singer is willing to drown in the opinions of others to feel validated.
However, the song also acknowledges the futility of this pursuit. The line "How long do I have to keep on running?" implies that the singer is tired of constantly seeking approval and is wondering if it's even worth it. Despite this doubt, the repeated chorus of "Can I keep on running?" suggests that the singer is unsure if they can ever stop seeking validation.
The line "I tried so hard it isn't funny, tell me how I should have done it" reflects the frustration that the singer feels at their inability to gain acceptance. The final verse brings in the idea of memory and how it can act as a burden, weighing us down with past mistakes and regrets. Overall, the song presents a complex view of the human need for validation and the toll that it can take on our sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll swim in a sea of approval, I will
I'll try to seek validation from others and get their approval
For a panacea, a surety, my insecurity calling for more than a thrill
I need something that will cure my insecurities and make me feel more certain
But surely a man doesn't bend to a will
A man shouldn't be easily influenced by others
But you bend and you break and you mend
But sometimes you're influenced and then you change yourself to fit into expectations
And you tell all your friends in a song that it's wrong and you're ill
You sing about how it's wrong, but still you're doing it because of your insecurities
I tried so hard it isn't funny
I've tried really hard, but it's not a laughing matter
Tell me how I, how I should have done it
Tell me how I could have done it better
And I keep on looking
I keep searching for answers
Will you tell me something
Can you give me some advice?
How long do I have to keep on running, running?
How long do I need to keep running in circles to find validation?
Can I keep on running?
Is it possible for me to keep doing this?
A memory taken each day like a pill
Everyday memories are hard to swallow, like taking a bitter pill
The mark on the wall that you kick when you
The wall mark you always take your frustration out on
Fight in the dead of the night 'til the voices are still
You keep fighting with your inner voices until everything is silent
Until when they bury me finally you can
Even after death, validation and approval still matter to me
See maybe a time when a swimmer will sink
Maybe one day, I'll lose this fight and sink into my insecurities
I'll swim in a see of approval I think
I'll continue to seek others' validation, I guess
How long do I have to keep on running, running
How much longer do I have to keep going in circles?
Can I keep on running
Will I be able to keep this up?
Can I keep on running running?
Can I keep running in circles forever?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
I'll keep seeking validation from others
Can I keep on running
Can I continue doing this?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
I'll keep trying to get others to approve of me
Can I keep on running
Can I keep doing this?
I'll swim in a see of approval I will
I'll keep swimming in the sea of validation
Can I keep on running
Will I be able to keep doing this?
I'll swim in a sea of approval I will
I'll keep striving for others' approval
Can I keep on running running?
Will I be doing this forever?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shaunwilkie7803
I'll swim in a sea of approval, I will
For a panacea, a surety, my insecurity calling for more than a thrill
But surely a man doesn't bend to a will
But you bend and you break and you mend
And you tell all your friends in a song that it's wrong and you're ill.
I tried so hard, it isn't funny
Tell me how I, how I should have done it
And I keep on looking
Will you tell me something?
How long do I have to keep on running, running?
Can I keep on running?
A memory taken each day like a pill
The mark on the wall that you kick
When you fight in the dead of the night till the voices are still
I'll swim in a sea of approval I think
Until when they bury me finally
You can see maybe a time when a swimmer will sink.
I tried so hard, it isn't funny
Tell me how I, how I should have done it
And I keep on looking
Will you tell me something?
How long do I have to keep on running, running?
Can I keep on running?
Can I keep on running?
Can I keep on running?
Can I keep on running, running?
I'll swim in a sea of approval, I will
Can I keep on running?
I'll swim in a sea of approval, I will
Can I keep on running?
I tried so hard, it isn't funny
Tell me how I should have done it
@hiropon2985
andy is stupidly underrated, i wanna blast these beats from rooftops.
@Fikowski
Still slaps
@jwtimleck
I honestly have spent 7 yrs searching for this song after hearing it one day on triple J.... Thank you for commenting on Matt and Alex robe insta post...it brought me to you!!
@myyoLFC05
most underrated aussie artist fukin ey! MY OPINION COUNTS!
@Amnesiumm
I think the same! didn't hear about him before bumping on his song on youtube :0
That's a shame he is such a good artist!
@zasher0839
how is this guy not got more views this guy is amazing
@hiropon2985
the wall that you kick when you fight in the dead of the night til the voices are still <3
getting me through another night, thank you Andy. you're incredibly appreciated.
@trueclancy
Saw this live at Brisbane Laneway today & transcended to another dimension. Crying now listening to this when can I experience that again
@tanuki8766
I thought I did too but then I saw Flying Lotus and actual transcended to another dimension!! Have been listening to this on repeat since saturday!😝❤
@yogawithchristi5925
Today I got this name in a dream. I don’t remember the dream, but I decided to look up the name and this is pretty sweet music.