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.
Nothing to Lose
Andy Bull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey
If I had some bread
We could stay here
All morning
Just lying in bead
I'd make you breakfast
And coffee
It's funny
Baby
Because as it stands
I've got no money
Honey
To meet your demands
I got to pull me a rabbit
Out this hat
With my two hands
Oh, you say you got a habit
Well baby I do too
I cut all of my bad habits
Some of my good ones too
Oh baby I had nothing
But it wasn't enough for you
'Cause I had nothing
Now I have
No you too
No you too
Baby I had nothing
Now I have
No you too
La la la la la
You tell me
Get a real job
Stop chasing thrills
Why are you playing
That piano
That is not paying the bills
But baby
Me without it
Is like a little fishy
With no gills
Oh, you say you got a habit
Well baby that ain't news
The way you're carrying on
People must think I'm neglecting you
They say when you got nothing
Then you got nothing to prove
That's when you told me
Go prove it to myself
But not you
No not you
'Cause baby I had nothing
Now I have
No you too
La la la la la
Oh, you say you got a habit
Oh what else is news
I cut all of my bad habits
Tryna do what it could for you
They say when you got nothing
Then you got nothing to lose
But if that's true
Tell me how come
I lost you
I lost you
'Cause baby I had nothing
Now I have
No you too
No you too
Baby I had nothing
Now I have
No you too
La la la la la
The song "Nothing to Lose" by Andy Bull talks about the struggles of a musician who doesn't have enough money to satisfy his partner's demands. It starts off with the artist expressing his desire to spend quality time with his love interest, but he feels restricted as he does not have enough funds to meet her needs. He then talks about how he is trying to find a way out of this financial crisis and how he wishes to offer her the best life possible, including the little things like breakfast and coffee in bed.
The lyrics of the song capture the essence of the struggle that many artists face while pursuing their passions. It touches upon the themes of financial instability, trying to balance dreams and reality, and dealing with the pressure of society's expectations. The line "You tell me to get a real job. Stop chasing thrills. Why are you playing that piano that is not paying the bills?" reflects the pressure that artists often face from their loved ones who want them to pursue more stable careers.
Overall, the song conveys a powerful message about the need to pursue one's passion, even in the face of adversity. It also highlights the importance of finding a partner who understands and supports your dreams, even if it means going through a difficult phase together.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby
Addressing a loved one with affection.
Honey
Addressing a loved one with affection.
If I had some bread
If I had money or resources available.
We could stay here
Stay together in each other's company.
All morning
For a significant period of time.
Just lying in bed
Relaxing together in bed.
I'd make you breakfast
Preparing food for a loved one in a caring manner.
And coffee
Preparing a hot beverage for a loved one.
Just like I said
Following through on a promise to care for a loved one.
It's funny
Reflecting on the irony of the situation.
Because as it stands
As things currently are.
I've got no money
Lacking financial resources.
To meet your demands
Unable to fulfill the expectations of a loved one.
I got to pull me a rabbit
Needing to come up with a creative solution to the problem at hand.
Out this hat
Finding a solution out of nowhere, by surprise.
With my two hands
Using one's own abilities to solve the problem.
Oh, you say you got a habit
Acknowledging a loved one's flaws or struggles.
Well baby I do too
Sharing one's own flaws or struggles.
I cut all of my bad habits
Making an effort to improve oneself.
Some of my good ones too
Sacrificing some positive qualities while improving oneself.
Oh baby I had nothing
Previously lacking resources or success.
But it wasn't enough for you
Someone else still expected more despite improvements.
'Cause I had nothing
Acknowledging past failures or lack of resources.
Now I have
Achieving success or acquiring resources.
No you too
Despite having achieved success, losing a loved one along the way.
You tell me
Being given advice or criticism by a loved one.
Get a real job
Being told to pursue a more conventional career.
Stop chasing thrills
Being told to avoid risky or exciting pursuits.
Why are you playing
Questioning a hobby or passion.
That piano
Referencing the artist's chosen instrument.
That is not paying the bills
Acknowledging that the chosen passion does not generate income.
But baby
Still addressing the loved one with affection.
Me without it
Life without one's passion or hobby.
Is like a little fishy
Feeling incomplete or helpless, like a fish out of water.
With no gills
Unable to breathe or survive without the passion or hobby.
Oh, you say you got a habit
Repeating the earlier reference to a loved one's flaws or struggles.
Well baby that ain't news
Acknowledging another's faults without being surprised.
The way you're carrying on
Disapproving of or being concerned by a loved one's actions.
People must think I'm neglecting you
Being judged or criticized by others for not properly caring for a loved one.
They say when you got nothing
Referring to a common saying.
Then you got nothing to prove
Acknowledging that when one has little or no success, they do not have anything to showcase or prove.
That's when you told me
Referencing advice given by a loved one.
Go prove it to myself
Suggesting that one must find their own success or value.
But not you
Despite advice from a loved one, failing to keep their relationship intact.
'Cause baby I had nothing
Acknowledging one's previous failures or lack of success.
Now I have
Attaining success or resources.
No you too
Losing a loved one despite achieving success.
Oh, you say you got a habit
Reiterating earlier reference to a loved one's flaws or struggles.
Oh what else is news
Being weary of hearing about another's faults.
I cut all of my bad habits
Making improvements in one's life.
Tryna do what it could for you
Making changes in order to better accommodate a loved one.
They say when you got nothing
Repeating the earlier reference to a common saying.
Then you got nothing to lose
Suggesting that without significant success, there is not much to risk or sacrifice.
But if that's true
Hypothetically accepting that this statement is accurate.
Tell me how come
Questioning why despite following this adage, the artist still lost a loved one.
I lost you
Lamenting the loss of a loved one despite their own successes.
'Cause baby I had nothing
Acknowledging former lack of success or resources.
Now I have
Celebrating success or acquiring resources.
No you too
Yet still lamenting the loss of a loved one despite their own successes.
La la la la la
Repeating nonsensical sounds that hold no meaning.
Contributed by Elena E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.