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.
Phantom Pains
Andy Bull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I caught up my hands, caused my digits to disappear
And what I thought I ripped hurts more than it ever did
Al these phantom pains are so cause by
Things I used to wonder did not …
No chance I could try to ease the pain
All it left me with this phantom pain
Hands could never listen, they do not reflect nor hear
And these pains that I feel are for things that are not real
All these phantom pains are so cause by
Things I used to wonder did not …
No chance I could try to ease the pain
All it left me with this phantom pain
All these phantoms pains are so cause by
Things I used to wonder did not …
No chance I could try to ease the pain
All it left me with this phantom pain.
The lyrics to Andy Bull's song Phantom Pains describe the feeling of loss and the pain that comes with it. The singer feels like he has lost a part of himself and is experiencing phantom pains, which are pains that seem to be coming from a part of the body that no longer exists. He describes how he caught up his hands, causing his digits to disappear, representing how he has lost control and feels powerless. He ruminates on the things he used to wonder about, and realizes that he can no longer find answers to these questions. Despite his efforts to ease the pain, all he is left with is this phantom pain.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of jealousy and how it can cause pain. The singer compares fingers to jealousy, which scratch and pull like a needle. He explains that hands can never listen or reflect, representing how jealousy can cloud one's judgement and prevent them from seeing things clearly. The pains that the singer is feeling are for things that are not real, suggesting that he is struggling to let go of something that never really existed.
Through these lyrics, Andy Bull captures the pain of loss and the frustration of not being able to ease that pain. He paints a picture of a person who is struggling with letting go and moving on, and is left with nothing but the phantom pains of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I lost myself with such an awful feeling
I experienced a terrible feeling yesterday that made me feel completely disconnected from myself
I caught up my hands, caused my digits to disappear
In response to that feeling, I felt like my hands were disappearing and I couldn't hold onto anything
And what I thought I ripped hurts more than it ever did
When I tried to let go of something that was causing me pain, it actually made the pain worse
All these phantom pains are so cause by
Things I used to wonder did not …
All of these feelings of pain aren't caused by anything real, but rather by doubts and unanswered questions from the past
No chance I could try to ease the pain
All it left me with this phantom pain
I can't do anything to make the pain go away, so I'm stuck with these lingering feelings of hurt
Fingers are like jealousy, they scratch and pull a needle
Just like how jealousy can make us do harmful things, our fingers can act in irrational and damaging ways
Hands could never listen, they do not reflect nor hear
Our hands are physical parts of our body and can't provide emotional or reflective support like we often need
And these pains that I feel are for things that are not real
The things causing me pain aren't tangible or based in reality, but rather in past experiences and doubts
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
maoriguy
You’re the man Andy!!! 🙌🏽👌🏽
wikiwikiwee1
I'm diggin it
Kathrynsolucky
his voice is so interesting, I'm diggin!
Liam Wright
Brilliance.
Monika Paplinski
you are amazing! ♥
xtinagyl
love this sonnnngggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Megan
3 comments? Are you freaking kidding me?