Andy Bull is an Australian alt-pop/piano rock singer-songwriter, based in S… Read Full Bio ↴Andy Bull is an Australian alt-pop/piano rock singer-songwriter, based in Sydney, New South Wales. He is best known for the single "Dog," from his 2010 Phantom Pains EP, a duet with former Australian Idol contestant Lisa Mitchell, as well as his prolific Australian touring.

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.

Small Town Girl
Andy Bull Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Small town girl, small town girl
Passed by empty parts unkind and in a small town world
To the streets of New York City, pull some triumph in your mind
And our liberty, unladen found in you is so unkind
People change, as bidden little girls
Did you want some other promise, small town girl
In a search for liberation
All the children in the wind

Where a small town congregation cast you out or let you in

Chorus
No you don't have to say
I know where I go astray
It was gunna go down anyway
I only wish that I could've known what I know now today

As a boy, as a boy
Well I was just so serious, as a boy
And all the streets of New York City,
Shut me right down to my core
Now I've been battered scared and broken
But I'm not scared anymore

No you don't have to say
I know where I go estranged
It was gunna go down anyway
I only wish that I could have know what I know now today

Instrumental
yeah yeahhh
da da dada da da da
da da dada da da da

No you don't have to say…
I know where I go astray

No you don't have to say
I know where I go astray
It was gunna go down anyway
I only wish that I could have known what I know now today

I only wish that I could have known what I know now today
I only wish that I could have known what I know now today

Overall Meaning

The song Small Town Girl by Andy Bull speaks to the experience of leaving behind a small, insular community to pursue dreams in a larger, unknown world. The lyrics suggest that the transition can be a difficult one, full of challenges and setbacks, but ultimately rewarding for those brave enough to make the journey. The opening lyrics, "small town girl, small town girl/passed by empty parts unkind and in a small town world," evokes a sense of confinement and isolation, as if the singer is hemmed in by her surroundings. The line "people change, as bidden little girls/did you want some other promise, small town girl" implies that societal pressure to conform can be overwhelming, and that the small town girl may feel beholden to the expectations of others.

However, the chorus suggests that the singer is aware of her own agency and power, and that she is not beholden to the past or the expectations of those around her. She acknowledges that mistakes may have been made, but she is now confident and capable, unafraid of whatever lies ahead. The line "all the children in the wind/where a small town congregation cast you out or let you in" suggests that the singer is now free to make her own choices and find her own way in the world.

Overall, Small Town Girl is a song about self-discovery and personal growth. It recognizes the difficulties of leaving behind the familiar for the unknown, but ultimately celebrates the power and potential of individuals who are brave enough to pursue their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Small town girl, small town girl
An introduction to the singer of the song, who is from a small town

Passed by empty parts unkind and in a small town world
The small town she lived in was lacking in opportunities and could be unforgiving

To the streets of New York City, pull some triumph in your mind
She decided to go to New York City to find success and bring a positive attitude

And our liberty, unladen found in you is so unkind
Finding freedom and independence in New York was not as carefree as she had hoped

People change, as bidden little girls
People can change, even a young and obedient girl like her

Did you want some other promise, small town girl
She may have expected a different outcome in New York than what she found

In a search for liberation
She was seeking freedom from her small town life

All the children in the wind
Referring to other people who are also trying to find their way in the world

Where a small town congregation cast you out or let you in
Small town society could either reject or accept you, depending on their views and opinions

No you don't have to say
There's no need to explain further

I know where I go astray
She is aware of her own faults and mistakes

It was gunna go down anyway
She may have seen her potential failures coming

I only wish that I could've known what I know now today
She wishes she had more knowledge or experience before going on her journey

As a boy, as a boy
A shift in perspective to the male singer, highlighting their experiences as well

Well I was just so serious, as a boy
The male singer was serious as a young man

And all the streets of New York City,
Referring to the same location the small town girl went to

Shut me right down to my core
New York was overwhelming and emotionally difficult for the male singer

Now I've been battered scared and broken
The male singer has also experienced hardship

But I'm not scared anymore
Despite the difficult times, he is not afraid to continue on with his journey

Instrumental
No lyrics, just music

No you don't have to say…
Repeats previous lyrics