Butler formed the duo McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont. They released two singles, Yes and You Do. A compilation album, The Sound of McAlmont and Butler, was released after the split. Butler went on to release two albums under his own name, People Move On and Friends and Lovers, before a second McAlmont & Butler album, Bring it Back, and two singles, Falling and Bring it Back.
Since then Butler formed a new band, The Tears with former Suede cohort, Brett Anderson. They released their highly anticipated debut LP, Here Come The Tears, produced by Butler, in June 2005. Singles include Refugees, which reached #9 in the UK charts, and Lovers.
In between his own projects he has played on and produced records by Sparks, Edwyn Collins, Aimee Mann, Neneh Cherry, Tim Booth (of James), Manic Street Preachers, Eddi Reader, Hopper, Roy Orbison, Bert Jansch and The Libertines. He created the soundtrack to the 1997 film The James Gang and played on the soundtrack of Velvet Goldmine, alongside Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead. He has played live with The Cranberries, Paul Weller, Teenage Fanclub and Manic Street Preachers.
He helped shape the sound of newcomer Duffy in 2008. For his production work on her debut album Rockferry, Bernard won the Producer's Award at the 2009 BRIT Awards, and Producer Of The Year at the 2008 Music Producers' Guild awards.
Cocoon
Bernard Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Solitude is freezing the life from my bones
Looks like the same thing's happening again
It's getting strange 'round here, I don't feel the same
If you could only see me today
Cocoon you laugh in my face
We've gotta learn to communicate
Paint the lines in gray
So, I think about nearly nothing else, still I'm on my own
Staying in ain't chic when you've got no home
Looks like this frame was made for me
You could climb across the rooftops, then you'd see
Through the burning sash, I'm free
Cocoon you laugh in my face
We've gotta learn to communicate
Get real, I will always be this way
Paint the lines in gray
Hey you, I'm on your case
You remind me of lovers I used to chase
Through the golden songs from a golden age
Let me love you today
So, I think about life outside this open shell
And then, any other man would think I've done so well
Ten years in masterpiece of gray
Then you'd get used to your presents day by day
Get used to your presents day by day
Get used to your presents day by day
Get used to your presents day by day
Get used to your presents day by day
Day by day, day by day, day by day, day by day, day by day
In Bernard Butler's song "Cocoon," the singer expresses his sense of alienation and isolation from the world around him. He admits to thinking "about nearly nothing else" and feels that his solitude is "freezing the life from [his] bones." He acknowledges that things feel "strange 'round here" and that he no longer feels like himself. Despite these feelings of disconnect, he holds out hope that someone might "see [him] today," and that he might find a way to "communicate" with others.
The refrain of the song, "Cocoon you laugh in my face" suggests that the singer is frustrated with the indifference and lack of understanding he perceives in those around him. The repeated plea to "get real" underscores his desire for authenticity and genuine connection. The line "Paint the lines in gray" conveys a sense of drabness and lack of imagination that he finds oppressive. Ultimately, the song seems to be about the difficulty of finding one's place in the world and the longing for meaningful human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I think about nearly nothing else when I'm on my own
Being alone consumes my thoughts.
Solitude is freezing the life from my bones
Being alone is making me feel numb and lifeless.
Looks like the same thing's happening again
My current situation of isolation is similar to my past experiences.
It's getting strange 'round here, I don't feel the same
My surroundings feel unfamiliar and I don't feel like myself.
If you could only see me today
I wish someone could see how I'm feeling right now.
Cocoon you laugh in my face
You mock me and my situation.
We've gotta learn to communicate
We need to improve how we interact with each other.
Get real, I will always be this way
Accept that this is who I am and I won't change.
Paint the lines in gray
Depict everything in a dull and colorless way.
Staying in ain't chic when you've got no home
Being home all the time is not trendy when you don't have a place to call home.
Looks like this frame was made for me
My current situation seems like it was designed specifically for me.
You could climb across the rooftops, then you'd see
If you were to look at things from my perspective, you'd understand my situation better.
Through the burning sash, I'm free
Despite the chaos and destruction happening around me, I feel free.
Hey you, I'm on your case
I'm analyzing your behavior and actions.
You remind me of lovers I used to chase
Your qualities are similar to the people I used to date.
Through the golden songs from a golden age
In the past, music was more positive and uplifting.
Let me love you today
Allow me to show you affection in this moment.
So, I think about life outside this open shell
I think about what it would be like to leave my comfort zone.
And then, any other man would think I've done so well
If another person were in my situation, they would think I had accomplished a lot.
Ten years in masterpiece of gray
I've spent a decade creating a work of art that is lifeless and void of color.
Get used to your presents day by day
Become accustomed to your current situation as each day passes.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind