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.
What Happened To Me
Bernard Butler Lyrics
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Hoping not to live too many lies
I gave her what I could but she didn't notice what happened to me
Hoping I remember what I wanna say
Hoping that religion doesn't get in my way
I gave her everything but she didn't notice what happened to me
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to wait a long time to comfort me
She took me to the station where she cried
She told me that my instincts were run dry
I told her everything was gonna be alright if she comforted me
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to wait a long time to comfort me, yeah, yeah, yeah
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to wait a long time to comfort me
So, I sing this to myself now she's not around
I sing it when and wherever I may be bound
It makes me feel so good just to hear the sound that comforts me
The lyrics to Bernard Butler's song "What Happened To Me" capture the sentiment of someone who feels as though they have been unnoticed and unappreciated in their relationship. The singer hopes to not make somebody cry and not to live too many lies, suggesting that their relationship has been compromised by misunderstandings or dishonesty. They gave their all to their partner, but felt that their efforts went unnoticed. The singer seems to be longing for comfort from their partner, but acknowledges that it may be some time before that is possible.
The image of being taken to the station where the singer's instincts were apparently "run dry" adds to the sense of despair and desperation in the song. The singer tries to reassure their partner that everything will be alright if they comfort them, suggesting that their partner has the ability to make things better simply by being present for them. However, the repeated refrain of "She'll have to wait a long time" suggest that the singer does not have much hope of this happening anytime soon.
The final verse suggests that the singer has found a way to comfort themselves through singing the song to themselves. This could be interpreted as a form of self-care or even self-medication, as the singer finds peace and comfort in the sound of their own voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoping I don't make somebody cry
I hope that my actions won't hurt anyone emotionally
Hoping not to live too many lies
I hope to live an honest and authentic life
I gave her what I could but she didn't notice what happened to me
I did everything in my power to be there for her, but she failed to see how I was struggling
Hoping I remember what I wanna say
I hope to articulate my thoughts and feelings effectively
Hoping that religion doesn't get in my way
I hope that my religious beliefs won't prevent me from expressing myself
I gave her everything but she didn't notice what happened to me
I gave her my all, but she failed to recognize how much I was hurting
She'll have to wait a long time
She'll have to be patient
She took me to the station where she cried
She dropped me off at the train station and cried
She told me that my instincts were run dry
She said that I had nothing left to give
I told her everything was gonna be alright if she comforted me
I assured her that everything would be okay if she just supported me
So, I sing this to myself now she's not around
I sing this song to myself since she's no longer with me
I sing it when and wherever I may be bound
I sing it whenever and wherever I am going
It makes me feel so good just to hear the sound that comforts me
Hearing the song brings me comfort and makes me feel better
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind