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.
When You Grow
Bernard Butler Lyrics
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your kind heart will give you away.
Don't keep us apart, don't lead us astray,
don't leave it too late.
When darkness keeps you awake,
and demons lead you astray,
don't keep us apart, don't leave it too late,
don't you take this away.
I'll lead you my way, I'll shield you from pain.
And when you're low, I'll see that you're safe,
I'll shield you from pain.
When God's love gets in your way,
remember child how you were made.
Don't keep us apart, don't lead us astray,
don't you leave it too late.
And behind this explanation lies the sweetest inspiration
it won't keep us apart, it won't lead us astray,
I'll keep the demons at bay.
And when you grow, I'll give you a way,
I'll lead you my way, I'll shield you from pain.
And when you're low, I'll see that you're safe,
I'll shield you from pain.
The lyrics of Bernard Butler's song "When You Grow" speak about the deep care and protection one individual feels towards another. The opening stanza speaks about a time when the individual is caught in a moment of distress, most likely in danger or at risk of harm. The individual’s kindness is highlighted, which acts as a sort of giveaway that attracts harm towards them. The lyrics plead the individual not to lead the singer astray and to avoid keeping them apart from one another. This line suggests that the two individuals have a close relationship, and the singer believes that they can protect the other individual from whatever danger looms.
The second stanza speaks about more internal struggles, where the individual is struggling with a battle within themselves – nightmares or demons. The singer pleads with the individual, saying that they should not keep them apart or separate from one another. They need to face their inner struggles with one another. However, they should not wait too long, as it may lead to more significant issues in the future. The chorus speaks about how the singer will take care of the individual and be their shield from any pain.
The third stanza is about when God's love intervenes, reminding them of their creation - a subtle reference to how every individual is created in God's image. The singer tells the individual not to keep them apart, not to let demons lead them astray and not to wait too long. In the last few lines, the singer declares that they will keep the demons at bay and protect the other individual from harm. They will lead the individual in the right direction, and when grown, will give them away to the world with the values and beliefs instilled in them.
Overall, the song revolves around themes of protection, guidance, and support for a loved one, who may or may not be going through tough times, internal or external. The singer pleads with the individual not to stray, nor to allow themselves to be kept apart, as they believe that they can help them through anything.
Line by Line Meaning
When car lights flash in your face,
If you're caught in a situation where someone tries to expose you, your kindness and genuine nature will be revealed.
your kind heart will give you away.
Your kind heart will always shine through, no matter how hard you try to hide it.
Don't keep us apart, don't lead us astray,
Don't let any situation, temptation or influence come between us, don't let them lure you away from what we have.
don't leave it too late.
Act on it while you can, don't wait until it's too late to save what we have.
When darkness keeps you awake,
When you're going through a hard time and can't sleep at night,
and demons lead you astray,
When you're dealing with your inner demons and they try to steer you away from the right path,
don't keep us apart, don't leave it too late,
Don't let your struggles and challenges come between us, don't wait until it's too late to fix what's broken.
don't you take this away.
Don't let any negativity or darkness take away what we mean to each other.
And when you grow, I'll give you away,
When you come of age and stand on your own, I will let you go and find your own path.
I'll lead you my way, I'll shield you from pain.
But no matter where life takes you, I will always be there to guide you and protect you from harm.
And when you're low, I'll see that you're safe,
When you're feeling down and lost, I will be there to lift you up and ensure your safety.
When God's love gets in your way,
When facing challenges or conflicts fueled by religious differences, hate or other divisive forces,
remember child how you were made.
Remember that you were made with love and kindness, and that is what will guide you through.
And behind this explanation lies the sweetest inspiration
The message behind this song is one of love, kindness, and hope.
it won't keep us apart, it won't lead us astray,
Nothing will ever come in between us, nothing will ever be strong enough to lure us away from each other.
I'll keep the demons at bay.
I will help you conquer your inner demons, and together we will overcome any obstacle.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind