Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Brother John
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you sleeping
Brother John
If you feel like weeping
Brother John
Please won't you hear me
Brother John
Just wait and see
Brother John
Can't you see by the will of your hand
You can give it a try and just name your price
And everybody in this rock & roll band
Don't want to preach don't want to give advice
But the music's playing and all we're saying
Is come along and jam
And it's hard to be believed what can be achieved
With an outstretched hand
[Chorus]
Take a walk through the rest of your life
Until you dare to take it step by step
(Positively) till you make it yours
Now tell me what's left
Is it really you and you when you gotta know
That things can change
Just a pair of little eyes inside your head
That make you rearrange
[Chorus]
The things that hurt just won't go away
But neither will we
Doesn't really matter either way cause you're all you need
To set yourself free
It may sound hard but it's just a start
To ride that wind
And you ain't Peter Pan you're just a man
You'll get there again
[Chorus: x2]
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Are you guys ready to play follow the leader?
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Hush little baby, now don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring don't shine
Papa's gonna buy you a bottle of wine
And when that bottle of wine gets done
Papa's gonna buy you a BB gun
Papa's gonna show you what it's all about
Or you're gonna shoot your own eye out,
Hey hey hey hey [Repeat: x4]
[Repeat: x7]
Won't you rise and shine
Won't you wait and see
The song Brother John by Blues Traveler is packed with motivational and inspirational messages that are delivered in a cryptic and poetic way. It speaks to a person who is struggling and trying to find their way in life, asking if they are sleeping and if they feel like weeping, imploring them to listen and wait for good things to happen. The chorus repeats the phrase "just wait and see" which acts as a mantra for the song's message.
The lyrics of the song start with asking the person to use their will and try to achieve what they want in life. The song encourages the listener to join in and jam with the music, explaining that there is a lot to be achieved with an outstretched hand. The rest of the song talks about taking small steps to achieve one's goals, and not to give up hope. The lyrics acknowledge the difficulties in life but motivate the listener to keep on fighting and not lose hope.
Overall, the song is about hope, perseverance, and resilience, encouraging the listener to push through and not give up. The song aims to convey the message that life can be difficult, but with a positive and determined attitude, one can overcome the challenges and attain success.
Line by Line Meaning
[Chorus]
Asking Brother John whether he is sleeping, feeling sad, and requesting him to listen and wait.
Can't you see by the will of your hand
You have the power to try and achieve anything you want for any price you set.
You can give it a try and just name your price
Encouraging Brother John to take responsibility and go for what he wants.
And everybody in this rock & roll band
All members of the band are here to play music, not to give advice.
Don't want to preach don't want to give advice
They are not there to preach or give advice.
But the music's playing and all we're saying
They are simply encouraging Brother John to come along and jam.
Is come along and jam
Encouraging Brother John to join in and make music with them.
And it's hard to be believed what can be achieved
Trying to convey that it is incredible what can be accomplished through collaboration and music.
With an outstretched hand
By extending one's arms towards others in a spirit of friendship and musical collaboration.
[Chorus]
Asking Brother John whether he is sleeping, feeling sad, and requesting him to listen and wait.
Take a walk through the rest of your life
Encouraging Brother John to take a journey through his life and experience everything that it has to offer.
Until you dare to take it step by step
Until he has the courage to take each step forward towards his goals.
(Positively) till you make it yours
Until he achieves what he desires through a positive mindset.
Now tell me what's left
What's left for Brother John to do?
Is it really you and you when you gotta know
Brother John has to ask himself whether he is being true to himself.
That things can change
Reminding Brother John that anything is possible and everything can change overtime.
Just a pair of little eyes inside your head
Brother John has to use his eyes and see everything properly in order to succeed in his journey of life
That make you rearrange
One has to rearrange things in life in order to pursue a successful life journey.
[Chorus]
Asking Brother John whether he is sleeping, feeling sad, and requesting him to listen and wait.
The things that hurt just won't go away
Some things will always hurt, no matter what one does.
But neither will we
However, this band will always be there through any hurtful times.
Doesn't really matter either way cause you're all you need
Ultimately, he is all he needs, as he can overcome any obstacle.
To set yourself free
Brother John must do what he desires to set himself free.
It may sound hard but it's just a start
While difficult, it is merely the beginning of his journey.
To ride that wind
To take advantage of life's opportunities and follow one's dreams to go forward.
And you ain't Peter Pan you're just a man
Reminding Brother John that he is human, not something beyond reality.
You'll get there again
Assuring Brother John that he can and will eventually achieve his goals.
[Chorus: x2]
Asking Brother John again to wait and listen.
[Repeat: x4]
Just wait and see
Reiterating again that he should wait and see what will happen.
Hush little baby, now don't say a word
Changing the tone of the song to a lullaby, encouraging Brother John to rest and reflect.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
Offering Brother John a gift of a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don't sing
If the first gift doesn't please Brother John.
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
Offering him another gift of diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring don't shine
If the second gift doesn't please Brother John.
Papa's gonna buy you a bottle of wine
Offering him another gift of wine.
And when that bottle of wine gets done
If the third gift doesn't please Brother John.
Papa's gonna buy you a BB gun
Finally, offering him a gift of a BB gun, something more indulgent or unexpected.
Papa's gonna show you what it's all about
Ensuring the new gift will be well-received.
Or you're gonna shoot your own eye out,
However, if not used properly, the BB gun can pose danger.
Hey hey hey hey [Repeat: x4]
Repeating the chant.
[Repeat: x7]
Won't you rise and shine
Ending the song on an upbeat note.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOBBY SHEEHAN, CHAN KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind