Beckett recruited his college friends Warkentin and Quon to experiment; spending one day in the studio tracking songs the old fashioned way—recording them live in an attempt to capture raw moments. The result lead them to return for four more sessions, tracking three songs a day to complete the record with the help of Richard Dodd (Kings of Leon, The Raconteurs). The bands name is a play on the expression, “pull yourself up by the bootstraps.”
Month’s prior to the album being released, their song ‘Guiltfree’ was the featured music on ABC’s No Ordinary Family and profiled in the ‘ABC Music Lounge’. Their music was also awarded ‘Best Music in a Film’ at the Nashville Film Festival in May ‘11. In July, they were featured in Hydrogen Magazine as their 2011 ‘Band To Watch’ as well as a spotlight interview for ASCAP’s We Create Music.
The film ‘Take Me Home’, which includes six Bootstraps songs has garnered awards and critical acclaim at Chicago, Las Vegas, Savannah, Boston, Brooklyn and Rhode Island Int’l Film Festivals.
Most recently, the track ‘Fortyfive’ was featured on NBC’s Parenthood and on the new CW series Secret Circle.
Natural Blues
Bootstraps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Went down the hill, the other day
Soul got happy and stayed all day
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Went in the room, didn't stay long
Looked on the bed and brother was dead
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
The lyrics of Bootstraps’ song “Natural Blues” reflect the struggles and hardships of life that seem impossible to overcome. The repetition of the phrase “Oh Lordy, trouble so hard” emphasizes the overwhelming weight of the problems that the singer faces. The line “Don't nobody know my troubles but God” suggests that the singer feels isolated and alone in their struggles. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope in the line “Went down the hill, the other day, Soul got happy and stayed all day,” which indicates that there are some moments of joy and relief in the midst of hardship. However, this is contrasted with the devastating news that the singer receives in the final verse - “Looked on the bed and brother was dead” – which underscores the idea that problems are never-ending and there is often no respite from them.
Overall, “Natural Blues” speaks to the universal experience of facing adversity, and highlights the importance of seeking out moments of happiness and hope in the midst of struggle. It also emphasizes the need for community and support, as the singer laments that “Don't nobody know my troubles but God.” This song is a reminder that we all face hardships in life, but we can find strength and solace in hope and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lordy, trouble so hard
Life is filled with hardships and difficulties that can be overwhelming and unbearable at times.
Don't nobody know my troubles but God
No one truly knows the depth and extent of one's struggles except for a higher power or God.
Went down the hill, the other day
One day, the singer experienced happiness and delight.
Soul got happy and stayed all day
The artist's soul was lifted and filled with joy, which lasted throughout the day.
Went in the room, didn't stay long
The artist briefly entered a room or situation.
Looked on the bed and brother was dead
The singer discovered a devastating reality of death and loss of a loved one.
Writer(s): Richard Hall, Alan Lomax, Vera Hall
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.