Sound
Coming out during a time when rock music was dominated by post-grunge, nu-metal, and alternative rock, Buckcherry performed a sleazy Rock N' Roll that was more inspired by AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, and Black Crowes than Nirvana and Pearl Jam. On their debut record, they successfully trod heavy metal territory while managing to stay hard rock, while on Time Bomb, the band took their sleaze to an extreme with an excess of profanity and attitude.
History
Buckcherry was formed after Josh Todd met guitarist Keith Nelson through their tattoo artist after discovering a common love of AC/DC. The duo made a few demos before being joined by bassist Jonathan Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn. Buckcherry began preforming the Hollywood club scene, recieving a strong, local following due to their old school Rock N' Roll vibe.
The band added a second guitarist, Yogi, and were signed to DreamWorks Records shortly after. The band released their self titled debut in 1999 to critical praise. The album, produced by Terry Date, who produced albums for Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, and Pantera, and ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones, produced three modern rock chart hits with the singles, Lit Up, Check Your Head, and For The Movies.
The band's profile had been raised by summer 2000 with help from touring and decided to release their follow up album Time Bomb in 2001. The album was considered a disappointment after the very promising debut by many critics, and naturally, didn't fare as well as the first on the charts. The All Music Guide noted that "For a second record, it's surprising how jaded and nihilistic they are already."
Buckcherry performed opening dates for heroes AC/DC in the spring and recieved increased fanfare. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Josh Todd left the band to pursue a solo career in July 2002, leading to the bands demise.
The band was held on ice for over two years while Todd pursued a solo career. The post-grunge solo effort You Made Me turned out to be a failure, leading to Todd and Nelson to reform Buckcherry in early 2005. Joined by rhythm guitarist Stevie D., bassist Jimmy Ashhurst, and drummer Xavier Muriel, the band recorded their third album Fifteen and released it exclusively in Japan.
The band had been asked to open for Mõtley Crūe for a Japanese leg in December 2005, and began a headlining club tour in Spring 2006 a few weeks prior to the release of their third album, Fifteen. The album debuted at No.48 on the Billboard Top 200, selling over 26,000 copies in its 1st week. In May 2006, it was announced that the band had signed a deal with Atlantic Records via long-term deal with Eleven Seven Music. Their latest album is now being marketed by Lava/Atlantic, and reached a new peak of #41 on the Billboard Top 200 in the August 19, 2006 issue.
With "Crazy Bitch", Buckcherry gained their second major mainstream hit (following "Lit Up"), as the song hit #3 on the Mainstream Rock chart, #13 on Modern Rock, and became the first Buckcherry song to cross over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it hit #59, and also landed at #52 on the Billboard Pop 100, and #37 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart. The song's success was largely driven by its success on the radio, as MTV rejected the band's initial video, demanding more than 80 cuts.
On Tuesday, May 30th, 2006, after a fan-made video for "Crazy Bitch" spread across the internet, the band, in a posting that appeared on their MySpace and Buckcherry.com, announced that they were accepting submissions from fans with their own videos, and would feature more interpretations of "Crazy Bitch" in the weeks to come. The original fan video was later submitted to MTV, before being passed over in favor of an edited version of the original clip, with added live footage.
Liberty
Buckcherry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going to California, gonna make it happen
Gonna be a big star and downtown gigolo
Fly out to Memphis, something good for my soul
Havis always knew just how and where to go (Come on!)
Little darling
Let's make it happen
I'm gonna try everything that I know
Little darling
I need some liberty in my soul
Let's make it happen
I wanna give you everything that I know (Oh yeah!)
Another misty morning, rock 'n' roll Seattle
We always have a good time here so we give 'em more
Laid up in Bargo, sit and watch the sun go
Thinking how I'm going to satisfy my libido (Do it!)
Little darling
I need some liberty in my soul
Let's make it happen
I'm gonna try everything that I know
Little darling
I need some liberty in my soul
Let's make it happen
I wanna give you everything that I know
Doo doo doo doo
I need some liberty
(Come on)
I got bills to pay (Hungry)
Out the door to work out something
Now I'm on my way (And fear every day)
Is getting harder lately in the jungle
Little darling
I need some liberty in my soul
Let's make it happen
I'm gonna try everything that I know
Little darling
I need some liberty in my soul
Let's make it happen
I wanna give you everything that I know
I need some freedom in my soul
Come on and show me what you know
I need some liberty
I need some liberty
The lyrics of Buckcherry's song "Liberty" touches upon the individualistic desire for freedom and liberation. The singer of the song expresses his longing for adventure and wanderlust as he sets out on a journey to California, Memphis, Seattle, and Bargo. These cities are usually associated with the American music industry, signifying that the singer is trying to establish his music career. He's hoping to be a big star and lead the life of a gigolo in downtown's glamorous lifestyle. The line "Havis always knew just how and where to go" suggests that he has a mentor or a friend who helps him navigate through the music industry.
The usage of "Little darling" in the chorus signifies the singer's affection towards his romantic interest. He seeks liberty in his soul, not just for himself but to give and offer to his lover. The lines, "thinking how I'm going to satisfy my libido" and "I wanna give you everything that I know" are suggestive of his sexual desires and romantic inclination. The journey for freedom is seen as necessary for both the singer and his romantic interest as they seek to fulfill their mutual desires. The song ends with the singer emphasizing his need for liberty and freedom, affirming the idea that it is more than an abstract concept, but a driving force in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Going to California, gonna make it happen
I'm going to California to become famous and successful.
Gonna be a big star and downtown gigolo
I'm going to make it big and be a ladies' man.
Fly out to Memphis, something good for my soul
Traveling to Memphis will be good for my wellbeing.
Havis always knew just how and where to go (Come on!)
My friend Havis knows the best places to go and how to have a good time.
Little darling
Term of endearment for a loved one.
I need some liberty in my soul
I want to feel free and unencumbered in my life.
Let's make it happen
We should take action to make my dreams a reality.
I'm gonna try everything that I know
I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.
I wanna give you everything that I know (Oh yeah!)
I want to share everything I have learned with my loved one.
Another misty morning, rock 'n' roll Seattle
I am in Seattle, ready to have a good time and be a rockstar.
We always have a good time here so we give 'em more
We have enjoyed ourselves in the past, so we will have an even better time now.
Laid up in Bargo, sit and watch the sun go
Relaxing in Bargo and enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Thinking how I'm going to satisfy my libido (Do it!)
I am contemplating how I will fulfill my sexual desires.
Doo doo doo doo
Musical interlude.
I need some liberty
I still desire freedom in my life.
I got bills to pay (Hungry)
I need to work to pay my bills and support myself.
Out the door to work out something
I am leaving to figure out how to solve my financial problems.
Now I'm on my way (And fear every day)
I am trying to improve my situation while dealing with the anxiety of uncertainty.
Is getting harder lately in the jungle
Life has been difficult and unforgiving lately.
I need some freedom in my soul
I still crave personal liberty and autonomy.
Come on and show me what you know
I invite you to share your knowledge and wisdom with me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES H. IV ASHHURST, JIMMY ASHHURST, JOSHUA TODD, KEITH NELSON, KEITH EDWARD NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind