Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Buddy began feeding his love for music at an early age. At 10 he was begging his mom and dad for a guitar and by 16, had formed his first REM- inspired band.
Buddy left Portland to attend college at Providence College in Rhode Island where he majored in English and struggled with a strong case of stage fright. After college he moved to Austin, Texas where his passion for music returned to the forefront of his life. Buddy joined up with a local band called Piltdowns and they gained a good following and supported bands like Spoon while fielding some local record label offers.
In 2002, Buddy relocated again, finally landing in Los Angeles, CA where he continued to hone his songwriting style. Not to be dissuaded by prior mishaps, Buddy hit the local stages again, performing his first show as Buddy at the Hotel Café, in July of 2004. It wasn't until Buddy hooked up with friend and author Greg Behrendt (He's Just Not That Into You) that things began to truly turn in Buddy's direction. While performing at one of Behrendt's infamous Bring the Rock musician/comedian nights, producer Robbie Rist (the Andersons) took an interest in Buddy's unique voice, beautiful lyrics and clever songwriting style. The two joined forces to produce and record Buddy's 1st EP, which was simply titled "Buddy". It hit the streets November 30th, 2004.
Shortly after finishing the EP, local DJ Tricia Halloran of the station KCRW in Santa Monica began playing a track called "Salt Point" on air. Random deal offers from the UK began to come in, but none of them seemed quite right, so Buddy kept on pushing his material and playing live shows. At that time a radio station in Denver caught wind of Buddys Milkshake cover, the word was out, and the word was "Buddy". Buddy's music has been featured on "All Things Considered", "One Tree Hill", "Ghost Whisperer", "Shelter from the Storm, Katrina Benefit" and recently the song Westgate.
Lyrics will always be Buddy's most important focus. Powerful stuff for a guy who describes himself as pretty much "always happy", but to that he adds, "if something is really bugging me, Ill carry it around for a long while. Then eventually, Ill sit down and in about 15 minutes, Ill have put it in a song" and the rest, is well safely tucked away beneath the sheets.
Buddy's live band consists of: Grammy Award® winning drummer Michael Jerome (John Cale, Blind Boys of Alabama), Will Golden (Gary Jules), Percy Haverson (Knifeyhead), Al Sgro (Gary Jules), Fil Krohnengold (Golden Smog, Duncan Sheik).
“Alterations and Repairs” Buddy’s debut Album will be arriving spring 2007 and features guest musicians/vocalists including: Anna-Lynne Williams (trespassers william), Ben Peeler (Alexi Murdoch), Meiko (Meiko), Ollie (Sia, Tom McRae). Mixed by Bryan Cook (Inara George, Gary Jules) & Mastered By Roger Siebel. (Death Cab/Plans) Artwork by PCP.
"Side By Side - Duets Vol. 1" features original tracks and two cover tunes performed with friends Meiko, Susie Suh, Julianna Raye, Buddy, Tina Dico and Rick Garcia. (5 Bonus tracks available at iTunes) Gus Black (a singer/songwriter in his own right) directs AM's new video "Hear Me Sing" featuring Buddy.
Shine
Buddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you just what I seen
Angels falling from the sky
I just hope that they can take me
Back to where the pearly gates be
And I been counting down the days because I know we gotta die soon
That just means I get to fly soon
And I know I'm not the only one out here that's not afraid
I know I can't fail if God testing my faith
And if I don't hurry I might be too late
Even with all of this darkness in my grave
I still can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help but shine (shining)
I still can't help but shine (shining)
And we can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help it (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
I can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I still can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
And we can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I can't help it
Ever since I was a little baby this has been amazing
Thankful for the life you gave me
With every step and every breath know that I been living by you
Lord just tell me what should I do
And I been counting down the days 'cause pretty soon this will be all gone
And your the one that Ima call on
That's how I know I'll be free and won't be locked inside a cage
Alright alrighty now I'm finally on my way
I know I can't fail if God testing my faith
And if I don't hurry I might be too late
Even with all of this darkness in my grave
I still can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help but shine (shining)
I still can't help but shine (shining)
And we can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help it (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
I can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I still can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
And we can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I can't help it
Raised in the ghetto
I promised my family told them that I'm bout to take it a whole nother level
These niggas that stay in my city be getting all cozy but I never settle
And I'm making my way to heaven while all of my homies been facing the Devil
And speak of the Devil
That nigga tryna get in my brain
So I roll my weed to ease my mind a bit mind a bit
Sometimes I pace myself and take my time with it time with it
Plus I be staying in track like a locomotive and I'm planning to make it
So it doesn't matter if you never notice a man in the making
And I close my eyes sometimes and dive in a pool of my dreams
And I been search far and high and wide until I found my wings
You gotta be crazy if you say you fly as high as I do
As so as I make it to the pearly gates I'm praying that they gone open up
I still can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help but shine (shining)
I still can't help but shine (shining)
And we can't help but shine (shining)
I can't help it (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
I still can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay)
And we can't help but shine (I'm shining, you see it, ay, ay)
I can't help it
The song "Shine" by Buddy is a powerful, introspective piece about a person's journey through life and their eventual passage into the afterlife. The first verse opens with the singer driving through a fog, with their high beams on and Visine in their eyes, suggesting that they are struggling to see clearly, whether literally or metaphorically. They go on to describe witnessing angels falling from the sky, and the hope that they will be taken back to the "pearly gates". They express a resigned acceptance of death, counting down the days until they can "fly", but also a sense of fearlessness, stating that they are not the only one who is unafraid of the inevitable.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I still can't help but shine", suggesting a defiant, optimistic attitude in the face of adversity. The second verse focuses on the singer's faith and their reliance on God to guide them through life and into the afterlife. They speak of their gratitude for their life, and their willingness to do whatever God commands of them. The verse ends with the singer acknowledging that their time on earth is limited, but expressing confidence that they will be free from any constraints once they reach heaven.
The final verse touches on the singer's background, growing up in the ghetto and promising their family that they will succeed. They reference the challenges faced by themselves and their friends, including temptations from the devil and drugs, but maintain that they are on track to reach their goals. They talk about their dreams and their determination to achieve them, and their belief that they will rise above any obstacles to "make it" in life.
Overall, "Shine" is a powerful track that combines elements of hip-hop and gospel to create a moving meditation on life, death, and faith. It encourages listeners to stay positive and hopeful, even in the face of adversity, and to trust in a higher power to guide them through every challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving through the fog with my high beams putting on my Visine
I'm driving in a dense fog with my high beams on, and I have to use eye drops because of the bright lights.
Let me tell you just what I seen
I witnessed angels falling from the sky and now I hope they can take me back to heaven.
Back to where the pearly gates be
I want to go back to heaven where the entrance is guarded by pearly gates.
And I been counting down the days because I know we gotta die soon
I'm aware that we all have a limited time on this earth, and I'm counting down the days until I die.
That just means I get to fly soon
Death is not something to be afraid of because it means I get to ascend to heaven.
And I know I'm not the only one out here that's not afraid
I know that there are other people who are not afraid of death just like me.
Lord just tell me what should I do
I'm asking God for guidance and direction in my life.
And if I don't hurry I might be too late
I know that time is running out, and if I don't act quickly, I might miss my opportunity.
I still can't help but shine (shining)
Despite all the challenges and darkness in my life, I cannot help but radiate positivity and light.
Raised in the ghetto
I grew up in a poor and disadvantaged neighborhood.
And speak of the Devil
Just when I was mentioning the Devil, I felt his presence trying to influence me.
Sometimes I pace myself and take my time with it time with it
I don't rush into things, but instead, I take my time and approach them strategically.
And I been search far and high and wide until I found my wings
I've been searching for my true purpose and place in the world, and I found it in my ability to soar.
You gotta be crazy if you say you fly as high as I do
I am not like anyone else. You have to be a little crazy to think that you can soar as high as I can.
Lyrics © CTM Outlander Music LC, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Michael Cox Jr, John Wesley Groover, Simmie Sims, Daniel Tannenbaum, Dave Foreman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lilcbeats1995
Came here to be with Nipsey for a min. Rest In Peace my friend!
@RayNLA
lil C Beats
God bless you!
@qbrown5833
Damn this comment made me tear up smh #SEEYOUSOONNIP
@MATTBARNZ
Best comment on this vid 👏👏👏👏👊
@1SonTMONT
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🙏
@jimmythompsonshootaxd8317
But this ain't nipsey gtfo
@arshauntedunson
This is REAL music. Not garbage about girls and money.
AND he had my boy Nipsey Hussle in the video ✊🏾🙏🏾
@dredayakaandre5123
Shine 🌟
@attatara5364
We cant make music about love/lovers or success anymore?
@travis_straightcash
You got a Instagram ??