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.
Trouble On Central
Buddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spending my days out in the ghetto
Mama say that I need to be careful
Going downtown on the blue line metro
Car overheated and I can't afford a rental (shit)
Broke down Chevrolet, sitting on Central
Turning on my headphones looking out the window
Lauryn Hill playing, it could be so simple
What the hell is taking so long?
I wish I had a girl by my side
Wish I had a brand new ride
I wish I had a light
I wish I had a private flight
I wish upon the stars sometimes
I wish I had a ride
I wish I had the finer things
I wish you wasn't so Cobain
I wish I had you (shit)
And I wish I wasn't stuck on Central
Just so good at being in trouble
Spending my days out in the ghetto
Papa say that I need to be careful
Heard a nigga just got popped at the Arco
Pros on the hoes stroll, junkies on narcos
Long Beach, Compton, Watts to South Central
Damn, I just can't wait 'til I get home (shit)
That's when a cop had pulled me over
I wish I had a girl by my side
Wish I had a brand new ride
I wish I had a light
I wish I had a private flight
I wish upon the stars sometimes
I wish I had a ride
I wish I had the finer things
I wish you wasn't so Cobain
I wish I had you (shit)
And I wish I wasn't stuck on Central
I wish I was in control
Really wish I wasn't stuck on Central
I still got so far to go, yeah
Won't be stuck here, not for long
Just hold on, hold on
Work late nights and early mornings
I'm on it, I'm on it
Trouble on Central with the homies
Oh no, oh no
Pretty soon we gon' take control
Just wait on it, wait on it
In the song "Trouble on Central," Buddy describes his life in the ghetto and how it has shaped him. The lyrics of the song are a reflection of his aspirations and dreams while simultaneously revealing his struggles. Buddy admits to being good at getting into trouble and spending his days in the ghetto. His mother warns him about being careful as he travels downtown on the blue line metro. Due to a car breakdown, Buddy is stuck on Central, unable to leave, working late nights and early mornings, and spending time with his homies while trying to take control of his life.
Despite his circumstances, Buddy is optimistic and looking forward to a brighter future. He wishes for finer things, a brand new ride, and a private flight, but he is left with a broken-down Chevrolet and dreams that give him hope. He also wishes that he wasn't "stuck on Central" and that he had control over his life. The song acknowledges the challenges and difficulties that young people face in trying to escape tough living situations and aspire to greater things. Nevertheless, Buddy holds onto the hope that he will one day be able to overcome these challenges and achieve his dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Just so good at being in trouble
I always seem to find myself in difficult situations.
Spending my days out in the ghetto
I live in a low-income urban area and spend a lot of time there.
Mama say that I need to be careful
My mother warns me to be cautious in my actions.
Going downtown on the blue line metro
I travel downtown via metro train on the blue line.
Car overheated and I can't afford a rental (shit)
My car has overheated and I don't have enough money to rent a new one.
Broke down Chevrolet, sitting on Central
My Chevrolet is broken down and parked on Central street.
Turning on my headphones looking out the window
I turn on my music and gaze out the car window.
Lauryn Hill playing, it could be so simple
Lauryn Hill's music makes me wish life was simpler.
Damn, I just can't wait 'til I get on
I am eager to get to where I'm going.
What the hell is taking so long?
I'm frustrated by how long everything is taking.
I wish I had a girl by my side
I would like a girlfriend to accompany me.
Wish I had a brand new ride
I wish I had a new and reliable vehicle.
I wish I had a light
I wish I had a sense of guidance and direction in my life.
I wish I had a private flight
I wish I could travel in my own private plane.
I wish upon the stars sometimes
I sometimes make wishes on stars, hoping they will come true.
I wish I had a ride
I wish I had a means of transportation.
I wish I had the finer things
I wish I had access to luxury and affluent items.
I wish you wasn't so Cobain
I wish you weren't so reckless and self-destructive, like Kurt Cobain.
I wish I had you (shit)
I wish I had someone special in my life.
And I wish I wasn't stuck on Central
I wish I wasn't trapped in this area, feeling helpless.
Papa say that I need to be careful
My father advises me to be cautious and sensible.
Heard a nigga just got popped at the Arco
I heard someone got shot and killed at the Arco gas station.
Pros on the hoes stroll, junkies on narcos
Prostitutes are walking the streets, while drug addicts are taking narcotics.
Long Beach, Compton, Watts to South Central
These places represent areas plagued by poverty and crime.
Damn, I just can't wait 'til I get home (shit)
I can't wait to get home and away from all the chaos and danger of the streets.
That's when a cop had pulled me over
Just as I thought I was safe, a police officer stopped me.
I wish I was in control
I would like to have more agency and influence over my life.
Really wish I wasn't stuck on Central
I truly wish I wasn't confined to this impoverished area.
I still got so far to go, yeah
Although I've come a long way, there's still a lot more road ahead of me.
Won't be stuck here, not for long
I won't remain in this stagnant position for much longer.
Just hold on, hold on
I will persevere and remain patient.
Work late nights and early mornings
I am willing to work hard and sacrifice my sleep to achieve my goals.
I'm on it, I'm on it
I am committed to working towards progress and success in my life.
Trouble on Central with the homies
I often encounter trouble and dangerous situations when hanging out with my friends.
Oh no, oh no
I am anxious and afraid of what might happen.
Pretty soon we gon' take control
We will soon become dominant and in charge of our lives and surroundings.
Just wait on it, wait on it
We need to remain patient and know that change takes time and effort.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Steven Brown, Darryl Farris, Elijah Blue Molina, Japhet Landis, Simmie Sims
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandriaa clark
Buddy absolutely nailed it on this track, no doubt about it! That banger right here got me hyped like crazy, bangaa! I ain't even trippin' if Buddy used authentic views to get that mad exposure and get the ball rollin'. Truth is, plenty of other artists be doin' the same thing, Keep slayin' those beats!
Ernest Adjekum
This what I call real life music. We need more of it playing on radio.
damiencabrera
FR FR BRO...❤🙏👑
Bng Chilling
Radio? you dont got BT
Daniel Santana
I can't believe I barely found this song, better late than never. 2023 Bumpin
mpho gavin
😂❤ welcome to the addiction 2023 still bumping
ThemMetroKids1
Real shii StxndoSantana# gang
Roy Blak
He got good music , very talented
JcoleComeHomeBaeb
this song leaves me feeling like everything gone be alright ❤
Patrick Kylaba
Same.