Butch Walker (born Bradley … Read Full Bio ↴See also Butch Walker & The Black Widows
Butch Walker (born Bradley Glenn Walker on November 14, 1969) is a recording artist, songwriter, and record producer.
Walker grew up in Cartersville, Georgia and stood out as a guitarist and performer in several rock bands in the '80s including Bad Boyz and Byte the Bullet. In 1988, he took Byte the Bullet to LA and they were signed to Virgin Records within the year. The band changed names to Southgang and released two albums, Tainted Angel in 1991 and Group Therapy in 1992. Southgang was one of the first bands to tour China in the early '90s.
Afterwards, Butch took over lead vocals and with ex-SouthGang members Jayce Fincher and Mitch McLee formed several bands in the 90s including Floyds Funk Revival, The Floyds, and the popular pop-rock band Marvelous 3. After the break-up of the band in early 2000, Butch then began a solo career, releasing the albums Left of Self-Centered in 2002 and Letters in 2004, finishing 2005 playing over 200 live shows across both the US and Japan. In 2006 he released an album called "Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonities". Butch Walker was recently featured as a headlining artist on the My Space promoted Inaugural Hotel Cafe tour - supporting independent artists from the Los Angeles Venue of the same name.
Several of his songs have been hits for other artists, including Bowling for Soup's Girl All the Bad Guys Want and Avril Lavigne's #1 Hit My Happy Ending. He has written and produced albums for such artists as Bowling for Soup, Pink, Lindsay Lohan, Avril Lavigne, Lit, Sevendust, The Donnas, American Hi-Fi, and SR-71.
He is also featured in Tommy Lee's new album Tommyland: The Ride in the song "Good Times."
In late 2005, he released his first DVD "Live At Budokan."
In 2008, Butch released the live double album "Leavin' the Game on Luckie St." for free download on the internet. He followed this up be releasing another studio album, "Sycamore Meadows", the same year. In 2010, Butch will release his new album, "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart," on February 23rd.
Best Thing You Never Had
Butch Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what's it like to ruin all my self esteem?
let me blow off some steam
for five years I've waited, so why
am I jaded to get back at you?
what makes it cool?
when you act like nothing ever happened
but I can't like someone who thought
they're the only one that mattered,
I hope that you're flattered
cause you broke this down,
the best thing that you never had
and it seems like a loss somehow my
heart got lost on the way to my head
and my brain cells are dead, and the
craziness
shows, now I start to go when
the green turns to red and I should be
dead
when you act like nothing ever happened,
I feel like I should feel bad,
but I can't like someone who thought
they're the only one that mattered while
my heart got shattered like romantic roadkill
my heart is all splattered your ego got
fatter and I hope that you're flattered,
cause you broke this down,
you broke this down,
the best thing that you never had
like the toilet seat never got lifted
and I pissed on your confidence when you
weren't around, how can that be?
don't turn this around, you were the one
who drove my ass right to the ground
when you act like nothing ever happened
I feel like I should feel bad, and I can't like
someone who thought they're the only
one that mattered while my heart got
shattered like romantic roadkill my heart
is all splattered your ego got fatter and I
hope that you're flattered
cause you broke this down,
you broke this down,
the best thing, the best thing
the best thing that you never had
you never had...
The song "Best Thing You Never Had" by Butch Walker is a breakup anthem that speaks to the pain and frustration of being left behind by someone who never appreciated you. The lyrics convey a sense of anger and resentment towards the ex-lover, who is portrayed as selfish, manipulative, and indifferent to the singer's feelings. The song starts with a greeting that is seemingly polite but loaded with sarcasm and bitterness. The singer wants to know how it feels to ruin his self-esteem and mocks the ex-partner for acting like nothing ever happened. The chorus repeats the phrase "best thing that you never had," which suggests that the singer has come to terms with the breakup and is better off without the ex-lover in his life.
The second verse takes a darker turn by describing the singer's emotional state after the breakup. He confesses that his heart got lost on the way to his head, and his brain cells are dead, which implies that he is struggling with depression and anxiety. He also mentions feeling crazy and impulsive, as shown by his reckless behavior on the road. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to cope with his pain by acting out and defying authority. However, he realizes that this is not a healthy way to deal with heartbreak and instead blames the ex-lover for pushing him to the brink of self-destruction.
The last verse contains a metaphor involving a toilet seat that was never lifted. The singer claims that he pissed on the ex-lover's confidence when he wasn't around, which is a way of saying he took revenge by belittling and disrespecting the person who hurt him. The lyrics also mention the ex-lover trying to turn the tables by blaming the singer for their problems. Still, the singer refuses to take responsibility for the failed relationship and instead sees himself as a victim of emotional abuse. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus, indicating that the singer has moved on from the past and is now in a better place mentally and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, how ya doing?
Greetings, but now that you are here, let me address the elephant in the room.
what's it like to ruin all my self esteem?
Questioning the impact of your actions on my confidence and sense of self.
let me blow off some steam
Expressing frustration and need for release.
for five years I've waited, so why am I jaded to get back at you?
Reflecting on the time elapsed and disappointment that revenge does not bring satisfaction.
what makes it cool?
Asking why it is acceptable or admirable to act as if nothing happened.
when you act like nothing ever happened
Noticing the dismissive attitude and lack of acknowledgment.
I feel like I should feel bad, but I can't like someone who thought they're the only one that mattered
Acknowledging the pressure to feel guilty, but unable to sympathize with someone who disregarded my feelings.
I hope that you're flattered cause you broke this down, the best thing that you never had
Ironically congratulating the person for losing the best thing they never valued or appreciated.
and it seems like a loss somehow my heart got lost on the way to my head
Expressing confusion and disappointment that emotions took over logic.
and my brain cells are dead, and the craziness shows, now I start to go when the green turns to red and I should be dead
Describing the destructive effects on mental health and behavior under stress.
while my heart got shattered like romantic roadkill my heart is all splattered your ego got fatter
Using a simile to convey the extreme emotional pain and contrasting it with the object's inflated pride.
like the toilet seat never got lifted and I pissed on your confidence when you weren't around, how can that be?
Metaphorically comparing the person's ego to a toilet seat left down and describing how it was undermined when out of sight.
don't turn this around, you were the one who drove my ass right to the ground
Asserting responsibility and placing blame on the other person for the damage caused.
the best thing, the best thing, the best thing that you never had
Emphasizing the repetitive and triumphant declaration of their loss.
you never had...
A final reminder of what they missed out on and an affirmation of moving on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUTCH WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LUIS ANGEL
Hello, how ya doing?
what's it like to ruin all my self esteem?
let me blow off some steam
for five years I've waited, so why
am I jaded to get back at you?
what makes it cool?
… when you act like nothing ever happened
I feel like I should feel bad,
but I can't like someone who thought
they're the only one that mattered,
I hope that you're flattered
cause you broke this down,
the best thing that you never had
… and it seems like a loss somehow my
heart got lost on the way to my head
and my brain cells are dead, and the
craziness
shows, now I start to go when
the green turns to red and I should be
dead
… when you act like nothing ever happened,
I feel like I should feel bad,
but I can't like someone who thought
they're the only one that mattered while
my heart got shattered like romantic roadkill
my heart is all splattered your ego got
fatter and I hope that you're flattered,
cause you broke this down,
you broke this down,
the best thing that you never had
… like the toilet seat never got lifted
and I pissed on your confidence when you
weren't around, how can that be?
don't turn this around, you were the one
who drove my ass right to the ground
… when you act like nothing ever happened
I feel like I should feel bad, and I can't like
someone who thought they're the only
one that mattered while my heart got
shattered like romantic roadkill my heart
is all splattered your ego got fatter and I
hope that you're flattered
cause you broke this down,
you broke this down,
the best thing, the best thing
the best thing that you never had
… you never had...
Candace Renee
This song is great recorded, but to hear it live.... Words can't describe how passionate Butch is while singing it and how intense the song is.
Sean Sinclair
great tune to hear live!
Laura Rominger
Just an incredible song I fell in love with a decade before I needed it. No other song explains it as well as this one does ❤️
Estrada Sisters
Sameee
Josh
Definitely my favorite Butch walker song! I haven't heard it in years, and it make me ball my eyes out everytime I started listening to it, the first parts. I'm good though lol!!! This song just hits my emotions,so much!!!
carolloveskiwis
My fave BW song. Those lyrics ...killer.
Brendan Burns
Damn I just remember running outta the door one more last time towards that relationship that I had about 7 years ago now and I just blasted this song!!! In other words speaking. Walk away from toxic relationships people it would never change no matter how badly we want it too and I’ll pray for the ones that still in that currently in one. <3
Cy'Arra Smith
😭😭😭
Holden Fanara
Best song stilll. Always catch myself remembering the good and bad times listening to this song
Rendersmith
I love this song.. Probably the best break-up song ever!