Dutton, born in Philadelphia, began playing guitar at age 8. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the 9th grade and began playing harmonica in a wire rack. Dutton credits Bob Dylan and John Hammond Jr., as well as then-contemporary "old school" hip-hop sounds of Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Philadelphia's own Schooly D as influences.
Dutton, still in high school at Germantown Friends School, began playing solo on the streets of Philadelphia. After a year of college, he relocated to Boston, working as a fundraiser for Peace Action and playing wherever and whenever he could. One of his few indoor gigs at this time was a Boston bar called The Tam O'Shanter, where he met drummer Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens in January 1993. Dutton and Clemens began working as a duo, they were joined a few months later by bassist Jim "Jimi Jazz" Prescott and became the house band on Mondays at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The name G. Love doesn't really have that much of a story to it. The 'G' stands for Good as said in many radio interviews. He said in an interview that the 'Love' was just there because it sounded right.
G. Love featured Jack Johnson on his 1999 LP Philadelphonic playing an early version of Jack Johnson's "Rodeo Clowns" when Jack was an unknown artist. Jack later featured the song on his 2003 LP On and On.
Known nowadays for his excellent live shows, he is often seen touring with Jack Johnson, who signed G. Love to his record label Brushfire Records. He has made appearances on the records of artists such as Slightly Stoopid and Donavon Frankenreiter.
Holla!
G. Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so ugly but she's so pretty
I thought that she would never let me get it
I can't belive that she let me hit it
Must have laid it on you, you never will forget it bet
If I had some money Yo I'd lay it on you
You keep me lucky like the roulette wheel spinning
You keep me guessing like it was the beginning
And I know now girl that I love you
And I tell you babe if I could
But I'm leaving in the morning for a year long tour
And I won't be back in your neighborhood
So la la la la la la - whoo
la la la la la la - whoo
Won't you holla some time
And if you find another boy when I'm gone I'll be broke
See I have been hurt so bad in the past by her
When I find myself getting too close in the situation
I don't want no static aggravation
Sweet lovin sweet salvation
Take me baby up to higher elevation
But I sure don't want to get hurt
Left alone to lurk
Rubbed in the dirt
Treated like a jerk
And I know now girl that I love you
And I tell you babe if I could
But I'm leaving in the morning for a year long tour
And I won't be back in your neighborhood
So la la la la la la - whoo
la la la la la la - whoo
Won't you holla some time
Holla holla holla, life goes on
Long after the days living is gone
Holla holla holla, life goes on
Long after the days living is gone
It's been a long time coming and the writing's on the wall
Now it's time for you to leave so baby please gone
So I can beg you baby please don't go
And I'm saying
So la la la la la la - whoo
So la la la la la la - whoo
Won't you holla some time
Holla holla holla, life goes on
Long after the days living is gone
Holla holla holla, life goes on
Long after the days living is gone
So la la la la la la - whoo
So la la la la la la - whoo
Won't you holla some time
In the lyrics to "Holla!" by G. Love, we see a classic narrative of love, longing and loss. G. Love talks about the dichotomy of himself and his lover: he considers himself dirty and ugly, while she is clean and pretty. He describes his surprise that she would even touch him, let alone let him "get it", and acknowledges that he's lucky to have her around. Despite his insecurities, he professes his love for her and wishes he could stay with her, but he has to go on a year-long tour, and doesn't know if she'll still be there when he comes back. He implores her to reach out to him, reminding her that life moves on even after they're apart.
The lyrics are filled with a sense of tension and uncertainty. G. Love seems to be unsure of his own worthiness, but at the same time, he acknowledges the good things that his lover brings to his life. He expresses fear of being hurt again, which could be interpreted as a reference to past relationships. However, he also seems to be trying to trust her, while knowing that he won't be around to protect their relationship when he's on tour. Overall, "Holla!" presents a complex mix of emotions and experiences that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
She's so clean but I'm so dirty
Although I am not a perfect person, my partner is clean and flawless.
I'm so ugly but she's so pretty
I am not physically attractive, but my partner is stunningly beautiful.
I thought that she would never let me get it
I never thought that my partner would allow me to have an intimate relationship with her.
I can't belive that she let me hit it
I am amazed that my partner allowed me to become intimate with her.
Must have laid it on you, you never will forget it bet
I provided such a memorable sexual experience that my partner will never forget it.
If I had some money Yo I'd lay it on you
If I had money, I would do everything to make my partner happy.
You keep me lucky like the roulette wheel spinning
Being with my partner brings me incredible luck and happiness.
You keep me guessing like it was the beginning
Every day with my partner feels like a new beginning, full of surprises and unpredictability.
And I know now girl that I love you
I am now certain that I am in love with my partner.
And I tell you babe if I could
If possible, I would express my love for my partner.
But I'm leaving in the morning for a year long tour
I am going on a year-long tour and will not be able to be with my partner.
And I won't be back in your neighborhood
I will be away for an extended period and will not be returning to my partner's location.
And if you find another boy when I'm gone I'll be broke
If my partner finds someone else while I am away, it will completely devastate me.
See I have been hurt so bad in the past by her
I have been hurt before in previous relationships.
When I find myself getting too close in the situation
When I become too emotionally attached to someone, it can cause problems.
I don't want no static aggravation
I do not want any negative conflict or drama in my romantic relationship.
Sweet lovin sweet salvation
My partner's affection and love is my source of comfort and hope.
Take me baby up to higher elevation
I want my relationship with my partner to continue to improve and progress to a higher level.
But I sure don't want to get hurt
I am afraid of getting emotionally hurt in a relationship.
Left alone to lurk
Being left alone can make me feel isolated and lonely.
Rubbed in the dirt
Being mistreated or disrespected can be incredibly hurtful.
Treated like a jerk
Being treated poorly can make me feel like an inferior person and can be mentally exhausting.
Holla holla holla, life goes on Long after the days living is gone
In life, we must continue to move forward even after tough times have passed.
It's been a long time coming and the writing's on the wall Now it's time for you to leave so baby please gone So I can beg you baby please don't go
It has been building up for a long time, and I can sense that my partner will soon leave. I want to beg her to stay.
So la la la la la la - whoo So la la la la la la - whoo Won't you holla some time
I hope my partner reaches out to me and contacts me in the future.
Contributed by Brody I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.