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.
Superhero Brother
G. Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got to use my superpowers
Even or saving or what'll stop
It ain't my fault
All this bad stuff is happening
Now's it's time I put my foot on down
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
No, no
Well they say that love is all you need
To heal the world
Plus a trillion billion dollars
Have you heard
That President Bush, Santa Claus and Green Goblin
Sadam Hussein, Spiderman and Bin Laden
Britney Spears, Jesus and the whole cast of Friends
Met for brunch last week
To solve the world's problems
Would've called on me
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
Well if they called on my name
Don't you know I'd do it
Shine my signal all over Gotham
I'd be true
It's my distinct pleasure
To come down from my grass
Get off my front porch
And save your asses
And in the nick of time
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
Well change has come over me
My muscles blown
So I freestyled my ass across the U.S.A.
Solve the economy, the homeless problem
Save what's left of the environment
Create jobs, for everybody to be doing something
They want to be doing
Yeah
But if you can't do smack
Then you better do something
'Cause this is the time
When you so can't do nothing
That means you and you and you and you
And me too
Oh baby
Then I fly overseas
And set all the slaves free
From prostitution, sweat shop, child labor
South America, the problems in the Middle East
Make a sun power car
We don't have to fight in oil fields
I'll take all the troops back
From wherever they roam
And wherever their fightin'
And whatever side their on
And I'll send on the first plane
Home to their moms
And we could make coffee tables
Out of all these bombs
And save the whales
And the pygmy marmosets too
Oh baby
Well all this seems kinda hard
But it really ain't nothin'
All you got to do is
Get bit by a spider or something
We could change the world
In a week or a day
And if you got problems
Man, I sweep 'em away
You find yourself in a world full of trouble
Just call on G. Love
Your superhero brother
And I'll be there
I'll be there
I'll be there
I'll be there
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
No, no, no
In "Superhero Brother," G. Love & Special Sauce sings about feeling the urge to use their "superpowers" to solve the world's problems, from saving the environment to freeing slaves from prostitution and child labor. They lament that all the bad things happening in the world are not their fault, but they still feel compelled to take action. The song suggests that love is not enough to heal the world; it would take a trillion billion dollars, as well as cooperation between people and entities that would not typically work together, such as the President, Santa Claus, and Bin Laden. G. Love & Special Sauce bring up superheroes like Spiderman and Green Goblin, implying that they too could have a hand in saving the world. Ultimately, the song is hopeful that they can make a difference, expressing a desire to be a superhero to those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Every once and awhile
Occasionally, I feel the need to use my special abilities
I got to use my superpowers
I must employ my supernatural powers
Even or saving or what'll stop
Either for rescuing or putting an end to something
It ain't my fault
I am not to blame for any of this
All this bad stuff is happening
There is too much negativity going on around us
Now's it's time I put my foot on down
Now I must take action to change things
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
My affection doesn't feel as genuine as it used to
Well they say that love is all you need
Many people believe that love can solve all problems
To heal the world
To make the world a better place
Plus a trillion billion dollars
In addition to an enormous amount of money
Have you heard
Are you familiar with the latest news?
That President Bush, Santa Claus and Green Goblin
It is rumored that certain fictional and non-fictional characters met up
Sadam Hussein, Spiderman and Bin Laden
Other famous figures were also allegedly involved in the meeting
Britney Spears, Jesus and the whole cast of Friends
A diverse group of people and entities were in attendance
Met for brunch last week
Apparently, they had a casual gathering recently
To solve the world's problems
The purpose of their meeting was to address global issues
Would've called on me
If they had invited me, I would have been happy to join
Well if they called on my name
In case they ever need my help
Don't you know I'd do it
Remember, I am always here to assist
Shine my signal all over Gotham
I will broadcast my signal so that people know I am available
I'd be true
I would keep my word and follow through with my actions
It's my distinct pleasure
I take pride in helping others
To come down from my grass
I am willing to leave my comfort zone
Get off my front porch
Step outside my own home
And save your asses
To rescue and protect you
And in the nick of time
Just in time to prevent something disastrous
Well change has come over me
I feel a sudden transformation
My muscles blown
I feel physically strong and capable
So I freestyled my ass across the U.S.A.
I traveled across the country spontaneously and effortlessly
Solve the economy, the homeless problem
To solve issues such as poverty and homelessness
Save what's left of the environment
To protect the remaining natural resources
Create jobs, for everybody to be doing something
To generate work opportunities for everyone
They want to be doing
Jobs they enjoy and are passionate about
But if you can't do smack
If you don't have any skills
Then you better do something
Find a way to contribute positively to society
'Cause this is the time
The present moment calls for it
When you so can't do nothing
When it feels like there's nothing you can do
That means you and you and you and you
This applies to everyone
And me too
I also need to take action
Then I fly overseas
I travel to other countries
And set all the slaves free
To liberate those who are being held captive
From prostitution, sweat shop, child labor
To put an end to involuntary labor and sexual exploitation
South America, the problems in the Middle East
Address issues such as poverty and conflict in various regions
Make a sun power car
Create an environmentally friendly vehicle powered by solar energy
We don't have to fight in oil fields
If we rely on alternative energy sources, we can avoid oil-related conflicts
I'll take all the troops back
I will bring military personnel home
From wherever they roam
Regardless of where they are stationed
And wherever their fightin'
Whatever conflict they are involved in
And whatever side their on
Regardless of whose side they are on
And I'll send on the first plane
The first mode of transportation available
Home to their moms
To reunite them with their families
And we could make coffee tables
To repurpose the materials from weaponry
Out of all these bombs
To promote peace through creative reuse
And save the whales
To protect marine life
And the pygmy marmosets too
And other endangered species as well
Well all this seems kinda hard
It may appear to be a daunting task
But it really ain't nothin'
With enough effort, it is achievable
All you got to do is
All it takes is
Get bit by a spider or something
To gain superhuman abilities
We could change the world
Together, we have the power to transform our surroundings
In a week or a day
It can be done in a relatively short amount of time
And if you got problems
If you are in need of assistance
Man, I sweep 'em away
I will handle those issues for you
You find yourself in a world full of trouble
If you are struggling in difficult times
Just call on G. Love
Don't hesitate to ask for my help
Your superhero brother
I am here for you and will always have your back
And I'll be there
I will come to your aid
I'll be there
I will be there for you
I'll be there
Count on me to assist you
I'll be there
Always available to help
Oh baby, my love don't seem the same
My passion has been rekindled and I am ready to take action
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind