After growing up in Sydney, New South Wales, Butler began his musical career as a busker in Fremantle before achieving his current fame. His band's first two albums (John Butler -1998 and JBT EP -2000) were moderately successful, allowing him to establish a largely word-of-mouth following. The breakthrough came with the Three album in 2001, featuring the tracks "Take" and "Betterman", both of which received considerable radio airplay on Australian alternative youth radio station Triple J and rated highly in their annual Top 100. Appearances at Big Day Out and other major festivals followed. By the time Sunrise Over Sea was released three years later, the single Zebra was getting extensive airplay on commercial radio and proved a major hit for the band. In 2006, the band promoted the album extensively in the United States.
Butler is outspoken with his political beliefs, often making political statements advocating peace, environmental protection, and worldwide love and respect at his performances. He has supported the The Wilderness Society and the Save Ningaloo Reef campaign. He was also known for a long time for his signature dreadlocks, which he cut off in 2008 : "Yes I finally cut them and it feels great! Been thinking about it for awhile and just had to do it. Although I like dreadlocks, they just weren't what I was feeling anymore and I needed a change". His long pointed acrylic fingernails, which are required for the unique hybrid picking style he uses in certain songs, are another one of his trademarks.
John Butler met his wife Danielle Caruana in Broome in 1999. They have two children, a daughter named Banjo, and a son named Jahli. Danielle is also an independent musician in Australia and sings back-up vocals on the band's Sunrise Over Sea album and has her own music name; "Mama Kin"
Busted
John Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is that I stand here before you as criminal
For what I have done, and for what I still am doing
What you see is wrong
But I'm just watching the sunset and playing my old song
So why did you even have to come along
And all, all that am
So why, why mess with me
Just cos you say I'm doing something wrong against society
But I'm just having a smoke and playing guitar, can't you see
But I made the mistake and thought I was free
Thought I was, thought I was free
Thought I was, thought I was free
Well you got your alcohol and your tobacco and you make your money off
And your sending our kids off to war and your killing all of us
But I can not have a smoke, no, cos your whole world come crumbling down
No I cannot smoke a spliff, no, cos your whole world come crumbling down
I don't think so, I don't think so
All, all that I know
Is that I stand here before you as criminal
For what I have done, and for what I still am doing
What you see is wrong
But I'm just having a smoke and i'm watching the setting sun
So why did you even have to come along
Hey man, why won't you just, won't you just leave me alone
The lyrics to John Butler's song Busted are about a man who feels like a criminal because he is being judged and persecuted for doing something that he sees as harmless – having a smoke and playing his guitar. The singer of the song describes himself as a good man searching for truth, but he feels like society is against him because he is not conforming to its expectations. The man is frustrated that he cannot enjoy a smoke without being persecuted while others profit from alcohol and tobacco. He questions society's values and actions, such as sending off children to war and killing others. The singer feels like society is trying to control his every action, even when he is just enjoying a simple pleasure like smoking a spliff and watching the setting sun. He wants to be left alone to do as he pleases without being judged by others who are hypocritical and profit from practices that are harmful.
The song speaks to the larger theme of societal control of individual freedoms and how people who are deemed as different or non-conforming are often persecuted, judged, and punished for their actions. The singer questions why he has to conform to societal expectations and values, even when those expectations are harmful or promote inequality. He feels like his individuality and freedom are being taken away and that he is being treated unfairly.
Line by Line Meaning
All, all that I know
The singer knows that they are a criminal, standing before the listener.
Is that I stand here before you as criminal
The singer acknowledges their position as a criminal standing before the listener.
For what I have done, and for what I still am doing
The singer is guilty of their past actions and admits to still being involved in criminal activities.
What you see is wrong
The listener views the artist's actions as inappropriate.
But I'm just watching the sunset and playing my old song
The artist is enjoying the scenery and playing their own music.
So why did you even have to come along
The singer questions why the listener decided to confront them.
And all, all that am
The singer defines themselves as a good person searching for truth.
Is a good man searching for some truth
The artist is genuinely trying to find the truth.
So why, why mess with me
The artist wonders why the listener feels the need to interfere with their actions.
Just cos you say I'm doing something wrong against society
The listener views the artist's actions as a crime against society.
But I'm just having a smoke and playing guitar, can't you see
The singer is simply enjoying a smoke and playing music.
But I made the mistake and thought I was free
The artist acknowledges their mistake of thinking they were free to do as they please.
Thought I was, thought I was free
The singer had a false perception of freedom.
Well you got your alcohol and your tobacco and you make your money off
The singer points out the listener's use of alcohol and tobacco and their involvement in making money from it.
And your sending our kids off to war and your killing all of us
The singer accuses the listener of being responsible for sending young people to war and causing deaths.
But I can not have a smoke, no, cos your whole world come crumbling down
The artist cannot smoke because doing so would cause the listener's world to fall apart.
No I cannot smoke a spliff, no, cos your whole world come crumbling down
The artist reiterates that they cannot smoke because it would have a negative impact on the listener's world.
I don't think so, I don't think so
The singer disagrees with the listener's perspective on the situation.
Hey man, why won't you just, won't you just leave me alone
The singer asks the listener to leave them alone.
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
goodbye blue sky
Great tune, man, tune for your soul.
Wayne Bell
This is a beautiful tribute to Mary Jane always gets me in the mood.
Curt Mader
Fucking ethereal man!
Jut Fell
I just wanted to be the third thumbs down, so i could say how ashamed I am of thumbs down one and two for ever showing there ugly heads here, I'd rather not be here , being the third downer, I'd rather be a thumbs up, and be happy and enjoy my mates music, im going to buy your record right now. Thanks guys , thumbs up!!!