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"
Colours
John Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Don't call me whitey, nigger"
"Don't call me nigger, whitey"
"Don't call me whitey, nigger"
Why's all the time in this world, we stumble in the night
When all we have to do is get along, we don't need to fight
And in this great beauty, beautiful beauty, beautiful world we live upon
So saying: "why can't we just all get along"
So saying: "why can't we just sing this one song"
So saying: "why can't we just all get along"
Instead of always saying:
"Don't call me nigger, whitey"
"Don't call me whitey, nigger"
"Don't call me nigger, whitey"
"Don't call me whitey, nigger"
Why's all the time in this world, we stumble in the night
When all we have to do is get along, we don't need to fight
And in this great beauty, beautiful beauty, beautiful world we live upon
Well say its far too small, far too small for us not to get along
There's more than just one colour to this big world rainbow
And no colour shines off any brighter
This my son, you should know
You should know
The song "Colours" by John Butler is a powerful message about racial harmony and unity. The lyrics depict the problem of racial slurs and how they keep us from coming together as one. The repetition of the lines "Don't call me nigger, whitey / Don't call me whitey, nigger" emphasizes the need to stop labeling and disrespecting each other based on race. The song also encourages us to appreciate the beauty of the world we live in and how it is far too small for us to not get along.
The chorus of the song, with its upbeat tune and encouraging lyrics, urges us to come together and sing one song in harmony. The message of the song is clear: we don't need to be divided by our differences because there's more than just one color to this big world rainbow. We should celebrate diversity and respect different ethnic backgrounds without being derogatory. The song beautifully captures the essence of love and peace, and it is a message that the world needs now more than ever.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't call me nigger, whitey
Do not refer to me in terms of skin color or race.
Don't call me whitey, nigger
Do not refer to me in terms of skin color or race.
Why's all the time in this world, we stumble in the night
Why do we find ourselves struggling in the darkness even though we have all the time in the world?
When all we have to do is get along, we don't need to fight
If we simply learn to coexist without conflict, there is no need to argue or fight.
And in this great beauty, beautiful beauty, beautiful world we live upon
The world we inhabit is a beautiful and fantastic place.
Well say its far too small, far too small for us not to get along
The great beauty of the world we inhabit is too small for us to allow ourselves to be divided by our differences.
So saying: "why can't we just all get along"
Asking why is it so difficult for people to coexist in peace and harmony?
So saying: "why can't we just sing this one song"
Asking why people cannot come together to celebrate a universal melody and a sense of community.
Instead of always saying:
Rather than repeatedly engaging in the divisive language of race or skin color...
"Don't call me nigger, whitey"
...Avoid using racial epithets and reductive labels based on skin color.
"Don't call me whitey, nigger"
...Avoid using racial epithets and reductive labels based on skin color.
There's more than just one colour to this big world rainbow
The world is full of diversity, variety, and difference.
And no colour shines off any brighter
There is no group or individual that is fundamentally superior or more valuable than any other.
This my son, you should know
This is an important message that should be passed down to generations to come.
You should know
This is a reminder that as individuals or as members of society, we must strive for harmony and understanding.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Whatcha talkin bout Willis
Great Album -I got the Double cd at home - I saw them at BYRON BAY in November 2001 at the GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL -Sell out - One of My Favourite Shows Ever
adam bomb
Damn, it took me over a decade before I realized john was referencing a Sly and the Family Stone song in part of this song. I love it when I realize connections in music like that.
Olivier Calmel
We talk about Alvin Lee of TYA who is considered the speedest guitar of Rock n roll . I really think John Butler is one of this little group
Jay Shenawy
one of my favourite