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"
Spring
John Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's sprouted in her soul,
And no one had to tell us,
We did just know.
And know life seems a little more, somehow,
Meaningful
And I looked at her like I always do and I see,
Beautiful
Just the thought of you changed us,
I remember exactly when,
But as soon as you say hello,
You say goodbye again,
And now she feels abandoned,
Forgotten and betrayed,
Well there ain't nothing I can do,
There's nothing I can say.
But,
Don't go away so soon,
I'm hopin' to meet you,
When will our paths cross again?
I know we'll be the best of friends.
Thought I'd like to meet you,
See what you looked like,
I bet you look like your mother,
Boy, you'd be shining in the light,
But your not coming out to play,
Not tomorrow or tonight,
And now I hold her crying
Yes I hold her body tight.
Yes I hold her body tight.
And I say,
Don't go away so soon,
I'm hopin' to meet you,
When will our paths cross again?
I know we'll be the best of friends.
Don't go away so soon,
I'm hopin' to meet you
When will out paths cross again?
I know we'll be the best of friends.
Now its a month since your visit
And your memory lingers on,
Somehow feels like your around,
Even though I know your gone
And in these times when you feel so low
Ain't nothing you can do
But we're still thankful for your visit
'Cause we changed cause of you,
Yeah we changed cause of you.
The song "Spring" by John Butler talks about the anticipation and excitement of soon-to-be parents who are expecting a child, who will bring a new meaning to their lives. The first stanza describes how spring has blossomed within the mother's body and soul, and how both of them felt the joy and hope within them without needing someone else's validation. The second stanza, however, conveys the emotions of disappointment and grief as the child is no longer alive. The parents feel abandoned, and they cannot do anything about it. Nevertheless, they hope to meet their child again someday and become the "best of friends."
The third stanza tells us that even after a month has passed, the memory of the child remains. They always feel like their child is nearby, even though they know they are not. In times when they feel low, they are still grateful for the short time they spent with the child. The song's overall message seems to be that the anticipation of someone new has the power to bring immense joy to a person's life, even if that person is no longer with us.
Line by Line Meaning
So Spring is in her belly,
She is pregnant and carrying the child
It's sprouted in her soul,
The joy of carrying the child has brought new life to her spirit
And no one had to tell us,
They instinctively knew about the pregnancy
We did just know.
They knew without anyone having to tell them
And now life seems a little more, somehow, meaningful
The upcoming child has added a new layer of meaning and purpose to their lives
And I looked at her like I always do and I see, beautiful
Despite the challenges and emotions associated with the pregnancy, she remains beautiful to him
Just the thought of you changed us,
The idea of having a child has significantly impacted their lives
I remember exactly when,
He recalls the moment when they found out about the pregnancy
But as soon as you say hello,
As soon as the child is born
You say goodbye again,
The child's birth marks the end of the pregnancy
And now she feels abandoned,
She feels a sense of loss and separation after the child's birth
Forgotten and betrayed,
She may feel like her body has betrayed her now that the child is no longer within her
Well there ain't nothing I can do,
He feels helpless in trying to alleviate her pain
There's nothing I can say.
He recognizes his words will not change the situation
But,
Despite their sadness, hope remains
Don't go away so soon,
He wishes the child did not have to leave so quickly
I'm hopin' to meet you,
He looks forward to meeting and getting to know the child
When will our paths cross again?
He wonders when he will see the child again
I know we'll be the best of friends.
He intends to build a strong bond with the child
Thought I'd like to meet you,
He had hoped to meet the child sooner
See what you looked like,
He's curious about the child's appearance
I bet you look like your mother,
He assumes the child will resemble the mother
Boy, you'd be shining in the light,
He imagines the child to be radiant and joyful
But you're not coming out to play,
The child is not present in the moment
Not tomorrow or tonight,
The child will not be with them in the immediate future
And now I hold her crying
He comforts his partner as she grieves
Yes I hold her body tight.
He physically embraces her to offer comfort
Now it's a month since your visit
Time has passed since the child's birth
And your memory lingers on,
They continue to think about the child
Somehow feels like you're around,
They may still sense the child's presence in some way
Even though I know you're gone
He recognizes that the child is no longer with them
And in these times when you feel so low
During moments of sadness and longing for the child
Ain't nothing you can do
There is nothing they can do to change the situation
But we're still thankful for your visit
They remain grateful for the experience of having the child in their lives
'Cause we changed 'cause of you,
The child has left a lasting impact on them
Yeah we changed 'cause of you.
The child has transformed their lives in some way
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
정진석
"Spring To Come"
Lost my love, lost my light
I can't find them anymore
If there's something I could give
I would have given it before now...because...
I came back a little broken
Things don't fit anymore
And I wait for spring to come
But how long, tell me how long
'Cause I wither at my post
I'm walking like a ghost, alone
How long tell me how long, how long
Somewhere out there on the horizon
Maybe there's a glimmer of hope
Maybe it's just a mirage
'Cause you never know
And maybe things have changed
Storm clouds pass take their rains
And I wait for spring to come
But how long, tell me how long
'Cause I wither at my post
I'm walking like a ghost, alone
How long tell me how long, how long
Out of the darkness, only light can come
After a lonely long night comes the sun [x4]
Newel Thomas
Why is John Butler Trio so underrated?, They should be more famous, they are just fabulous
Buzzkill Blade
The bass players plays so perfectly and his voice is beautiful
Leland Friesen
I love how gifted John is without being pompous. Truly appreciate the modesty coupled with great ability :) super chill
Jessica Paiva
O som produzido é incrível!
Ky Hudson
Absolutely amazing artists! I love you guys so much! Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with us!
RuiR
How difficult is to be simple...well done, lovely song!
Lauren
I was so into the beat but then he started to sing. My mind is blown. Rare to come across music that gives you goosebumps these days.
Vaporz
2020? This should be mandatory everyday listening. A trio of Soul touchers. True musicians music transmitted to the masses encapsulating the messages of, " you're not alone in life". All conveyed through their emotional written word and musical composition. If you find these guys consider yourself blessed. Thanks John, Byron and Grant. . Come back to California soon.
Sam
The lyrics have a very deep meaning. As everyday i get mature , the more i can connect to this beautiful song.
Wout G
I play this on repeat almost every day. Love this version, love this song!