The new album title April Uprising came from an incredible journey John undertook for the ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV series. He traces the Butler name through generations of hardship to a matriarch who sang for her survival and follows his Bulgarian ancestry to a forebear caught up in a violent revolt called the April Uprising.
The recording process for the new album (the first release from the JBT in 3 years) has been shared with avid JBT followers via a special studio sessions page on the band’s website: www.johnbutlertrio.com John Butler describes the first new track, One Way Road; “One Way Road is the combination of pretty much most of my musical influences; dancehall, roots & rock. Some how we found a way to bring all these feels in a way that sounds natural and not too contrived or cerebral. I’m really happy with how we captured the vibe of his song”.
With sold out performances over the past two years, not only on home turf but also worldwide, on the back of their highly acclaimed and 3 x platinum accredited ‘Grand National’ album, the John Butler Trio have reaffirmed their status as one of Australia’s leading artists. ‘APRIL UPRISING’, scheduled for release early in 2010, will unveil a whole new journey for the band.
John Butler comments on the forthcoming new album, “The whole rehearsal and recording process so far has been a lot of fun and very gratifying. I feel the sounds and general spirit and energy of this album are best summed up in the words – free, melodic, funky, phat and rocking. There’s definitely a certain attitude that comes across on the album. Perhaps there’s a conviction, in a song writing and production sense, that I haven’t tapped into so much on earlier works that seems to be more prevalent on April Uprising. There’s chemistry and language that Nicky, Byron and I have found that really compliments these songs in all their different facets”.
Album Discography;
Live at Lollapalooza 2009 iTunes Exclusive
One Small Step (Aus) 2008 / Twist and Shout ( USA) 2007 - solo live
Grand National 2007
Live at St. Gallen 2006
Sunrise Over Sea 2004
Living 2001 – 2002
Three 2000
John Butler 1998
Awards;
ARIA 2007 ; Best Indie, Best Blues and Roots, Best Performance
ARIA 2004; Best Male, Best Indie, Best Blues and Roots.
ARIA 2001; Best Indie
APRA Awards 2005; Song of the Year ‘Zebra’
APRA Awards 2008; Blues and Roots work of the year ‘Good Excuse’
Festivals Played;
Coachella, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Fuji Rock Festival, Big Day Out, St.Gallen, Belfort, Isle Of Wight, Union Of Soul and many more.
Those who have influenced;
Bob Marley, Martin Luther King Jr, The Meters, Jeff Lang, De LA Soul, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Ainslie Roberts, Black Sabbath, Noam Chomsky, Buck Minster Fuller, Gillian Welch, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Kelly, Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, G Love, Kev Carmody, Allen Watts, Banksy, Salvador Dali,Tracy Chapmen, Blue King Brown, Public Enemy, Jane’s Addiction …
Better Than
John Butler Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All the time while you're looking away
There are things you can do man
There's things you can say
To the the ones you're with
With whom you're spending the today
Get your gaze off tomorrow
And let come what it may
Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All I know is sometimes things can be hard
But you should know by now
They come and they go
So why, oh why
Do I look to the other side
'Cause I know the grass is greener but
Just as hard to mow
Life's not about what's better than
'Cause all you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Because
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
The song "Better Than" by John Butler Trio is about appreciating the present moment and finding joy in the things that we already have. The lyrics suggest that we often get caught up in chasing after what we can't have, and in doing so, we fail to recognize the magic that's already present in our lives. The song encourages us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the present moment, rather than constantly looking towards the future or comparing ourselves to others. The song reminds us that we are capable of being better than our current situation, but we shouldn't let the pursuit of perfection overshadow the beauty of the present moment.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Don't let it get the better of you, what could be better than now, life's not about what's better than." This serves as a reminder to not let the pursuit of some elusive, better future overshadow the value of the present moment.
Aside from its uplifting message, "Better Than" features a catchy guitar riff and an infectious groove that has made it one of John Butler Trio's most popular songs. The song has been used in a variety of films, TV shows, and commercials, and has been covered by numerous other artists.
Line by Line Meaning
All you want is
You only desire what you cannot possess or achieve
What you can't have
You yearn for things that are beyond your reach
And if you just look around man
If you take a moment to observe your surroundings
You see you got magic
You will realize that you possess something extraordinary
So just sit back relax
Take it easy and just unwind
Enjoy it while you still have it
Take pleasure in what you currently possess
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Do not regret your past and perceive only sadness
Because you could be better than that
You have the potential to rise above that negativity
Don't let it get the better of you
Do not allow it to overpower you
What could be better than now
There is nothing superior to the present moment
Life's not about what's better than
Life is not a competition to achieve superiority
All the time while you're looking away
When you are not paying attention
There are things you can do man
There are actions that you can take
There's things you can say
There are words that you can voice
To the the ones you're with
To the people you are in company with
With whom you're spending the today
With whom you are spending your time presently
Get your gaze off tomorrow
Do not fixate on the future
And let come what it may
Accept whatever is going to happen
All I know is sometimes things can be hard
My knowledge is limited to the fact that life can be difficult at times
But you should know by now
However, you ought to be aware
They come and they go
That things come and go
So why, oh why
Then, why do I still?
Do I look to the other side
Do I still gaze over to the other side?
'Cause I know the grass is greener but
Because I am aware that the unknown may seem superior but
Just as hard to mow
It is just as difficult to maintain
You could be better than that
You can surpass that
Don't let it get the better of you
Do not let it defeat you
What could be better than now
Nothing is superior to the present moment
Life's not about what's better than
Life is not a competition to achieve superiority
You can be better than that
You have the potential to surpass that
Don't let it get the better of you
Do not let it overpower you
What could be better than now
Nothing is superior to the present moment
Life's not about what's better than
Life is not a competition to achieve superiority
You could be better than that
You have the potential to rise above that negativity
Don't let it get the better of you
Do not allow it to overpower you
What could be better than now
There is nothing superior to the present moment
Life's not about what's better than
Life is not a competition to achieve superiority
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SucuboSadica
All you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All the time while you're looking away
There are things you can do man
There's things you can say
To the the ones you're with
With whom you're spending the day
Get your gaze off tomorrow
And come what it may
Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All I know is sometimes things can be hard
But you should know by now
They come and they go
So why, oh why
Do I look to the other side
'Cause I know the grass is greener but
Just as hard to mow
Life's not about what's better than
All you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Because
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
@franqusco
Lyrics:
All you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All the time while you're looking away
There are things you can do man
There's things you can say
To the the ones you're with
With whom you're spending the today
Get your gaze off tomorrow
And let come what it may
Because you could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better
All I know is sometimes things can be hard
But you should know by now
They come and they go
So why, oh why
Do I look to the other side
'Cause I know the grass is greener but
Just as hard to mow
Life's not about what's better than
'Cause all you want is
What you can't have
And if you just look around man
You see you got magic
So just sit back relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don't look back on life man and only see tragic
Because
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You could be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than
You can be better than that
Don't let it get the better of you
What could be better than now
Life's not about what's better than.
@ricksmith3571
His music is so moving. Depression killer 4 sure!
@onepunchmantolkienfan5383
This song is so good, criminally under views imo!
@tamyrapohle3888
The song reminds me that it could always be worse. Whenever I hear it uplifts me
@MeAndMyJays
This song is on the playlist we have at work and most of the songs get old and repetitive quick, but for some reason this song never does.
@michaelthorne4847
How does this only have 3.5k views..... Such an amazing song
@nayroK.O
Découverte de St Nolff 2023 ❤
@matthannah4621
This song takes me back to simpler times... living in Dallas in 2011, running the katy trail every morning. This was a go to on the playlist.
@hannahudson7570
I was in Dallas in 2011 as well. I moved to Austin that year too. I feel like my life might be different if I found this band/him sooner than this morning, haha. BUT I found them, so I can't complain! Cheers & all the best to you where you are now.
@tvgubber
I had forgotten about this song for 10 years!! Glad it came back to me 🥰
@klkvm
Dude I love this song its so true. Life is more than materialistic things its about the friendships and love that you share between your family and friends.