Only One
John Butler Trio Lyrics


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There's something haunting me, running on thin ice
It's nothing you can see, I do all I can to hide
And all the rolling days, all the lonely nights
You don't know your place, all the fights

I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

Did they tell ya man that you can't fly?
Did they clip your wings when you did try?
Did they say you could when you know can't?
Did you build your castles out of sand?

I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

The only one
The only one
The only one




The only one
The only one

Overall Meaning

In the song "Only One" by John Butler Trio, the singer is haunted by something that is invisible to others. This something is causing the singer to feel like they're running on thin ice and they feel the need to hide it from others. The singer also faces difficult days and lonely nights wherein they feel like they have no place and are constantly fighting. In spite of all of these challenges, the singer finds solace in someone who seems to have an innate understanding of them. They are the only one who can help the singer untangle their mind.


The lyrics suggest a sense of alienation and feeling lost, as the singer seems to be struggling with something they cannot articulate. The singer appears desperate to find a safe place and to unburden themselves of whatever it is that's haunting them. The chorus further highlights the central theme of the song, which is about the singer's appreciation for the person who helps them find clarity and inner peace. The lyrics paint an honest picture of a person's emotional state who is struggling to find balance in their life.


Line by Line Meaning

There's something haunting me, running on thin ice
I'm struggling with something that feels dangerous and precarious, like I could fall through the ice at any moment.


It's nothing you can see, I do all I can to hide
Whatever I'm struggling with, I'm keeping hidden from others and it's not something that can be easily seen on the surface.


And all the rolling days, all the lonely nights
This struggle has been going on for a long time, and I'm often alone with it.


You don't know your place, all the fights
I'm having trouble finding my purpose or where I belong, and it's causing conflict.


I keep on reading the same chapter
I feel stuck, unable to move forward or find a way out of my situation.


I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
My struggle is suffocating and I'm keeping a big secret about it.


You always know when just to say let go
But you, the person I'm addressing, have a way of knowing when it's time for me to release my struggles and let them go.


To me you are the only one
You are the only person I feel comfortable opening up to and seeking help from.


Who can help unwind my tangled mind
You have a unique ability to help me unravel and make sense of my complicated thoughts and emotions.


I am the seed but you're the sun
I have potential, but it's only through your guidance and support that I can grow and thrive.


I'm telling anybody tell everybody
I want to share my story and journey with others, encouraging them to seek help and support when they need it.


Did they tell ya man that you can't fly?
I've faced doubt and skepticism from others about my ability to succeed and pursue my dreams.


Did they clip your wings when you did try?
Others have tried to hold me back and limit my potential.


Did they say you could when you know can't?
Some have given me false encouragement, leading me to pursue things that ultimately weren't right for me or my abilities.


Did you build your castles out of sand?
I've made mistakes and pursued the wrong things, leading to disappointment and failure.


The only one
You, the person I'm addressing, are the only one who truly understands and can help me through my struggles.




Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE-BUTLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

ariel avila

There's something haunting me, running on thin ice
It's nothing you can see, I do all I can to hide
And all the rolling days, all the lonely nights
Where you don't know your place, all the fights

Oh, I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

Did they tell ya man that you can't fly?
Did they clip your wings when you did try?
Did they say you could knowing you can't?
Did you build your castles out of sand?

Oh, I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

The only one [x5]



All comments from YouTube:

Zach Pearson

I have found it to be 100% impossible to not be happy while listening to this song. 

В.

Круто! Столько лет прошло, а все равно возвращаюсь послушать песню

Brigitte Oberlander

This is the kind of music that should be #1 on the world charts, not trashy the trashy shit they play now, this is real music

vnm108

This video really shows how John's guitar playing technique has evolved through the years. :) This video gives me hope that, if there ever was a zombie apocalypse, we would still have music played by none other than JBT

Paranormal Lane

Favorite part by far, though is when the music stops and they have to start running again. I died. And that weird high shriek before the video ended. Pure genius

Brodzzzzz

I love this John... Such a summer vibe song.. :)

ariel avila

There's something haunting me, running on thin ice
It's nothing you can see, I do all I can to hide
And all the rolling days, all the lonely nights
Where you don't know your place, all the fights

Oh, I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

Did they tell ya man that you can't fly?
Did they clip your wings when you did try?
Did they say you could knowing you can't?
Did you build your castles out of sand?

Oh, I keep on reading the same chapter
I cannot breathe, holding hiding truth
You always know when just to say let go

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

To me you are the only one
Who can help unwind my tangled mind
I am the seed but you're the sun
I'm telling anybody tell everybody

The only one [x5]

Aneel Aranha

This song puts a smile on my face every single time I hear it...

Andrew Karp

The drummer's face at 2:14 is AWESOME!!!

sandman81full

очень круто и оригинально

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