“That 1 guys tunes are ‘eargasms’ lingering sublimely in your subconscious long after the show ends.”
“All we as an audience could do was sit rapt, mouths gaping, and witness this amazing spectacle”
Sylvia W. Chan
SF Bay Guardian
“Like a one-man band plucked from the pages of Dr. Seuss, That 1 Guy delivers earthshaking future funk from ”the magic pipe” to accompany his madcap lyrics about turbo snails, meat storms, and weasel pot pies."
J.G.
Bass Player Magazine
“That 1 Guy is one of the most prolific and insanely genius musicians we’ve met in quite some time. With a rap sheet a mile long, and a reputation for turning out live shows where ever he plays, this virtuoso is a class act all the way.”
M.S.
California Best Bet
"That 1 Guy has more funk in his two or three fingers than most people have in their entire refrigerator."
Nils Frykdahl
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Buttmachine
That 1 Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
doesn't mean that it's broke
just 'cause it's a butt
doesn't mean it's a joke
With a heart like an apple
butt hard like a stone
stuck in the mud
...and this is how it starts
and this is what it seems
and this is who we are
and this is what will be
The future is planned
and now comes to pass
artificial man
artificial...
End of the line
look at the time
time ticking
and tell me
that you think it's clean
Where there's a way
there is a lie
everybody
we trusted
not to be
so mean
What we discussed
was so disgusting
filling it up
and busting
at the seams
Putting the peas
out with the pies
everybody combusting
but the buttmachine
Cracked like a bell
but don't mean that it rings
and just 'cause it's shiny
doesn't mean that it's clean
The movement is over
the flush has begun
and just 'cause it's ugly
doesn't mean it's no fun
...and just because we can
it don't mean
that we should
and just 'cause
it's modern
don't mean
it smells good
Function over form
fiction over pain
and just because
it's chrome
don't mean
it won't stain
Single the word
double the talk talk
triple the babble
to tell me
what they say
Jingle the bell
held up in heck well
only the funny one
kinda knows
the way
Putting the peas
out with the pies
everybody combusting
butt the butt
it seems
End of the days
end so abrupt
everybody corrupted
but the buttmachine
Buttmachine...Buttmachine
Buttmachine...Buttmachine
Buttmachine...Buttmachine
Buttmachine...Buttmachine
Buttmachine
...just like I told ya
sold your soul
...they sold it for ya
hold your own
...don't let them scold ya
hold your nose
...they'll blow it for ya
Half of the work
all of the class
can you show us
the reason
that it works
this well
Give it a jerk
spilling the gas
and I betcha
it's silent
but it just might smell
Half of the will
some of the time
all of the reasons
we left it
in the kitchen sink
Shining it up
another butt
more than half
of the battle
is that it
just might stink
Quick and the fast
gelatinous mass
so soft was the goo
and so we
poked right through it
Tree in the woods
making a sound
no one around
and so we
just say screw it
End of the line
look at the time
time ticking
and tell me
that you think
it's clean
Follow your nose
and get the joke
now that nobody's laughing
but the buttmachine...
The lyrics to That 1 Guy's song Buttmachine are playful, cryptic, and somewhat absurdist. The first stanza establishes a theme of not judging something based on its appearance or category alone; just because something is cracked or a butt doesn't mean that it's useless or funny. The second stanza introduces a sense of fatalism, with the future being described as planned and inevitable. The third stanza seems to critique society's tendency towards dishonesty and greed, with a reference to "everybody we trusted not to be so mean." The chorus of "Putting the peas out with the pies, everybody combusting but the buttmachine" is a nonsensical phrase, perhaps suggesting that despite the chaos and confusion of the world, certain constants remain.
The later stanzas continue to explore these themes in a more abstract way, with frequent allusions to things being shiny but not clean, modern but not pleasant, and so on. There are also references to artificiality and the concept of function over form, suggesting a dissatisfaction with the idea that things that work well are inherently more valuable than things that are aesthetically pleasing. The final section of the song returns to the image of the buttmachine, suggesting that even in a world where everything else is corrupted or absurd, there is still something that remains reliable and functional.
Line by Line Meaning
Just 'cause it's cracked
Just because it's damaged or has cracks in it
doesn't mean that it's broke
it doesn't mean that it's not working or ineffective
just 'cause it's a butt
Just because it's a butt
doesn't mean it's a joke
It doesn't mean that it's something to be taken lightly or as a joke
With a heart like an apple
With a soft and easily damaged inner portion like an apple
butt hard like a stone
The outer portion of the butt is tough and hard like a stone
stuck in the mud
It's stuck and can't move
'cause it stuck to the bone
Because it's attached or connected to the bone
...and this is how it starts
This is the beginning of something
and this is what it seems
This is the appearance or what it looks like
and this is who we are
This is who we are as a people or society
and this is what will be
This is what the future holds
The future is planned
The future is arranged or predetermined
and now comes to pass
It's happening now or becoming a reality
artificial man
A man-made, synthetic being
artificial...
Something that is not natural or organic
End of the line
The end of the road or situation
look at the time
Take note of the current period or moment
time ticking
Time is passing or moving forward
and tell me
And explain to me
that you think it's clean
That you think it's pure or without fault
Where there's a way
Where there is an opportunity or option
there is a lie
There is deception or falsehood
everybody
Everyone
we trusted
We had faith in or relied on
not to be
Not to become or turn out to be
so mean
So cruel or heartless
What we discussed
What we talked about or considered
was so disgusting
Was so unpleasant or revolting
filling it up
To add to or supplement with
and busting
And breaking apart or rupturing
at the seams
At the point where two parts join together
Putting the peas
Adding small things or details
out with the pies
Sharing something or including multiple things
everybody combusting
Everyone is exploding or breaking apart
but the buttmachine
Except for the butt machine
Cracked like a bell
Damaged like a bell with cracks
but don't mean that it rings
But it doesn't necessarily make noise
and just 'cause it's shiny
And just because it has a shiny appearance
doesn't mean that it's clean
Doesn't mean that it's free of dirt or impurities
The movement is over
The action or process has ceased
the flush has begun
The process of flushing has started
and just 'cause it's ugly
And just because it's unattractive
doesn't mean it's no fun
Doesn't mean that it can't be enjoyable
...and just because we can
And just because we are capable or able
it don't mean
It doesn't mean or imply
that we should
That we ought to or are obligated to
just 'cause
Just because or solely due to
it's modern
It's updated or contemporary
don't mean
Doesn't imply or indicate
it smells good
That it has a pleasant aroma
Function over form
The importance of practicality over appearance
fiction over pain
The importance of imaginary or untrue things over real suffering
and just because
And simply because
it's chrome
It's made of a shiny metal coating
it won't stain
It won't leave marks or discoloration
Single the word
Isolate or emphasize a single word above others
double the talk talk
Speak twice as much to make up for the lack of substance
triple the babble
Talk excessively and incoherently
to tell me
To explain or communicate to me
what they say
Their words or message
Jingle the bell
Ring the bell or get someone's attention
held up in heck well
In the midst of a difficult or unpleasant situation
only the funny one
Only the humorous or comedic one
kinda knows
Somewhat aware or knowledgeable of
the way
The path to a certain goal or destination
butt the butt
Butt up or against the butt
it seems
It appears to be or seems like
End of the days
The end of a period of time
end so abrupt
End suddenly or unexpectedly
everybody corrupted
Everyone has become dishonest or immoral
Buttmachine...Buttmachine
Referring to the machine that was introduced earlier in the song
Buttmachine
The machine that is made for the butt
...just like I told ya
Exactly as I stated previously
sold your soul
Made a deal that was damaging to one's morals, ethics, or soul
...they sold it for ya
Someone else benefited from the deal that was damaging to one's morals or ethics
hold your own
Stand your ground or maintain your position
...don't let them scold ya
Don't let them reprimand or criticize you
hold your nose
Close one's nostrils to avoid unpleasant smells
...they'll blow it for ya
They'll cause an unpleasant smell that one will have to endure
Half of the work
Only a portion of the necessary effort or work
all of the class
Full of quality or sophistication
can you show us
Can you demonstrate or prove to us
the reason
The underlying explanation or cause
that it works
Why it is effective or functional
this well
At such a high level of success
Give it a jerk
Heave or pull with force
spilling the gas
Causing something to overflow or leak out
and I betcha
And I'm certain or confident
it's silent
It doesn't make any noise
but it just might smell
But it could produce an unpleasant odor
Half of the will
Only a portion of the necessary courage or determination
some of the time
Only at certain moments or periods
all of the reasons
Every justification or rationale
we left it
We chose to not confront or address it
in the kitchen sink
In the place where dirty dishes are cleaned or washed
Shining it up
Polishing or improving its appearance
another butt
Another example or instance of a butt
more than half
More than the majority or larger portion
of the battle
Of the necessary effort or fight
is that it
The important thing or main point to consider
just might stink
Might produce an unpleasant or foul odor
Quick and the fast
Quickly and rapidly
gelatinous mass
A semisolid, jelly-like substance
so soft was the goo
The goo or substance was very soft or malleable
and so we
And as a result, we
poked right through it
Pushed through it or penetrated it with ease
Tree in the woods
A tree located in a remote or isolated area
making a sound
Producing a noise or audible vibration
no one around
No one present to hear or observe
just say screw it
Give up or abandon the situation
that you think
That you believe or assume
it's clean
It's free of dirt or contaminants
Follow your nose
Use your sense of smell to guide you
and get the joke
And understand the humorous or ironic situation
now that nobody's laughing
That nobody is responding with humor or amusement
but the buttmachine...
Even though other things are no longer amusing, the butt machine is still funny or entertaining
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oldrasputin99
He's not the musical hero we want, he's the musical hero we NEED.
@herberthancock1286
My old man ass just found this on the interweb. Saw this stud live with Buckethead in Detroit. Legendary.
@missvincent7017
Wow I bet that was an AMAZING show
@Vhaasen
I came across this song a week ago. I haven't stopped listening to it.
@calendries
I discovered him when he opened for Porcupine Tree in Portland over 10 years ago. Just brilliant stuff.
@kinneysk
This is way better than something called Buttmachine has any right to be.
@SirGarthur
Fact
@delindsay90210
He should be WAY more popular than he is, he's great!
@owlcarnival
Agreed!
@xXCORRONXx
And he puts on the best live shows, he'll be doing magic tricks while he's playing