Made up of guitarist and frontwoman Kaia Wilson, bassist Alison Martlew, and drummer Melissa York, the band has been performing together since the recording of their first album, Are We Not Femme? in 1998. Since then, the trio has recorded three subsequent albums, Population: 1975 in 1999, 3 in 2001, and Make Yr Life in 2004. They have also appeared on a number of compilations of note, including Being Out Rocks, produced by the Human Rights Campaign (Centaur Productions, 2002), and Fields And Streams (Kill Rock Stars, 2002). In 2005 the band announced a hiatus.
The first three albums were released by the now-defunct Mr. Lady Records, run by Kaia Wilson and Tammy Rae Carland. It was named after Wilson's first solo LP, Ladyman, created after leaving Team Dresch. The label also released the first two Le Tigre recordings. Make Yr Life was released by Yep Roc. The track, "Sex (I'm a Lesbian)" appeared on Mr. Lady's 1999 sampler album, New Women's Music Sampler. In 2001, a live rendition of the track, "Disco", appeared on another sampler album, Calling All Kings & Queens.
Kaia Wilson had previously performed in Adickdid and Team Dresch, appearing on their first two albums, Personal Best and Captain My Captain; Melissa York was also in Team Dresch, playing drums on the second LP and, prior to that, performing in Vitapup and Born Against.
The Butchies also played on the 2001 Amy Ray (of the Indigo Girls) album Stag on Daemon Records and backed her up on tour.
Sex
The Butchies Lyrics
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The Butchies' song "I'm a Lesbian" is a bold and powerful statement about the unapologetic representation of queer love and desire. The lyrics are a mix of defiance, vulnerability, and longing, as the singer talks about what she wants and how she feels. The opening line, "So what it's not what you would want," sets the tone for the song's message - that societal expectations and norms should not dictate who someone loves or desires.
The lyrics also touch on the struggle of being a queer person in a heteronormative society, where settling for sex may be the norm but having an emotional connection may not be accepted or expected. The repeated line "only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost" speaks to the isolation and loneliness that can come with being queer, but also the power and strength that can be found in owning and embracing one's identity.
Overall, "I'm a Lesbian" is a powerful anthem for queer joy, love, and resilience, and a reminder that visibility and representation matter.
Line by Line Meaning
So what it's not what you would want (?)
I know this may not be what you were expecting or hoping for.
what you want oh want you most of you would settle for sex
You may only be interested in a sexual encounter, but I want more than that.
don't you ever think that we could not talk that we could that we can that we can
Don't assume that we couldn't have a deeper connection than just physical intimacy because we can, we are capable of it.
only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost
When you're by yourself, you think about our past experiences and what we may have lost because of society's expectations.
you're sexy in my jeans baby you're sexy in my jeans
I find you attractive and desirable, even in something as simple as jeans.
tell me do do you want me do you? 'cause I want you too
I want to know if you feel the same way about me because I am interested in you.
it dogs it dogs every second every moment
Our society's expectations and prejudices are always present and affect every aspect of our lives.
won't you tell me that you're mine won't you tell me that you're mine
I want to hear that you belong to me, that we are in this together.
maybe if we tried we could go for miles underneath the ground and sea underneath the ground and sea
Perhaps if we try and work on this, we could have a strong, deep and fulfilling relationship that lasts forever.
fight! no! fight! only if they want you to
We need to stand up and fight for our love only if there are people trying to keep us apart and not just for the sake of fighting.
only if you call me call me call me call me
I'll be there for you only if you need me, just call me.
only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost
Once again, when you're alone, you think back to what we might have lost because of societal pressure.
only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost
As a reminder, when you're alone, you think about what we might have lost because of societal pressure.
only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost
Just in case you forgot, when you're alone, you think about what we might have lost because of societal pressure.
only when you're alone do you think about what you had and lost
In conclusion, when you're alone, you reflect on what we may have lost because of societal pressure.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEVI JR. SEACER, PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind