John Butler was born on April 1, 1975 in Torrance, California, to an Australian father and American mother. He moved to the small Western Australian town of Pinjarra in January 1986, when he was eleven. Butler began playing guitar at the age of sixteen, and by 1996 started his career as a busker in Fremantle, Western Australia. The John Butler Trio was formed in 1998 when Butler was joined by Gavin Shoesmith on bass and Jason McGann on drums, and by the end of that year had recorded their debut album John Butler.
They then released Three in 2001, Sunrise Over Sea in 2004 and Grand National in 2007, all of which were certified platinum.
In June 2009, a new line up of the ever evolving John Butler Trio emerged. Prominent Melbourne musician Nicky Bomba of Bomba fame and principal drummer on Sunrise Over Sea joined the band on drums and percussion, as did bass player Byron Luiters from Sydney outfit Ray Mann Three.
The latest album entitled April Uprising came from a journey John Butler 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 was shared with avid followers via a special studio sessions page on the band’s website.
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”.
Attitude
The John Butler Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I, what I ever Done to you?
If you got a bone to Pick
Step outside step Outside talk about it
But I talk with words man
I don't talk with my fists
I'm sick of all this aggression
But I don't mean to Offend you
So tell me if I have tell me if I have
Don't give me attitude
Don't you give me attitude
Hey man why you always laughing at me?
What's so, what's so funny?
Cos take a look in the mirror say now what do you see?
You are just, you are just like me
And I'm easy going
I listen to what you gotta say
And if i was wrong, if i was wrong
I'd say sorry.
Cause i don't mean,
No I don't mean to offend you
I got my own Demons
Don't need bad karma too
Cos truth is the only way
So express what you're feelin
Say what you've gotta say
Without blaming, without blaming.
In the song Attitude by The John Butler Trio, the singer is addressing someone who seems to constantly be giving them attitude for no apparent reason. The singer is trying to understand why they are being treated this way and is urging the other person to talk it out if they have a problem. However, the singer stresses that they prefer to communicate with words rather than violence and are tired of the shared aggression.
The second half of the song switches the focus on the singer themselves, and how they would handle a similar situation in a calm and composed manner. They urge the other person to look in the mirror and realize that they are not so different from each other. The singer is willing to listen and apologize if necessary, but does not want to give or receive any more bad karma. The overall message of the song seems to be promoting healthy communication and understanding, rather than resorting to hostility and aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man why you always give me Attitude?
Why are you always acting confrontational towards me?
What I, what I ever Done to you?
What have I done to deserve your behavior towards me?
If you got a bone to Pick
If you have a problem with me
Step outside step Outside talk about it
Let's discuss it outside, face-to-face
But I talk with words man
I communicate through conversation
I don't talk with my fists
I don't believe in being violent
I'm sick of all this aggression
I am tired of this angry behavior
Hell you know I've had enough of it
I have reached my limit with this behavior
But I don't mean to Offend you
I don't intend to upset you
So tell me if I have tell me if I have
Please let me know if I have
Don't give me attitude
Please don't be confrontational with me
Hey man why you always laughing at me?
Why do you always mock me?
What's so, what's so funny?
What is the source of your amusement?
'cause take a look in the mirror say now what do you see?
Take a moment to reflect on yourself, what do you see?
You are just, you are just like me
You and I aren't so different after all
And I'm easy going
I'm a relaxed, laid-back person
I listen to what you gotta say
I am open to hearing your thoughts and opinions
And if I was wrong, if I was wrong
If I made a mistake
I'd say sorry.
I would apologize
Cause I don't mean,
Because I don't intend
No I don't mean to offend you
I don't want to upset you
I got my own Demons
I have my own issues to deal with
Don't need bad karma too
I don't want to attract negativity into my life
'cause truth is the only way
Honesty is the best policy
So express what you're feelin
So please share your feelings
Say what you've gotta say
Speak your mind
Without blaming, without blaming.
However, please don't place blame
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katrat54
This band does NOT disappoint, year upon year. Wait! They only get better and better! Shine on!
@exoticnative
Stands up to the test of time handsomely!
@jsheldon1976
Love it!! ❤️
@nicocozom7930
Like George said, h
@connorfennellmusic
Like nico said on George's comment I also... h
@jcthe1-3
Damn george had it right all along.
@EdmanThunder
Threes company and four is h
@George-kb3oj
h