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”.
Gov Did Nothin'
The John Butler Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
city just sinking with the whole world watching
wading waist deep in water, living on my roof in the land of forgotten
hey, to the deaf giant with the big muscles why ya moving so slow
con, conquer and dividing, hole in the bucket got nothing to show
G be Indiana-Jones-ing
digging up the east stealing dinosaur bones-ing
chasing his tail trying to find Bin Laden
hell, is what he living
it's not what you can get, it's about what ya giving
hey and I know you won't admit it
ya stepped in the puddle and you know what was in it
another storm coming, you better cover head
sh!t gonna hit the fan, gov did nothin'
oh my god, the gov did nothin'
now I don't wish to offend
no I don't wish to start a fight
but do you really think that the gov would do nothing
if all those people were white
hey, don't tell me you know the answer
stranger than fiction and it don't need romancing
hey and he think they're the sinners
he caught up in the race and he think he the winner
forgotten, for way too long
The song, "Gov Did Nothin'" by The John Butler Trio, is a commentary on the government's lack of action and accountability in times of crisis. The lyrics suggest that the government moves slowly and inefficiently, leaving those in need to fend for themselves. The opening lines describe a city that is sinking with the whole world watching, emphasizing the government's failure to address environmental issues. The use of the phrase "land of forgotten" suggests that the government has neglected to care for its people, leaving them to struggle to survive.
The lyrics also criticize the government's tendency to distract the public with pointless pursuits, such as G's Indiana Jones-like obsession with stealing dinosaur bones. The line "chasing his tail trying to find Bin Laden" refers to the government's prioritization of finding a single individual over addressing larger issues affecting society. The idea that "it's not what you can get, it's about what ya giving" suggests that the government's focus should be on serving the people, rather than serving its own interests.
The lyrics also touch on issues of race and inequality, asking the listener to question if the government would have acted differently if the victims of the crisis were white. The line "do you really think that the gov would do nothing if all those people were white" highlights the government's tendency to prioritize certain groups over others, and suggests that systemic racism may be at play in its inaction.
Overall, the song is a social commentary on government failures, calling for greater accountability and action in times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
Way on down where they've been forgotten
Referring to a city that has been ignored by the government and society for a long time.
City just sinking with the whole world watching
A city that is slowly deteriorating while everyone is aware of it.
Wading waist deep in water, living on my roof in the land of forgotten
The people of the forgotten city are experiencing a natural disaster, and they have to live on the roofs of their houses to stay alive.
Hey, to the deaf giant with the big muscles why ya moving so slow
A criticism towards the government for not taking action to protect its people during a crisis.
Con, conquer and dividing, hole in the bucket got nothing to show
The government only tries to divide and exploit its people, and they have done nothing to show for their efforts.
G be Indiana-Jones-ing, digging up the east stealing dinosaur bones-ing
A reference to the government's focus on trivial matters instead of addressing important issues.
Hey, he don't dream of stopping, chasing his tail trying to find Bin Laden
The government is more concerned with finding a single person than taking care of the needs of its people.
Hell, is what he living, it's not what you can get, it's about what ya giving
The government is not doing anything to help the people, even though that should be their focus.
Hey and I know you won't admit it, ya stepped in the puddle and you know what was in it
The government is responsible for causing problems that affect its citizens.
Another storm coming, you better cover head
Another crisis is on the horizon, and people need to prepare for it.
Sh!t gonna hit the fan, gov did nothin'
The government is not doing anything to prevent a coming disaster, and it will have severe consequences.
Oh my god, the gov did nothin'
Expressing shock and frustration at the government's inaction in times of crisis.
Now I don't wish to offend, no I don't wish to start a fight
The singer is trying to present their viewpoint without being confrontational.
But do you really think that the gov would do nothing if all those people were white
The government is not doing enough to help minorities, even though they would take action if the people in need were white.
Hey, don't tell me you know the answer
The singer challenges people who think they know everything about a situation they are not fully aware of.
Stranger than fiction and it don't need romancing
The real situation is worse than people think, and it doesn't require exaggeration.
Hey and he thinks they're the sinners, he caught up in the race and he think he the winner
The government is more concerned with winning political races than helping the people they are supposed to serve.
Forgotten, for way too long
The forgotten city has been ignored for a long time, and it's time for the government to take action.
Contributed by Aria R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
N R
Wish John Butler would get back to his activism roots like in this album. Need his voice in his world now more than ever!
Dam C
This album is a fucking masterpiece!!
Bree Hugueley
This is America's theme song right now!!!!
Keith Leeuwen
Great !
Will Murphy
Very Good! Like Joe Banamassa meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers turned UP!
Dale Rogers
👌
Richie Lomas
Brought here by a comment on a Cat Empire video. One thing the two have in common: too much brass is never enough
DP Shadowz
This song was originally written about the hurricane Katrina
N R
Will never forget the image of hundred of empty school buses sitting in the yard that could have been used to evacuate poor people out of there before the hurricane hit. The gov did nuthin!
brenda boudinot
This song certainly fits DeSantis and the south.