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”.
Message In A Bottle
The John Butler Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another lonely day, noone here but me, oh
More loneliness than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
I'll send my S.O.S.
Send my S.O.S.
A year has passed since I wrote my note
Yeah I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together yeah
Love can mend your life
But love can break your heart oh
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
I'll send my S.O.S.
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
Send my S.O.S.
Woke up this morning, don't believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles washed up on my shore
Seems I'm not alone in being alone yeah
Hundred billion castaways, looking for a home
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
I'll send my S.O.S.
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
I'll send my S.O.S.
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
Send my S.O.S.
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
I'll be sendin' out my S.O.S.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
I'll be sendin' out my S.O.S.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
I'll be sendin' out my S.O.S.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
Sendin' out my S.O.S.
The song ‘Message in a Bottle’ by The John Butler Trio is a cover of the hit song originally performed by The Police. The lyrics speak of loneliness and a yearning to be rescued from despair. The opening verse suggests that the singer is lost at sea, alone and in need of rescue. He sends out an S.O.S. to the world, seeking help from anyone who might hear his cries for help. In the second verse, a year has passed since he wrote the original note, and he expresses regret for not realizing sooner that hope is the only thing that can hold him together. He acknowledges that love can both mend and break a heart, but holds onto the hope that someone will hear his message and rescue him from his solitude.
The chorus repeats the S.O.S. message, emphasizing the desperation and urgency behind it. In the final verse, the singer awakens to find an overwhelming number of bottles washed up on his shore, revealing the sheer number of people living in isolation and seeking connection. The song ends with a final repetition of the S.O.S. message, acting as a call to action for listeners to reach out and connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Just look out the way, and I am lost at sea oh
I am feeling lost and directionless and it seems like nobody is there to guide me.
Another lonely day, noone here but me, oh
I am feeling isolated and alone, with nobody to talk to or share my experiences with.
More loneliness than any man could bear
The level of loneliness I am experiencing is almost unbearable and is affecting me deeply.
Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh
I am in dire need of help and support, as I feel like I am on the brink of falling into despair and hopelessness.
I'll send my S.O.S. To the world
I am reaching out for help and support from anyone who might be willing to offer it.
A year has passed since I wrote my note
It has been a long time since I first reached out for help and support, but I am still struggling and feeling lost.
Yeah I should have known this right from the start
I realize now that I should have sought help earlier, before my problems got to this point.
Only hope can keep me together yeah
The only thing keeping me going right now is the hope that things will get better and that I will eventually find my way out of this situation.
Love can mend your life
I have faith that love and kindness can help heal the wounds that I am feeling.
But love can break your heart oh
At the same time, I am aware that love can also be painful and can make things even harder to deal with.
Woke up this morning, don't believe what I saw
I am shocked and overwhelmed by the realization that there are millions of other people out there who are also struggling with loneliness and feelings of isolation.
A hundred billion bottles washed up on my shore
I am surrounded by evidence of other people who are also looking for connections and ways to reach out for help.
Seems I'm not alone in being alone yeah
Although I still feel very alone and isolated, it is comforting to know that there are others out there who understand my struggles.
Hundred billion castaways, looking for a home
There are countless people out there who are searching for a way to belong and connect with others, just like me.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
I am continuing to reach out for help and support, no matter how futile it may seem at times.
I'll be sendin' out my S.O.S.
I am determined to keep trying and to never give up on the hope that things can get better and that I can find my way out of this situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MantraHerbInchSin
Best version I have heard. With the best members as well even
Muckduck92
John Butler really sounds a lot like Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle), really distinctive and very unique way of interpretation of songs. He has such a soft voice, so elegant and smooth, yet so harmful! Great musician!
Caleb
I keep coming back to this song every year so, just pops into my head as being a great, super different cover. JBT makes damn good music!
APRS
This is a great cover, John Butler is an outstanding Musician, It's all really from the heart; you can tell. I've heard people's criticism is that his weakness is in his singin but I view that this is more than compensated with his skill on guitar and the style of music he plays too! Great song!
Bobby Dazla
I would be over the moon if I pulled up at that little bar in the Freo markets and Johnnie and Co were busting that one out. What an awesome way to start a Super Sunday Session. Top job Lads thanks heaps
t da veluy daveluy
Thats how talented they are! They can play beauty full music and cook dinner at the same time.
elephantbaci
Que dire à part : MERCI ! MERCI ! MERCI ! Un petit moment de grâce... MERCI... à l'infini
Fabrizio D'Auria
Awesome! The musical base is fantastic!!!!!!
jga457
Great job!! Much quality in the performance, congratulations!!
Brandon Kniest
how can u dislike john butler?!?!?! he is the epitome of good music