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”.
Something's Gotta Give
The John Butler Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I think about these cats running the world with hate
I say: something's gotta give
Got the whole world fighting for the Texas tea
Got a little for you, I got a little for me
But the kettle's leaking like a sieve
There's a puddle in the sky
The kettle's leaking so much man it's burning my eyes yeah
Can't you just throw that damper out
On the subject of throwing stuff away
I know some deaf men who can't hear a word we say
No matter, No matter how loud we do shout
And I say...
Something's gotta give right now boy
Something's gotta give right now for you
Something's gotta give right now man
Something's gotta give right now
I was reading the newspaper just yesterday
Got the headlines reading God bless the USA
And I thought: God Bless Everyone
God bless the people in New York when they were attacked
God bless the children being bombed there in Iraq
God bless the goddamn junkie with a monkey on his back
God bless everybody under the sun
Cause the world ahead will end if we don't got love
Do your job and pay attention to God above
But eventually the only guarantee will be that the tea in your tank will run dry
Because without love you know there ain't no life
You can duplicate it and bottle it up all you like
But it doesn't mean you're gonna get another try
Get another try boy
Something's gotta give right now boy
Something's gotta give right now P-Yoo
Something's gotta give right now man
Something's gotta give right now
I Said..
Something's gotta give right now boy
Something's gotta give right now (Yeah)
Something's gotta give right now
Something's gotta give right now.....
The John Butler Trio's song "Somethings Gotta Give" is a call to action for individuals to take notice of the state of the world today. The first verse speaks to the feeling in one's gut that something isn’t right, as the world seems to be run by individuals consumed by hate. The second verse highlights the divide between the wealthy and the poor, and how resources are not equally distributed. The third verse speaks to the need to throw out the "damper" and amplify the voices of those who are unheard, specifically referencing deaf men who cannot hear the world’s outcry. The chorus reinforces the need for action, that "something's gotta give right now boy for you”.
The fourth verse is perhaps the most powerful, referencing the attacks on September 11, war in Iraq, and even individuals struggling with drug addiction. The repeated phrase of "God bless" is meant to unify individuals under one ideal, to honor and respect all humanity regardless of social or personal struggles. The final verse reinforces the message that love should be the main driving force in the world, not hatred. The second to last line, "you can duplicate it and bottle it up all you like but it doesn’t mean you're gonna get another try," is critical in emphasizing that individuals must take action now, as there might not be another opportunity.
Overall, "Somethings Gotta Give" is a plea for individuals to band together to make the world a more peaceful and just place to live.
Line by Line Meaning
A little feeling in my gut that I get of late
I have a strong sense lately that something is not right
When I think about these cats running the world with hate
Reflecting on the hateful people who are in charge of our world
I say: something's gotta give
I am certain that we need change to occur
Got the whole world fighting for the Texas tea
The world is fighting over oil, and it's causing conflict and contention
Got a little for you, I got a little for me
Everyone is trying to get their own share of the oil
But the kettle's leaking like a sieve
The oil is not sustainable, and it's causing environmental and societal harm
There's a puddle on the floor
Oil spills are happening everywhere
There's a puddle in the sky
Pollution is affecting our air quality and the environment
The kettle's leaking so much man it's burning my eyes yeah
The environmental destruction caused by oil is painful to see
Can't you just throw that damper out
We need to stop using and relying on oil
On the subject of throwing stuff away
Continuing the theme of getting rid of things that no longer serve us
I know some deaf men who can't hear a word we say
No matter how loudly we speak up for what we believe in, there are always people who won't hear us
No matter, No matter how loud we do shout
Despite this, it's important to speak up and try to make a difference
And I say...
Reiterating the importance of change and progress
Something's gotta give right now boy
Change is necessary at this very moment
Something's gotta give right now for you
Change is important for your sake
I was reading the newspaper just yesterday
Sharing a recent experience where he read the news
Got the headlines reading God bless the USA
The newspaper headline showed support for the United States
And I thought: God Bless Everyone
Despite the headline, the singer wants everyone to be blessed and cared for
God bless the people in New York when they were attacked
Offering blessings to those affected by the 9/11 attacks in New York
God bless the children being bombed there in Iraq
Offering blessings to those affected by the Iraq War, particularly innocent children
God bless the goddamn junkie with a monkey on his back
Offering blessings to those who are struggling with addiction
God bless everybody under the sun
Offering blessings to all people, regardless of their background or beliefs
Cause the world ahead will end if we don't got love
The future of the world is at risk if we don't prioritize love
Do your job and pay attention to God above
Encouraging people to be responsible and mindful in their actions and beliefs
But eventually the only guarantee will be that the tea in your tank will run dry
Oil is a finite resource, and we can't rely on it forever
Because without love you know there ain't no life
Love is necessary for life to thrive
You can duplicate it and bottle it up all you like
Despite attempts to mechanize love, it can't be bottled up or replicated
But it doesn't mean you're gonna get another try
We only have one life to live, and we need to make the most of it
Get another try boy
Encouraging people to make the most of their lives while they can
Something's gotta give right now P-Yoo
Urging change with a loud sound effect
Something's gotta give right now man
Calling for change to happen immediately
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN CHARLES WILTSHIRE BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlestaylor3195
It's good to hear anything from JBT, anytime anywhere
@oneofakind5668
Awsum film clip john <3
@emmeleigh2337
Wonderful video...a throwback to better times(?) Or lessons we still haven't learned yet.
Anyway, thanks for the trio of videos...it's made the insomnia worth it.
@daniloscarpeli
I'm a Brazilian fan since 2011 .. 👊
@robertwilliams7296
Eu desde 2009 kkkkk
@GasquatchGutty
I too am a fan of Brazil
@user-wp1xt9eo7v
Just in time.
Have a good time to the music)
Greatings from UA.
@PaulHallelujahMaranatha
Got me dancing in the am
@oooo4861
This is brilliant <3
@daucher316
Love this video concept