Stephen Lee Bruner, stage name Thundercat (b. October 19 1984, Los Angeles,… Read Full Bio ↴Stephen Lee Bruner, stage name Thundercat (b. October 19 1984, Los Angeles, CA, USA) is a virtuoso bassist, composer, producer and singer. Born into a family of musicians, he and his brother were part of legendary thrash punks Suicidal Tendencies (since 16 years of age) - Bruner has collaborated with many, including jams with Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller and Stanley Clarke.

“I do believe that hip-hop can be the new jazz, and I’m helping create that”, Bruner said in an interview to Bass Player, in 2008.

He is part of the new generation of jazz literate, hip-hop loving instrumentalists who can play beyond traditional limits - a mutant jazz cat - and that’s how 'Thundercat' (a monicker he chose), suits him well (even if it’s purely the result of an unhealthy cartoon addiction dating back to childhood).

Jethro
Thundercat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Young drifting light
Drift on by
Shine on me
Then pass me by
Pour me out
Then leave me cold
And when I die
Into your light

Uh uh uh
Uh uh uh

Overall Meaning

In Thundercat's song "Jethro", the lyrics speak to the ephemeral nature of life and the passing of time. The "young drifting light" symbolizes the fleeting moments of existence that shine brightly before fading away. The singer of the song longs to bask in that light and be lifted up by it, but ultimately knows that it will pass on by, leaving them feeling emptied out and cold. The last line of the song, "And when I die, into your light", offers a glimmer of hope that perhaps in death, the singer will be reunited with that light once more.

Line by Line Meaning

Young drifting light
A metaphor for an innocent and inexperienced person, who is trying to find their place in the world

Drift on by
Life moves forward despite our longing for it to stay the same

Shine on me
Hope for something brighter in life, a desire for happiness and success

Then pass me by
The feeling of being left behind or forgotten by the world

Pour me out
To be emptied or drained, possibly referring to emotional exhaustion

Then leave me cold
An allusion to the feeling of being rejected or unwanted

And when I die
Acknowledging the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of what happens after

Into your light
Searching for spiritual guidance and meaning in life

Uh uh uh
Repeating this sound evokes a feeling of uncertainty or hesitation, suggesting that the artist is not completely confident in their search for meaning

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Stephen Bruner, Steven Ellison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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