His musical career began in the early 80’s playing drums and bass for two bands, The Mob and Zounds, on the anarchist punk label Crass Records, and touring Europe and UK several times over.
A burgeoning fascination for funk led to him striking out on his own, which led to signing to EMI and recording an album as The Neighbourhood, which was a seven piece band (including Dexy’s original horn section) he subsequently put together. More touring followed, and a spot featuring as a singer on Afrika Bambaataa’s album The Light.
Two more solo albums followed, and stints working with the Horny Horns, Lee Perry and reggae singer Bob Andy amongst others, before the Acid House boom took him, along with many others, in a different musical direction.
What followed was several albums, twelves and ep’s, under various guises on labels such as Reflex, Germany’s Source and San Francisco’s Reflective. This was purely electronic music, with no involvement of any instrumental playing or singing; as a long time singer and player of guitar, bass, drums, brass and keyboards, this was a period of stripping back, influenced by the “faceless techno bollocks” represented by artists and labels such as Aphex Twin and Basic Channel.
It was followed after a while by two albums of more pronounced musicality welded to the electronic and dance music values he had explored in the previous few years. These were his solo album Everything on PIAS Recordings (an album of songs taking in lo-fi, jazz standard and electronic-tinged folk influences) and Variations under the moniker Soul Ascendants (along with DJ Nick the Record) on Nuphonic. The latter was a mixture of house, jazz and afro-beat, featuring collaborations with Fela Kuti’s bandleader and drummer from the Africa 70, Tony Allen.
Both these albums were released in 2000, and it was at this time that he was asked to contribute as writer and vocalist to Groove Armada’s third album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub). This preceded a period of touring with the band during 2001 – 2002 as vocalist, also helping on trumpet, guitar and keyboard duties, and featuring as vocalist on their next album Lovebox.
Moving on once again, at the end of 2002 he toured with Paul Oakenfold in the States as lead and bass guitarist and vocalist to promote the Oakenfold's album Bunkka, and then as bass player with the breaks-based outfit Hybrid, providing live the bass parts Peter Hook had played on record.
In late 2003 he started working with Tom Findlay from Groove Armada, leading to a remix album Launchpad Remixes.
In 2004 Tim provided horns on several songs on Ian Brown’s album Solarized. He also co-wrote and played guitars and bass on song Time Is My Everything.
Good to know you
Tim Hutton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wouldn't have it any other way no no no
Whatever the time or the place with you
You're always somewhere far away
It's so good to know you
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
You just don't mind me being so confused
I never no quite wich way to turn no no no
It's just a case of letting go with you
It's just a case of i don't know
It;s so good to know you
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
So good to know you
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
So good to know you
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
So good to know you
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
So good to know you
The lyrics to Tim Hutton's Good to know you speak of the singer’s confusion regarding his relationship with someone. He mentions that he never knows where he stands with this person, but that they wouldn’t have it any other way. This suggests that the person likes to keep things ambiguous and undefined, perhaps because they fear commitment or are simply not interested in a traditional relationship.
The singer mentions that no matter when or where they are together, this person always seems far away. This could mean that they are physically distant or emotionally distant, or both. Despite this, the singer finds it “so good to know you,” which may suggest that he enjoys being around this person regardless of the confusion and distance.
The repeated line at the end of the song, “What you're trying to tell me is I've never known you at all,” is particularly poignant. It suggests that despite spending time with this person, the singer still feels like he doesn’t truly know them. It could be that the person is deliberately keeping their true self hidden, or they are simply a mystery to the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of Good to know you seem to be about the complexities and frustrations of a confused and undefined relationship, where the singer is left feeling like he doesn’t truly know the person he is with.
Line by Line Meaning
I never know just where I am with you
You are unpredictable and I am always unsure of where I stand with you.
You wouldn't have it any other way no no no
You enjoy keeping me on edge and not knowing what to expect from you.
Whatever the time or the place with you
No matter when or where I am with you, the situation is always uneasy and uncertain.
You're always somewhere far away
Even when we're physically together, you seem distant and emotionally disconnected.
It's so good to know you
Despite all the confusion and uncertainty, I appreciate knowing you and having you in my life.
What you're trying to tell me is
I've never known you at all
Through all the mixed signals and unclear communication, you are revealing that I have never truly understood who you are.
You just don't mind me being so confused
You are unconcerned with how your behavior affects me and the confusion and frustration it causes.
I never no quite wich way to turn no no no
I am always unsure of the right move to make with you and what actions will be reciprocated.
It's just a case of letting go with you
The best way to navigate our relationship is to stop trying to figure you out and just let things happen naturally.
It's just a case of i don't know
There is no clear answer or solution to understanding and coping with our relationship dynamic.
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.