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John Butler Trio — Zebra
Album: Sunrise Over Sea
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2006









Released: 2004
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I could be loud man, I could be silent
I could be young man or I could be old
I could be a gentleman, or I could be violent
I could turn hot man or I could be cold
I could be just like the calm before the storm boy
Waitin' for all hell yeah to break loose
I could be innocent or I could be guilty
Doesn't mean that I don't believe in the noose
So I'm singing ...

(La bom bom bom bom, bom bom bom bom, bom bom bom bom bom ect)

I could be rich like a wandering gypsy
I could be poor like a fat wallet lost
I could be the first man or I could come last
It's not who breaks the ribbon boy it's how you get across
I could be red, blue, black or white sunset
Darkest at day boy or brightest at night
I could be the sun boy or I could be the moon
I'm made up from the stars, yeah I'm shining so bright
So I'm singing...

I could be asleep boy, or I could be awake
I could be alive man or be the walking dead
I could be ignorant or I could be informed
I could lead my life man or I could be lead
I could be anything I put my mind to boy
All I gotta do is give myself a half-a chance
I could bring love back into my life
And share it with the world if I got some balance

(LA DA DA DA DA ect)
Comments (209)add comment
Incredible.  Thank you Bill.  
My turn to compare.  Thought I was listening to
Jack White
Gemeiner Ohrwurm:
In German you call this an „Ohrwurm“ - „earworm“. Something you hear the rest of the day, in a good way. Not like Spoks worm;)
I just know  it´s gonna be a good day when the first song I hear when I get to work is Zebra!  The sun is shining in central Germany...       
John Butler live is quite the experience, amazing skills! I do regret Michael Barker is not part of the trio anymore. Seeing him perform drums and complicated percussion simultaneously was amazing. Looking forward to the next gig though... Whenever this pandemic ends... 
saw Him at Byron bay 20 years ago now, and he was beyond awesome
Always enjoy this!!!
 jahgirl8 wrote:

I would be too if I didn't need to start making $$$$$$$$$$$
Otherwise, given where I was raised, staying isolated ainNoThang
 
akebie
 danw64 wrote:
Yeah I'm feeling pretty good right about now.

 
I would be too if I didn't need to start making $$$$$$$$$$$
Otherwise, given where I was raised, staying isolated ainNoThang
 ThePoose wrote:
Hannio wrote:
This song greatly resembles Frank Zappa's "Willie the Pimp", from Hot Rats, I believe.
That's exactly what I thought when I heard this for the first time: I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back Pair a khaki pants with my shoe shined black Got a little lady . . . walk the street Tellin' all the boys that she cain't be beat Twenny dollah bill (I can set you straight) Meet me onna corner boy 'n don't be late Man in a suit with a bow-tie neck Wanna buy a grunt with a third party check Standin' onna porch of the Lido Hotel Floozies in the lobby love the way I sell: HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT RITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT ZITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS
 
Them's some great lyrics alright!

Just saw JBT this past summer for the second time.  First time was 15 years ago.  Even better than I remembered.  Give yourself a treat and go see them!
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
Trios always rip, JBT is no exception.
 
Point lost for being from Australia, why even bother? Kidding..
Trios always rip, JBT is no exception.
Yeah I'm feeling pretty good right about now.

I will be light
Not of good taste 
really? whatev. lame bs.
 agkagk wrote:
I've been listening to this song on RP for years, and I always thought it was Red Hot Chili Peppers {#Stupid}

 
Thought the same—briefly—but this is too good to be RHCP.
{#Motor}
YESS Sir!!!! 10/10
Guitar reminds me of Zappa (sigh-RIP) 
It's astonishing the number of great musicians out there - and how many are unfamiliar to me. Even after years of trying to hear them all! 
I've been listening to this song on RP for years, and I always thought it was Red Hot Chili Peppers {#Stupid}
 PockettVenus wrote:
Hum along to. This swings {#Music}
 
I'm with ya...
Hum along to. This swings {#Music}
 kingart wrote:
Good musicians. Unexciting music. The 6 is generous.  

 
I've heard this before but never knew who was playing, and I agree with your assessment. 
 kingart wrote:
Good musicians. Unexciting music. The 6 is generous.  

 
6? You must be in a very good mood ;)
Good musicians. Unexciting music. The 6 is generous.  
 jukes1 wrote:
Seems like it might be better live.

 
Absolutely!
No one cares
Check out the nails on his picking hand on pic below. Real or acrylic? Clearly not a flat picker. 
Seems like it might be better live.
super plunky boppin tune man!  I likey mucho
 

Seriously, this guy bugs.  Bland, hippie drivel.  This from a listener that can often appreciate hippie drivel.


lord have mercy, let it stop asap!
This i like. {#Angel}
More JBT on RP!!!
Aussies w/ Funk!?!  Like it a lot.
Splendid!
Positive energy infused funk has rescued my day
 
My wife's gimme. I like him, too, just not that way. 
boogie

down

man
seven nation army ish ?
Yes.

Zeb         ra.
saw them live in 2005 in a small venue (200 people) with a pleasantly laid-back crowd & band (that was jamming a lot). really good memories! :o) I cherish this band.
 

Woke me right up! I like it. Some of the vocals remind me of Rusted Root.
Sound so goot!
 Nerubo wrote:

Bump!  Made me laugh.
 
Bullseye! Funny.

Hatas gonna hate. That was the hot funkeh.
 Byronape wrote:
It's like Bob Marley started jamming with Cream era Clapton after smoking a dube the size of a wiener dog...  I'm seriously enjoying this track!
 
Bump!  Made me laugh.
 kweegolee wrote:
Whats that Phil Collins song ? 
 
Something In the Air Tonight?  Take a Look at Me Now?  I Don't Care Anymore?  You Can't Hurry Love?  Take Me Home?

Oh, you mean THAT Phil Collins song.  Su-Sussudio.   {#Angel}

Guitar imitation: Wah - Wah - Wah - Wah
Singer imitation:  Lah - Dah - Da - Da - Da- Dah

I LIKE this!
Whats that Phil Collins song ? 
Thanks for playing John Butler Trio again.  How about playing "Pickapart"?  Especially like the Bonnaroo Version.

NICE!  not enough JBT on RP.  great to hear...
Awesome!  More JBT please. 
It's like Bob Marley started jamming with Cream era Clapton after smoking a dube the size of a wiener dog...  I'm seriously enjoying this track!
Honest to god, I was going to request a song by these guys as this started playing! Oh, Bill......!

 elliotgoettelman wrote:

NICE SHOT
 
Seriously! Sharp image...  The song does pass the "makes the cockatoo dance" test!
Woooo Hoooo!! Cranked it up for this song!!! Great last half hour of programming, blues, folk, regge-rock? and playing now is classic stones. Way to go Bill!!!!!
{#Beat}  Now, I don't normally like to slang music here, but I wanted to just post this icon because:

a) it's what I feel like doing to the singer when I hear this song;
b) it's pretty much in the same rhythm as the song; and
c) it gives me a chance to use this icon, which I don't believe I've ever used before!

 Stefen wrote:
I'm surprised that this isn't more highly rated.
 


I'm not.
 calypsus_1 wrote:


John Butler Trio. by ~xacallforbloodx
Ryan Cooke  ©2007-2010 ~xacallforbloodx

taken earlier tonight.
with a $2000 len.
I like it.

 
NICE SHOT

You funny!
 
Cynaera wrote:

Well, I gave it 8. Partly because I've really been in a reggae mood lately, and partly because it stands on its own merits. {#Dancingbanana} (And why do we not have a "reggae" banana? Or a "tango" banana? Or a "swing-dancing" banana?)  We fail in some ways... But we shine in others, so the world remains in balance. {#Sunny}

 


Yeah !
Waitwaitwait.  Hold the phones.  Wandering gypsies are RICH? Bugger all a this for a lark, where's my Vardo Van?

John Butler Trio. by ~xacallforbloodx
Ryan Cooke  ©2007-2010 ~xacallforbloodx

taken earlier tonight.
with a $2000 len.
I like it.



 Stefen wrote:
I'm surprised that this isn't more highly rated.
 
Well, I gave it 8. Partly because I've really been in a reggae mood lately, and partly because it stands on its own merits. {#Dancingbanana} (And why do we not have a "reggae" banana? Or a "tango" banana? Or a "swing-dancing" banana?)  We fail in some ways... But we shine in others, so the world remains in balance. {#Sunny}

Sort of reminds me of that 80s Genesis song, It's a Shame (but this is better).
I'm surprised that this isn't more highly rated.
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.
Taj Mahal is fabulous and all - he's one of my favorites.

However, you are clearly not listening.  This smokes.


 
Segue wrote:
hated that again. how bout some Taj Mahal. 
don't. like. repetitive, dumbness. 
 


hated that again. how bout some Taj Mahal. 
don't. like. repetitive, dumbness. 
 Segue wrote:
fucking annoying.
 
nice language dude.....{#Chillpill}
fucking annoying.
Absolutely groovin' with this {#Bananajam}
Can do without the vocal affectation.
every time I hear this song I like it even more
 shawshank wrote:
Anybody else get a Beck vibe from this song?{#Stupid}
 

No - although at first I thought you meant Jeff Beck, but now I suspect you mean just plain ol' Beck, so I'm not sure - don't know the latter as well. But here's who I for sure think of - Red Hot Chili Peppers - mostly the similarity in voice between JB (or whoever the vocalist is) and Anthony Kiedis. Please don't tell me that is AK singing on this. I just googled to check to make sure I wouldn't say anything stunningly uninformed and didn't come up with any connection.


Treat yo mama with respect,
Ya better treat yo mama with respect,
Slap you upside-down yo head,
Ya don't treat yo mama with respect.

Anybody else get a Beck vibe from this song?{#Stupid}
Zebra is all good, John, dig that electric guitar! it does talk to you Here, there, then!

so whats to complain about  !!{#Roflol}

 Beaker wrote:
 
Thanks for that! That should put those with the negative comments in their place.
 Beaker wrote:


 
{#Clap}

Thanks to Beaker for the video link below.  Quite cool—way worth a look
Groovy!
thank you for including this amazing band in ur radio...

please play more of john butler trio..some good ones are oceans, daniella, good excuse, treat yo momma!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!! Thank you Paradise Radio. {#Daisy}
Beaker wrote:
<The YouTube Clip>

I committed the ultimate sacrilege and turned off RP in order to watch that.  BOY am I glad that I did! Bloody hell!


A very fine, talented band, but just not where I'm at, personally, at mid 50s.
Not interested in what you could be, more so what you are..............
Hope they sustain their effort for another decade............or two.........

{#Yes}
I love this song!  It used to get played on the radio (KBCO) in Boulder, CO all the time.  Since I moved from there, I haven't heard it.  My ears perked up when I heard the first few notes, now I'm energized for the last hour of work.  Thanks RP!
spraehbuer wrote:
misread yours as "Dosen't mean that I won't be hidin' from the moose"!!! . . . maybe I connected it with Ohio
We don't have moose in Ohio. At least not the last time I looked outside.
Baby_M wrote:
I always thought that last line was "Dosen't mean that I won't be hidin' from the noose."
misread yours as "Dosen't mean that I won't be hidin' from the moose"!!! . . . maybe I connected it with Ohio
Al_Koholic wrote:
Hmmm that's funny, the more I hear it, the more I LIKE it.
me too.
kaviksdad wrote:
The more I hear it the more I dislike it...
Hmmm that's funny, the more I hear it, the more I LIKE it.
iTuner wrote:
7 --> 8
I did the same thing after watching them on the Bonaroo webcast.
The more I hear it the more I dislike it...
Great musicality with a melange of styles/genres - very tasty!
a_genuine_find wrote:
. . . I could be innocent or I could be guilty. Doesn't mean that I'll go believin' no news.
I always thought that last line was "Dosen't mean that I won't be hidin' from the noose."
meh
a_genuine_find wrote:
(every man? .. two words .. ?) UH HUH
I can be loud man, I can be silent. I could be young man or I could be old. I can be a gentleman or I can be violent. I could turn hot man or I can be cold. I could be just like the calm before the storm boy. Waiting for all hell yeah to break loose. I could be innocent or I could be guilty. Doesn't mean that I'll go believin' no news.
(every man? .. two words .. ?) UH HUH
Can seriously do without this.
Reminds me of my all-time favorite cartoon: The caption says ''If Abraham Lincoln were alive today:'' with a picture of Abe sitting at a desk, cobwebs forming on him. He mutters, ''So... tired...''
Hannio wrote:
Ripoff of Zappa's Willie the Pimp - "I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back".
They wish.............
This rocks very well, too! I never heard them before...
I like this jam, my wife say's, "this sounds like something you would like" ?!?
he could be awful... this song is.
I'm always afraid this one will come up on my iPod when I'm walking home and I'll start dancing down the street like they do in the commercials.* *At least until the cops show up to arrest me for disorderly conduct.
Hmmm... just seems sort of derivative and bland to me. I can hear why many would appreciate it but it's just a "ho-hum" 3 for me.
7 --> 8
Catchy bass.
civey wrote:
Oh man.. WXPN in Philly played this all the time a couple years ago and I couldn't get the rhythm out of my head.. it became annoying.. I hope it doesnt happen again... not a good thing.
Uh-oh I think this coudl be happening to me. :)
the_om wrote:
This reminds me of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
That's who I always thought it was. I hate knowing worthless facts that aren't really facts. It can be embarrassing at times.
I'm really starting to like their music.
ThePoose wrote:
That's exactly what I thought when I heard this for the first time: I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back Pair a khaki pants with my shoe shined black Got a little lady . . . walk the street Tellin' all the boys that she cain't be beat Twenny dollah bill (I can set you straight) Meet me onna corner boy 'n don't be late Man in a suit with a bow-tie neck Wanna buy a grunt with a third party check Standin' onna porch of the Lido Hotel Floozies in the lobby love the way I sell: HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT RITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT ZITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS
Talking about Frank Zappa, I think I've never heard any song from Hot Rats on RP... I wish !!!
Oh man.. WXPN in Philly played this all the time a couple years ago and I couldn't get the rhythm out of my head.. it became annoying.. I hope it doesnt happen again... not a good thing.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Am I the only one who's really tired of this?
No, you're not.
Hannio wrote:
This song greatly resembles Frank Zappa's "Willie the Pimp", from Hot Rats, I believe.
That's exactly what I thought when I heard this for the first time: I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back Pair a khaki pants with my shoe shined black Got a little lady . . . walk the street Tellin' all the boys that she cain't be beat Twenny dollah bill (I can set you straight) Meet me onna corner boy 'n don't be late Man in a suit with a bow-tie neck Wanna buy a grunt with a third party check Standin' onna porch of the Lido Hotel Floozies in the lobby love the way I sell: HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT RITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS HOT MEAT HOT RATS HOT CATS HOT ZITZ HOT ROOTS HOT SOOTS
cyberbug wrote:
THIS IS A GOOD CD. MY HUBBY & I REALLY ENJOY IT...
He's got good taste in music.