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From Butterflies to Moths

by TLB // TheyLoveThem

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    Bonus track for buying the album here, includes my friend Ackk Studios remix of I'm Not Blue.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 19 TLB // TheyLoveThem releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Houses to Hollyhock, "We All Get Found Sometimes" Thesis ABR 2020, this pie is only crust!, Yesterday My Hands, Tomorrow My Feet (EP), I Spy Everything, masquerade, All of the Things Left Unsaid, Patreon Song Compilation 1, and 11 more. , and , .

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1.
I'm Not Blue 03:44
I'm a rock, strong and bare! I'm a bear, tall and scary! I'm a scarecrow here I stand. I'm a stand up, and You're a snowflake there you fall. You're a follower, hear my call. You're the call I'd like to hear! Here to be made near me. I'm just a stand-up, and a I'm a cardboard cut-out. More like a rock than a man, I won't spill my guts out. If I shatter into pieces my heart won't fall out. Crying would ruin my cardboard hue. I'm not blue. Like a bluebird whistles a tune. Like a man inside of the moon: You are an ocean amidst sand! In one word: Different! You are so much better than me. Who I wish that I could be. So I wrote this song for you, It was the least I could do. I'm just a stand-up, and a I'm a cardboard cut-out. More like a rock than a man, I won't spill my guts out. If I shatter into pieces my heart won't fall out. Crying would ruin my cardboard hue. I'm not blue. Blue is the color of your eyes. Blue is the color of the sky. Blue is the water and the wind and you, But I'm not blue. I'm just a simple cardboard cut-out and I'm just a simple cardboard cut-out and I'm just a simple cardboard cut-out and I'm not blue. Though I was made for you. I'm not blue. ©Travis Love Benson 2015-2018, All rights reserved.
2.
Hobo Song 02:14
I'm just a no good hobo layin' in my house wonderin' Where my next meal will come from. I'm just a no good hobo out on the street wonderin' When I'll get to wash my feet. Well won't somebody buy this rodent from me? I promise that he's clean. I found him on the street. Well won't somebody pay my mortgage for me? I live in a cardboard house, it's not that expensive. Maybe someday I'll see the light of day! But not today. Just for now I live underground. It's the only place I can be seen. I'm just a no good hobo layin' in my house wonderin' Where my next meal will come from. I'm just a no good hobo. Nobody. I got no one left. I've got nothing left to see. Maybe someday I'll see the light of day! But not today. Just for now I live underground. It's the only place I can be seen. I'm just a no good hobo layin' in my house wonderin' Where my next meal will come from. I'm just a no good hobo. Nobody. I got no one left. But I'm wondering when you'll come back to me. ©Travis Love Benson 2015-2018, All rights reserved.
3.
Wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. Wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. When thoughts of you get stuck in my head Oh I wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. All the people in my life have given advice. They say if you love you must learn to survive. They told me to watch everywhere that I step. But I didn't listen now I'm stuck in your web. Oh this feels like a misstep, oh what a mistake. Got me fallin' into feelings that I cannot shake. The darkness that pulls me is draggin' me down. And I feel like I might be willing to drown. Oh the windows are bolted, I don't know what to do. I never really wanted to be in love with you. Now I can see that the sky has turned blue. I guess when we're together the world's miserable too. Wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. Wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. When thoughts of you get stuck in my head. Oh I wish I were dead, oh I wish I were dead. ©Travis Love Benson 2015-2018, All rights reserved.
4.
Platypus 02:56
All the leaves on the trees have fallen, but I cannot tell you why. On the full moon, the wolves are callin', but I cannot tell you why. There are so many things that we take for fact: Like the sun or the moon or the earth, in fact. Or the need to be rhyming within a song. I guess it just helps others to sing along. You are a platypus. You are a platypus. You should be glad 'cause you're so individual. You are a platypus. You are a platypus. But I can't tell you why. Oh my hair gets grayer the longer I stay, but I cannot tell you why. And the world keeps turning day after day but I cannot tell you why. There are so many things that we take for fact: Like we live, and we die, and we're born in tact. Or the need to be rhyming within a song. I guess it just helps others to sing along. You are a platypus. You are a platypus. You should be glad 'cause you're so individual. You are a platypus. You are a platypus. But I can't tell you why. There are so many things that we take for fact: Like a note, or a chord, or the structure of this song in fact. Need to be rhyming within a song. But I can't tell you why.
5.
Knitted sweaters strewn about. Arguments settled way too loud. Cup of tea burning on the stove. Which of us would have ever known? Soiled socks reek of fragrant skin. Toiling travels and love affairs. Shedding off all the foreign sin The sun begins to come creeping in. And with every coming day We'll clean the house and chase the blues away. And with every coming night We'll say a prayer and wait for the morning light. Now you wouldn't claim to say you're afraid of the night. If there's a note for me, I'm gonna make it right, after dawn. Yeah, I'll make things right on the coming dawn. Fool me once and then once again I'm a fool baby, lend a hand. Tell me honestly, hand to Him: Will you ever love again? Today will be our wrecking day. Today will be one when you say: "I will love you if you stay" The clouds are dark, they won't go away. And with every coming day We'll clean the house and chase the blues away. And with every coming night We'll say a prayer and wait for the morning light. Now you wouldn't claim to say you're afraid of the night. If there's a note for me, I'm gonna make it right, after dawn. Yeah, I'll make things right on the coming dawn. Soon I will be irresistible. Soon the Earth will round the Sun. After all the toils and troubles, I know that I won't be the only one. And with every coming day We'll clean the house and chase the blues away. And with every coming night We'll say a prayer and wait for the morning light. Now you wouldn't claim to say you're afraid of the night. If there's a note for me, I'm gonna make it right, after dawn. Yeah, I'll make things right on the coming dawn.
6.
Talk to me, won't you talk to me? Won't you tell me about your life? Talk to me, won't you talk to me? About your troubles, your worries, and strife. We have a little while still in this taxi, just you and I So talk to me, won't you talk to me? Won't you tell me about your life? She said "I'm sorry I never made it out of Manchester." And I said "That's okay. I'm sure you're fine as you are." And she said "This seems like a storm that I cannot weather, oh no." And I said "Well, we're in New England. Bad storms are who we are!" And she laughed. And then I said: Talk to me, won't you talk to me? Won't you tell me about your life? Talk to me, won't you talk to me? About your troubles, your worries, and strife. We have a little while still in this taxi, just you and I So talk to me, won't you talk to me? Won't you tell me about your life? She said "I've never even seen a 3D movie!" She said "I've never been to England, or to France." She said "I really don't regret never having children, oh no." "Though I wish someone had taught me how to dance!" And I laughed this time. And then she didn't say anything. *whistling* I told her "I don't want to be a taxi driver." I told her "I have aspirations much higher than that!" Yeah. Then I pulled into her stop at 14th and Brevard, oh no. And she got out to go and I said "Thanks for the chat" Oh. And I never saw her again to tell her I feel better I didn't stay a driver for very long, yeah. And I'll never know if she got out of Manchester. But at the very least I wrote her this song, oh. At the very least, we talked. But not for too long.
7.
I have dreams where I'm uncomfortable with my body because of the social stigmas from real life. I have dreams where my life is only Facebook, and everybody's achieving their dreams but me. I have dreams where my parents die and leave me alone. I have dreams where I have a heart attack and die unknown. I have dreams where I get laughed off a stage. And denied by the one I love for being afraid. I have those dreams. I have those dreams. And Why can't social stigmas leave me to dream About rainbows and unicorns and being happy? Instead of constantly clamoring to show me catastrophe? I have a dream. I have a dream. I have a dream. I have a dream. I have dreams where I am finally achieving what I want to achieve and I am feeling alright. I have dreams where my financial situation isn't laughed at by the people that I bank with back home. I have dreams where I don't live at my parents home anymore. I have dreams where I'm achieving my goals by twenty-four. I have dreams where I am normal, and don't have anxiety attacks every day. (I'm twenty-five). I have those dreams. Which dreams are worse? I have those dreams. Either way it's a curse. And why can't social stigmas leave me to dream About realism, the future, and anxiety? Instead of constantly clamoring to lower my low self-esteem? I have a dream. I have a dream. I have a dream. I have a dream. And Why can't social stigmas leave me to dream About somebody else, with somebody else's dreams? Instead of constantly clamoring to remind me of who I want to be? I have a dream. I can be happy. I have a dream. I have a dream. Yes I have a dream. I can be happy. I have a dream. I have a dream.
8.
Day By Day 03:27
Oh I know they always say Something good will come your way But darlin' I'm afraid It's getting harder to believe that Well you know what people say That nothing ever seems to change The world has always been this way And I'm starting to believe that The insecurities of life's little mysteries The pain and suffering of one generation will move to the next And where will you be when the world turns round? Will you be up here or underground? Where will you be when the world turns round? I hope you'll still be here with me - ee. You're starting to lose your faith The world's a dark and lonesome place But something's gonna change And I'm starting to believe that The world will blossom once again We will call our neighbors "friends" We won't be scared of them And I'm starting to believe that. I know we'll be the change if we make a difference Day By Day. I know we'll be the change we hope and wish to see. Where will you be when the world turns round? Will you be up here or underground? Where will you be when the world turns round? Will you still be here with me? Where will you be when the world turns round? Will you be up here or underground? Where will you be when the world turns round? I hope you'll be right here with me. I know the change we want will come to be. I know the change we want will come to be. I know the change we want will come to be. I know the change we want will come to be. I know the change we want will come to be - ee.
9.
You fear everything that you've ever known has been a lie. Your husband doesn't love you and your wife won't even try. Your grades in elementary, middle, high school didn't count. And though they tell you you've tried your best. I hate to tell you you've tried your best, but you don't realize that your life is paramount. And the clock's still ticking. Time is never on our side. But you're still thinking about that time and it makes you want to die. You've cried. Don't wish you were dead unless you really want to die. Because we don't know what happens next until we take the reins and try! Steer yourself around you are the captain of your boat and Floating on the choppy waters, raise yourself up, sail away on the fleet of hope. Please don't hate yourself! You're more important than you think! All life has a purpose even though ours is looking bleak. There are more fish in the sea, someone will miss you when you're gone. And you will not die alone, I promise, and you'll always have this song. And the clock's still ticking. Time is never on our side. But you're still thinking about that time and it makes you want to die. You've cried. Don't wish you were dead unless you really want to die. Because we don't know what happens next until we take the reins and try! Steer yourself around you are the captain of your boat and Floating on the choppy waters, raise yourself up, sail away on the fleet of hope. Don't wish you were dead unless you really want to die. Because we don't know what happens next until we take the reins and try! Steer yourself around you are the captain of your boat and Floating on the choppy waters, raise yourself up, sail away on the fleet of hope. And the clock's still ticking. Time is never on our side. But you're still thinking about that time and it makes you want to die. And the clock's still ticking. Time will NEVER be on our side. But you're still thinking about that time and it makes you want to...
10.
I Hate Moose 02:43
How long do moose live? Because I need to know how long I should hide. How long do moose live? I want them all to die. How long do moose live? Because I need to know how long I should hide. How long do moose live? I need them all to die. How long? Fifteen to Twenty-Five years. Fifteen to Twenty-Five years. Fifteen to Twenty-Five years. I want to die. Because of how long moose live! They live so long I want to cry. How long moose live. I want them all to die. They're so tall. They're so tall!!! They're so tall! I want them all to die! They're so tall. They're so tall!!! They're so tall! I want them all to die! Because I hate moose! I hate moose! I hate moose! I want them all to die! One more time! I hate moose! I hate moose! I hate moose! I want them all to die. I want them ALL to die. I want them all to die.
11.
Auto-Pilot 05:16
My friend told me recently that I was normal. How I want to be normal. Then he said "Aw, me. I wasn't listening. You're not normal!" How I want to be normal. I took it as such a compliment. I said "WOW my friend, that is REALLY a ten as far as you go. You don't give compliments very often!" Then he said to me: "I wasn't listening I'm sorryyyyy. My brain's on auto-pilot. My head is in the clouds. I wasn't listening I'm sorry to tell you that. My brain's on auto-pilot, and this plane can't fly itself. But I will make it fly itself. This plane can't fly itself, but I'm on auto-pilot." I have four HUNDRED stuffed animals in my room, and in my car. How I want to be normal. I got them when I was working at an arcade. I thought that it would be really GREAT to save them from the trash. Sell them for cash on Ebay How I want to be normal! How I want to be normal. Then I realized nobody wants Hotel Transylvania dolls and THEN I got stuck with forty-SIX walking dead zombies! And I still have them! I want to be normal, you weren't listening when I told you that. Your brain's on auto-pilot at least ninety-nine percent of the time. I want to be normal, you weren't listening when I told you that. Your brain's on auto-pilot and this plane can't fly itself. But you will make it fly itself. This plane can't fly itself, but you're on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot. This plane will fly itself on auto-pilot. This car will drive itself on auto-pilot. This brain will run itself on auto-pilot. This song will sing itself on auto-pilot.
12.
All I Need 03:22
Self-love is the only type of love. Self-love is what you need. Self-love is the only type of love. Without self-love, who would you be? You've gotta say "Hey! I love me that's all I need." You've gotta say "Hey! I am all I need." Self-love is the most important love. Self-love. Can't you hear me say? Self-love is the only type of love. Without self-love, who are you today? You've gotta say "Hey! I love me that's all I need." You've gotta say "Hey! I am all I need." Before you can love anybody else, you've gotta love yourself. And before you can love yourself, you've gotta like yourself. And before you can like yourself, you've gotta trust yourself. And before you can trust yourself, you've gotta know yourself. And before you can know yourself, you've... You've gotta say "Hey! I love me that's all I need." You've gotta say "Hey! I am all I need." You've gotta say "Hey! I love me that's all I need." You've gotta say "Hey! I am all I need." I am all I need. I am all I need. I am all I need. I am all I need. I am all I need. Self-love is the only type of love. Without self-love, who would you be? There are many things I'd like to write a song about! Like the war on planet Earth, or the criminals, no doubt! But sometimes people don't listen to the bad without the good So I write about what I did that day!
13.
Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! It was good, it was great, and also I don't agree with our current economic system! There are so many things that are wrong with this world. Like that there's an inequality in the amount of money that people will make. There isn't enough food to go around, but wait! Did I tell you what I ate today? Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Do you hear what I am trying to say? Like that we should care more about the fact that there are people starving on our streets or that women make less money than men. There are so many dreams that people have that are lost. There are so many dreams that people have that will never come to fruition. People take for granted the time that we've got on this planet, it isn't that long. OH and did I mention? Sing along! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Go outside and accomplish your dreams! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Because if you don't accomplish your dreams, who will??? Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! Today I ate a bowl of black bean soup! You have to work at them! YOU have to WORK at them!!! You have to WORK at them! WORK AT THEM! You have to work at them! You have to WORK AT THEM!

about

This is my transformation from the flowers of the butterflies to the light of the moth.

I explore my own feelings, and really discover the differences between who I was, who I wanted to be, who I am, and who I'm going to be in the future.

It's a transition from man to gender-queer person, from gay to queer identifying sexuality, and from old to new.

Come along with me on the journey. Because it also starts right as the last two albums ended, takes you through my two year relationship with a very ultimately toxic partner, and comes out on the other side with me spreading my wings as a moth, as a new person, understanding the future that has been laid out for me.

credits

released May 1, 2018

King Josiah for the drums on track 11
Zane Decker for the album artwork and CD art.
To everyone that made it possible for me to feel these emotions and have these experiences.

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about

TLB // TheyLoveThem Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hey! I changed my name and am releasing as TheyLoveThem now!

Check me out here:
TheyLoveThem.Bandcamp.com

Weird, Queer, Anti-Folk Folk-Punk Mother Folker.

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