OCEAN is a very interesting aspect of my life. It is part of my DNA. It conveys all things I can’t put into words.
Life, loss, love, spirit. As I evolve so too does ‘Ocean’. The song was first recorded as part of my first album/cassette,
“Searching For Heritage“, which I sold when I busked, then for my first self-titled studio album 12 years ago – “John Butler (1998)”.
The song has been watched online incredibly over 25 million times in various formats, nearly always live, be it from MusicMax Sessions or from one of the many festivals I have had the pleasure to play. I’d like to thank you for your continued support over all these years; it means so much to me. I would like to thank you by offering this first studio recording of ‘Ocean’ in over a decade as a free download.
I recorded it in my favourite studio, The Compound here in Fremantle Western Australia, a studio you helped me build.
This marks just another fleeting moment in a career that is very much ongoing.
I look forward to bringing you many new songs and albums into the future and continuing this amazing journey with you ALL.
THANK YOU, John Butler
31 comments
Beat Pfund
Hey Man.
This song is basically the reason why I learned to play the 12 string guitar.
You’re awesome!
Wil
Best. Song. Ever.
Owen James
This song is powerful man I’d love to be able to play Ocean to a special someone but I’ts hard to pick up some parts off the video when you play them so fast!
A good tutorial would be amazing and I’m sure a lot of people will be more than happy to make a donation for the privilege of learning off the original musician. I hope you see and consider this!
Arturo
Awesome
Chris
THANK YOU JB! That’s all I have to say…
Thomas Pugliero
Simplesmente incrível, tu é demais! Parabéns. Come on from Brazil!
Bailey Croom
Hey Mr. Butler,
During this past summer it was a dream for me (no matter how long it took) to learn how to play max sessions Ocean. I heard that song for the first time and it blew my mind. By about the end of summer i could roughly play it and was loving it dearly. At the start of the school year, i started to understand the tuning enough to make alittle bit of my own with it. And as time went on i would just pick out what you were play from all of the different live shows, and try to mix it ALL together. And i loved it. You have bolted into me a new style of playing that i will never give up. (Even though i have only been playing for about a year and 1/2 all together) But anyway, i loved your 2012 Ocean, and i was hoping you could come out with a 2013 Ocean soon, because i am addicted to playing your music! I would also love to learn more amazing licks you haved learned in open C. I really am glad i found you sir, you are the reason i am, who i am. I hope you can take the time to write me back through email or whatever. (If it wasnt too much of a burdon..)
Thank you so much,
Bailey Croom
Nick
This song makes me a better person. Gonna do my best to try and learn it as well. Thanks so very much for the music, john.
Kaz
Never ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.
The world needs people to come alive. Your passion is infectious.
Thank you Mr Butler
julia jacobi
It’s a song for an awesome situation – sitting on the beach under a blue sky – dreaming the dream of eternity…… thx, JB….
Albertus Joseph
One of the most truly transformative piece of work… Passes right through my soul and heart felt… Proof we are all indelibly linked. Bravo… Bravo Sir for stirring my spirit. A master piece
Kingly
As a passionate player for many years and a lot of family that love my playing I drifted away from my true passion. Then after a weekend with my gorgeous and amazing sister she showed me this “Ocean” piece of yours and I had slow tears of pure joy and that inner ?? Thank you John it means more than I could possibly explain.
N King
Mike
How do you complete the free download?
Rossen Bialomorsky
Thank you John! A lot of health and good luck! I remember you’re born under the influence of the Aries constellation in which the Sun system is now – so happy birthday too!!!
MIN SEUNG HO
Thank you John.
I’m very impressed your music.
Ivi Rey
Every new performance of this song is better than the previous. Ocean has inspired me for years in bad and good moments. Thank you and greetings from Spain.
¡Saludos!
Chris
Can somebody tell me how can I get this version? I can’t see any download button on this page, I couldn’t find it on iTunes either …
JB fans please help, thanks
Tony
Missed the window to download this, anyway I can get a link to download this? Listen to this everyday on the way to work to balance me out. Sometimes the youtube version skips and takes forever to load. Need to have the mp3 to avoid that issue.
Mehdi
Thank you…for the journey!
Joseph
Wow this song is truly amazing! It is so inspiring and emotional in some way. I plan on learning this to play whenever I can and wherever I can. How do you download it? It would be really nice to have this on my iPod.
Dominik
Amazing musician… his song is actually one of most beautiful songs i`ve ever heard, it takes me to another world. In this moment i am trying to learn this song and it is really hard
But does someone know why John is playing on 11 strings? I`ve searched around for an answer all over the Internet but found nothing…
And to John Butler: Go on creating such touching music that stays in the souls and the hearts of the people
Tony
So obviously it’s not available as a free mp3 anywhere…can I buy it somewhere?
Luis Ordaz
Awesome song! I used this as the song for my video on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2pJSf4VWn8) !
Bryan Garwood
First heard this live at ACL Fest in Austin many years ago and still can’t get enough. I just found this and can’t figure out where to download. Is it available for free or purchase?
Freitas
Where the hell is the download button? :/
jbtdotcom
Download button is back! – we had to renew our Soundcloud account – check the soundcloud embed for the download button on the top right side.
BenC
dear sir you and your music inspires me and gives me the drive that enables me to achieve my dreams. thatnk you so much, i first saw/heard your music on triple J’s program of your melbourne federation square consert (grand national)and I then went out and bought grand national on CD, since then I’ve loved your music and it has beeen the soundtrack tomy life. I must ask sir when/if you intend to do any shows in Sydeny or even better, in western sydney in the comming future, as a would be the first to buy a ticket no matter the price… kind regards always and best of wishes to you and your family now and into the future,
Benjamin J. Coid
Freitas
Thank you very much, one of my favorite solo guitar songs (if I can called it that way) of all time.
Kreo Fidelis
Maravilha! Coisa boa de se ouvir e de se ver!
Massa!
Tom
This is just awesome. Thank you
Alex
John, this song is just perfect. It awakens so many feelings and seriously if you close your eyes you feel like on a beach near the ocean under some palm or stuff
Thank you for that.