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Who is Johnny?

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Zimmerman
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Who is Johnny?

Post by Zimmerman »

Whilst listening to the Doves earlier, I heard the mention of "Johnny" in one of their tracks.

Which got me thinking.... as I've heard many songs referring to a Johnny (not the prophylactic kind).

Obviously they're not all referring to the same guy.
But why so often (if indeed it is)?
Is it to do with its rhymability (if thats a word)? Or is it the fact that so many people know a John?

Here's a few that spring to mind;
1969 - New Order
Outsiders - Doves
Johnny Yen - James
Johnny be good - Chuck Berry?
Johnny Was - Bob Marley
Not now John - Floyd

Anyone know any others?

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Billy Whiz
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Billy Whiz »

Frankie and Johnny
Johnny Reggae

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DrBunker
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by DrBunker »

Wasn't there a Killers track that talked about Johnny?

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Zimmerman
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Zimmerman »

Seems there was, Uncle Jonny.

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Knulpuk
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Knulpuk »

Johnny yen of course 1st surfaced in Iggy Pop's Lust for Life, starting as it does....

Here comes johnny yen again

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The Elkmaster
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by The Elkmaster »

Be good Johnny - Men at work
Johnny, remember me - can't remember the singer, but it's an old 'un

goldenballs
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by goldenballs »

Johnny come home-fine young cannibals.

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DixieDean
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by DixieDean »

Fine Young Cannibals - Johnny Come Home
Great song from the 80s...


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SamD
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John song

Post by SamD »

UK Top 40 'Johns' from younger days:

Eddie Calvert, John And Julie, 1955

Marty Wilde, Johnny Rocco, 1960

John Leyton, Johnny Remember Me, 1961 *

Pat Boone, Johnny Will, 1961

Patti Lynn, Johnny Angel, 1962

Carol Deene, Johnny Get Angry, 1962

Piglets, Johnny Reggae, 1971

Jimi Hendrix Experience, Johnny B. Goode, 1972

David Bowie, John I'm Only Dancing, 1972

* only No.1 single in this list

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blahblah
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by blahblah »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL5L5Y61Jyk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Zimmerman
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Zimmerman »

Hearing Spiritualised's "Come Together" this morning reminded me of this thread.

Can also add Patti Smiths "Horses" to the list

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murf
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by murf »

"Hey Johnny, where are you now when I need you?" from one of my favourite Waterboys B-sides.

He also got a mention in "When Will We Be Married".

Or maybe that should be "she" after their early single "A Girl Called Johnny"

Mike Scott was a huge Patti Smith fan so maybe there is a link there....

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bluenosey
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by bluenosey »

Big John - Big Bad John - some 60s fella, need to Google
The Boy Looked at Johnny - Libertines

and somewhere there's a Razorlight song, can't think of it ?

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bluenosey
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Re: John song

Post by bluenosey »

SamD wrote:UK Top 40 'Johns' from younger days:

Eddie Calvert, John And Julie, 1955

Marty Wilde, Johnny Rocco, 1960

John Leyton, Johnny Remember Me, 1961 *

Pat Boone, Johnny Will, 1961

Patti Lynn, Johnny Angel, 1962

Carol Deene, Johnny Get Angry, 1962

Piglets, Johnny Reggae, 1971

Jimi Hendrix Experience, Johnny B. Goode, 1972

David Bowie, John I'm Only Dancing, 1972

* only No.1 single in this list
Got a feeling the Beeb banned this back in the day :shock:

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Spinynorman
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Spinynorman »


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foxinthebox2001
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by foxinthebox2001 »

What about Robert Palmers Johnny, in Johnny & Mary?
Johnny's always running around, Trying to find certainty ...
Johnny thinks the world would be right,If it could buy truth from him...
Johnny says he's willing to learn, When he decides he's a fool...
Johnny feels he's wasting his breath, ...

Johnny should have been on Fiso.

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forestfan
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by forestfan »

I guess it's just a very common/generic male name (it seems to have been particularly so in that era - a lot of rock and roll stars were called John(ny) something-or-other as well...) that scans well in songs.

Are there any other names that approach it in terms of musical ubiquity?

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Spinynorman
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Spinynorman »


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morganb
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by morganb »

Who would be the lyrical female equivalent of Johnny, if one even exists?

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Spinynorman
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by Spinynorman »

morganb wrote:Who would be the lyrical female equivalent of Johnny, if one even exists?
Apparently it's Mary.

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murf
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Re: RE: Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by murf »

morganb wrote:Who would be the lyrical female equivalent of Johnny, if one even exists?
Evangeline

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eastcentral1
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Re: Who is Johnny?

Post by eastcentral1 »

Johnny Too Bad - The Slickers. One of my all time favourites.

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