Johnny the Horse
Madness Lyrics
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he died for entertainment…
Would you believe he came out well
He had a bright inquiring mind
His family knew that he'd go far
If he applied his time
But he started out
Standing on corners
And talking out loud too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself the world
Or anything he heard
It seems like a million years ago
That he left his life behind
The moment came for him to go
He said goodbye to his wife and child
He started out walking
Never looked back
It was too much pain
Between Glasgow and London
One hot summer he forgot his name
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
But he started out
Standing on corners
And talking out loud too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself the world
Or anything he heard
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Ditto Woooh!
Will you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Ditto Woooh!
He took his battered bones and broken dreams to Regents Park at sunset
The lyrics to Madness's song Johnny the Horse tell a story of a horse who was "kicked to death" for entertainment, which is a clear reference to the cruel practice of horse fighting. The song then shifts focus to a human character, who started out with a "bright inquiring mind" and a family who believed he could go far if he applied himself. However, this character struggled with self-belief and found himself standing on street corners talking too loudly to anyone who would listen. The lyrics then suggest a significant passage of time, during which the character left everything behind and walked from Glasgow to London in one hot summer, forgetting his own name along the way. The song ends with a plea to remember his name.
The lyrics of Johnny the Horse can be interpreted in many ways, but the story highlights themes of struggle, self-doubt, perseverance, and the impact of societal pressures on individual lives. The horse's death for entertainment serves as a dark metaphor for the human character's own struggle with finding his place in the world. As he walks from Glasgow to London, the character sheds his past and his identity, becoming a forgotten figure in the bustling city.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny the horse was kicked to death
Johnny, the horse, was killed for the amusement of others
he died for entertainment…
His death was used as a form of amusement
Would you believe he came out well
Despite the odds, he turned out all right
He had a bright inquiring mind
He was curious and intelligent
His family knew that he'd go far
His family believed he had great potential
If he applied his time
If he worked hard and focused
But he started out
However, he began his life in a different direction
Standing on corners
Hanging out on streets and corners
And talking out loud too loud
Speaking loudly and without inhibition
You see he couldn't believe in himself the world
He lacked self-confidence and trust in the world
Or anything he heard
He was skeptical of everything he heard
It seems like a million years ago
It feels like a long time has passed since then
That he left his life behind
He abandoned his old life and started anew
The moment came for him to go
The time came for him to leave
He said goodbye to his wife and child
He bid farewell to his family
He started out walking
He began his journey by foot
Never looked back
He didn't dwell on the past
It was too much pain
His past was painful to think about
Between Glasgow and London
On his journey between those two cities
One hot summer he forgot his name
During a particularly hot summer, he lost his sense of identity
Can you remember his name?
Do you recall his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
N/A
But he started out
However, he began his life in a different direction
Can you remember his name?
Do you recall his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
N/A
Can you remember his name?
Do you recall his name?
Ditto Woooh!
N/A
Will you remember his name?
Will you recall his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
N/A
Ditto Woooh!
N/A
He took his battered bones and broken dreams to Regents Park at sunset
He arrived at Regents Park in the evening, bruised and with lost hopes
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Isabela Barbosa
Johnny the horse was kicked to death
he died for entertainment…
Would you believe he came out well
He had a bright inquiring mind
His family knew that he'd go far
If he applied his time
But he started out
Standing on corners
And talking out loud too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself the world
Or anything he heard
It seems like a million years ago
That he left his life behind
The moment came for him to go
He said goodbye to his wife and child
He started out walking
Never looked back
It was too much pain
Between Glasgow and London
One hot summer he forgot his name
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
But he started out
Standing on corners
And talking out loud too loud
You see he couldn't believe in himself the world
Or anything he heard
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Can you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Ditto Woooh!
Will you remember his name?
Doo doodle eh do do
Ditto Woooh!
He took his battered bones and broken dreams to Regents Park at sunset
Mrs Cairns
There is no other band as good as Madness. Their music and message have kept me going since they released their first record. Way back when.
So pleased to see them mature without losing their originality.
I'm now an ex-pat Londoner of 16 years but, I still love London.
NeedleHitsTheGroove
The sadly lost 'classic' Madness single. Should have been huge. Brilliant song!
Pubtastic
It is huge to some 😁👊🏻
Black Staffie
I lost my greatest mate Johnny last week. He could not bare the pain and fear of growing old. He left this world on his terms. My heart is broken. but Suggs and Madness, you never fail in making me smile. Thankyou.
Firey Flower
Hugs
justmadeit2-my channel
This is a song for all the lost men out there whos life has spun out of control, who have wasted years and years of their life doing nothing, who have wrecked good relationships and pushed away people who loved them. Its happened to me too. This is a great madness song, but listen to the words of the song, its incredibly sad and moving. remember.,......time gone can never be regained. Life is short. Its not always easy to change, although it is possible if you dont go mad trying.
MagicalMax
Can totally relate, but it's not too late to turn it around
David Scothern
Madness have a valuable gift for deep and not necessarily uplifting lyrics. Got to wonder how happy life really is behind the nutty boys' upbeat exterior.
Alan Lloyd
Sums up my life perfectly,! Couldn't have put it better myself .
Alan Lloyd
One off my all time favourite songs also!