Little Johnny Jewel
My little Johnny Jewel
Oh he's so cool
He had no decision
He's just trying to tell a vision
Well some thought it sad
And others thought it mad
They're just scratching the surface
JJ couldn't be with the other kids
Was he on display?
No, no, not today
And all that guy ever said
He said "I want my little wing-head"
He'd be half-asleep at night
Over his head the sensation of flight
And he'd wake up dreaming
Dreaming....

And he'd run down to the airport
The rush, the roar
And he'd crouch down behind the fence
With a chest full of lights
And then he'd lose his senses
He'd lose his senses....

Oh my little Johnny Jewel
Oh he's so cool
But if you see him looking lost
You ain't gonna come on so fast
Ah, but you know that he's paid
You know that he's paid the price
All you gotta do for that guy
Is wink your eye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Little Johnny Jewel" by Siouxsie and the Banshees are about a boy named Johnny who is an outcast. He is described as cool, but at the same time, he has no decision and is just trying to communicate his vision. Some people think his behavior is sad or mad, but they're only scratching the surface of who he is. Johnny couldn't be with the other kids, and the song asks if he is on display. The answer is no, not today.

All Johnny wants is his little wing-head, a nickname that might suggest he is dreaming of flying or escaping. He is half-asleep at night, feeling the sensation of flight, and waking up to keep dreaming. Johnny runs down to the airport, listening to the rush and roar of the planes. He crouches down behind the fence with a chest full of lights, and loses his senses. The final lines of the song say that Johnny is cool, but if you see him looking lost, don't come on too fast. He has paid a price, but all you need to do for him is wink your eye.

Line by Line Meaning

Little Johnny Jewel
The song's title is the name of the singer, Johnny Jewel.

My little Johnny Jewel
The singer is referring to Johnny Jewel as 'my' little Johnny Jewel, possibly indicating a personal connection or affection.

Oh he's so cool
Johnny Jewel is considered 'cool' by the singer or others, possibly due to his unique qualities.

He had no decision
Johnny Jewel had no control over his situation, he was born a certain way or endured a life-altering event.

He's just trying to tell a vision
Johnny Jewel is attempting to express a vision, idea or feeling that he may be unable to verbally convey.

Well some thought it sad
Some people saw Johnny Jewel's situation as unfortunate or distressing.

And others thought it mad
Other people believed Johnny Jewel to be insane or irrational because of his behavior or thoughts.

They're just scratching the surface
The people who view Johnny Jewel in a negative light do not understand him completely, and only see a small part of who he is.

JJ couldn't be with the other kids
Johnny Jewel was unable to be with other children his age, possibly because of his differences or his personal choices.

Was he on display?
It is questioned whether Johnny Jewel was being used for someone else's entertainment or observation.

No, no, not today
Today, Johnny Jewel was not being shown or presented to anyone else.

And all that guy ever said
Johnny Jewel had a catchphrase or repetitive statement that he frequently uttered.

He said 'I want my little wing-head'
Johnny Jewel expressed a desire for something or someone called a 'wing-head', though it is unknown what or who that is.

He'd be half-asleep at night
Johnny Jewel would be somewhat asleep or drowsy in the evenings.

Over his head the sensation of flight
Johnny Jewel would experience a feeling of flight or weightlessness in his head or psyche.

And he'd wake up dreaming
Johnny Jewel would have dreams or visions that remained with him after waking up.

And he'd run down to the airport
Johnny Jewel would go to the airport, possibly to experience the sights and sounds of the planes taking off and landing.

The rush, the roar
Johnny Jewel enjoyed the thrilling sensations of the airport environment.

And he'd crouch down behind the fence
Johnny Jewel would hide behind a fence, watching the planes from an obscured viewpoint.

With a chest full of lights
Johnny Jewel would have a visible illumination on his chest, possibly from his personal effects or attire.

And then he'd lose his senses
Johnny Jewel would feel overwhelmed or ecstatic to the point of sensory overload.

Oh my little Johnny Jewel
The artist repeats Johnny Jewel's name, again possibly indicating a personal affection or connection.

But if you see him looking lost
If someone were to see Johnny Jewel appearing to be disoriented or unsure of his surroundings.

You ain't gonna come on so fast
A quick attempt to interact with Johnny Jewel in that moment may not be successful or prudent.

Ah, but you know that he's paid
It is understood that Johnny Jewel has suffered or experienced something noteworthy for his unique qualities or behavior.

You know that he's paid the price
The price Johnny Jewel has paid may be physical, mental, spiritual, or social in nature.

All you gotta do for that guy
There is a simple or specific way to interact with Johnny Jewel that could show respect or understanding.

Is wink your eye
That way of interacting with Johnny Jewel is simply to wink one's eye at him, possibly indicating a shared experience or understanding.

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