Johnny B. Goode
A.M.P. Lyrics
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Johnny's mates knew she was a mole;
She told Johnny to be a rock and roll star -
He said, "No way, I'm staying right where I are."
Chorus:
Stay home Johnny, stay home...(etc.)
Johnny went on to do Melbourne Med.;
Johnny got rich being a doctor,
And then he died after a happy but boring existence.
No one knew Johnny, and he didn't care;
When on the bottom storey, he climbed the stair;
Johnny didn't get very far:
Most of all, he hated guitar.
In the first verse of the song "Johnny B. Goode" by A.M.P., the lyrics depict Johnny's mother struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, and being dishonest or untrustworthy ("a mole") in the eyes of Johnny's friends. Despite his mother's urging for him to pursue a rock and roll lifestyle, Johnny rejects this path and chooses to remain in his current surroundings. This suggests a sense of responsibility or contentment in his current situation, reflecting a realistic and grounded perspective on life.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of staying home, reinforcing Johnny's decision to not chase after fame or a flashy lifestyle. Instead, he values the simplicity and stability of his home life, suggesting a rejection of the glitzy and unpredictable world of rock and roll. This could be seen as a commentary on the allure and pitfalls of the entertainment industry, and the importance of staying true to oneself and one's values.
The second verse tells the story of Johnny's trajectory in life, as he goes on to pursue a career in medicine in Melbourne. Despite achieving financial success and a comfortable lifestyle, Johnny's existence is described as happy but ultimately boring. This juxtaposition highlights the idea that material wealth and societal success do not necessarily equate to a fulfilling or meaningful life, as Johnny is portrayed as leading a mundane and unremarkable existence.
The final lines of the song suggest that Johnny's life was uneventful and somewhat unfulfilled, as he didn't leave a lasting impact or pursue his passion for music. The mention of Johnny hating the guitar could symbolize his rejection of the rock and roll lifestyle that his mother had encouraged, emphasizing once again his choice to stay grounded and true to himself. Overall, the song portrays a narrative of a man who chooses stability and contentment over the fleeting allure of fame and extravagance, ultimately leading a modest but unremarkable life.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny's Mum took drugs and alcohol;
Johnny's mother struggled with substance abuse issues.
Johnny's mates knew she was a mole;
Johnny's friends were aware of his mother's problems.
She told Johnny to be a rock and roll star -
Despite her own issues, Johnny's mother encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
He said, "No way, I'm staying right where I are."
Johnny decided to stay true to himself and not follow his mother's advice.
Johnny got home, he went to bed;
After rejecting his mother's idea, Johnny went home and went to sleep.
Johnny went on to do Melbourne Med.;
Johnny pursued a career in medicine in Melbourne.
Johnny got rich being a doctor,
Through his medical career, Johnny became successful and wealthy.
And then he died after a happy but boring existence.
Despite his financial success, Johnny's life was ultimately unfulfilling and lacking excitement.
No one knew Johnny, and he didn't care;
Despite his success, Johnny remained distant from others and was indifferent to their opinions.
When on the bottom storey, he climbed the stair;
Johnny started from humble beginnings but made his way up through hard work.
Johnny didn't get very far:
In the grand scheme of things, Johnny's achievements were limited.
Most of all, he hated guitar.
Despite his mother's early encouragement, Johnny held a disdain for music and the guitar specifically.
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