Riz started writing his deeply personal songs at age 12, and later paid his way through college through touring. During his sophomore year, he had a major break when Mod Sun invited Riz to join him on a 35-date run also featuring blackbear. That tour hugely broadened Riz’s diehard following, many of whom have shown their love and gratitude via tattoos of Call Me Karizma’s logo and lyrics.
Johnny
Call Me Karizma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Mom and Daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I′m different
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Johnny's got a loaded 45
Johnny doesn′t wann be alive
But he′s gotta make his school stop
He's sick of being bullied, his mother′s starting to worry
But she doesn't want to ask him or try to call the authorities
Now he′ on the bus, again like it's just another morning
But he doesn′t got a book, he's got a gun without a warning
(He's gotta gun)
Cindy′s got a scholarship to Yale (Yale)
Wants to be a nurse and spread love (Help people)
Cindy′s moving out before the fall
Only got a week 'til school′s gone
Taking every final is easy, she doesn't mind ′em
She's always nice to the kids that are coming in way behind her
She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she′s way too kind
But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Mom and Daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I′m different
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Johnny sees Cindy in the hall (get the fuck...)
Runs to go and get her by her hair (come here bitch)
Cindy didn′t want to be involved (not me please!)
Johnny says "Stay the fuck here" ("stay the fuck here")
Starts to hear sirens and everybody is crying
The police are outside and now Cindy's inside a closet (Police!)
And she doesn′t want to die, she's got a bible in her pocket
But where the fuck is god when the world is getting way too violent?
Eyes closed
Praying for her life while the shots go
Screaming for the cops but they′re not close
She's not writing letters, but where′s John Doe?
He's right here
Grabs Cindy by her bright white hair (come here)
Says to be quiet or your life ends here
But the door breaks down and now John gets scared
So he puts the gun to her head, life ain't fair
Let me tell you ′bout my life quick, I′m the fucking shy kid
At the party I'm the kid that never got invited
I′m the one that failed every test, every problem
It's not fucking fair you′re in Yale for your college
Goddamn my mom can't stand she′s drunk
Pop xans, I can't stand feeling numb
Stop moving Cindy! You squeal too much!"
"Pop" goes the gun another school shot at
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Mom and Daddy, you just don′t get it
All the kids at school say I′m different
Ahh, Yeah, ah
Reporting live from [beep] high school
Now we're learning more about the terrible event that took place
And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid
To do something so evil and inhumane
We′re asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs
To please offer help and love and compassion
To those who need it
Together we can make a difference
The song "Johnny" by Call Me Karizma is a powerful commentary on school shootings and the difficult upbringing and experiences that can lead to someone resorting to such an extreme and tragic act. The lyrics begin with a sense of defiance and isolation, as the singer notes that adults don't understand him and he has learned only dysfunction as a way of living. Soon, the lyrics shift to focus on the character of Johnny, who is bullied at school and finds a loaded gun in his father's shoebox. As Johnny becomes increasingly unhinged, he takes fellow student Cindy hostage and ultimately commits a school shooting. The lyrics convey the devastation and horror of the event, with the singer calling for more love and compassion in the world to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
One of the most striking elements of "Johnny" is the way in which it seeks to humanize the shooter rather than simply demonizing him. The lyrics offer a backstory for Johnny that may help explain (though not justify) his actions, rather than simply vilifying him as a monster. At the same time, the song is clear about the magnitude of the tragedy and the human toll of such violence. By focusing on the emotional and psychological factors that may contribute to school shootings, "Johnny" offers a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on this pressing societal issue.
Line by Line Meaning
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
I don't care what my teachers say, they don't understand
Only word I learned was dysfunction
All I know is that I come from a dysfunctional family and life is hard
Mom and Daddy, you just don't get it
My parents don't understand what I'm going through
All the kids at school say I'm different
I'm bullied at school because I'm different
Johnny's got a loaded 45
Johnny has a gun
Found it in his dad's shoebox
He found the gun in his dad's things
Johnny doesn't want to be alive
Johnny is suicidal
But he's gotta make his school stop
He wants to stop the bullying at school
He's sick of being bullied, his mother's starting to worry
Johnny is tired of being bullied and his mother is concerned about his behavior
But she doesn't want to ask him or try to call the authorities
His mother doesn't want to intervene or call the authorities for help
Now he's on the bus, again like it's just another morning
Johnny is going to school like it's a normal day
But he doesn't got a book, he's got a gun without a warning
Johnny brought a gun to school without anyone knowing
Cindy's got a scholarship to Yale
Cindy received a scholarship to Yale University
Wants to be a nurse and spread love
Cindy wants to become a nurse and help people
Cindy's moving out before the fall
Cindy is getting ready to move out before starting college in the fall
Only got a week 'til school's gone
She only has a week left of school before graduation
Taking every final is easy, she doesn't mind 'em
Cindy is not worried about taking her final exams
She's always nice to the kids that are coming in way behind her
She is friendly and helpful to students who are struggling in school
She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she's way too kind
Cindy is a gentle and kind person who wouldn't hurt anyone
But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
She suddenly sees Johnny with a gun and hears gunshots
Johnny sees Cindy in the hall (get the fuck...)
Johnny sees Cindy in the hallway and starts swearing
Runs to go and get her by her hair (come here bitch)
Johnny grabs Cindy's hair and tells her to come with him
Cindy didn't want to be involved (not me please!)
Cindy didn't want to get involved
Johnny says "Stay the fuck here" ("stay the fuck here")
Johnny tells Cindy to stay put and not move
Starts to hear sirens and everybody is crying
The police are arriving and people are crying
The police are outside and now Cindy's inside a closet (Police!)
Cindy is hiding in a closet with the police outside
And she doesn't want to die, she's got a bible in her pocket
Cindy is scared and has a bible in her pocket
But where the fuck is god when the world is getting way too violent?
She questions God's presence in the midst of violence
Eyes closed
Cindy closes her eyes
Praying for her life while the shots go
She prays for her life, while the gunshots continue
Screaming for the cops but they're not close
She screams for help, but the police are not nearby
She's not writing letters, but where's John Doe?
She is not leaving any letters behind, but where is Johnny?
He's right here
Johnny is nearby
Grabs Cindy by her bright white hair (come here)
Johnny grabs Cindy by her hair again
Says to be quiet or your life ends here
Johnny threatens to kill Cindy if she doesn't stay quiet
But the door breaks down and now John gets scared
The door breaks down and Johnny gets scared
So he puts the gun to her head, life ain't fair
Johnny puts the gun to Cindy's head, feeling that life is not fair
Let me tell you 'bout my life quick, I'm the fucking shy kid
Johnny describes his life as a shy and introverted person
At the party I'm the kid that never got invited
Johnny was never invited to parties
I'm the one that failed every test, every problem
Johnny feels like he fails at everything
It's not fucking fair you're in Yale for your college
He is jealous of Cindy's scholarship and feels like life is unfair
Goddamn my mom can't stand she's drunk
Johnny's mother has a drinking problem
Pop xans, I can't stand feeling numb
He takes prescription drugs to numb his feelings
Stop moving Cindy! You squeal too much!
Johnny tells Cindy to stop moving and making noise
"Pop" goes the gun another school shot at
Johnny shoots the gun, causing another school shooting
Reporting live from [beep] high school
News reporters are covering the school shooting
Now we're learning more about the terrible event that took place
The media is learning about the tragic event that happened
And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid
The media is trying to figure out what caused a seemingly normal kid to commit a school shooting
To do something so evil and inhumane
To commit such an evil and inhumane act
We're asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs
Authorities are asking for help from anyone who sees signs of someone potentially committing a violent act
To please offer help and love and compassion
They are urging people to offer support and love to those who may be struggling
To those who need it
To help those who are in need
Together we can make a difference
Working together, we can prevent similar tragedies from happening again
Writer(s): Morgan Parriott
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@digital_ly9428
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 1]
Johnny's got a loaded .45
Found it in his dad's shoebox
Johnny doesn't want to be alive
But he's gotta make his school stop
He's-
Sick of being bullied, his mother's starting to worry
But she doesn't want to ask him or try to call the authorities
Now he is on the bus, to him it's just another morning
But he doesn't got a book, he's got a gun without a warning
[Verse 2]
Cindy's got a scholarship to Yale
Wants to be a nurse and spread love
Cindy's moving out before the fall
Only got a week til' school's done
Taking every final of the season, she doesn't mind 'em
She's always nice to the kids that are coming away behind her
She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she's way too kind
But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 3]
Johnny sees Cindy in the hall
Runs to go and get her by the hair
Cindy didn't want to be involved
Johnny says "Stay the fuck here"
Starts to hear sirens and everybody is crying
The police are outside and now Cindy's inside a closet
And she doesn't want to die, she's got a bible in her pocket
But where the fuck is God when the world's getting way too violent?
[Verse 4]
Eyes. Closed
Praying for her life while the shots, go
Screaming for the cops but they're not, close
She's not writing letters but where's John, Doe
He's right here
Grabs Cindy by her bright white hair
Says to "be quiet or your life ends here"
But the door breaks down and now John gets scared
So he puts the gun to her head
Life ain't fair
"Let me tell you about my life quick
I'm the fuckin' shy kid
At the party I'm the kid that never got invited
I'm the one that failed every test, every problem
It's not fucking fair you're in Yale for your college!
Goddamn my mom, can't stand she's drunk
Pop xans, I can't stand feeling numb
Stop moving Cindy! You squeal too much!"
Pop goes the gun, another school shot up
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Conclusion]
Reporting live from high school
We're now learning more about the terrible events that took place
And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid
To do something so evil and inhumane
We're asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs-
To please offer help and love and compassion to those who need it
Together we can make a difference
@mandiesbabies8531
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 1]
Johnny's got a loaded .45
Found it in his dad's shoebox
Johnny doesn't want to be alive
But he's gotta make his school stop
He's-
Sick of being bullied, his mother's starting to worry
But she doesn't want to ask him or try to call the authorities
Now he is on the bus, to him it's just another morning
But he doesn't got a book, he's got a gun without a warning
[Verse 2]
Cindy's got a scholarship to Yale
Wants to be a nurse and spread love
Cindy's moving out before the fall
Only got a week til' school's done
Taking every final of the season, she doesn't mind 'em
She's always nice to the kids that are coming away behind her
She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she's way too kind
But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 3]
Johnny sees Cindy in the hall
Runs to go and get her by the hair
Cindy didn't want to be involved
Johnny says "Stay the fuck here"
Starts to hear sirens and everybody is crying
The police are outside and now Cindy's inside a closet
And she doesn't want to die, she's got a bible in her pocket
But where the fuck is God when the world's getting way too violent?
[Verse 4]
Eyes. Closed
Praying for her life while the shots, go
Screaming for the cops but they're not, close
She's not writing letters but where's John, Doe
He's right here
Grabs Cindy by her bright white hair
Says to "be quiet or your life ends here"
But the door breaks down and now John gets scared
So he puts the gun to her head
Life ain't fair
"Let me tell you about my life quick
I'm the fuckin' shy kid
At the party I'm the kid that never got invited
I'm the one that failed every test, every problem
It's not fucking fair you're in Yale for your college!
Goddamn my mom, can't stand she's drunk
Pop xans, I can't stand feeling numb
Stop moving Cindy! You squeal too much!"
Pop goes the gun, another school shot up
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Conclusion]
Reporting live from high school
We're now learning more about the terrible events that took place
And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid
To do something so evil and inhumane
We're asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs-
To please offer help and love and compassion to those who need it
Together we can make a difference
@CallMeKarizma
listen to the song on apple/spotify/etc here: http://hyperurl.co/9uh44s
thank u for supporting real art. love, riz
@SweeneyODD
my mom likes this song.
@s0mething_sw33t
artists that make sad songs are important. they can do a lot in the lives or their listeners. whether they choose to or not is up to them. but when people are sad, they listen to songs that speak to them. artists can slip things in and make a person feel better with just one song. whenever i come across something like that i usually listen to that song about 100 times. it may be just me, but i music is what helps the most when shit hits the fan. not people, not videogames, not smoking, drinking, or anything else. whether i choose to listen to helpful things or not is up to me as well, but artists definitely can make a difference in the lives of people today. to me they are the modern superheros who save those who need saving the most. the people afraid of themselves.
@meli9976
Call Me Karizma found this song randomly on spotify and i love it so much
@mgonzalez7499
I feel that you are the only artist that lyrics connects with so many topics in society today, this is why I love your music and messages 💙
@shadi8348
We love a king who likes his own comment
@digital_ly9428
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 1]
Johnny's got a loaded .45
Found it in his dad's shoebox
Johnny doesn't want to be alive
But he's gotta make his school stop
He's-
Sick of being bullied, his mother's starting to worry
But she doesn't want to ask him or try to call the authorities
Now he is on the bus, to him it's just another morning
But he doesn't got a book, he's got a gun without a warning
[Verse 2]
Cindy's got a scholarship to Yale
Wants to be a nurse and spread love
Cindy's moving out before the fall
Only got a week til' school's done
Taking every final of the season, she doesn't mind 'em
She's always nice to the kids that are coming away behind her
She would never hurt a fly or bat an eye, she's way too kind
But then a flash and then a cry and sees Johnny with a rifle
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Verse 3]
Johnny sees Cindy in the hall
Runs to go and get her by the hair
Cindy didn't want to be involved
Johnny says "Stay the fuck here"
Starts to hear sirens and everybody is crying
The police are outside and now Cindy's inside a closet
And she doesn't want to die, she's got a bible in her pocket
But where the fuck is God when the world's getting way too violent?
[Verse 4]
Eyes. Closed
Praying for her life while the shots, go
Screaming for the cops but they're not, close
She's not writing letters but where's John, Doe
He's right here
Grabs Cindy by her bright white hair
Says to "be quiet or your life ends here"
But the door breaks down and now John gets scared
So he puts the gun to her head
Life ain't fair
"Let me tell you about my life quick
I'm the fuckin' shy kid
At the party I'm the kid that never got invited
I'm the one that failed every test, every problem
It's not fucking fair you're in Yale for your college!
Goddamn my mom, can't stand she's drunk
Pop xans, I can't stand feeling numb
Stop moving Cindy! You squeal too much!"
Pop goes the gun, another school shot up
[Chorus]
Teacher, teacher can't tell me nothing
Only word I learned was dysfunction
Ahh, yeah, ahh
Mom and daddy, you just don't get it
All the kids at school say I'm different
Ahh, yeah, ahh
[Conclusion]
Reporting live from high school
We're now learning more about the terrible events that took place
And what can drive someone that seemed like a normal kid
To do something so evil and inhumane
We're asking everyone and anyone that sees warning signs-
To please offer help and love and compassion to those who need it
Together we can make a difference
@darkangel_nite1967
I can relate to Johnny. Not in the fact of shooting up a school, but his story. Alcoholic mother, shy kid, distant father, bullied, and completely fucked up in the head.
Mental illness is such a terrible issue. Teens being forced to "just push it down" and go on with their lives because that's what they're parents did. I had to do this and I was admitted twice in 6 months because of suicidal ideation. It's a horrible epidemic amongst our teen population. Spread the word to get help for all of the youth!
@asperquince4902
i have really bad depression and anxiety (which got worse after i got r*ped) and i was admitted. for about 4 months now my family has been telling me to just 'get over it' like its fuckin easy so i can relate as well
@darkangel_nite1967
@@asperquince4902 it happened to me as well and within a week my grandmother was yelling at me that I needed to leave my room, get on with life, “go out in the sun”, etc etc