Christie was a British pop band formed at the end of the 1960s.
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Christie was a British pop band formed at the end of the 1960s.
In addition to Jeff Christie (born Jeffrey Christie, 12 July 1946, Leeds, Yorkshire, England) - vocalist, bassist and songwriter; they initially included guitarist Vic Elmes and drummer Mike Blakely (born Michael Blakely, 12 January 1947, Bromley, Kent, England) who is the younger brother of The Tremeloes' Alan Blakely.
Jeff Christie had initially worked with several bands including The Outer Limits, who released "Just One More Chance"/"Help Me Please" (1967) and "Great Train Robbery"/"Sweet Freedom" (1968), and Acid Gallery, whose single "Dance Around The Maypole" (1969) was written by Roy Wood.
That year Jeff Christie offered his composition "Yellow River" to The Tremeloes. They recorded it to release as a single, but when they changed their minds they allowed Christie to use the backing track themselves. The result was a UK number one hit in May 1970, and subsequently #23 in the U.S..
The follow-up single, "San Bernadino" (October 1970) reached UK Number 7 and Number 1 in Germany, but only U.S. #100. Both tracks became flash songs on their eponymous debut album of that year, and it stayed on U.S. Billboard chart for ten weeks. But the trio failed to sustain a lasting career, and Blakley was replaced by Paul Fenton just before the release of the band's second album, For All Mankind (1971).
Lem Lubin (ex-Unit Four Plus Two) was added to the line-up for Iron Horse (1972), but the title track proved to be the band's final hit single. The departure of Fenton and Lubin hastened the demise of the original line-up, but Jeff Christie returned with new members Terry Fogg (drums), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (guitar). A 1974 single "Alabama"/"I'm Alive" failed to resurrect the band's fortunes, and new members Tony Ferguson (guitar) and Roger Willis (drums) were brought in to join Christie and Flavell.
Jeff Christie disbanded the group in 1976. He released two solo singles for the RK label in 1980, and since then has written advertising jingles and appear on classic hits shows singing his greatest hits.
"Jo Jo's Band", written by Elmes, was a chart-topper in Argentina and Brazil, while the last Christie hit, "Navajo", was Number 1 in Mexico.
Jeff Christie reformed the band in 1990 with members of UK band Tubeless Hearts, Kev Moore, Simon Kay and Adrian 'Fos' Foster. They tried to represent United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991, but were unsuccessful. They continued to tour for a further twelve years all over Europe, Russia and Israel, recording intermittently.
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Singer/Songwriter from the Northwich area.
Original songs and hundreds of covers you’ll know.
Influences:
Jackson Browne, Andy Shauf, Julien Baker, John Martyn, Bon Iver/Justin Vernon, Radiohead, Pinegrove, Fenne Lily, Mitski, Bob Seger, Frightened Rabbit, Elliot Smith, Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder, Joan Armatrading, Phoebe Bridgers, City and Colour, Fleetwood Mac, Nick Drake, Paolo Nutini, Damien Rice, Regina Spektor, Sharon Van Etten, Joni Mitchell, Red Hot Chili Peppers/John Frusciante, Tracy Chapman, Jose Gonzales, Rhye
Johnny One Time
Christie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Johnny One Time
What you gonna do
They're looking for you, boy
Hey Johnny One Time
Where you gonna run
They're gonna find you, boy
Don't you know you got a price on your head
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
2nd verse
Hey Johnny One Time
What you waiting for
You better leave this town
Hey Johnny One Time
Don't you realise
They're gonna hunt you down
Don't you know it's just a matter of time
They got your number, it's the end of the line
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
3rd verse
Hey Johnny One Time
What you gonna do
They're looking for you, boy
Hey Johnny One Time
Where you gonna run
They're gonna find you, boy
Don't you know no matter where you go
You're gonna wind up on the end of a rope
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
Johnny One Time ...
"Johnny One Time" is a song that tells the story of a man who is on the run from the law. The song keeps on directing the attention of Johnny to the fact that he is being sought by the law, but he is hesitant to flee. The lyricist warns Johnny several times that there's a price on his head; therefore, the law enforcement officers will be looking for him, and there is no escape from them. Despite the warnings, Johnny refuses to leave town and realizes too late that he should have fled the town sooner.
The writer also alludes that Johnny won't be able to escape the law and will pay for his crimes eventually. The lyrics give the sense of urgency to Johnny that he needs to escape the city before it is too late. The repetition of the lyrics in the song's refrain ("Hey Johnny One Time, What you gonna do? Where you gonna run? They're gonna find you, boy") highlights the danger Johnny is in and the fact that he is running out of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Johnny One Time
Addressing the subject of the song, Johnny One Time.
What you gonna do
Asking Johnny for his plan of action.
They're looking for you, boy
Informing Johnny that he is being sought by authorities.
Hey Johnny One Time
Repeating the address to grab his attention.
Where you gonna run
Asking Johnny where he plans to flee to avoid capture.
They're gonna find you, boy
Implying that his pursuers will indeed catch him.
Don't you know you got a price on your head
Informing Johnny that there is a bounty on him.
They're gonna bring you back alive or dead
Stating that his captors are not particular about Johnny's condition when turning him in.
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
Repeating a warning given earlier and emphasizing the gravity of his situation.
Hey Johnny One Time
Repeating the address once again.
What you waiting for
Asking Johnny why he's hesitating.
You better leave this town
Suggesting that leaving the city would be in Johnny's best interest.
Don't you realise
Implying that Johnny is oblivious to the danger he's in.
They're gonna hunt you down
Warning Johnny that his captors will surely catch him.
Don't you know it's just a matter of time
Informing Johnny that it's only a matter of time before he's apprehended.
They got your number, it's the end of the line
Stating that his pursuers are aware of his identity and will corner him shortly.
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
Repeating the warning and emphasizing how dire his situation is.
Hey Johnny One Time
Repeated address once again.
What you gonna do
Repeating the question from earlier to emphasize urgency.
They're looking for you, boy
Repeating the information from earlier to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
Hey Johnny One Time
Repeating the address once again.
Where you gonna run
Repeating the question from earlier, emphasizing the difficult situation Johnny is in.
They're gonna find you, boy
Stating that Johnny will inevitably be caught.
Don't you know no matter where you go
Informing Johnny that he has no place to hide or escape from his pursuers.
You're gonna wind up on the end of a rope
Stating that Johnny will be executed for his crimes.
Don't you know, Johnny One Time
Repeating the warning from earlier and driving home the inescapable nature of his future.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JEFF CHRISTIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind