Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings, beginning in 1995.
Jurado often makes use of found-sound and field-recording techniques, and has experimented with different forms of tape recordings. In 2000 he released Postcards and Audio Letters, a collection of found audio letters and fragments that he had found from sources such as thrift store tape players and answering machines. Also released in 2000 was Ghost of David,, Jurado's bleakest and most personal sounding record to date. I Break Chairs, (2002) was produced by long time friend, David Bazan. It was his last album for Sub Pop, and was a much rockier, electric affair. After signing for the Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, Damien Jurado reverted to his trademark folk ballad-based style, releasing six more albums: Where Shall You Take Me? (2003), On My Way To Absence (2005), And Now That I'm In Your Shadow (2006), Caught in the Trees (2008), Saint Bartlett (2010) and Maraqopa (2012).
Official blog: iamcaughtinthetrees.blogspot.com
Johnny Go Riding
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a place outside of town
I go there every Sunday
To watch the sun go down
There's plenty of girls who know you
They've been asking where you've been
Johnny don't disappoint them
Willy I don't think I'm ready
To leave this house of mine
You go out and tell them
I'm not the social kind
Some men, they are lovers
Others, the fighting type
And me, I'm in the middle of
Choosing which one I'd like to be
Judy, she's out catching
Rides in passing cars
Memories of me and her
Have burned out like the stars
Me, I'm not disappointed
In knowing that she's free
Somewhere down the line I knew she'd
One day up and leave
Willy, forget your troubles
And lay back on the grass
There's no need to get nostalgic
Thinking about the past
What's gone is gone
What's here is now
She's standing by a fence
She's wearing a beautiful party dress
And wanting you to dance
The song "Johnny Go Riding" by Damien Jurado tells a story of a man named Johnny who was invited by Willy to go out riding to a place outside of town where he goes to watch the sunset every Sunday. However, Johnny is hesitant to go as he doesn't consider himself a social person. Willy pleads with him to come along as there are plenty of girls who were asking about him and would like to see him again. But Johnny still refuses, stating that he is having trouble choosing what type of person he wants to be, a lover or a fighter.
The song then shifts to Judy, whom Johnny used to have a relationship with, but their memories have since faded away. Johnny is not upset that she has moved on as he knew it was bound to happen eventually. Willy then encourages Johnny to forget about his troubles and just relax on the grass. Johnny finally agrees and discovers a girl standing by the fence, wearing a beautiful party dress and wanting to dance with him.
The song portrays the feeling of uncertainty and indecisiveness that many people experience in life. Johnny is unsure of what he wants to be and is hesitant to be social, but he ultimately finds happiness in the present moment. The song speaks to the idea of letting go of the past and embracing the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny let's go out riding
Let's escape the town and have a joyride
To a place outside of town
To an unknown location away from the city
I go there every Sunday
Every Sunday, I seek solace in this place
To watch the sun go down
To witness the setting of the sun
There's plenty of girls who know you
You're quite popular with the ladies
They've been asking where you've been
They've been wondering about your whereabouts
Johnny don't disappoint them
Don't let them down Johnny
They'd all like to see you again
They're all eager to catch a glimpse of you
Willy I don't think I'm ready
I don't feel prepared, Willy
To leave this house of mine
To step out of my comfort zone
You go out and tell them
You can go ahead and inform them
I'm not the social kind
I'm not very outgoing or sociable
Some men, they are lovers
Some men are romantic
Others, the fighting type
While others are prone to violence
And me, I'm in the middle of
But I'm undecided between
Choosing which one I'd like to be
Becoming a lover or a fighter
Judy, she's out catching
Judy's hitchhiking
Rides in passing cars
Getting lifts from strangers driving by
Memories of me and her
Recollections of our time together
Have burned out like the stars
Have faded away, like distant stars
Me, I'm not disappointed
I'm not upset, for once
In knowing that she's free
That Judy is no longer tied down
Somewhere down the line I knew she'd
I had a feeling that she would
One day up and leave
Eventually, she'd just get up and go
Willy, forget your troubles
Let go of your worries, Willy
And lay back on the grass
Relax and lie down on the lawn
There's no need to get nostalgic
There's no point dwelling on the past
Thinking about the past
Recollecting old memories
What's gone is gone
The past cannot be changed
What's here is now
Focus on the present moment
She's standing by a fence
She's leaning against a fence
She's wearing a beautiful party dress
She's dressed up for a celebration
And wanting you to dance
She's inviting you to join her in a dance
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind