He was born in Ontario, Canada, near Huntsville in the Muskoka region, north of Toronto. To pursue his musical career, he later moved to Toronto.
His first album, 1999's "For Him and the Girls" earned him comparisons to the likes of Tom Waits, Rheostatics and Harry Nilsson.
"(Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves", released in 2001, became Workman's breakthrough record both in Canada and Europe, spawning the hit singles "Striptease" and "Jealous of Your Cigarette".
Workman has also produced records for a number of other artists, including Serena Ryder, John Southworth, Tegan and Sara, Sarah Slean, The Cash Brothers, and Great Big Sea.
For photographs and additional information see Hawksley's official website, www.HawksleyWorkman.com.
Johnny
Hawksley Workman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ive been broken too much before
The girls are on display in the window
And the boys are in the freezer room
Ive been crushed by too many Johnnys
And I never want to hear that name
Theres a fist full of flowers in the window
Youve been chasing me
Falling down those spring fed wells
Before farewells
Oh those fond farewells
Oh they get us every time
No more named Johnny
Ive been standing in the rain since June
I wound up my watch till I broke the springs
Now I´ll never have the time for you
Youre a cold and lonely Johnny
Do you ever drive an ice cream truck
Off the highway to a clear cut track
To that dirty place where we got stuck?
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
You can be sure I´ll never whisper that word
In "Johnny," Hawksley Workman sings about his broken heart and the pain that came with dating too many men named Johnny. He declares that he will never be with anyone by that name again, lamenting the hurt and heartbreak that came with each relationship. Workman compares the dating scene to a store, where girls are on display in the window and boys are being kept in the "freezer room," potentially referencing how men are often expected to maintain a cool demeanor in relationships. There is a sense of bitterness in Workman's words, especially when he sings about winding up his watch until it breaks, implying that he will not make time for another Johnny.
The song takes on a melancholy tone, with Hawksley Workman singing about being hurt and let down by partners. The name "Johnny" becomes symbolic for all the people he has been hurt by or disillusioned with. The lyrics are laced with regret, as Workman remembers happier times where he was given flowers upon arriving home from a trip. These memories are soured by the realization that he will never experience that kind of love again. The end of the song reinforces this idea, as Workman repeats that he will never again use that name, suggesting that he has closed himself off from love in some way.
Line by Line Meaning
No more named Johnny
I am done with relationships with men named Johnny.
Ive been broken too much before
I have experienced too much hurt in the past, I cannot handle it anymore.
The girls are on display in the window
Women are commodified and objectified by society, and are put on display like objects.
And the boys are in the freezer room
Men are expected to be cold and emotionless, and are locked up inside themselves.
Ive been crushed by too many Johnnys
I have been hurt, abused, and stomped on by too many men named Johnny.
And I never want to hear that name
The name Johnny brings up too many negative emotions and memories for me.
Theres a fist full of flowers in the window
Despite the darkness and pain, there is still beauty and hope in the world.
You gave me when I got off the plane
This beauty and hope was gifted to me by someone I once loved.
Youve been chasing me
You have been pursuing me relentlessly and refusing to let go.
Falling down those spring-fed wells
You have been falling deeper and deeper into your own needs and desires.
Before farewells
Before we ultimately part ways and say our goodbyes.
Oh those fond farewells
Goodbyes, even under positive circumstances, can still be heartbreaking and painful.
Oh they get us every time
Saying goodbye, no matter how often it happens or how prepared we think we are, will always cause emotional pain.
Ive been standing in the rain since June
I have been stuck in a painful situation, waiting for change or clarity to come.
I wound up my watch till I broke the springs
I have been waiting for so long that I have exhausted myself - I am drained of patience and energy.
Now I'll never have the time for you
I am finally moving on from this relationship and will not waste any more time on it.
Youre a cold and lonely Johnny
You are a man who is socially isolated and emotionally unavailable.
Do you ever drive an ice cream truck
Do you ever try to bring joy and happiness to the world, or are you always stuck in your own misery?
Off the highway to a clear-cut track
Going off the beaten path and taking risks, instead of sticking to what is expected and safe.
To that dirty place where we got stuck?
Are you willing to revisit and confront the painful memories of our past?
You can be sure I'll never whisper that word
I am completely done with relationships with men named Johnny, and will never speak that name again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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