Following the release of their seventh studio album Cageless (2017) and its accompanying tour, current members of Hedley faced accusations of sexual misconduct with young women over the course of their career. After Hoggard faced additional accusations of sexual assault by two women, the group confirmed they would enter an indefinite hiatus.
On July 23, 2018, Hoggard was charged with one count of Sexual Interference and two counts of Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm. On June 5, 2022, Hoggard was convicted of sexually assaulting the Ottawa woman.
On November 8, 2018, former drummer of the band Chris Crippin spoke out against Hoggard's behaviour during his time with the band. Crippin stated he was routinely called a "f*ggot" and was told to "shut the fuck up" when he tried to speak out. In a separate interview in July 2019, Crippin said that Hoggard was "extremely rude" and it wasn't behaviour he wanted to be around.
On October 20, 2022, Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard was sentenced to 5 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an Ottawa woman.
Johnny Falls
Hedley Lyrics
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Into the air
Into these walls
He's freaking out
He's got a gun
He'll get his way
He'll have his fun
You bruise my name
Try to cut me down
With every word you say
If you wreck my day
If you wreck my day
You son of a bitch you're gonna get some
I'm tired of this stupid game
Running in circles for you again
Don't blame me for what I gotta do
I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Johnny runs
He shuts his eyes
He only see from 9 to 5
Don't let him down
He's got a gun
He'll get his way
He'll have his fun
All you wannabes
Don't have what it takes
To take a shot at me
To put me in my place
If you wreck my day
If you wreck my day
You son of a bitch you're gonna get some
I'm tired of this stupid game
Running in circles for you again
Don't blame me for what I gotta do
I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Don't push me
Don't blame me
Or you'll be sorry
Am I getting through?
I won't back down
As of right now
I won't hate myself to be loved by you
Oh oh oh
See me cry
See me smile
See me fall
See me cry
Yeah
I'm tired of this stupid game
Running in circles for you again
Don't blame me for what I gotta do
I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Don't push me
Don't blame me
Or you'll be sorry
Am I getting through?
I won't back down
As of right now
I won't hate myself to be loved by you
Oh oh oh I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Oh oh oh I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Oh oh oh I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Oh oh oh I wont hate myself to be loved by you
Oh
"Johnny Falls" by Hedley is a song about a person named Johnny who is unstable and has access to a gun. He is described as someone who will "freak out" and "get his way" through violent means. The lyrics urge the listener to not "push" or "blame" the singer, or else they will be sorry. The song also speaks to the pressure of trying to be loved by someone who does not truly care for you. The singer refuses to "hate" themselves in order to be loved by someone else who is not genuine.
The lyrics convey a sense of unease and tension, particularly in the first verse where Johnny is described as "freaking out" and having a gun. The second verse speaks to the singer's frustration with being mistreated and the desire to stand up for oneself. The chorus repeats the sentiment of not hating oneself in order to be loved by someone else.
Overall, "Johnny Falls" is a dark and intense song that addresses themes of violence, manipulation, and self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
He throws his hands
He is frustrated and at his wits' end
Into the air
He is visibly upset and his emotions are getting the best of him
Into these walls
He is in a confined space and feeling trapped
He's freaking out
His mental state is deteriorating rapidly
He's got a gun
He feels he needs to resort to violence to get his way
He'll get his way
He believes that forceful action is the only way to achieve his goals
He'll have his fun
He derives pleasure from causing harm to others
You make a mess
You are causing chaos and disruption in his life
You bruise my name
You are damaging his reputation and dignity
Try to cut me down
You are attacking him through any means possible
With every word you say
You are using words as weapons
If you wreck my day
If you continue to cause problems and make his life difficult
You son of a bitch you're gonna get some
He warns you that he will take action against you if you continue
I'm tired of this stupid game
He is done playing along with your manipulations and lies
Running in circles for you again
He is tired of being used and taken advantage of by you
Don't blame me for what I gotta do
He is taking responsibility for his actions, regardless of the outcome
I wont hate myself to be loved by you
He will not stoop to your level and sacrifice his self-respect and dignity for your affection
Johnny runs
He is fleeing from a dangerous situation
He shuts his eyes
He is scared and trying to block out the world
He only see from 9 to 5
He is stuck in a rut and only sees his job as a means to survive
Don't let him down
He is pleading with someone to help him escape this life
All you wannabes
He sees through your facade and knows you are not genuine
Don't have what it takes
You lack the conviction and courage to truly be yourself
To take a shot at me
You are afraid to challenge him or stand up for yourself
To put me in my place
You are content to let him have his way and dominate you
See me cry
He is vulnerable and emotional
See me smile
He is happy and content
See me fall
He is struggling and experiencing setbacks
Oh oh oh I wont hate myself to be loved by you
He is affirming that his self-respect is worth more than your affection
Don't push me
He is warning you not to provoke him
Or you'll be sorry
He will not hesitate to retaliate if you cross him
Am I getting through?
He is questioning whether you understand the gravity of the situation
I won't back down
He will stand up for himself and refuse to be intimidated
As of right now
He has made a decision and will take action immediately
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN HOWES, CHRIS CRIPPIN, DAVE ROSIN, JACOB HOGGARD, TOM MAC DONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind