Johanna
Iggy Pop & James Williamson Lyrics


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Oh yeah, oh yeah
Alright, come on Ron
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been a dreamer
I've been a dreamer
I've been a dreamer
For my long lost love

Johanna, Johanna, I hate you baby
Cause you don't wanna love, love, love
You don't wanna love
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been a mean one and
I've been unclean
I've been a, and I know it too
Johanna, Johanna, I wanna come right
Come right back to you you you

Come back to you you you
Oh yeah, alright, oh yeah
James come on
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Let's take It down we can do about it
Really take It down in, okay
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I've been alone and
I've been alone and

I've been alone and
I've been a blow
Johanna, Johanna
I wanna come wanna come right back to you
Back you, back to you, back to you, yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Kiss me, kiss me

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Johanna, Johanna, Johanna yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want to right now, I want you right now now
Johanna, Johanna, oh yeah, Johanna, Johanna




I need, I need, I need, I
Kiss, kiss, kiss

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Iggy Pop & James Williamson's song Johanna are a complex and tumultuous expression of love, loss, hate, and longing. The song appears to be a lament to a lost love named Johanna, who does not reciprocate the singer's affection. The verses are repetitive, with the singer stating "I've been a dreamer" or "I've been alone" multiple times. The chorus is where the emotions come to a head, with the singer proclaiming "Johanna, Johanna, I hate you baby / 'cause you don't wanna love, love, love / You don't wanna love."


The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through a great deal of pain and turmoil, and they are desperate to be reunited with Johanna. They admit to being "mean" and "unclean," suggesting that their behavior may have caused the rift between them. The repetition of certain phrases and words, such as "Oh yeah," "Johanna," and "kiss me," further emphasizes the singer's intense emotions.


Overall, the lyrics to Johanna are both raw and cryptic, leaving much open to interpretation. The repetitive nature of the verses and chorus, combined with the passionate outburst of the chorus, make for a compelling and emotional song.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh yeah, oh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm


Alright, come on Ron
Addressing someone named Ron to join in the song


Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Continuing the previous exclamation with more enthusiasm


I've been a dreamer
Being a person who has high hopes and aspirations


For my long lost love
Dreaming and yearning for a love that has been lost


Johanna, Johanna, I hate you baby
Addressing someone named Johanna and expressing hatred towards them


Cause you don't wanna love, love, love
Bearing resentment towards Johanna for not reciprocating love


You don't wanna love
Reiterating the feeling of being unloved by Johanna


I've been a mean one and
Admitting to being a harsh and unkind person


I've been unclean
Acknowledging being impure or immoral


I've been a, and I know it too
Realizing and owning up to one's own faults


Johanna, Johanna, I wanna come right
Expressing the deep desire to return to Johanna


Come right back to you you you
Stressing the urgency and sincerity of coming back


James come on
Encouraging James to participate in the song


Let's take It down we can do about it
Lowering the tempo of the song


Really take It down in, okay
Further emphasizing to slow down the song


I've been alone and
Feeling isolated and lonely


I've been a blow
Acknowledging being a failure or a mistake


Johanna, Johanna
Addressing Johanna again


I wanna come wanna come right back to you
Reiterating the strong desire to be with Johanna


Back you, back to you, back to you, yeah
Asserting the aim of getting back to Johanna


Kiss me, kiss me
Showing a sense of longing for physical affection


Johanna, Johanna, Johanna yeah yeah yeah yeah
Repeating Johanna's name and expressing eagerness


I want to right now, I want you right now now
Expressing a strong desire for Johanna in the present


Johanna, Johanna, oh yeah, Johanna, Johanna
Repeating Johanna's name and expressing enthusiasm


I need, I need, I need, I
Emphasizing the need for Johanna's love and affection


Kiss, kiss, kiss
Requesting for kisses as a form of physical intimacy




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IGGY POP, J. OSTERBERG, J. WILLIAMSON, JAMES WILLIAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Wouter Peters

Incredibly wonderfull song! Oh yeah, that sax!

Ape Champ Records

Stamine and Magnificence ♥

johnnybsteelriff

Nod 'arf....superb!!!

abel lopez

💪🏻💪🏻✌🏻🤘🏻🗣

gabrielucho ca

yeaaaaaa

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