J. J. Johnson (born James Louis Johnson) in Indianapolis, Indiana, (January… Read Full Bio ↴J. J. Johnson (born James Louis Johnson) in Indianapolis, Indiana, (January 22, 1924 - February 4, 2001), was an American jazz trombonist, composer and arranger.

He recorded a number of popular albums with fellow trombonist Kai Winding, as well as many solo albums, and was a sideman on many classic jazz recordings. Several of his compositions, including "Wee Dot," "Lament," and "Enigma" are considered jazz standards. He was part of the Third Stream movement in jazz music in the late 1950s and early 1960s and wrote a number of large-scale works which incorporated elements of both classical and jazz music.

In his early twenties he developed a remarkable, flawless technique and was the first trombonist to rise to the challenge of bebop music, remaining unchallenged at the forefront of modern jazz throughout his career. In 1970 he ceased performing in public for most of 17 years, before a comeback in the late 1980s. From the mid fifties on, he was a perennial polling favorite in jazz circles, even winning Down Beat's "Trombonist of the Year" during years he wasn't active. Voted into Down Beat's Hall of Fame in 1995, J. J. Johnson's recording career spanned 54 years, from 1942 to 1996.

He has long been regarded as the greatest trombonist of the post-Swing Era, a pervasive influence on other jazz musicians, and one of jazz's legendary figures.

Mr. Clean
J.J. Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mr. Clean
Im not as sexy as he
Because hes everything that I
Wish I could be
And those jeans
They're as white as can be
So maybe I can put him in my
Daily Routine

If you were my genie
Here's what I'd say
I'd take my 3 wishes
And i'd throw em away
Cause I dont really need em
As long as youre here
Making all the stains that I have disappear
If you held me in your arms
Id bet id feel safe, safe
All the problems in my life
You would magic erase er
Mr. clean
Im thinking that I should leave
Don't you look at me like that
Hey, Let go of me
Oh no please
Don't you do this to me
Also I think that I am getting
A little dizzy
Why does my head hurt
Wait where am I
I think ive been kidnapped by the cleanest of guys
I've gotta do the best to find a way out of here
Because Mr clean has brought me nothing but fear
If you held me in your arms
I would try to escape, escape
Is the clean freak a bad dream
Am I really awake, awake
I think i found the way for me to get out
Freedom is the thing that im thinking about
Did this really happen, he got me confused
Thought it wasnt real cause hes just a commercial dude
Mr clean
I saw you on my TV
I thought that we could just be friends
But you kidnapped me
Mr clean
Its still so hard to believe
That after every single thing

Your jeans are white as can be
How

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J.J. Johnson's song "Mr. Clean" depict an intense fascination with the character Mr. Clean, who is portrayed as flawless and perfect. The singer admires Mr. Clean's attractiveness and wishes to emulate him. The mention of his white jeans symbolizes purity and cleanliness, further amplifying his seemingly unattainable perfection. The singer desires to incorporate Mr. Clean into their daily routine, possibly as a source of inspiration or a role model.

The lyrics take a twist when the singer addresses Mr. Clean directly, referring to him as a genie who can grant wishes. However, they express that they don't need any wishes because as long as Mr. Clean is present, he can magically make all the problems and stains in their life disappear. This showcases the idea of Mr. Clean as a powerful figure who can solve any issue.

As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a darker tone. The singer starts to feel trapped and overwhelmed by Mr. Clean's presence. They question their location and wonder if they have been kidnapped by this seemingly perfect character. They express a sense of confusion and fear, wanting to find a way out. This shift in the lyrics suggests that the initial infatuation with Mr. Clean has turned into a nightmare, highlighting the dangers of idolizing unattainable perfection.

Overall, "Mr. Clean" portrays the complexities of idolization, simultaneously showcasing admiration and fear towards an idealized figure.

Line by Line Meaning

Mr. Clean
The singer is addressing Mr. Clean, a character in the song.

Im not as sexy as he
The singer acknowledges that they do not possess the same level of attractiveness as Mr. Clean.

Because hes everything that I Wish I could be
The singer admires Mr. Clean and desires to possess his qualities and characteristics.

And those jeans They're as white as can be
The artist is impressed by the pristine whiteness of Mr. Clean's jeans, emphasizing their cleanliness.

So maybe I can put him in my Daily Routine
The artist considers incorporating Mr. Clean into their daily life as a symbol of cleanliness and perfection.

If you were my genie Here's what I'd say I'd take my 3 wishes And i'd throw em away Cause I dont really need em As long as youre here Making all the stains that I have disappear
Playfully alluding to Mr. Clean as a genie, the singer reveals that they would relinquish their three wishes since the presence of Mr. Clean is enough to make their stains vanish effortlessly.

If you held me in your arms Id bet id feel safe, safe All the problems in my life You would magic erase er
The singer envisions feeling secure if embraced by Mr. Clean, believing he possesses the ability to magically eliminate all their life's troubles.

Mr. clean Im thinking that I should leave Don't you look at me like that Hey, Let go of me
The artist expresses a desire to escape from Mr. Clean, feeling uncomfortable and restricted by his presence.

Oh no please Don't you do this to me Also I think that I am getting A little dizzy Why does my head hurt Wait where am I I think ive been kidnapped by the cleanest of guys
In a state of confusion and distress, the artist realizes they have been forcibly taken by Mr. Clean, who they describe as the epitome of cleanliness.

I've gotta do the best to find a way out of here Because Mr clean has brought me nothing but fear
The artist resolves to find an escape from Mr. Clean's control, as his presence has only instilled fear and unease in them.

If you held me in your arms I would try to escape, escape Is the clean freak a bad dream Am I really awake, awake
The singer questions whether being held by Mr. Clean would impel them to attempt an escape, wondering if their encounters with the excessively clean individual are real or merely a disturbing dream.

I think i found the way for me to get out Freedom is the thing that im thinking about
The artist believes they have discovered a means of escape, and their primary goal now is to regain their freedom.

Did this really happen, he got me confused Thought it wasnt real cause hes just a commercial dude
The singer experiences confusion about the reality of the situation, questioning whether their ordeal with Mr. Clean is genuine or merely a consequence of advertising.

Mr clean I saw you on my TV I thought that we could just be friends But you kidnapped me
The singer initially saw Mr. Clean on television and anticipated a friendly connection, but instead, they find themselves kidnapped by him.

Mr clean Its still so hard to believe That after every single thing Your jeans are white as can be
The singer expresses disbelief in the fact that despite everything they have experienced with Mr. Clean, his jeans remain immaculately white, emphasizing his unwavering cleanliness.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Joey Rucker, Tyler Norris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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