Video
J. Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same

And as my mind begins to spread it's wings
There's no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away

Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

Overall Meaning

In J. Johnson's song "Video", the lyrics describe the boundless feeling of curiosity and the desire to explore uncharted territories. The opening lines state, "Who's to say what's impossible, well they forgot, this world keeps spinning, and with each new day, I can feel a change in everything." The singer in the song is optimistic about the changes in the world and their own potential to discover new things. The chorus emphasizes this desire to turn everything "upside down" and to find things that people say cannot be found.

The lyrics also touch on the idea that things are not always what they seem. The singer says, "And as the surface breaks, reflections fade, but in some ways they remain the same," suggesting that there may be more beneath the surface of things that can be discovered. The chorus repeats the idea that the world is always spinning and there is no time to waste, urging the listener to join in the exploration and embrace their curiosity.

The final lines, "Please don't go away, please don't go away, please don't go away, is this how it's supposed to be," leave the listener with a sense of uncertainty. While the singer is eager to explore and passionate about their discoveries, they also seem to be unsure if this is the right path or if they are meant to follow it. Overall, the lyrics to "Video" showcase a sense of wonder and enthusiasm for the unknown, while also acknowledging the potential risks and challenges that come with exploration.

Line by Line Meaning

Who's to say
There is nobody who can predict or control what is possible.

What's impossible
The boundaries of what can and cannot be achieved are not absolute.

Well they forgot
Some people fail to recognize that the world is constantly evolving.

This world keeps spinning
The planet Earth continues to revolve on its axis as it orbits the sun.

And with each new day
Every day brings fresh opportunities for change and improvement.

I can feel a change in everything
I sense that everything around me is slowly transforming.

And as the surface breaks reflections fade
When the water's surface is disturbed, its reflection loses clarity.

But in some ways they remain the same
Despite changes, some things still stay consistent.

And as my mind begins to spread it's wings
As I become more aware and explore further, my mind takes flight and expands.

There's no stopping curiosity
One cannot prevent the desire to seek out new knowledge and experiences.

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I desire to shake things up and create a new perspective.

I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll search for what people deem impossible to discover.

I'll share this love I find with everyone
When I find something meaningful, I will spread it among others.

We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
We'll appreciate and celebrate the natural world around us.

I don’t want this feeling to go away
I don't want to lose this sense of passion and discovery.

Who’s to say I can’t do everything
No one can restrict me from attempting to achieve my goals.

Well I can try
I can make an attempt to reach my desired outcomes.

And as I roll along I begin to find
As I continue forward, I start to discover new things.

Things aren't always just what they seem
Appearances may be deceiving, and reality could be different than it appears.

This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
The globe is always in motion, and we should make the most of our short time here.

Upside down
In an unconventional, innovative way.

Please don't go away
I plea for something to remain and not disappear or fade away.

Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this the way things are intended or meant to be?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK HODY JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

James

Flo from Progressive
The Michelin Man
Mr. Whipple
Mark from Holiday Inn
The Baroness from Red Baron
The Geico Gecko
The Geico Cavemen
Jake from State Farm
The Maytag Repairman
Tony Sinclair from Tanqueray
Ernest P. Worrell
and tons more

You were saying?

All comments from YouTube:

bluegardenia29

2y↑23

This guy used to make my Dad laugh til tears rolled down his cheeks. My Dad is gone now so seeing this clip is bittersweet.

Al Logan

2y↑3

May God rest the soul of a man with well-rounded humor.

Mary Wylde

47w

I loved it as a child. Named a family of blue Jays , Jay, Ray , and Ray Jay. And the baby was Johnson. I forgot the other names . Guess I was really young. Good fun for a kiddo in the 70s. 😊 May your dad rip. Hugs.

Proman 1

37w

I dad cracked up off this guy.

TS Hart

15y↑20

Good Lord, do I love this guy. Glad to see he is still around. Keep up the good work, Bill.

Dale Fry

2y↑2

Oh, you doesn't have to call him Bill!
His name is William......blah, blah, blah, yak, yak, yak.....

ResistingDeath

49w↑1

RIP 😞

TS Hart

49w

@ResistingDeath OH man.... thanks for letting me know.

Mark Bishop

16y↑2

My 10 year old son learned this from an old Redd Foxx Show sound byte...he knows it word for word! Good to have ya back Bill!

omar10213245

1y↑1

your 10 year old son is now 24, how time flies

Rona Topaz

10y↑5

Memorable character. Only recently realised what Johnson was American slang for! He looks older, delivery is slower, but essentially still as funny as ever!

Hunter Mann

14y↑20

What a great solo piece! If anything it wasn't long enough. Odd that some people think it "got old fast". Ray never repeated anything, he gave many variations of his name, but did not repeat. A witty piece and I salute his career. We need more awards for supporting actors. The stars would be nowhere without them.

John Mac

5y↑507

This routine is timeless. It's just as un-funny now as it was 40 years ago.

KimInMexico

4y↑21

I'm 61 years old now and I find it as non- funny now as I did then. But when I saw Bobby laughing rolling around on the floor, I just figured I couldn't stand the suspense. Comedy went vaudeville, to burlesque. But I guess when things were depressing back then, just about anything was funny. I've been sick with that damn virus type thing and so please excuse me if I get this all wrong. But back in the day, you had the movies that were talkies and then you had the talkies. And of course a zillion years before that you had Shakespeare and things like that and of course we still have Broadway.I guess it's whatever floats your boat but I am very happy for this man that he is still alive and that people watched the King of the Hill episode enough times to comment on it and think that he's still funny in his way.

Robo Cop

4y↑5

@KimInMexico You don't have Covid-19, stop lying.

Mohnish

3y↑3

@KimInMexico kim i hope you are ok .stay safe

18 More Replies...

Babylon Has Fallen!

6y↑7

He was a one hit wonder of comedy.

MyAnimation0

15y↑3

I love the fact that just because of this ONE line, he got so famouse! XD

Liche Christ

4y↑2

@MyAnimations- Those of us lucky enough (and old enough) to have seen his rendering in an 'interview' bit with Fred Willard addressing him as 'Mr. Johnson'. almost 60 years ago, will never forget the the comedic impact especially in the final line !

Sa Ra Wyatt

3y↑11

I love Mr. Johnson! Still makes me laugh.

Spunky1995

3y↑17

I watched this as a kid. I still smile when I see this routine.🙂

sue barker

10y↑13

This is one of those comedians who's humor never gets old!!!!

MrSamurai99999

6y↑5

Goodluck Jonathan Comedic genius!! You doesnt have to call him Johson haha lol!!

Ron

11y↑6

I remember when Bill was part of The Ace Trucking Company improv comedy team. They were brilliantly funny and I used to LMAO whenever they were on TV long before SNL or any of the other "comedy" skit shows.

billore22

16y↑11

I remember Bill Saluga doing this act on the Redd Foxx Show in the late '60's. I always thought it was funny, and I'm glad he decided to post it here. Thanks, Bill Saluga.

pegbars

6y↑4

We love ya, Ray J.!! Still cracking us up, after all these years. :)

Jamaican876

3y↑2

Can you explain the joke please. I’m lost

Marc Ribaudo

48w

RIP Ray. You were funny and I remember his many TV appearances growing up in the 70s. I would laugh at my parents laughing.

KellyGiftShop

16y↑5

I remember this from way back in the day! My first husband used to imitate him all the time!Total blast from the past!

Dale Fry

2y↑1

You eventually poisoned him, right? I would have!

James

1y↑1

Did you call him Johnson?

Jeanette Wicks

3y↑2

Love this classic!

Tom Jones

3y↑2

Some commercials you NEVER forget,, and this is one of them lol

Zef Earth

6y↑6

The whole phenomenon of Ray J. Johnson is interesting. The character was in several commercials for vastly different products like beer and board games, but didn't originate from a movie or television show. You don't see that much, a fictional character who exists mainly in commercials. In that sense, Ray J. Johnson is actually pretty unique and innovative.

James

Shrimp Vendor

1y↑1

Only other one I can think of is Ernest P. Worrell, but he went from a character on random commercials to entertainment. So kind of the opposite.

James

@Shrimp Vendor Hey Vern!

Joe Servo

1y↑1

@James Uhm, did you even read the original post, “several commercials for vastly different products”, and to challenge his claim, you list a series of single-company mascots, who were only in commercials for one product (many of them have their company of origin, the product, in their title), and Ernest, the closest comparison you gave, at least… ?

1 More Replies...

jozersky1

11y↑6

It never gets old!

Dale Fry

2y↑7

It also never gets funny!

Planner Rich

11y↑2

First saw Bill do this routine on the David Steinberg Show in 1976. This was before the beer commercial. The thing that made it funny was he'd go through the long spiel and David would say something like "thanks, Mr. Johnson," and Bill would start over again. He looked much funnier doing this as a young man dressed like a 1920s wise guy. Thank you, Youngstown, OH, for producing this funny man!

Owen M

12y↑2

After I watched this 100 times, it became funny.

VLNOW

yes
At first I thought this was utter pish, but after about the 20th watch I now find it rather funny

Dale Andrews

12y↑10

No one does it like the original, Bill Saluga. He will always be the original Raymond J. Johnson, Jr. A classic....and it doesn't matter how many times I hear the routine, it's still hilarious.

UncleMikeNJ

14y↑2

For some reason, I thought of this guy last night, for the first time in years and years. I checked to see if he's still alive, and sure enough he is, and still at it. And it could be worse: Being a "Junior," we COULD call him "Little Johnson." Somehow, I don't think 1970s TV censors would have let us get away with that.

RJBA328

14y↑9

Funny how some things stick in memory and culture. I was thinking of this routine when mentioning it to a friend. Sure enough, I found this on the net. Nice to hear and see it again.

WytZox1

11y↑10

Prior to becoming known for his Ray Jay character, Bill Saluga was part of the improv group The Ace Tucking Company along with such talented folks as Patti Deutsch & Fred Willard.

Frank DiSalle

7y↑10

This routine is really only funny after seeing it at least once! It's the second - and third, and fourth, and fifth, and sixth - times that really make it funny!

Dale Fry

2y↑2

I will have to take your word on that; once was one time too many for me.

Killer Orange Cat

1y↑1

Someone gets it!

vegastyphoon

16y↑3

...this is a classic! I remember those beer ads back in the 70s

JohnnieBeer

13y↑2

That was his entire shtick. I don't know why, either, but he has always cracked me up.

Cal

8y↑13

Great comedian. Thanks for the reminder of how funny the routine still is.

brucecap

13y↑4

OMG!! I remember this guy!! So funny.

Tom Cabrera

45w

My friends loved this guy but I worked the night shift and never got to see it till now. I am now laughing with them .

Mitch 45

3y↑2

I was in the 8th grade in 1978 and I remember a lot of my friends thought this routine was a riot.

Lord Tachanka

5y↑4

The legend himself...

Liche Christ

4y↑9

Love it! For nearly 57 years since 'The Ace Trucking Company' first emerged upon the entertainment foray, this bit has survived successfully and with perpetuity! It is best appreciated and enjoyed when done in its original context as an interview being conducted by Fred Willard when 'Ace Trucking Company' was in its heyday..

Dale Fry

This bit is enough to cause the Ace Trucking Company to jack knife into a ditch.

Liche Christ

@Dale Fry - Ya doesn't have be so rude!

N

4y↑8

I like the part when he told me what I could call him.

Liche Christ

4y↑3

... and the slight speech-impediment and intonation that Bill effected for this delivery made it even funnier,

artgonewrong

15y↑3

Ray J Johnson Jr.! Where have you been? The world needs you!

Brian Hancock

50w

RIP Bill Saluga....a real funny dude!...

i asimov

7y↑21

How many comedians are remembered and quoted 40 years after their time based on one routine? Ray J. Johnson, Jr. WAS funny, and doesn't you forget it.

Eltrio2

6y↑3

This guy is mostly remembered as an "I don't get it" punchline from Simpsons and Koth. [at least from reading the comments]. And yeah I don't get it either.

Leon

@Eltrio2 The dude is called a lot of things except for Johnson because that's "too formal". And that's funny because... I guess it just is.

Peter Naegele

50w

Rest in peace, Bill. Thanks for the laughs.

Ronald Pavellas

11y↑6

RJJ, Jr. was a favorite walk-on character for me when I was kid listening to, I believe, the Jack Benny show. This is first time I've seen him. I visualized him as a hayseed kinda guy. Another character occasionally on the show was John L. C. Sivoney, played by Frank Fontaine.

RationalDischarge

11y

I've listened to this at least 20 times and I think I finally get the joke. He objects to being called by his last name because he perceives it as overly formal, even though the effort required to just let people go on calling him "Johnson" is minimal compared to him having to repeatedly (with every new person he meets) go through his exhaustive list of preferred nicknames. It's a pretty funny premise, but I'm just not sure it comes across too well.

Taichimd

16y↑7

Wow, what a treat to see you again. I remember when you had those cameos on the Smothers Brothers tv show. We had a blast watching you. God bless...

spurkeyed

8y↑22

Back in the late 70's, 5th grade, our school was going a student skit show. My friends asked if we could do the Lite beer knock off commercial with Ray. They said no because it was beer, but we could do it with Dads root beer. We did the root beer skit and I was Ray, hat an all. Ha, good stuff.

scubarulz

11y

The dude who did this routine originally made a livelihood of it for I guess about 10 to 15 years! It was just humor for humor's sake. I was born in '60, in my teens when this was considered hysterical by me and my friends in the mid 70's. Simpler times.

James Armato

15y↑1

When it's late at night, and you're overtired, this is funny!

Quadratic II

11y↑6

An absolute comedy classic. I've loved this bit for decades. Thank You, Mr. Johnson. I mean RJ Jr. or is that Ray?

Liche Christ

4y↑2

LOL! It's Raymond J. Jr. if you please...

Shack Toms

6y↑1

I got here because I was reminded of it by the 2018 WSOP Main Event poker tournament. All the commentators kept talking about John Cynn, with very little pause between the first and last names. Every time they did, I half expected a Bill Saluga walk-on. I guess the routine is still etched into my brain after all these years.

Alyssa Ashley

7y↑202

Homer "You can call me Ray or you can call me Jay but you better not call me..."
Lisa "I'm sick of him already"

Mandark Laboratory

7y↑8

"Better not call me Ray Jay". Homer had it wrong! Apparently you can also call him Ray Jay. Just not Johnson.

barbiquearea

6y↑7

"You can call me Ray or you can call me Jay. Just don't call me washed up, I do three shows a day"

pegbars

That's about how long it took me to be sick of The Simpsons .

John Weaver

4y↑2

You doesn't has to call me Johnson

4 More Replies...

paktype

15y↑2

Wow. I have not seen this routine since he appeared on The Flip Wilson Show in the early '70s. He's gotten old - I remember him as a young man doing this routine.

NachoMist

13y↑7

Thanks to King of the Hill for introducing me to the best joke ever.

Lucius Murrius the Competent 🏴‍☠️

Wat

Herman German V

9y↑4

This is also in memory TO Mr Raymond Neil Johnson (my step-dad, who worked at an Anheiser Busch affiliated branch).
My family got a special kick out of this because he would on, this is where be came to be known as, "MR J"

AbsoluteMonarchist

7y↑1

Just had to come back for more. Ray J is addictive stuff.

LSweet2007

13y↑2

This joke changed my life!!!

dggd

6y↑3

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED HIM! GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN... "MR. JOHNSON". SALUTE TO YOU...ON REDD FOXX'S BIRTHDAY!

zeissmike12

50w

I loved this routine so much I named my dog RJ! Ace Trucking Company was hilarious. The seventies were really special for comedy.

VerbotenDingleberry

14y↑2

Saw this cat on Laugh In when I was a kid (damn I'm old). I *need* the Laugh-In footage. He was hysterical...

Scott Sanders

9y↑207

This guy had exactly :37 seconds of material.

WilliamT1964

6y↑39

For 40 years

John Mac

6y↑32

And not even :37 seconds of funny material.

Troy Wilson

6y↑8

Scott Sanders that's 32 more seconds than Rich Vos

Andrew Furst

6y↑15

I remember he had slightly more in some versions, such as adding "or you can call me Ronny, or you can call me Johnny". What made it funny was his rat-a-tat delivery, and the endless nicknames. Maybe the suit, hat, and cigar made it funny too. I'd always assumed he had more material, but if the "You can call me" bit is all he had, then that makes it even funnier.

Chris W

Troy Wilson that’s dope.

11 More Replies...

Cokie907

3y↑1

My mother used to love this! As she put it: "it's so stupid...it's funny". You were right mom, it's stupid and I still laugh at it, just a little.

Alexander Donaldson

13y

This guy made a lifetime career out of this one gimmick of "you can call me.."

modern hinge society

14y↑3

This video is amazing, it made my day.

Larry Lee Moniz

5y↑3

You sir, are a legend. Really glad to see you're alive and kickin' Johnson.... ur, I mean [cue famous response]!

Gillian Seed

12y↑12

What's funny about this is that he's literally telling you that you can call him anything, but that you don't call him by his last name, cause he's a 'friend' to everybody, and anybody (and is not insecure of status quo barriers brought on by formality titles).

Chris White

3y↑2

🙄

ApolinarCaborca_elROJO

2y↑1

🤔☹️

omar10213245

1y↑1

perhaps the unfunniest schtick of all time.

Andreas Goldfuss

47w

Making more of it than there actually is.

1 More Replies...

Ryan Anthony

2y↑2

Imagine how many times this man has done this bit

Huskrrrr

2y↑1

The guy made a Disco single. He was everywhere!

Leon, The black boy

13y↑3

this gave me a good laugh

Jim McAllister

10y↑6

Rick, That guy was everywhere as a guest on TV shows, especially variety shows. I remember him on one of Mary Tyler Moore's failed shows and I'm sure you're right about Cosby. He had a funny routine that eventually ran its course.

Chikita Witz

3y↑1

I've been breaking my head trying to get it...... for years.... until now! I finally laughed cause it's so stupid! 😂.... yay KOTH!!

Indiana_JamesTM

11y↑4

Y'all are likely not old enough to remember this guy when he did the bit on the Johnny Carson show. He was VERY amusing back then.

Dale Fry

What happened?

Jim McAllister

10y↑2

One of the all time great routines of the ACE Trucking Co.

rick2112rkrk

10y

So that's where he's from? I seem to remember him bothering bill cosby on occasion. Am Iwrong?

Russ

Awesome. It Brings back Memories

Gillian Seed

12y

After watching this almost 150 times... I FINALLY GET IT!!!!!!!!!

Tom Kennedy

16y↑10

Heard it live when he was on Laugh-IN and those shows, but came here from O&A to witness that he is STILL doing this act! He actually stood in front of a wall and had someone shoot this video "for posterity", like it has some value.

Gullgutten

Well, it sure has more value than Opie and Anthony.

Jaron Davis

2y↑1

My toddler just asked me to do this routine - I think it could be a hit! Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay...

David Asher

This guy was the Mozart of comedy

Hoching03

11y↑31

Ray: "You can call me.........." The Rock: "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU CALL YOURSELF!"

Loserdub

5y↑2

As someone named j Ray I can relate

Malcolm Wardlaw

3y↑1

Having only seen references to this, I think I kind of appreciate it now. It has a certain meme like charm that would fit just fine into the modern internet landscape if it appeared for the first time now.

John Mac

Yes, until it was replaced by another meme a day later.

Peter DeGiglio

10y↑101

Everybody, this is actor Bill Saluga doing his somewhat famous "Raymond J. Johnson" character; a character that was essentially what one would call a short lived "meme" now, but on TV in the late 70's, early 80's. His fame was very, very brief as basically this was really the character's only bit. It was somewhat amusing/annoying and Mr. Saluga was showing up everywhere for a brief moment of time on TV in commercials, sketch comedy shows, sitcoms, talk shows, variety shows, etc. Think the Simpsons episode where Bart becomes "The I Didn't Do It Boy." It was funny for a minute, and I'm sure the guy made a little bank, but it was gone as quick as it came. This video appears to be Mr. Saluga donning the character and his signature clothes for an encore later in life. And yes, the character is referenced in both The Simpsons and in King of the Hill.

Kairu Hakubi

6y↑3

The problem with take my wife please is that it outlived "take (something) for example" as a commonly-used phrase, so it stopped working. we do the same joke now, but updated for the way people still talk. Hack comedians who don't understand humor just repeat and regurgitate.

Liche Christ

4y↑2

@theonlyegg- YIPES! Who is this "Bessie D."?

Barry Kesten

3y↑2

You doesn't have to call me Bessie...you can call Bess...or you can call me...BD...or you can call me...

Fred Bloggs

@Kairu Hakubi People still use take (something), usually it's take (something), for example, probably how it originally was also, shortened to just take something. So how do you update Take my wife...please , and still retain the pun?

10 More Replies...

Purple Dragon

13y↑1

Now thats some serious quality material.

Liche Christ

15y↑1

The funniest shtick EVAH!!!! Go R. Jay J. Junior!

Cygnus' Edge

Lol, it took me a long time to understand the joke here. Once I did I couldn't stop laughing.

Bud B.

2y↑1

As kids growing up in the 1970's we all thought his skit was hilarious...for some reason.

tsmith smith

12y↑1

fresh and innovative comedy!

The Person

8y↑78

Imagine this video looped 10 hours ?

Fred Gregg

8y↑22

You mean heaven?

Ruben Clemente

8y↑31

Use this to interrogate ISIS!

RobMacKendrick

6y↑5

You'd have my whole youth in the 70s. (Shudder.)

G.W Productions

4y↑1

Ik what I'm doing my next acid trip

kev3d

4y↑3

I think that contravenes several provisions in the Geneva Convention.

1 More Replies...

angela1894

15y↑1

He didn't build his career off this routine, his real name was Bill Saluga and this character was just one of his many characters

H. Felton

11y↑1

Actually Billy Saluga was a sketch comic in a group with David Steinberg, on whose show he did this bit. It caught on with the public and then, he got the beer commercial.

Liche Christ

4y↑1

@H. Felton- ... but, that was years after the 'Ace Trucking Company' troupe disbanded and the remaining members pursued individual careers. The 'Raymond J. Johnson Jr.' bit had been part of the troupe's club act in the 60s.

Lost Fan

This guy turned 0:37 worth of material inro a whole career.

Rizo

this man's name is the funniest joke he's ever told

Dan Brown

STILL HILARIOUS....

Brooks White

6y↑4

The best part is when he says, "but you doesn't have to call me JOHNSON!!" Then, he just takes a puff from his cigar, like nothing happened. ROTFLOL

You just can't teach comedic genius like that. It's either there or it's not.

MrSamurai99999

Lol Brooks this is the funniest comment here what a tool this Ray Jay is, his puff of the cigar and the look on his face is the cringiest part...

Eltrio2

Honestly if I'd met this guy in person I'd refer to him as "Man with my knee up his balls if he didn't shut up." I can see why Bobby broke after suffering to understand the appeal.

Cine Hypo

39w

Blessed Condolences Bill....Thank You for the Laughs! Blessed Cheers!

MrBlackFabio

49w

I have never heard of this guy until now. I’m currently listening to Jim Cornette’s Drive Thru and he mentioned that he died.

MrDuncanBelfast

I think this was the "Like a Boss" of it's time.

David “young professor” Cowan

11y↑1

He's a character from an old Busch Natural Light Beer commercial. From the 70s. It was a very popular commercial, back then. Look up "You can call me Ray"