Jack learned to play the guitar at age 14, but was a professional surfer until an accident at Pipeline in which his front teeth were knocked out and he received more than 150 stitches. While he was recovering in bed, he spent his time writing songs and playing guitar. However, Jack didn't seriously pursue a career in the arts until his college years at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Jack Johnson also played rhythm guitar for the party band "Soil" in 1999, and graduated with a degree in film.
He has written, recorded, and released the albums Brushfire Fairytales (2001), On And On (2003), In Between Dreams (2005), Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George (2006), Sleep Through the Static (2008) and To The Sea (2010), he has also been on 3 soundtracks "September Sessions" from the film The September Sessions, "Thicker Than Water" from the film Thicker Than Water, "Sprout", "A Broke Down Melody" Ep and "Some Live Songs EP". Several of his songs are also featured in the movie "Out Cold". His latest album - Sleep Through The Static - reached the top 10 of the US charts.
In (2009) A live album and DVD of Jack's (2008) world tour to promote the release of Sleep Through The Static album. The DVD entitled En Concert, was released on October 27, 2009. The DVD was directed by Emmett Malloy.
On June 1, 2010, Johnson released his fifth studio album, To The Sea, on Brushfire Records/Universal Republic, which was recorded using Solar Powered energy at his Mango Tree Studio in Hawaii, and the Plastic Plant in LA . To The Sea was co produced by Robert Carranza, Jack Johnson, and his bandmates Merlo Podlewski, Zach Gill and Adam Topol and features guest appearances from G. Love, and Paula Fuga.
Jack Johnson is currently on a world tour promoting To The Sea while continually encouraging his concert attendees to pay greater respect for our planet. An active promoter of environmental causes like Explore.org and One Percent For The Planet, Johnson's 2010 world tour will continue to collaborate with local non-profit groups around the world, according to his website. He will once again donate 100% of his tour profits to support environmental, art, and music education. Learn more about Jack Johnson's current environmental commitments to our planet at: www.AllAtOnce.org.
Jack just cancelled the remaining balance of his Japanese tour on March 12, 2011 in sympathy of the victims of Tohoku Earthquake. Join Jack in supporting this disaster relief by donating to Global Giving Japan, and he encourages others to join this effort. Johnson's Ohana Charitable Foundation has also supported Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. He also decorated a guitar for Little Kids Rock to auction to raise funds for its program.
On September 22, 2012, he donated his time to play a few songs at Farm Aid 2012 in Hershey, PA. Later in 2012, Jack donated $50,000 for Hurricane Sandy relief and added links on his website for others to donate:
"After years of touring and surfing along the East Coast, I have made so many great friends. It is heartbreaking to see the images and hear their stories. I just made donations to help recover and relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Below is a list of groups you can support. If you can't donate money, you can donate food, supplies, or your time. Our East Coast family, friends, and neighbors need our help. Aloha"
Johnson released From Here to Now to You with his band on September 17, 2013. On June 15, 2013, Jack and the Band performed as headliners at the 2013 Bonnaroo in Tennessee. He also played two acoustic concerts, one at London's Tabernacle in Notting Hill and the other at New York City's Allen Room at Lincoln Center overlooking Central Park, featuring songs from his upcoming album. The From Here to Now to You Tour ran from March through September 2014.
In February 2017, Johnson announced a U.S. tour beginning in Chicago at the Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island on June 1 and ending with two Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation benefit concerts at the Waikiki Shell on August 4 & 5. Also, he revealed plans to release an album in the summer of 2017. Later, he added a September 10 concert for the 2017 Ohana Fest at Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, California. On September 8, 2017, Jack released his seventh studio album All the Light Above It Too, and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard chart's "Artist 100." In July 2018, Johnson released his greatest hits album "Jack Johnson: The Essentials" in Japan only.
In late 2019, Johnson released a single "New Axe", which was featured in the This Warm December Vol. 3 album. He then did a "Together at Home" Instagram Live stream concert on March 28, 2020. His concert was the third most watched on the Global Citizen YouTube. He then also performed at the "One World: Together at Home" special, and a live version of "Better Together" was featured on the One World: Together at Home album. On May 1, 2020, he was featured on Milky Chance's new single "Don't Let Me Down". On September 26, 2020, Johnson performed the opening set at Farm Aid: On the Road.
On December 4, 2020, Johnson released a new single titled "The Captain Is Drunk". On April 16, 2021, Johnson released a song titled "If Ever" with Paula Fuga and Ben Harper. The song appeared on Fuga's new album Rain on Sunday, which will be featured on Johnson's record label.
On June 24, 2022, Johnson released his eighth studio album, Meet the Moonlight, his first full-length record in five years. It was produced by Blake Mills, engineered by Joseph Lorge, and recorded both in Los Angeles (at Sound City Studios and EastWest Studios) and at The Mango Tree (Johnson's home studio) in Hawaii. The album's lead single is titled "One Step Ahead".
To coincide with his new album release, Johnson embarked on the Meet the Moonlight Tour with 35 stops at major venues across the United States (including Hawaii) and Canada. He was accompanied by various artists including Grammy-award winner (and personal friend) Ziggy Marley. In November, Johnson will tour the album in Australia and New Zealand, his first overseas concerts since 2019.
On July 22, 2000, Johnson married his college girlfriend, Kim Baker. They have three children: two boys and a girl. Johnson lives on the North Shore of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. In an interview with Johnson, Ann Donahue from Billboard described Johnson's family life by saying "There is often trouble in balancing the life of an artist, environmentalist, and family man, but Johnson seems to have the niche for such a challenge. This time around, he's found a pace that agrees with him...bringing his family along so he can spend mornings with them sightseeing." Both Johnson and his wife declined to talk about or release any intimate information concerning their children.
Crying Shame
Jack Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will it ever stop?
How will this all play out
Of sight, out of mind now
By now, we should know how to communicate instead of coming to blows
We're on the road and there ain't no stopping us now
We're burning under control
Isn't it strange how we're all burning
Under the same sun
By now, they say if it's a war for peace
It's the same old game
But do we really want to play?
We could close our eyes, it's still there
We could say it's us against them
We could try but nobody wins
Gravity has got a hold on us all
Could try to put it out
But it's a growing flame
Using fear as fuel
Burning down our name
And it won't take too long
'Cause words all burn the same
Now who we gonna blame now and all?
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame
Shame, shame, shame
By now, it's beginning to show
A number of people are numbers that ain't coming home
I could close my eyes, it's still there
Close my mind, be alone
I could close my heart and not care
But gravity has got a hold on us all
It's a terrific price to pay
But in the true sense of the word
Are we using what we've learned
In the true sense of the word?
Are we losing what we were?
It's such a tired game
Will it ever stop?
It's not for me to say
And is it in our blood?
Or is it just our fate?
And how will this all play out?
Of sight, out of my mind now
Who we gonna blame all in all?
Just the crying, crying, crying shame
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame, shame, shame
The lyrics in "Crying Shame" by Jack Johnson discuss the theme of the futility and cyclical nature of war and conflict. The opening lines introduce the idea of this being a "tired game," alluding to the weariness of continuing down the path of war and conflict. It poses the question of whether or not it will ever stop and how it will all play out. The following lyrics provide a solution, stating that communication is the answer to avoid conflict, but the sad reality is that conflict continues.
The lyrics highlight the unity of humanity and how we all burn under the same sun, yet continue to fight against each other. The line "using fear as fuel" emphasizes the idea that we often perpetuate conflict through fear-based tactics. The lyrics imply that even if we close our eyes, minds, and hearts to these issues, they will still exist.
The lyrics also reference the cost of war and conflict, with the line "a number of people are numbers that ain't coming home." The song challenges us to consider if it is worth the cost and whether we are using what we have learned to avoid repeating history. In the end, the song points to the irony of blaming others for the conflict, as it is a collective issue that requires change from everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
It's such a tired game
The same behavior is being repeated over and over again.
Will it ever stop?
Is there any way for it to come to an end?
How will this all play out
What is the outcome to all this?
Of sight, out of mind now
When something disappears, do we forget about it?
By now, we should know how to communicate instead of coming to blows
We need to learn how to communicate with each other without resorting to violence.
We're on the road and there ain't no stopping us now
We are on a path of destruction without any roadblocks.
We're burning under control
We are controlling the destruction we are causing.
Isn't it strange how we're all burning
It is strange, but we are all causing destruction.
Under the same sun
Although we are different, we are still causing destruction under the same circumstances.
By now, they say if it's a war for peace
People say that if we are fighting for peace, it is the same repetitive behavior we have always demonstrated.
It's the same old game
We keep repeating the same mistakes.
But do we really want to play?
Do we want to keep participating in a destructive game?
We could close our eyes, it's still there
Ignoring the problem does not make it disappear.
We could try but nobody wins
Even if we try to fix the issue, nobody wins in the end.
Gravity has got a hold on us all
There are consequences to our actions.
Could try to put it out
We can attempt to stop the problem.
But it's a growing flame
The problem is getting worse.
Using fear as fuel
We are causing destruction out of fear.
Burning down our name
We are ruining our reputation.
And it won't take too long
The problem will not take long to escalate.
'Cause words all burn the same
Words can cause just as much destruction as actions.
Now who we gonna blame now and all?
Who can we blame for this current situation?
By now, it's beginning to show
We can see the consequences now.
A number of people are numbers that ain't coming home
Many people are not returning home because of the destruction.
Close my mind, be alone
Ignoring the problem and isolating oneself is not the solution.
I could close my heart and not care
Being indifferent to the situation is not the solution.
It's a terrific price to pay
The consequences are severe.
But in the true sense of the word
In the true meaning of the word...
Are we using what we've learned
Are we using the knowledge we have gained?
Are we losing what we were?
Are we losing our true identity?
It's not for me to say
I cannot determine the outcome.
And is it in our blood?
Is the destructive behavior innate?
Or is it just our fate?
Is it predetermined?
And how will this all play out?
What will be the ultimate outcome?
Who we gonna blame all in all?
Who is ultimately responsible for what has happened?
Just the crying, crying, crying shame
It is a great shame what has happened.
It's such a crying, crying, crying shame
It is a terribly sad situation.
Shame, shame, shame
It is a shameful situation.
Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, Capitol CMG Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Adam Topol, Jack Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind