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.
Walk alone
Jack Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
he's not the gifted one. well i forgot
he's not the teacher's son. No he's just
a reason for her to say that she needs a
substance in her today well who's to say
he's not gonna see the sun well i forgot
he's not the gifted one no, he's just
another version of his dad who learned to love
all he ever does is walk alone
man he can only can walk so far before...
all he ever does is look inside
he dont need nowhere to hide.
I know she's
all that he ever loved at 17,
too bad to her he was a passing thing
only temporary 'til she finds
someone with everything cause she's what we
might call a sugar queen see her whole scene
consists of diamond rings but thats ok
probably better anyway cause now that she's free well she might finally see that....
all he ever does is walk alone
man he can only walk so far before...
all he ever does is look inside
he dont need nowhere to hide.
In Jack Johnson's song Walk Alone, the lyrics describe a boy who is not considered special, but may have hidden talents. His teacher prefers the son of the gifted parent over him, although it is not yet known what his hidden talent is or if he has any. It may also suggest that he may be troubled or involved in a bad situation where "she", possibly the sugar queen, needs a substance to get through the day. Johnson also sings about the girls who have passed him over in the past because he didn't have everything they were looking for. Despite all this, the boy walks alone and looks inside himself, he doesn't need anyone to hide from anything or anyone.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, depending on personal experiences. To some, it could be the story of a person who is underestimated but actually has something special about them. It could also be about a person who chooses to be alone and not be bothered by the world's problems. In addition, it's not clear who the character is, whether they are real or fictional, but it makes the listener imagine and feel attached to the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
who's to say
Challenges the notion of a single authority to make judgements
he's not the gifted one. well i forgot
Questioning our assumptions and expectations of others based on their background
he's not the teacher's son. No he's just
Emphasising the lack of privilege or 'easy ride' for the main character
a reason for her to say that she needs a substance in her today well who's to say
Highlighting the interconnectedness of different people's needs and desires, even if they are not directly related
he's not gonna see the sun well i forgot
Undermining the idea that certain outcomes are preordained and unchangeable
he's not the gifted one no, he's just
Reiterating the lack of conventionally recognised talent or advantage for the main character
another version of his dad who learned to love
Illustrating how behaviours and values are passed down through generations
things that he never....
Alluding to the idea that the father may not have completely learned to appreciate all aspects of life or relationships
all he ever does is walk alone
Suggesting a habitual and isolating behaviour for the main character
man he can only can walk so far before...
Implying a limit to the main character's solitary journey
all he ever does is look inside
Indicating introspection and personal reflection as a key aspect of the main character's experience
he dont need nowhere to hide.
Asserting that the main character does not engage in avoidance or denial
I know she's
Introducing a new perspective or character into the song
all that he ever loved at 17,
Revealing a formative and significant relationship for the main character
too bad to her he was a passing thing
Highlighting the subjective nature of relationships and the impermanence of some connections
only temporary 'til she finds
Implying that the relationship was one-sided or unequal
someone with everything cause she's what we
Demonstrating societal notions of status or success
might call a sugar queen see her whole scene
Describing a person who favours materialistic and superficial values
consists of diamond rings but thats ok
Suggesting that different people have different values and priorities in life
probably better anyway cause now that she's free
Implying that the end of the relationship was for the best for both parties involved
well she might finally see that....
Foreshadowing that the character may experience growth or change in the future
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JesusGomez-or1fe
Was looking for this song for years but couldn't remember the lyrics or name until upside down pop up on my Pandora station and everything came back to me as if I never forgot. Wow thanks for posting the original
@elizaboo7177
I used to sing this song all the time when I was little. It brings back so many good memories.
@1980hubbard
when I was going threw bad a bad time in my life I always listened to jack Johnson.
@ceeej31
This me just be my favorite song by him.
@nealoliverryan
Adult version of UPSIDE DOWN :)
I love when artists are patient with song ideas and don’t release them until they are ready
@ikritwarlock
This holds so much more meaning then his mainstream Upside Down
@Madmenafternoondelig
people need to listen to this all the time
@NAProductions1
Still havnt got tired of this one....
@hai2410
brings back memories :-)....
@MegaJemster
I thought this was upside down at first-I still love it