Johnston is famous for writing many of the memorable entrance theme songs for WWE, including the theme songs for The Undertaker, The Rock, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, amongst hundreds of others superstars. In addition, Johnston has also composed music for the majority of WWE's PPV and Television productions, including show themes, music videos, vignettes, commercials and tributes.
Johnston has mentioned in past interviews that he suffers from stage fright and a fear of live audiences, and it was this fear that led to him seeking a more 'studio oriented' music career. His first job in the entertainment business was working with MTV and VH1 to create bumpers and commercial cues, before a chance meeting in a sushi restaurant with a WWF producer led to him joining Vince McMahon's professional wrestling company. Initially composing TV themes for shows and commercial buffers, Johnston gravitated towards wrestlers' entrance themes, before eventually becoming a complete music composer for the company.
In 1989, Johnston composed original music for No Holds Barred, a movie starring Hulk Hogan. Although the score was never commercially released, the theme "No Holds Barred", with vocals by John Joyce, was later released on WWE Anthology album in 2002. Johnston also contributed the score to the 2010 WWE Studio's release, "Legendary", starring John Cena.
Johnston is well known for writing, composing and producing all his compositions, in addition to playing all instruments, and occasionally recruiting outside vocalists or additional musicians to contribute when the piece requires.
Johnston appears on the videotape Piledriver - The Wrestling Album 2 to introduce the video for Girls in Cars. He orchestrated the live band at the WWF Slammy Awards ceremonies, and traveled across the U.S. in 1995 as part of the "Raw Band". He also appeared on camera at WrestleMania XIV and the 1998 SummerSlam playing the DX theme with the Chris Warren Band. Johnston also had a brief clip in the film Beyond the Mat discussing his reasoning behind Vader's theme music. Johnston also appears on the bonus DVD for WWE Originals the 2004 album by the same name. The DVD features a 30 minute behind-the-scenes documentary on Johnston, offering insights into the composing, producing and directing of the album. There are also some humorous interactions of Johnston with Jonathan Coachman and Steve Austin. Johnston also appears on The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior discussing the Ultimate Warrior's theme song, and how it was able to be truly representative of the character. Johnston also appeared on the WWF WrestleMania XV DVD Extras, commenting on WWF's music, and how music is crucial in the World Wrestling Federation, now World Wrestling Entertainment.
James Alan Johnston composed the music for two films recently produced by WWE Studios, 'Legendary' (starring John Cena), and 'Knucklehead', starring The Big Show. He also wrote the score for "No Holds Barred" starring Hulk Hogan, and contributed the track, "Ahmed Johnson" to Beyond the Mat.
Blood
James A. Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worry 'bout how to make a hit, if anyone'll listen
Worry if it's good, worry if it's shit
Worry 'bout the riffs, worry 'bout the licks and who I'm dissing
Worry if it's dope, if I missed the ball
Have I got a killer flow, worry when the drop should kick in
Worry 'bout the stress, worry how I dress
Worry 'bout the press, could you suggest whose ass needs kissing?
All anybody cares about is
New blood
You're only as good as your last song
Everyone around you just moves on
Everybody's looking for new blood
New blood
I worry 'bout the lies, worry 'bout the truth
Worry 'bout me, worry 'bout you and how we're living
I worry when I win, worry when I lose
Do I fit in? Am I too cool? My misgivings
Worry 'bout being scared, worry if you care
Is it fair? Do you really dare test my limits?
I worry do I have a prayer? Worry is He up there?
Worry if there's someone I should be worshipping
All anybody cares about is
New blood
You're only as good as your last song
Everyone around you just moves on
Everybody's looking for new blood
New, oh, blood
As I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone, mm
When I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone, mm
Oh, when I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone
(I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be)
When I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone
(I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be)
When I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone
Ooh, as I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone
Can you hear me?
(When I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone)
(When I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone)
As I walk through the shadows
I don't wanna be alone
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
The lyrics of James A. Johnston's song "Blood" seem to focus on embracing one's identity and heritage with pride. The repetition of the phrase "African Blood" at the beginning and end of the song creates a strong melodic theme, emphasizing the importance of being proud of one's roots. The lines "Money is not who we are / Money is what we do / And how we do it" suggest that money should not define one's worth or identity. Instead, the singer seems to suggest that their sense of self comes from their culture and heritage, which gives them a sense of belonging and pride.
The second half of the song features a mixture of English and what appears to be a North African language, with phrases like "Ur utssugh Tamurthiw" and "Izuraniw." These lines seem to be celebrating a specific cultural identity, perhaps that of the artist himself or another group he feels connected to. The repeated phrase "idhamniw" could translate to "my land" or "my people," suggesting a strong attachment to a specific place or community.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh My God
Expressing awe or surprise at what follows
African Blood
Celebrating the heritage and identity of African people
African Blood
Continuing to celebrate the heritage and identity of African people
African Blood
Repeating the celebration of African heritage and identity
Oh My God
Reiterating the initial expression of awe or surprise
Let's go
Encouraging action and movement toward a goal
We got to go
Stressing the urgency of action and movement toward a goal
We got to go off
Emphasizing the need to go all out and give it one's all
For anotha one
Referring to the pursuit of another success or achievement
African blood
Reiterating the pride in African heritage and identity
Always be proud
Reminding oneself to always have a sense of pride and self-worth
Of who you are
Referring to the importance of one's identity and self-concept
And shout it loud
Encouraging vocal expression of pride in oneself and one's identity
Money
Acknowledging the role of money in society
Is not who we are
Emphasizing that one's worth is not solely defined by money
Money
Reiterating the acknowledgement of the role of money in society
Is what we do
Stating that money is a product of actions and behaviors
And how we do it
Emphasizing that the means of acquiring money matters
It's not the concern
Clarifying that the pursuit of money is not the main focus
Of the Shush
Referring to a group or entity that is not preoccupied with money
So, don't be a snitch
Warning against betrayal or disloyalty to the group
Of course
Indicating that something is expected or obvious
We don't do anythin' illegal
Asserting that the group operates within legal boundaries
We just chill
Claiming the group's laid-back nature and relaxed attitude
And money falls
Suggesting that money comes easily or naturally to the group
From heaven
Using figurative language to describe the abundance of money
Of course
Reiterating that something is expected or obvious
We are gentlemen
Asserting the group's sense of propriety and respectability
Ur utssugh
Unknown meaning
Tamurthiw
Unknown meaning
Ur utssugh
Unknown meaning
Izuraniw
Unknown meaning
Ur utssugh
Unknown meaning
Idhamniw, idhamniw, idhamniw
Unknown meaning
Let's go
Encouraging action and movement toward a goal
We got to go
Stressing the urgency of action and movement toward a goal
We got to go off
Emphasizing the need to go all out and give it one's all
For anotha one
Referring to the pursuit of another success or achievement
African blood
Reiterating the pride in African heritage and identity
Always be proud
Reminding oneself to always have a sense of pride and self-worth
Of who you are
Referring to the importance of one's identity and self-concept
And shout it loud
Encouraging vocal expression of pride in oneself and one's identity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Bezuidenhout, James Arthur, Steve Mcewan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Godzilla1982
A couple big omissions here IMO (still a cool video but I'd love to see a part 2 with these and more):
Nunzio & the FBI is No Sleep Til Brooklyn by the Beastie Boys
A lot of people disagree but.. Ultimate Warrior is very similar to Highway Star by Deep Purple....
Ric Flair's 91-93 WWF theme is obvs a Space Odyssey ripoff (I can't spell the real name of the song without Googling it....ok I'll try....Also Sprauch Zarathustra. Something like that)
Samoa Joe is inspired by the Godzilla Theme composed by Akira Ifukube.
Mickie James is that Oh Mickey You're So Fine song....
Kona Crush is a more upbeat version of the Sid Justice theme, IMO...
I'll add more as they come to mind!
@bigshambowski
Some of these are intentional. Trying to invoke a wrestler's past theme (like for Tommy Dreamer and Eugene) or to sound like a song they don't wanna pay for anymore (like Goldberg).
@CrackHardy
Yeah, even Kid Kash, Finley and Umaga.
@michaelmclendon6368
Michael MClendon
@michaelmclendon6368
Michael yeaza
@JOBdOut
The Goldberg one only struck me as weird because it's stock music - Pat Tanaka used it in WCW before Goldberg and its readily licensable just like the Hardy Boyz theme.
@fergalstackstreams
@@JOBdOutThey want their own themes so they could sell theme music albums. You can't do that with licensed songs unless you pay a buttload more money.
@genocidekhaos9775
They need to put Jim Johnston in the Hall of Fame ASAP!!!!!!
@BeastNationXIV
Yeah, they're playing too much. Should have happened 10 years ago. lol
@mattm7798
Seriously...just for the undertaker theme...that alone is worth a HOF induction.
@mr.green2341
After hearing how much he ripped off the music of others now, not sure he should be inducted.