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.
I Won't Do What You Told Me To
James A. Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
When you’ve lost your mind but still want to get higher,
When the thing you want most might throw you into the fire
When your eyes go grey at the sensation
That all you know has no need for celebration
Everywhere you go filled with mass appropriation
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
The terror bursts it’s like a potion
There is no escape, they’re gonna throw you into the ocean
When you came around, you seemed angered by the notion
They say so much but they don’t mean nothing
How many moments have you lived & then forgotten
There’s no escape when he’s forgotten what you’ve taught him.
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
Shame on me, Shame on you,
I do what you want me to.
The lyrics of James A. Johnston's song "I Won't Do What You Told Me To" depict a sense of resignation and submission to someone else's desires and expectations. The repeated phrase "Shame on me, Shame on you, I do what you want me to" signifies a cycle of blame and acquiescence. It suggests that the singer feels ashamed for succumbing to the demands of another person, while also attributing some responsibility for their actions to the person giving the orders.
The verses describe a state of feeling lost, where the desire for something that could bring fulfillment and happiness may actually lead to detrimental consequences. The line "When you’ve lost your mind but still want to get higher" portrays a sense of desperation and a tendency to seek temporary relief or escape through self-destructive means. The lack of truths and reason for desire further emphasizes the futile nature of this pursuit.
The lyrics also touch upon the notion of conformity and appropriation. The line "Everywhere you go filled with mass appropriation" suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed by the pervasive and superficial nature of society. It implies that one's individuality and personal desires are suppressed or overshadowed by the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
Overall, the song expresses a sense of being trapped in a cycle of complying with someone else's wishes, losing oneself in the process, and feeling a deep sense of shame for lacking agency and autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
Shame on me, Shame on you,
We both share blame and guilt for our actions
I do what you want me to.
I obediently fulfill your desires and commands
When you’ve lost your mind but still want to get higher,
When you're mentally unstable yet seek further intoxication
See there are no truths there’s no reason for desire
Realize that absolute truths do not exist and desire is baseless
When the thing you want most might throw you into the fire
When your strongest desire could lead to destructive consequences
When your eyes go grey at the sensation
When you feel numb and indifferent to the experiences
That all you know has no need for celebration
Realize that everything you understand lacks significance
Everywhere you go filled with mass appropriation
Every place you visit is overrun with mindless conformity
The terror bursts it’s like a potion
Fear overwhelms like a powerful and intoxicating potion
There is no escape, they’re gonna throw you into the ocean
There's no way to evade, they will punish you severely
When you came around, you seemed angered by the notion
When you appeared, you appeared upset by the idea
They say so much but they don’t mean nothing
They speak countless words, but their words hold no significance
How many moments have you lived & then forgotten
How many moments have you experienced and then forgotten
There’s no escape when he’s forgotten what you’ve taught him.
When someone has forgotten the lessons you've imparted, there's no way of escaping the consequences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Andrew St James, Jim Greer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnnokeetels5122
This guy. He just gets better, and better, and better. A remarkable ascent to the top of the pile in Australia. And soon to be global... This song is massive.
@karenlindsay8012
So catchy James!!! I just love this track. Congrats!!! Killer video as well!
@CoboltNinja
This song resonates so hard with me I am going to have it on repeat for a long time
@aprilhood7003
Love Love Love this song!!!!!! James real 90s vibes and great to see you dad in the video as well hope all Johnson family are doing well
@GinaTimms
Wow James another brilliant song and clip.
You are such a breath of fresh air to our Australian Country Music industry. 🎸🎸
@andriespretorius8072
Well done on yet another great song James!!!
@ryangurnett-gx1vh
I think I've had this song on repeat for 2 weeks😂😂. Keep it up, I love it
@johnhalsall5848
This song’s absolutely awesome
@reiluvrockandroll
Another ripper. Again showing how important family is and a good wholesome life. Another No 1❤
@davidsheppard4884
Great song, great clip! 👌👏😎🎶