Jay-Jay Johanson was born Jäje Johansson on 11 October 1969 in Trollhättan, Västra Götaland. His debut album, Whiskey, was released in August 1996. Recorded at Break My Heart Studios in the Stockholm archipelago, the album was characterized by its jazzy vocals over trippy, film noir arrangements.
In 1998, Johanson released Tattoo, taking a step into a more richly textured, poetic ambience. Johansson's third album, Poison, was released in April 2000 and went straight into the French charts at number four. The album featured contributions from Cocteau Twins founder and guitarist Robin Guthrie. The same year Johanson also composed the soundtrack to French director Ilan Duran Cohen's film La Confusion des Genres, and in 2001, Johanson emerged with "Cosmodrome", a sound-and-image installation first exhibited in the French city of Dijon. This art-piece has travelled around the world and was last shown at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.
Antenna was released in 2002, recorded with assistance from German experimental electronic group Funkstörung. 2004 marked the release of the compilation Prologue, meant for the American market. It was followed by Rush in 2005, an album partly produced by French producer Jean-Pierre Ensuque.
Johanson co-wrote and contributed vocals to The Knife's 2006 song "Marble House".[1] In the spring of 2006, he called together the musicians he had worked with on the three first albums, and January 2007 saw the release of their collaborative effort The Long Term Physical Effects Are Not Yet Known. A tour in promotion of the album kicked off in China and continued to more than thirty cities around the world.
Johanson's eighth studio album Spellbound was released on 2 May 2011.[2] "Dilemma" was released as the album's lead single on 11 March 2011.[3]
On 3 March 2017, "You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone" was released via iTunes as the first single from Johanson's upcoming album Bury The Hatchet, due 15 September 2017 on 29 Music. [4]
Teachers
Jay-Jay Johanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All my teachers, much better than their features
I grew up in a rock block
Wearing leather gear and zipper clock
We kissed the girls and ran away
Oh what a shame
We were living on beat street
When i started moving my feet
The kids they sang
All my teachers, much greater than preachers
All my teachers, much better than their features
I remember when the pop died
Didn't like it on the country side
All the precious time I waste
We changed the taste
Moving on to a french house
In the suburb of a funky town
We worked and danced the night away
The dj played
All my teachers, much greater than preachers
All my teachers, much better than their features
This situation, the state I'm in
This education, can never win
From technology to art school
I developped my pop soul
With all my electronic friends
That never ends
All my teachers, much greater than preachers
All my teachers, much better than their features
In this song, Jay-Jay Johanson pays tribute to all the teachers who have inspired and influenced him throughout his life. He proclaims that his teachers have been greater than preachers and better than their outward appearances. He reflects on his upbringing in a "rock block" where he and his friends wore leather gear and ran away after kissing girls. They lived on "beat street" and listened to Flash and Zapp, and sang along with other kids.
The song then moves on to a period where he didn't like living in the country, and started listening to French house music. He and his friends would work during the day and dance at night to the sounds of a DJ. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the importance of teachers who have helped him develop his "pop soul," even from the realms of technology and art school.
Line by Line Meaning
All my teachers, much greater than preachers
My life has been filled with influential figures who have taught me valuable lessons and shaped who I am. These teachers have been more impactful than any religious leaders.
All my teachers, much better than their features
These teachers have not only been great mentors, but also wonderful people with admirable qualities beyond just their job as educators.
I grew up in a rock block
I was raised in a neighborhood where rock music was popular and a big influence on the youth culture.
Wearing leather gear and zipper clock
The fashion of the time was leather jackets and tight pants with lots of zippers that showed off our rebellious attitude.
We kissed the girls and ran away
As teenagers, we engaged in adventurous and sometimes reckless behavior, including sneaking kisses with the opposite sex and fleeing from authority figures.
Oh what a shame
Although we enjoyed our youth, there is a hint of disappointment that some of our choices were not always wise or healthy.
We were living on beat street
We were a part of the vibrant street culture where music and dance played a central role in our daily lives.
When I started moving my feet to Flash and Zapp I joined the gang
I joined the crew of kids who were into breakdancing and being part of the hip-hop scene when I first started to groove to the music of Flash and Zapp.
The kids they sang
The other youngsters who shared my passions for music and dance were a source of inspiration and camaraderie.
I remember when the pop died
I recall a time when popular music was changing in a big way and the genre that had dominated the airwaves for so long was falling out of favor.
Didn't like it on the country side
The new musical trends that emerged were not really my style and I was not interested in the country-fied sound that some were gravitating towards.
All the precious time I waste
I regret that I squandered a lot of time when I was younger that I could have used more productively.
We changed the taste
My friends and I were eager to explore new forms of music and to discover new sounds that would challenge our preconceptions and broaden our horizons.
Moving on to a french house
We migrated to a style of music that originated in France that had a distinctive fusion of disco, funk and house music elements.
In the suburb of a funky town
We spent a lot of time hanging out in the suburbs of nearby towns that were known for their funky, dance-oriented scene.
We worked and danced the night away
We were able to let loose and express ourselves on the dance floor, getting lost in the moment and enjoying the experience to the fullest.
The DJ played
The DJ was the master of ceremonies who called the shots and curated the music that we danced to. They were a central figure in our nightlife.
This situation, the state I'm in
I am currently in a state where I am reflecting on my life and the choices I have made, both good and bad.
This education, can never win
I have concluded that the traditional educational system is inadequate to prepare one for the challenges and opportunities of life in the modern world.
From technology to art school
I have pursued a range of different disciplines, from learning about the latest advances in technology to studying art and honing my creative skills.
I developed my pop soul
Through a combination of experiences, influences and experimentation, I have cultivated a unique musical style that blends various genres and reflects my personal sensibilities.
With all my electronic friends
I owe a debt of gratitude to the machines and gadgets that have empowered me to create and share my music with others, as well as opened up new avenues for personal expression and communication.
That never ends
My love for music and my commitment to artistic expression are enduring and have no limits. I am constantly evolving and exploring new horizons.
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.