Jeff St John was born in Newtown, Sydney and attended Cleveland Street Boys High School in Surry Hills, New South Wales. He was born with spina bifida and spent much of his life in a wheel chair..
He appeared with a number of bands during the late 1960s and early 1970s including; John The Syndicate aka The Wild Oats (1965), The Id (1966–67) with Bob Bertles (tenor sax '67), Jeff St John & Yama (1967–68), Jeff St John & Copperwine (1969-72), with Harry Brus (bass 70-72) and Wendy Saddington (co-lead vocals 70-71), Jeff St John Band (1972–73) and, Red Cloud (1975-76).
In 1980 he was the subject of an episode of the documentary series The Australians presented by Peter Luck. The episode was titled "Jeff St. John - Rock 'n' Roll Man".
In 1988 as part of Australian Bicentenary celebrations along with many other Australian celebrities, Jeff St John took part in a video shoot at Ayers Rock called Celebration of a Nation.
St John was involved in educating people about disabilities and was a member of spina bifida support group MOSAIC. Jeff appeared at the opening of the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney where he sang the Australian National Anthem.
Jeff St John died on 6 March 2018, at his home in Perth, Western Australia.
Reach Out
Jeff St. John Lyrics
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only the shades of emptiness within the room
and dark to light,
morning never comes too soon
I see the sunlight in your hair
I see you smile as you move without a care
and the morning,
But the cold wind comes
and a cold wind blows
you feel so scared because you're so alone
and like a frightened child
you call my name, you call my name
But you only had to reach out
to reach out and I'll be here
reach out, reach out and take my hand.
The past it haunts you like a ghost
comes rushing back at you like waves
upon the coast
threatens what you are
and who you love the most
And when the cold wind comes
and a tru wind blows
and you feel so scared because you're all alone
like a frightened child, you call my name
you call my name, you call my name
And you only had to reach out
Jeff St. John's song "Reach Out" is a heartfelt ballad about the comfort of reaching out to someone in times of need. The opening lines suggest that the physical world may not change much, but the inner world can be tumultuous and full of emotions like emptiness and fear. The singer acknowledges the brightness and joy that the presence of their loved one brings. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the person in need only has to reach out to the singer, and they will be there to lend a hand.
The second verse delves deeper into the past, acknowledging the ways in which it can come back to haunt and threaten us. The singer acknowledges that feeling of fear and isolation that can come with confronting one's past traumas or mistakes. However, once again the chorus reminds the listener that help is only a reach away.
The repetition of the chorus and the use of emotionally charged metaphors like calling someone's name when frightened give the song a sense of urgency and desire for connection. The lyrics suggest that reaching out to someone you trust can make all the difference in the world during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing changes with the moon
The phases of the moon do not affect the environment
only the shades of emptiness within the room
The loneliness and sadness in the surroundings may differ
and dark to light, morning never comes too soon
The transition from night to day is slow and peaceful
I see the sunlight in your hair
I am mesmerized by your beauty and radiance
I see you smile as you move without a care
You appear blissful and carefree in your movements
and the morning, becomes much brighter with you there
Your presence adds joy and positivity to the day
But the cold wind comes
Unexpected challenges arise
and a cold wind blows
Difficulties and hardships arise without warning
you feel so scared because you're so alone
Loneliness intensifies during trying times
and like a frightened child you call my name, you call my name
You seek comfort and safety in my companionship
But you only had to reach out
You only needed to ask for help
to reach out and I'll be here
I am willing to support and assist you
reach out, reach out and take my hand.
I encourage you to take action and reach out to me
The past it haunts you like a ghost
Your past experiences continue to impact you emotionally
comes rushing back at you like waves upon the coast
Memories and emotions overwhelm you like powerful waves
threatens what you are and who you love the most
The past jeopardizes your sense of identity and the relationships you cherish
And when the cold wind comes
During difficult times
and a tru wind blows
When adversity persists
and you feel so scared because you're all alone
You experience heightened fear and helplessness due to loneliness
like a frightened child, you call my name
You seek my reassurance and support as if you were a vulnerable child
you call my name, you call my name,
You repeatedly reach out to me for help
And you only had to reach out
All you needed to do was ask for help
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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