Albums:
Return of the Frog Queen (1996)
The End Sessions (1996)
World Waits (2006)
The Missing Link (2007)
OK Bear (2009)
Ghosts (2017)
Oh John
Jeremy Enigk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hear it ringing 'round your brain
I, too, can hear it
And hope someday we'll see it through
Oh John, remember
The way we used to feel inside
And John, remember
Only you can see
Here to depart
There, a new wonder
Racing to start
I can't help but fill in the writing
Watch all our tears wash away
Watch all our tears wash away
Oh God, remember
The way we used to feel inside
And Johnny, well, just listen
In stone is your new name on end
Only you can read
Here to depart
There, a new wonder
Racing to start
I can't help but fill in the writing
Watch all our tears wash away
Watch all our tears wash away
In the song "Oh John" by Jeremy Enigk, John is being addressed and asked to listen to the words of the singer. The song begins with the singer asking John to listen to the ringing that's going around in his brain, referring to the thoughts that he has been carrying around. The singer says that he can also hear the ringing and hopes that someday, they will be able to see it through. The next verse has the singer reminding John about the way they used to feel inside and how in stone, John’s name is written on end and only he can see it. This means that sometimes, people are unable to realize the value they hold or the beauty within them unless they search for it themselves.
The chorus has the singer reminiscing about past memories and reminding God to remember too. He calls John "Johnny" this time and tells him to just listen to the words of the singer. In the last line of the chorus, the singer repeats that only John can read the new name that is written for him. In the following verses, the singer is telling John that there is something new waiting for him and he is racing to start. The singer is aware that these new beginnings will not be easy and might cause them to shed tears, but they will eventually wash away.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh John, just listen
The singer is telling John to pay attention.
And hear it ringing 'round your brain
The singer and John can both hear something echoing in their minds.
I, too, can hear it
The singer identifies with John's experience of hearing something in their thoughts.
And hope someday we'll see it through
The artist is optimistic that they and John will be able to understand and resolve the issue at hand.
Oh John, remember
The artist asks John to recall a specific memory.
The way we used to feel inside
The singer and John used to have a certain emotional experience that they are trying to recapture.
And John, remember
The singer repeats the request for John to remember the same memory.
In stone is your new name on end
John's name has been permanently recorded for posterity.
Only you can see
John is the only one who can fully understand the experience that led to his name's inscription.
Here to depart
The artist is acknowledging the inevitability of change and moving on.
There, a new wonder
The future holds potential for discovery and amazement.
Racing to start
The artist and John are eager to embrace what lies ahead.
I can't help but fill in the writing
The singer is compelled to add their own perspective or interpretation to what is already known or recorded.
Watch all our tears wash away
The pain and grief of the past will eventually diminish.
Oh God, remember
The singer invokes a higher power to help them recall a powerful emotional experience.
Johnny, well, just listen
The artist adds a further request for John to pay attention.
Only you can read
John has a unique perspective on their own experience that no one else can fully share or comprehend.
Watch all our tears wash away
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing again the transience of negative emotions.
Contributed by Addison J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.