Although Prince basically recorded the first 2 Time albums on his own with Morris Day, Johnson did contribute to the Vanity 6 project by contributing a song called "Bite The Beat" co-written with Prince. On The Time's third album, Ice Cream Castle, Johnson contributed to the smash singles "The Bird" and "Jungle Love" (the group's most memorable and highest-charting single), which were helped by the popularity of the Purple Rain film.
However, in the height of The Time's popularity following the Purple Rain, Johnson left the band and signed a solo deal with A&M Records in 1984 and released Jesse Johnson's Revue the following year. Four songs were released from the album, the first being "Be Your Man" followed by "Can You Help Me" which was backed with the popular funk outting "Free World". Shockadelica containing the hit "Crazay", the duet with Sly Stone, and Every Shade of Love followed over the next 3 years, building on the inventive, elaborate sound he forged with The Time. Throughout the late eighties and early ninties Johnson also featured on the soundtracks to The Breakfast Club contributing "Heart Too Hot To Hold", a duet with Stephanie Spruill, Pretty In Pink, Action Jackson, Another 48 Hours and White Men Can't Jump.
Johnson has produced a wide variety of artists, most notable are Ta Mara and The Seen, Da Krash, Kool Skool, Janet Jackson, Debbie Allen, Cheryl Lynn, and Les Rita Mitsouko. By 1990 The Time reformed and issued Pandemonium, which was even more of a group effort than Ice Cream Castle. The album allowed Johnson to contribute a hard rock guitar heavy edge to several tracks.
After the band dissolved once again, Johnson remained in the background for several years, quietly contributing to soundtracks and other artists. His music he recorded for the film A Time To Kill was not released on the soundtrack but can be heard in the film. Finally in 1996, Johnson released another album, Bare My Naked Soul on the Dinosaur Entertainment label. The album was a departure from his funk-filled albums from the 1980s and instead verged into alternative rock.
Four years later, the highlights of Johnson's solo albums were collected on 2000's Jesse Johnson: The Ultimate Collection, the album includes b-sides, 12" versions, album tracks and one previously unreleased song called "Vibe".
In 2002, the release of the Cadillac Blindside album These Liquid Lungs saw Johnson being credited with the photography.
A new album is set for release in 2006. Johnson has spent the last three years working on it and fans wait in eager anticipation for the album to be released.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Free World
Jesse Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say it's too much like my friend
The clothes that I wear, the way I comb my hair
Makes them come out to offend
Didn't you know I knew yourself you're not too cool?
What makes you want to mess with my life?
I think I'll buy a gun, go out and have some fun
Somebody tell 'em
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Heard you like to rock, but I'm not at the top
What makes you point your finger at me?
You don't think I'm hot, then why and try to stop
Your girlfriend from dancing to my beat?
How would it make you feel to know you're so for real
And have someone to call you a lie?
I think you'd buy a gun, go out and have some fun
But then again, maybe kiss suicide
Good god, tell 'em
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Vandell b-b-band
Turn it up, good god
Somebody, somebody, somebody hit me
Good god, turn it up
Heard you like to rock, but I'm not at the top
What makes you point your finger at me?
You don't think I'm hot, then why and try to stop
Your girlfriend from dancing to my beat?
Ya know why? Because
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Somebody help me out
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
Kiss this, uh, Gerry oh lawd
Turn on my guitar
Somebody wants to party?
(Yeah, yeah)
Does somebody want to dance?
(Yeah, yeah)
Uh, said somebody wants to party?
(Yeah, yeah)
Does somebody want to dance?
(Yeah, yeah)
Wait a minute
Somebody wants to party?
(Yeah, yeah)
Said somebody want to dance?
(Yeah, yeah)
Ho
Somebody wants to party?
(Yeah, yeah)
Wait a minute
Does somebody want to dance
(Yeah, yeah)
Everybody
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Whak)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Go 'head)
In Jesse Johnson's song Freeworld, the singer is clearly frustrated with people's criticisms of his appearance and music style. He sings about how people dislike the way he holds his mic, his fashion choices, and even how he combs his hair. He feels targeted and attacked for merely expressing himself. Johnson knows that he is not perfect, but he believes that people have no right to meddle with his life. He threatens to buy a gun and take revenge, implying that he is pushed to the edge of his sanity. However, instead of resorting to violence, he chooses to celebrate the freedom he has. He takes ownership of his life and the world he lives in, and he commands others to do the same. The catchy chorus line "Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine" repeats throughout the song, reminding listeners to embrace their individuality and not care about what others think.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody likes the way I hold my mic
People criticize me for the way I hold my microphone
They say it's too much like my friend
They think I copy someone else
The clothes that I wear, the way I comb my hair
My fashion choices and hair styling are offensive to them
Makes them come out to offend
They deliberately try to insult me
Didn't you know I knew yourself you're not too cool?
Don't you realize that you aren't as cool as you think you are?
What makes you want to mess with my life?
What motivates you to interfere with my life and choices?
I think I'll buy a gun, go out and have some fun
I am considering using violence for retaliation and enjoyment
Maybe even come and take your wife
I may consider taking revenge on you by targeting your spouse
Have you heard? It's a free world and it's mine
I am reminding everyone that I am entitled to my own life and choices
Heard you like to rock, but I'm not at the top
I understand you enjoy music, but I am not at the top of the industry
What makes you point your finger at me?
Why are you singling me out and blaming me for something?
You don't think I'm hot, then why and try to stop
You don't find me attractive, so why prevent others from enjoying my music?
Your girlfriend from dancing to my beat?
Why stop your significant other from enjoying my music and dancing to it?
How would it make you feel to know you're so for real
How would you feel to know you are genuinely authentic?
And have someone to call you a lie?
But even then, still be accused of lying?
But then again, maybe kiss suicide
Perhaps you would even go so far as to commit suicide
Good god, tell 'em
Expressing excitement or aggravation, telling someone to listen
Vandell b-b-band
Acknowledging the backing band
Turn it up, good god
Requesting to turn up the volume, expressing excitement or aggravation
Somebody, somebody, somebody hit me
Requesting someone to play music, drum or clap
Heard you like to rock, but I'm not at the top
Recalling a previous line said earlier
Ya know why? Because
Explaining the reason for the previous line
Somebody help me out
Requesting assistance
Kiss this, uh, Gerry oh lawd
Expressing disregard for someone or something (possibly Gerry)
Turn on my guitar
Requesting for the guitar to be turned on
Somebody wants to party?
Asking if someone wants to party
(Yeah, yeah)
Affirmative answer to the above question
Does somebody want to dance?
Asking if someone wants to dance
(Yeah, yeah)
Affirmative answer to the above question
Wait a minute
Asking to pause or wait
Everybody
Calling out to everyone
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Nonsense words, possibly to represent a chorus
(Whak)
Not a word, possibly an onomatopoeic sound
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Nonsense words, possibly to represent a chorus
(Go 'head)
Encouraging someone to continue or go ahead
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JESSE WOODS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind