Biography
Johnson is from the small town of Ängelholm in the south western part of Sweden, but the surroundings and the media compare her with the biggest stars in the music business. By the age of four, she had decided that she wanted to become an artist. She was highly encouraged by her local choir leader.
She now lives in a hunting lodge in the Western Gothlandic woods of Sweden, but also has a home in Stockholm.
As a 12-year old, she started off as vocalist in a Country & Western band, Tomboola Band, touring in Norway and Denmark. She signed eventually with EMI-Medley in Denmark and recorded an album, produced by top producer Paul Bruun. The title-track, Sugar Tree, became a hit in Denmark. In 1996, she had her first Swedish hit with Kommer tid, kommer vår”, a duet with Jan Johansen.
In 1998, she performed Kärleken är at Melodifestivalen, winning the Swedish finals and going on to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. This established Johnson as one of the prime Swedish artists. The success was followed by the hit album När hela världen ser på and a successful tour.
In mid 1999, Johnson went to L.A. to look for material for her second album. At home, she worked with Andreas Carlsson (ASCAP Writer of the Year 2000), who is known for several massive hits, the biggest , so far, being Celine Dion's That's the Way It Is. She also tried out a few local new-comers and the album Daughter of Eve was released in early 2000. It was very well received and Johnson was compared with some of the world's best artists.
In 2000, she received a platinum-record in Denmark for the sound-track Promise To Love from the Danish block-buster, "Eneste Ene". Later that year, Johnson started to collaborate with other songwriters such as Jenny Orenstein, Charlie Stefl, Mary Green [Biem Writer of the Year 2001]. This resulted in her receiving a Publishing contract in Nashville Tennessee. Consequently, in 2002 Johnson's album entitled "Good Girl" came to be with the help of producer Scott Bagget and some of Nashville’s top musicians. This album secured Johnson's artistic sound and style and once again she was extremely well received by the press in their reviews where she was described as an artist of International calibre.
In the Swedish finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 she qualified at fourth place (out of 32 entries) but and her song “Crazy in Love" became a hit and received a great deal of radio play and was followed by a successful tour.
Johnson's collective "Discography" CD was released in late March 2003. It contains the 20 most popular songs since her debut in 1995. This Cd went straight into the sales charts for best selling CDs in Sweden. The single “Crazy in Love” stayed at No 1 in the Swedish Top Charts (Svensktoppen) 12 weeks consecutively and No 2 for 15 weeks. "Discography" sold Gold in Sweden and Johnson also got a Grammy for this album.
The new album "Roots and Wings" was released in November 2003, recorded and produced by Amir Aly in Sweden and by Scott Baggett in Nashville, USA. "Roots and Wings" sold gold in less than two weeks and platinum a few months later. The album "Being who you are" was released in Sweden in late March 2005 and sold gold in only a few weeks. Johnson was the host of the 2005 Swedish finals of the Eurovison Song Contest in Stockholm
Rhythm Guitar
Jill Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From a high rollin' singer up from Tupelo
He saw her in the lights and he gave her a hand
Next thing Sally knew she was one on the band
She said don't give me nothin' that I can't use
I got the rhythm and I don't need the blues
I don't wanna ride no superstar
She was the sweetest thing that he ever had seen
And he's had quite a few of them backstage queens
She was the prettiest thing that he ever had heard
Playin' rhythm guitar and singin' the third
She said don't give me nothin' that I can't use
I got the rhythm and I don't need the blues
I don't wanna ride no superstar
Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar
Well, Sally keeps her feet planted on the ground
She don't lose her head when the sun goes down
Everybody's out looking for romance
But Sally just wants to get the people to dance
She said don't give me nothin' that I can't use
I got the rhythm and I don't need the blues
I don't wanna ride no superstar
Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar
She said don't give me nothin' that I can't use
I got the rhythm and I don't need the blues
I don't wanna ride no superstar
Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar...
The song "Rhythm Guitar" by Jill Johnson tells the story of Sally, a talented musician who dreams of playing on the rhythm guitar, not for fame or fortune, but for the joy of music. Sally has been playing in small gigs around town, and one day, she catches the attention of a high-rolling singer from Tupelo who offers her a place in his band. Sally's beauty and talent captivate the singer, and soon she becomes one of the band members.
However, Sally's focus remains on her passion for music and not on the fame or fortune that comes with it. She repeatedly declares that she doesn't need extravagance or a superstar's lifestyle; all she wants to do is play on the rhythm guitar, delivering music that moves people. Sally's humility and love for music are the central themes of this feel-good song.
Line by Line Meaning
She played around town till she opened the show
Jill Johnson's protagonist started her journey as a local performer and gradually moved up to headline her own show.
From a high rollin' singer up from Tupelo
She caught the attention of a famous singer who had just returned to town from his concert in Tupelo.
He saw her in the lights and he gave her a hand
Impressed by her performance, the famous singer lent his support to the singer.
Next thing Sally knew she was one on the band
As a result of the helping hand, Sally became a part of the famous singer's band.
She said don't give me nothin' that I can't use
Sally knows what she wants and asks only for things that are necessary for her work.
I got the rhythm and I don't need the blues
Sally has a strong sense of rhythm and doesn't want to be weighed down by negative emotions.
I don't wanna ride no superstar
Fame and glory don't interest Sally; she's content to play her guitar.
Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar
Sally is passionate about her work and just wants to focus on her part in the music.
She was the sweetest thing that he ever had seen
The famous singer is charmed by Sally's personality.
And he's had quite a few of them backstage queens
The famous singer has been around the block and knows from experience.
She was the prettiest thing that he ever had heard
In addition to her looks, the famous singer appreciated Sally's musical talent.
Playin' rhythm guitar and singin' the third
Sally's job in the band is to play rhythm guitar and sing backing vocals or harmony.
Well, Sally keeps her feet planted on the ground
Sally is level-headed and grounded, which helps her stay focused on her work.
She don't lose her head when the sun goes down
Sally doesn't let the excitement of performing go to her head, and stays level-headed even after the show is over.
Everybody's out looking for romance
Other people may have priorities which include finding romance or love.
But Sally just wants to get the people to dance
Sally's priority is to use her music to achieve the goal of making the audience dance and enjoy the moment.
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.