Their manager was Simon Napier-Bell, who devised white stage outfits and an outrageous stage act which included fighting each other and Bolan whipping the stage with a chain. Their 1967 single "Desdemona" was banned by the BBC for the 'controversial' lyric, "Lift up your skirt and fly".
Bolan was with the band for about four months. His main roles were to be the band's composer and play electric guitar (until then, he only played acoustic guitar). His singing voice is sometimes lead in "unofficial" recordings only (demos, BBC radio sessions). After he left, Townson switched to guitar and former roadie Chris Colville took over on drums.
John's Children recorded another single, "Go Go Girl", a Bolan composition he later recorded with Tyrannosaurus Rex as "Mustang Ford". John's Children also performed Bolan's "Mustang Ford" version of the song. The band released one more single, "It's Been a Long Time" (issued as an Andy Ellison solo single) and then embarked on a "disastrous" tour of Germany. Their last performance was at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany (substituting for the Bee Gees), after which they split up in 1968. Ellison went on to make several solo singles. before resurfacing in Jet in 1974, along with drummer Chris Townson. Jet metamorphosed into Radio Stars in the mid-Seventies.
Just What You Want Just What You'll Get
John's Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always know what I like to feel
But dont think I cant see that
Youre trying hard to make me say I want you
So what's in it for me?
You think that I should be crazy about you
But I know what life would be with
So what's in it for me?
Dont think I dont know just what you want - everything
Dont think I dont know just what youll get - nothing!
What's in it for me?
Dont think I dont kno w just what you want (just what you want)
Dont think I dont know just what youll get (just what you want, just what youll get)
Dont think I want you till youve thought of something that
I may make your love worth while
What's in it for me?
Dont think I want you till you've thought of something that
I may use your luke warm smile
What's in it for me
The song "Just What You Want Just What You'll Get" by John's Children appears to be a rebellious and sarcastic response to someone who is trying to pursue the singer for their own interests. The lyrics depict the singer as someone who is aware of the other person's intentions and is reluctant to give in to their advances. The opening line "your hands and lips always know what I like to feel" could be interpreted as referring to physical intimacy, but the following lines suggest that the singer is aware that the other person is trying to manipulate them into saying they want them. The repeated refrain "what's in it for me?" reinforces the idea that the singer is not willing to engage in a one-sided relationship.
The second verse goes further, with the singer explicitly saying that they know what life would be like with this person constantly hanging around them. While they could be flattered by the attention, they ultimately reject the idea of being with someone who only wants them for what they can offer. The final lines suggest that the other person needs to come up with a compelling reason for the singer to want them, rather than assuming that they are entitled to their affections.
Overall, the song seems to be a rejection of traditional gender expectations and power dynamics, with the singer asserting their own agency and refusing to be manipulated by someone who assumes they are entitled to their affections.
Line by Line Meaning
Your hands and lips
You physically touch and kiss me in a way that I enjoy
Always know what I like to feel
You have a good understanding of my physical preferences
But don’t think I can’t see that
However, I am aware that your actions are a deliberate attempt to make me want you
You’re trying hard to make me say I want you
You are putting a lot of effort into getting me to express my desire for you
So what’s in it for me?
I’m wondering what benefit I will get from being with you
You think that I should be crazy about you
You believe I should be strongly attracted to you
But I know what life would be with someone like you always hanging around me
However, I am aware of the negative impact your constant presence would have on my life
So what’s in it for me?
I’m still wondering what gain I would have from being with you
Don’t think I don’t know just what you want - everything
I am fully aware that you desire everything from me
Don’t think I don’t know just what you’ll get - nothing!
But I also know that you will receive nothing from me
What’s in it for me?
I am still questioning what benefits I would have from being with you
Don’t think I don’t know just what you want (just what you want)
Again, I am aware of your desires
Don’t think I don’t know just what you’ll get (just what you want, just what you’ll get)
But I am also aware that you won’t achieve them
Don’t think I want you till you’ve thought of something that I may make your love worth while
I won’t be interested in you until you can offer me something to make your affection valuable
What’s in it for me?
Everything revolves around what I would gain
Don’t think I want you till you’ve thought of something that I may use your luke warm smile
I won’t be interested in you until you have something to offer beyond your mediocre smile
Contributed by Blake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.