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.
The Love I Thought I'd Found
John's Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Berharap kau mendengar suara yang telah hilang ini
Bolehkah ku bernyanyi walaupun semakin perih
Hingga nanti kusadari ini tak akan berarti
Hanya tuk menghibur diri yang terasa sepi
Walau hanya menghabiskan nafasku ini
Takkan ada seorang pun yang akan mengerti
Lagu tak bernada yang kunyanyikan saat ini
Satu kata yang hilang dalam lagu ini
Aku bernyanyi dengan susunan kata yang tak kupahami
Aku bernafas dengan sesal yang tak bisa ku hindari
Berharap nanti kau mengerti
Berharap kelak kau benar-benar pergi
Karena akhir dari lagu ini aku tak pernah ingin memainkannya
*****
Aku bernyanyi dengan susunan kata yang tak kupahami
Aku bernafas dengan sesal yang tak bisa ku hindari
Hingga nada itu rapuh seperti lirik yang dengar saat ini
Tanpa jeda tanpa nyawa dan ku berteriak tanpa suara
Berharap nanti kau mengerti
Berharap kelak kau benar - benar pergi
The song "The Love I Thought I'd Found" by John's Children is a melancholic composition that speaks of lost love and the pain of holding on to someone who has moved on. The lyrics are sung with a soft tone, reflecting a sense of resignation and acceptance of the situation. The opening lines seem to suggest that the singer is trying to reach out to their ex-lover through song, hoping that they can hear the pain and longing in their voice. However, as the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the futility of their efforts, recognizing that their love is unrequited and that they are singing to ease their own loneliness.
The lyrics are filled with imagery of loss and sorrow, as the singer describes the pain of singing without any understanding of the words or meaning. They liken their voice to a fragile note and their emotions to regrets that they cannot escape. The closing lines of the song suggest that the singer is finally ready to let go of their attachment to their ex-partner, acknowledging that the end of the song is not something they want to keep playing.
In essence, the song is a moving ode to the complexities of human relationships and the difficulties of letting go of someone we love. The lyrics are evocative, and the melody is haunting and filled with raw emotion, making it a truly unforgettable piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Aku mulai bernyanyi dengan nada yang lirih
I start singing with a gentle tone
Berharap kau mendengar suara yang telah hilang ini
Hoping that you will hear this lost voice
Bolehkah ku bernyanyi walaupun semakin perih
Can I sing even though it's becoming painful
Hingga nanti kusadari ini tak akan berarti
Until I realize it won't mean anything
Hanya tuk menghibur diri yang terasa sepi
Just to entertain my lonely self
Walau hanya menghabiskan nafasku ini
Even if it means exhausting my breath
Takkan ada seorang pun yang akan mengerti
No one will understand
Lagu tak bernada yang kunyanyikan saat ini
The song I'm singing has no melody
Saat malam kembali perlahan ku mencari
At night I slowly search
Satu kata yang hilang dalam lagu ini
One word that's missing from this song
Aku bernyanyi dengan susunan kata yang tak kupahami
I sing with a structure of words I don't understand
Aku bernafas dengan sesal yang tak bisa ku hindari
I breathe with a regret I can't avoid
Berharap nanti kau mengerti
Hoping that someday you'll understand
Berharap kelak kau benar-benar pergi
Hoping that eventually you'll really leave
Karena akhir dari lagu ini aku tak pernah ingin memainkannya
Because I never want to play the end of this song
Writer(s): Simon Napier-bell
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.