John Frank discovered the guitar in his senior year in high school. Lucky f… Read Full Bio ↴John Frank discovered the guitar in his senior year in high school. Lucky for him his first instrument, the tuba, just didn't work out; "I abandoned the instrument in lieu of getting my ass kicked by the cool kids." John continued to play music casually throughout college. It was here he first started experimenting with writing songs of his own. He began to play open mic nights around Orlando just for fun. He describes the experience as, "playing in front of mostly inebriated people who couldn’t have cared less if I was on stage or not."

After graduating with a degree in psychology, he began working as an adolescent drug counselor. It was around this time John started his first band. He is quick to admit that they were “quite possibly the worst band on the planet”. The band rehearsed for a year straight, only to play one show and break up. Not deterred, John decided to continue as a solo artist. In just a year's time he went from playing dive bars to some of the premier music venues in Orlando. John released his first EP "Anywhere But Here" in May 2006 and spent the next year and a half touring the east coast of the country. "It was by far one of the best experiences of my life, and I cannot wait to go out and do it again."

Following the tour, John went into the studio with acclaimed producer/engineer Keith Rose (Matchbox 20, Aerosmith) to record his sophomore EP "The Spaces Between". John describes the record as “my songs sounding the way I’ve always envisioned them, and then some”. The album was released in May 2008 to a sold out crowd; coming quite a long way from the open mic nights just a few years earlier. “It’s an amazing feeling when people sing-a-long with me at my shows, especially when I never expected some of the songs to make it out of my bedroom in the first place”.

This Town
John Frank Lyrics

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I try hard not to compromise her freedom
She tries so hard when she steers
And where's that God when I need Him
He always disappears
And walks away
Into yesterday
I tried too hard
Let down my guard again

You know I'm
Down here in the self defeat
You know it's kinda hard to make ends meet
In this town
I'm real tired and I can't relate
You know she don't appreciate my heart
In this town

I'm such a mess

Sometimes you gotta gotta let it go
She thinks of the yesterday as a window
For which she cannot see
And I know her past is gone; it's dirty
Yeah, polluted just like me
When will she love
You'll never know
I think too hard
Let down my guard again

You know I'm
Gave hope but there ain't no use
I may be young but that's no excuse
In this town
I've been tired and I still can't see
You know it might be you but it won't be me
In this town

She's such a mess
I know
She can't see but I know
I know

I tried too hard
Let down my guard again
When you're down here in the self defeat
You know it's kinda hard to make ends meet
In this town
I'm real tired and I can't relate
You know
She don't appreciate my heart in this town

We're such a mess
I know

Such a mess
I know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in John Frank's song "This Town" delve into themes of struggle, self-doubt, and feeling out of place. The persona expresses a desire to not impede on someone else's freedom, yet acknowledges the difficulty in doing so. There’s a sense of frustration when seeking solace or guidance from a higher power, as the person feels abandoned when in need. The repeated reference to yesterday and the past hints at a longing for what once was, but the realization that it's irretrievable.

The verses portray a sense of heaviness and weariness, with the persona feeling defeated and disconnected from their surroundings. The mention of not being able to make ends meet can be interpreted both in a literal and metaphorical sense, reflecting struggles in life and relationships. The lack of appreciation for the persona's emotions adds to the feeling of loneliness and isolation within the town’s confines, making it hard to find connection and understanding.

There's a confrontation with reality in the lyrics, where the persona acknowledges their own flaws and messy nature, mirroring the imperfections and complexities within the relationship being described. The persona seems to hold onto hope despite the futility, recognizing the futility of trying too hard and letting down their guard repeatedly. The self-defeat and exhaustion portrayed in the lyrics highlight the immense emotional toll the persona is experiencing.

In the final verses, the lyrics emphasize the shared turmoil between the persona and the other person, acknowledging the messiness and challenges within the relationship. Despite the struggles and feeling out of place in the town, there is a sense of companionship in facing the difficulties together. The repeated refrain of being tired and misunderstood underscores the emotional fatigue and disconnect experienced within the confines of the town, emphasizing the need for understanding and acceptance within the tumultuous relationship dynamic.

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