Bob Margolin, Blues Revue Magazine
Dec/Jan 2005
John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas. Performing major music festivals around the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia has brought him critical acclaim.
"Either John Németh is one of the greatest vocalists in the world or this was the best performance of his life, or both."
Bob Horn, Washington Blues Society
John's origins are an unlikely breeding ground for such an impressive blues talent. A thirty year old native of Boise, Idaho, he grew up singing in a Catholic church and started playing in local bands as a teenager.
"Hands down the toughest young harp player I've ever heard."
R.J. Mischo, 2002
Németh was a featured artist with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets in 2005 and 2006 as well as a featured artist with The Junior Watson Band in 2002. The Cascade Blues Association selected Németh as a crowd favorite at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival in 2002, and the Washington Blues Society called him the show stealer at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival in 2003. Greg Johnson of Blues Notes writes, "John Németh possesses rich harmonica tone that easily brings to mind Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter."
"Boy! John Németh can really belt it out!"
Charlie Musslewhite, 2004
John recorded "Come And Get It" with the Junior Watson Band in 2004. The album received rave reviews and scored well on the independent blues radio charts. When John signed a multi-record recording agreement with Blind Pig Records in 2006, label head Jerry Del Giudice expressed "how impressed I was with John's performance the one time I got the chance to see him. In our nearly 30 years in the business we have never before offered a new artist a recording contract on the strength of one performance."
"John Németh's voice is a national treasure."
Junior Watson, 2002
The buzz around John Németh is substantial, and his Blind Pig debut, "Magic Touch," delivers the goods in spades. From the opening track, an ambitious and fully realized reworking of Junior Wells' classic "Blues Hit Big Town," John's emotive, smooth voice and stellar harp playing introduce a virtuoso of rare depth and power. John's uncanny blend of retro-modern blues and soul music will delight purists and young hipsters alike. Produced by Anson Funderburgh and featuring Junior Watson on guitar, "Magic Touch" is destined to be one of the most remarked upon releases of 2007.
"John Németh is a natural-born Bluesman, and he proves it with every note he sings, shaping each one with emotion, taste and inspiration. John's expressive Blues harp playing answers his voice and fulfills his songs when he solos. John Németh makes it sound easy."
Bob Margolin, 2004
"Definitely one of the best club shows that I've ever seen. John Németh is simply the Blues artist that I feel is most deserving of more recognition. Check the man and his band out whenever you might get the chance."
Don "T-Bone" Erickson, BluesWax, 2004
"Here's a guy that does it all, sings his butt off, wails on the harp, writes great songs and knows how to entertain the people!"
Ken Harris, Blues Bouquet
"Definitely one of the finest new artists performing Blues in the country today. Catch him now so you can say you saw him in the early years of his soon-to-be giant career!"
Greg Johnson, Blues Notes, 2004
John Németh is sponsored by Hohner Harmonicas.
Sooner or Later
John Nemeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play with fire and you'll get burned
Sooner or later you learn
Every fool's gonna get their turn
You live your life on a wire
Walking rope just above the fire
Your candlelight is burning bright
Livin' hard and lovin' fast
Someday that good luck won't last
You're breakin' many a hearts
Oh, now you're gone before they fall apart
And that's why I say
Sooner or later you learn
Play with fire and you'll get burned
Sooner or later you learn
Every fool will get their turn
Sooner or later you learn
Play with fire and you'll get burned
Sooner or later you learn
Every fool will get their turn
And your sin is true
Life will catch up with you
And livin' life wild and free
Ain't all that's it cracked up to be, oh yea
Friends that love you the most
Now they know you like to toast
And the ones you hold so dear
When you're down, they ain't never near
And that's why I say
Sooner or later you learn
Play with fire and you'll get burned
Sooner or later you learn
Every fool will get their turn
Sing it, yea
(Sooner or later you learn) Aw, sooner or later
Play with fire and you'll get burned
(Sooner or later you learn) Oh, yea
Every fool, every fool will get their turn
(Sooner or later you learn) Hey!
Play with fire and you'll get burned
(Sooner or later you learn) Oh
Every fool, oh every fool,
Every fool like me will get his turn
The lyrics of John Nemeth's "Sooner or Later" warn of the consequences of living a wild and reckless life. The opening lines of the song suggest that everyone has to learn a lesson in life sooner or later, especially those who play with fire. Nemeth's use of imagery portrays the idea of walking on a tightrope as one wrong step might lead to falling into the fire. The candle flame that represents the singer's life is burning bright today, but might not last forever.
The singer goes on to criticize the singer's lifestyle, noting how living hard and fast might bring good luck, but eventually it will run out. Nemeth also touches upon the human cost of the singer's behavior, how it affects the hearts of many. Despite the multiple warnings, the singer continues with their actions, claiming that life should be wild and free, but in reality, it is not as exciting as it seems. The chorus of the song repeats that everyone will have to face their consequences someday.
The song is an important reminder that life is short, and individuals need to prioritize responsible living. The lyrics remind us that every action has a consequence, and those who play with fire will eventually get burned.
Line by Line Meaning
Sooner or later you learn
You will eventually realize
Play with fire and you'll get burned
Taking risks can result in negative consequences
Every fool's gonna get their turn
Everyone will eventually face the consequences of their actions
You live your life on a wire
You live a risky and dangerous life
Walking rope just above the fire
Living life on the edge and taking risks
Your candlelight is burning bright
You are living life to the fullest
Someday it won't burn at night
Your luck will eventually run out
Livin' hard and lovin' fast
Living life recklessly and quickly
Someday that good luck won't last
Your luck will eventually run out
You're breakin' many a hearts
You are hurting others with your actions
Oh, now you're gone before they fall apart
You leave before you have to face the consequences of your actions
And your sin is true
Your mistakes are real
Life will catch up with you
The consequences of your actions will eventually catch up to you
And livin' life wild and free
Living life carefree and without limits
Ain't all that's it cracked up to be, oh yea
It is not as great as it may seem
Friends that love you the most
Your closest friends
Now they know you like to toast
Your friends know you like to party and take risks
And the ones you hold so dear
Those who are important to you
When you're down, they ain't never near
When you are in trouble or need them, they do not come to help
Sing it, yea
Expressing the message of the song through music
(Sooner or later you learn) Aw, sooner or later
You will eventually understand
Every fool, every fool will get their turn
Everyone will eventually face the consequences of their actions, including the songwriter
(Sooner or later you learn) Hey!
You will eventually understand
Oh
Expressing emotion
Every fool, oh every fool,
Every fool like me will get his turn
The singer acknowledges that he is also taking risks and will eventually face the consequences of his actions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Anthony Nèmeth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ionutaurelian8164
in august 2022 John was in Romania,here in Brasov...great great show:) Brasov Jazz and Blues Festival..Fantastic voice and fantastic harp player
@kettymartire7660
Love this man💯💯💯💃💃💃
@bobjinessr7957
Prob the best singer I've ever seen..
@chrisgorman4471
Good God John, what a voice! Greasy, southern blue-eyed soul at it's best. I've never been a fan of contemporary music in any genre - I've been stuck in the 60's and 70's and I never lived during those decades - but when I happened upon your voice: BOOM! Thank you, or maybe, thank God for your vocal abilities and instrumental arrangements. May you have a long, healthy life and many wonderful years of music that produces that voice.
@herbster22
Beautiful John and a Great band , would love to see you all touring when the world opens up again!
@jag2039
Man I Dig ur songs n music. Thanks John ✌🏻😎🎶🔊🇺🇸
@SuperEvilworm
This is what I call good music. Fantastic artists and songs.
@SuperEvilworm
One of my favorite songs!! I just wish John Nemeth could come to Scandinavia.
@SuperEvilworm
Finally!! Going to one of your concerts in Norway. Just bought the tickets and can't wait!!
@musicinlyrics.5184
Beautiful song. 🇲🇽