Most recently, Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed Atlantic/Roadrunner Records U.K.-based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. Wesley's versatility shows from his diverse touring background. In recent years he has performed lead guitars and background vocals for White Lion front man Mike Tramp, subbed on lead guitar and bass for Gainsville's Sister Hazel, and as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog band Fish on many lengthy European, American and South American Tours and on several U.S. and European Solo dates.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
He has an official fan website at http://www.john-wesley.com where fans can read lyrics, view photos and preview album clips.
On the 24th August 2007, John Wesley announced that he was making the majority of his solo material available for free download on his website http://www.john-wesley.com, in what he called his "Share the Wes" policy. He will still be offering certain CDs and new releases for purchase at gigs and online.
2. John Wesley was an American soul singer of the 1960s, who released most of his music on the Melic record label. Most of his recordings were credited to John Wesley & The Four Tees, except for a 1966 single called 'Love Is Such a Funny Thing', which was recorded with The Four Tees but credited to Wesley alone.
Our Hero
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like some great altar to God flashing
messages all the time
Here doesn't come here to worship, no, he
comes here to live
At night he crawls through the city to
take whatever we don't give
fragile thing can soon be gone
A little cold never hurt you and me, but
her she didn't last long
Our hero stares at the stars, watches
them turn red and white
Says these are men who made this,
and this is not God's light
Hear me, Hear me I'm at the bottom of
the red and the white sign
Hear me, Hear me Cause I'm coming for you
Our hero can't read so he don't know
what that sign says
And you can be damed sure the taste
of a coke never passed his lips
He knows these are men who have
made this and their day soon must come
All the people at the bottom prayin' Lord
thy will be done
And they're shoutin'
Hear me, Hear me I'm at the bottom of
the red and the white sign
Hear me, Hear me Cause I'm coming for you
Like Don Quioxte chasing some dragon
into the night
Our hero dreams of the battle that he
topples that red knight
Topples that red light
Our hero lays in the grass dreaming of
his little sweet child
He remembers holding her hands and
touching her little sweet smile
If a man can create this neon tower into the sky
Where the hell was the God of the Coca-Cola sign
the night she died
Hear me, Hear me I'm at the bottom of
the red and the white sign
Hear me, Hear me Cause I'm coming for you
The song "Our Hero" by John Wesley is a poignant tale about a homeless man named "our hero" who lives in a box at the bottom of a Coca-Cola sign. The song portrays our hero as a tragic character who once had a child but lost her too soon. The Coca-Cola sign flickers above him, serving as a symbol of the commercialization and busy-ness of modern life. Our hero does not come to the sign to worship, but rather to live, and at night he wanders through the city to find anything he can scrounge up. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is both helpless and hopeful.
The song is a commentary on capitalism and the way it has created a divided society where some people live in luxury while others are forced to dig through trash to survive. Our hero represents the forgotten masses, the people who are left behind by a society that values profit above all else. The Coca-Cola sign, with its flashing lights and bold colors, serves as a powerful symbol of the system that oppresses our hero and others like him.
Line by Line Meaning
Our hero lives in a box at the bottom of a Coca-Cola sign
The person being referenced is homeless and living in a makeshift shelter.
Like some great altar to God flashing
messages all the time
The Coca-Cola sign serves as a beacon for the homeless person, much like a religious altar or shrine.
Here doesn't come here to worship, no, he
comes here to live
The homeless person does not rely on the Coca-Cola sign for spiritual fulfillment, but rather sustenance and shelter.
At night he crawls through the city to
take whatever we don't give
The homeless person scavenges for belongings in order to survive.
He used to have a little baby, but a
fragile thing can soon be gone
The homeless person had a child, but babies are fragile and do not always survive.
A little cold never hurt you and me, but
her she didn't last long
While a cold may not be harmful to most people, it was fatal for the homeless person's baby.
Our hero stares at the stars, watches
them turn red and white
Says these are men who made this,
and this is not God's light
The homeless person observes the Coca-Cola sign and the changing colors of the stars, and recognizes that both are man-made and not divine.
Hear me, Hear me I'm at the bottom of
the red and the white sign
Hear me, Hear me Cause I'm coming for you
The homeless person is declaring their presence at the bottom of the Coca-Cola sign and issuing a threat to those who are responsible for its construction.
Our hero can't read so he don't know
what that sign says
And you can be damed sure the taste
of a coke never passed his lips
The homeless person is illiterate and therefore cannot read the Coca-Cola sign, and does not have the luxury of enjoying its products.
He knows these are men who have
made this and their day soon must come
All the people at the bottom prayin'
Lord thy will be done
The homeless person understands that the Coca-Cola sign was created by humans and therefore not worthy of worship, and believes that those who made it will face justice.
Like Don Quioxte chasing some dragon
into the night
Our hero dreams of the battle that he
topples that red knight
Topples that red light
The homeless person imagines themselves as a heroic figure, battling against the Coca-Cola sign (symbolized by a red knight or light) and rising victorious.
Our hero lays in the grass dreaming of
his little sweet child
He remembers holding her hands and
touching her little sweet smile
The homeless person fondly remembers their deceased child and is comforted by memories of their time spent together.
If a man can create this neon tower into the sky
Where the hell was the God of the Coca-Cola sign
the night she died
The homeless person questions why a divine being did not intervene to save their child, when mere mortals were able to construct such an impressive structure as the Coca-Cola sign.
Hear me, Hear me I'm at the bottom of
the red and the white sign
Hear me, Hear me Cause I'm coming for you
The homeless person is once again announcing their presence and their intention to seek retribution for their misfortunes.
Contributed by Landon A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
svaty
Stirring song. After several years I heard it for the first time, it still leaves me full of various emotions.
Jean-Christophe Raufflet
La fin est juste dingue ! What a voice ! Mon morceau préféré de ce très bel album ....réalisé avec les Marillion :-))))
Bartosz Leszczyński
Always im my memory. Beautiful
Genaro Alva Zevallos
beatiful song
nclesplus
i like it !! kiss from France !!! :)
Jean-Christophe Raufflet
Pareil !
Michael Picard
So, so, important, I think.
Michael Picard
how'z it we are only 3, here ? I should be glad that you got here first, right, Hi, I'm not as bad as you might have heard, my my truth can set apart all but the crazy. That I'm here now is some kind of testament, or is it a surrender.?