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.
So Bad
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I caught up to you last night
Flickering it's saving light
And though improper thing we may do
Not always just or always right
Every once in a while
I see you smile
You always wanted to be so bad
You always wanted to be
One of the stars in the evening sky
One of the doves flying free
Winter stole upoon you in your twenty second year
Fragile as a wedding smile
You began to disappear
And as the worst of this
Comes on you
You know I'll never leave
Your sight
As the night goes out
Of this room child
Just pray and hold me tight
It's time to close your eyes child
It's time for you to sleep
There ain't no more pain
And no more tears
And this promise I will keep
And though improper things we may do
Not always just or always right
In your heart an angel smiles
And guides you through the night
The song "So Bad" by John Wesley speaks of a troubled person who has taken a turn for the worse. The singer caught up to this person on one of their darkest nights, a night where even the saving light of a flickering candle seemed like something to hold onto. The song speaks of how the troubled person has always wanted to be so bad, always striving for some kind of greatness in a world that has continually dealt them harsh blows. The song recognizes that the troubled person's behavior may not always be appropriate or justified, but there are moments when they smile and give the impression that everything will be alright.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the troubled person is dying. Winter has stolen upon them in their twenty-second year, and they are disappearing like a fragile wedding smile. The singer promises to stay by their side, even as the worst of this comes on. It is time for the troubled person to close their eyes and sleep, to escape the pain and tears that have plagued their existence. The singer promises to keep this person's memory alive, to acknowledge that even though they may have done things that weren't always right or just, there was an angelic quality to them that guided them through the night.
Line by Line Meaning
You took a turn for the worse
Your situation turned bleak and hopeless
When I caught up to you last night
When I finally found you after searching for you for so long
Flickering it's saving light
The dim light helped save you from the darkness that surrounded you
And though improper thing we may do
Even though we may have made bad choices
Not always just or always right
Our actions were not always fair or correct
Every once in a while
Occasionally
I see you smile
I witness you being happy
Like everything will be alright
As if things will eventually fall into place
You always wanted to be so bad
You always desired to be rebellious and daring
You always wanted to be
It was your fervent wish to become
One of the stars in the evening sky
To shine bright like a star among many others
One of the doves flying free
To fly away like a bird and be free from constraints
Winter stole upon you in your twenty second year
As you turned twenty-two, the cold and hardship of winter took over
Fragile as a wedding smile
As fragile as a smile on a wedding day, fleeting and temporary
You began to disappear
You slowly started to vanish from my grasp
And as the worst of this
As things got even worse
Comes on you
Takes over you
You know I'll never leave
I will always stand by your side
Your sight
I will always be in your presence
As the night goes out
As the darkness departs
Of this room child
Of this very space you're in
Just pray and hold me tight
Hold me tightly and pray for the best
It's time to close your eyes child
It's time for you to rest and not worry anymore
It's time for you to sleep
To finally fall asleep and forget all the troubles
There ain't no more pain
No more suffering and agony
And no more tears
No more sadness and weeping
And this promise I will keep
I promise to always fulfill this vow
In your heart an angel smiles
In your heart, there is happiness and hope like that of an angel
And guides you through the night
It is what guides you through the darkness and helps you find your way
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.