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.
Walls Of America
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, no more will I hurt
Momma tries to play it off
Says maybe he had to work
You know I need next to nothing
But all you need is you
You build walls across an ocean
You see I'm standing here
Staring at the walls of America
Are you hiding there safe behind your walls
You know I'm stranded here
Searching all the walls of America
No more
You said, god she looks just like me
The first time that we met
You looked in me for signs of you
Now it's me that you regret
You've built walls across an ocean
Safe behind you hide
An ocean I can't swim through
For me there is no other side
Well I'm standing here
Staring at the walls of America
Are you hiding there safe behind your walls
Well I'm stranded here
Searching all the walls of America, no more
Skype dreams and birthday scenes
Is all I know of you
I dream that you come for me and carry me, carry me into the arms of America
Safe into the arms, of America
Safe in your arms, to America
The song "Walls of America" by John Wesley is a poignant and emotional ballad about a person who has been left behind by someone they loved who has built walls around themselves in America. The song tells a story of a person who has been deserted by a loved one on Christmas Day who has presumably gone to work. The singer in the song is heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The song contemplates the idea of walls being built across an ocean, in a metaphorical sense, that the singer cannot break through - this is used to illustrate the distance that has grown between the two people.
The song features a mix of emotions, frustration, and sadness, and the listener can feel the pain of the singer as they try to come to terms with the loss they have experienced. The song asks poignant questions such as "Are you hiding there safe behind your walls?" and "No more?" which makes the song a powerful commentary on the nature of love and distance.
Overall, "Walls of America" is a poignant song that explores themes of love, loss, and the walls that can be erected between people. The song is rich in emotions, with a message that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of lost love.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas came and went again
Another year has passed, including the holiday season.
Well, no more will I hurt
I will no longer be in pain due to you.
Momma tries to play it off
My mother attempts to hide the situation’s severity.
Says maybe he had to work
Perhaps you were indisposed for work reasons.
You know I need next to nothing
In terms of material possessions, my requirements are low.
But all you need is you
In contrast, your sole necessity is yourself.
You build walls across an ocean
You’ve erected mental barriers that seem insurmountable.
Walls I can't get through
These walls are obstructing any progress between us.
You see I'm standing here
My current location is in proximity to the impenetrable walls.
Staring at the walls of America
I cannot help but gaze at these large barriers that divide us.
Are you hiding there safe behind your walls
I speculate that your defenses enable you to be tranquil and unthreatened.
You know I'm stranded here
I’m trapped and incapable of surmounting these walls.
Searching all the walls of America
I’m scanning every aspect of these walls for answers.
No more
The situation is intolerable, and the wall must come down.
You said, god she looks just like me
Upon meeting me, you remarked that I resemble you.
The first time that we met
Our initial encounter when we first came into contact.
You looked in me for signs of you
You searched for elements that resembled yourself when you encountered me.
Now it's me that you regret
Currently, the presence of me in your life is regrettable.
Safe behind you hide
You are hidden away and secure behind your defenses.
An ocean I can't swim through
Surmounting your barriers will be challenging.
For me there is no other side
Regrettably, there is no alternative path for me to pursue.
Skype dreams and birthday scenes
My only interactions or thoughts of you originate from internet-based, video-calling technology or holiday-oriented events.
Is all I know of you
These limited interactions, unfortunately, constitute the entirety of my knowledge of you.
I dream that you come for me and carry me, carry me into the arms of America
In this dream scenario, I’m imagining a romantic, idealized version of America, where we are together without walls, and it’s free of any emotional barriers.
Safe into the arms, of America
I feel protected and secured by the romanticized version of America.
Safe in your arms, to America
I feel safeguarded and protected when in your presence and in America.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.