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.
Who We Love
John Wesley Lyrics
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Holes right through me when I walk by them
How do I offend?
They make me wanna hide
Sometimes I turn my head away and try
Yet I cannot disappear
She said they don't know you
They don't shine the way that you do
You got to get away
You got to fly boy, find your powers and a cape
You got to make your escape, and get away
These years have not been kind
Each new day brings a struggle of a different kind
But hell I don't mind
A busy man looks through me
His money'd eyes blind to what he will not see
He don't know the secrets I keep
Well I am happier than he,
'Cause I'm gonna fly boy, gonna find powers and a cape
I'm gonna make my escape, gonna get outta here
I know about it, I know about it. The world has lost all its dreams
I know about it. The world won't let us breathe. Won't set us free
Each day we run this race
Consumed by self we miss the brave face
Or we look away
But not me. I'm gonna rise above this caste you made for me
Gonna be everything you dream but will never be. I'm gonna fly...
'Cause I am Flyboy, got my powers and a cape
Gonna make my escape, gonna get outta here
The lyrics to John Wesley's song "Who We Love" depict a struggle with feeling out of place and unaccepted in society. The singer walks by people whose eyes seem to burn holes right through them, causing them to feel like they offend these strangers in some way. This feeling of being unwanted leads the singer to want to hide and try to disappear altogether. However, the singer's mother tells them that these people don't truly know them and they should not try to fit in or please others. This empowerment empowers the singer to find their own powers and fly away from the judgment and hate of others. The lyrics take an optimistic turn towards the end, as the singer proclaims that they have escaped from societal expectations and will rise above the fate predetermined for them.
The themes of feeling like an outcast and fighting societal expectations are common in John Wesley's music. The lyrics of "Who We Love" speak to the struggles of standing out in a society that often expects conformity. The song's message resonates with many people who also struggle with feeling out of place or different from others. Wesley's use of the "powers and a cape" metaphor adds an element of childlike imagination that speaks to the idea that we all have the power within us to overcome obstacles and fly away to freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama their eyes burn
The singer feels like people are judging them harshly as they walk by.
Holes right through me when I walk by them
The singer feels like the judgement from others is penetrating and hurtful.
How do I offend?
The singer is confused about why people judge them so harshly.
They make me wanna hide
The judgement from others makes the artist feel ashamed and want to disappear.
Sometimes I turn my head away and try
The artist sometimes tries to avoid judgement by not looking at the judgers.
Yet I cannot disappear
Even when the singer tries to avoid judgement, they cannot completely escape it.
She said they don't know you
Someone reassures the singer that the judgers don't really know them.
They don't shine the way that you do
The artist is special and different from the judgers in some way.
This world ain't good enough for the likes of you
The artist is meant for greater things than this world can offer.
You got to get away
The artist needs to escape from the judgement and limitations of this world.
You got to fly boy, find your powers and a cape
The singer needs to embrace their unique strengths and talents and use them to overcome obstacles.
You got to make your escape, and get away
The artist needs to take action and actually escape from the limitations of this world.
These years have not been kind
The singer has faced struggles and challenges.
Each new day brings a struggle of a different kind
The singer faces new challenges each day.
But hell I don't mind
The singer is determined and resilient, and doesn't give up in the face of challenges.
A busy man looks through me
The artist feels invisible and unimportant to others.
His money'd eyes blind to what he will not see
The artist feels like the man's wealth has blinded him to the artist's worth.
He don't know the secrets I keep
The singer has inner strengths and qualities that others don't recognize.
Well I am happier than he,
The singer finds happiness and fulfillment despite others' judgments and limitations.
'Cause I'm gonna fly boy, gonna find powers and a cape
The artist is determined to embrace their unique strengths and talents and use them to overcome obstacles.
I'm gonna make my escape, gonna get outta here
The artist is determined to take action and actually escape from the limitations of this world.
I know about it, I know about it. The world has lost all its dreams
The artist feels like the world has lost its sense of possibility and potential.
I know about it. The world won't let us breathe. Won't set us free
The singer feels like the world is suffocating and limiting, and doesn't allow for true freedom.
Each day we run this race
People are in a constant struggle to succeed and achieve in this world.
Consumed by self we miss the brave face
People are too focused on their own needs and concerns to see the courage and bravery of others.
Or we look away
People may purposely avoid or ignore the struggles of others.
But not me. I'm gonna rise above this caste you made for me
The singer is determined to overcome the limitations and judgments of others and rise to greatness.
Gonna be everything you dream but will never be. I'm gonna fly...
The artist is determined to achieve greatness and do what others might think is impossible.
'Cause I am Flyboy, got my powers and a cape
The artist has embraced their unique strengths and talents and is ready to use them to achieve greatness.
Gonna make my escape, gonna get outta here
The singer is determined to take action and actually escape from the limitations of this world.
Contributed by Carter I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.