He was born Wesley Stace in Hastings, East Sussex, England. His given name, Wesley, comes from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who preached one of his last sermons in the town where Harding was born.
His stage name may be seen as an almost inevitable nickname for a folk-pop musician, in that his first name overlaps with the Bob Dylan album (and song) "John Wesley Harding". The American gunfighting historical figure John Wesley Hardin was largely forgotten before 1965, when Johnny Cash wrote and recorded the song "Hardin Wouldn't Run".
His education included the boarding schools St. Andrews School (Pangbourne, Berkshire); Milbourne Lodge (Claygate, Surrey); The King's School (Canterbury, Kent); and university at Jesus College, Cambridge. He left Cambridge with a First in English Literature, but left before completing his Ph.d. in Social and Political Science.
Musical influences include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Davies, and Phil Ochs. He has been frequently compared to Elvis Costello probably fueled, in part, by the fact that two members of his early band The Good Liars (Pete and Bruce Thomas) had been members of The Attractions. Harding was chosen by Bruce Springsteen as his first opening act in 20 years for his solo shows at the Berkeley Community Theatre in 1995. Harding
The World
John Wesley Harding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Trying hard to look so cool like any other ticket out
People sipping on each other's blood, they're all out for the count
Talking turkey all around me, what are they all on about
It's the world and all its problems
The world and all its problems
The world and all its problems
I'm walking out it's past midnight, so I stay in the light
Please stop breathing on my shoulder, he's just trying to start a fight
He says
he's got a message for me, but he doesn't look alright
I'm not sure what he's saying, but I won't be staying tonight
In John Wesley Harding's song "The World," the lyrics tell the story of a night out where the singer is struggling to fit in with the chaotic crowd around them. The lyrics use metaphors such as "people sipping on each other's blood" to depict the cutthroat nature of society and the constant competition driving people to the brink. Despite trying to appear unfazed, the singer is clearly uncomfortable and trying to stay cautious in the midst of the confusion.
The song is a commentary on the state of the world and how human behavior can often be self-destructive. The lyrics suggest a weariness towards the chaos that surrounds us, and that it's easy to get caught up in the mess if one isn't careful. The repetition of the phrase "the world and all its problems" emphasizes the weight of all the issues that we face as a society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JOHN WESLEY HARDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind