Johnny's musical career began in the early 80s after forming the band Phaze with his older brother, Joey. The band underwent reform and he started drumming with the band Killerhit in 1983 at the age of 17. Sharing vocal duties with Joey, the four-piece act hit the East Coast club circuit with an enormous amount of success, earning enough by 1987 to purchase their own lighting rig, truck and tour bus (purchased from Jimmy Buffett).
Re-locating to Hollywood, Killerhit hooked up with Poison's Bret Michaels. The singer gave them his former publicist Debra Rosner's number who instantly became the band's manager. Realizing the need for a front man, Johnny vacated the drum stool for center stage, Las Vegas native Derek Cava taking his place behind the drum kit. Soon after the band switched names to the more appropriate one Brunette. The band broke The Doors and Van Halen's single-weekend attendance records on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood CA and became regionally successful throughout the U.S. They were signed by Capitol Records but the deal unfortunately fell through when the record company went under.
The Gioelis immediately went on to form a new and powerful hard rock band, Hardline - then brought in Journey guitarist Neal Schon as well as Todd Jensen, former bassist for David Lee Roth, and drummer Deen Castronovo, who later went on to join Journey. Hardline's first album Double Eclipse released in 1992, and they had already been opening shows on tour with Van Halen and Mr. Big. Double Eclipse is still recognized as one of the top melodic hard rock albums of the era. Their first releases Hot Cherie and Takin' Me Down can be heard on the FM airwaves today. As with many bands of the late 80s and early 90s, they largely disappeared for some time as the grunge music movement swept the U.S.. But in 2002 Johnny reinvigorated the band and Hardline returned with another album, "II" and at this time guitarist Neal Schon had been replaced by guitarist Josh Ramos, formerly of The Storm.
Since 1998, Johnny has also been the vocalist for the Axel Rudi Pell band. Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player who began in a German band called Steeler. These days Axel's band tours in Europe, drawing in faithful fans and performing at the Wacken Open Air festival on a yearly basis. They will be attending the 2009 Wacken Open Air, the 20th anniversary of the festival. Albums that Johnny has appeared on include: Oceans of Time (1998), The Ballads II, The Masquerade Ball (2000)(one of his favorites), Shadow Zone, Knights Live (DVD), Kings and Queens, The Ballads III, Mystica, Diamonds Unlocked, and Tales of the Crown (2008).
Johnny has also been working for some time with video game composer and musician Jun Senoue and has delivered his vocals in the Sons Of Angels CD, Thrill Of The Feel, released in 2000. He is currently in the band Crush 40, where he sang several songs in recent Sonic the Hedgehog games, such as the theme tune Sonic Heroes, a bright, melodic song and in contrast What I'm Made Of, a distinctly dark, energetic hard rock song with metal sensibilities for the final struggle of the game. He was also the vocalist for the songs Open Your Heart, the main theme of Sonic Adventure (Though it was originally recorded with a different vocalist), Live and Learn, the main theme of Sonic Adventure 2, I Am... All Of Me, the main theme of Shadow the Hedgehog, and Never Turn Back, the ending theme from the same game. His latest work with Senoue is a cover of Runblebee's Seven Rings in Hand, which was featured exclusively on the currently japan-only CD True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog. He also wrote the chorus lyrics for the Sonic the Hedgehog Next-Gen game main theme "His World". As well as writing the chorus for the main theme (Performed by Matty Lewis and Ali Tabatabaee), he also recorded a version of the song with Crush 40 (featured as a bonus track on the games official soundtrack).
Now just this April 17, 2009 the long awaited third Hardline album has released, entitled Leaving The End Open. The current line up is Johnny Gioeli (vocals), Michael T. Ross (keyboards), Josh Ramos (guitar), Jamie Brown (bass) and Atma Anur (drums). In a recent interview, Johnny says this album is coming from a very good place and he loved writing and recording it. The songs are written by Johnny Gioeli and Josh Ramos with the exception of "In This Moment" which Johnny wrote himself. He also thanked Serafino at Frontiers Records for his enduring support for a third Hardline album. Hardline will be touring in Europe and Johnny says he and the guys really want to do some shows in the U.S., saying "I would love to do some shows in my own homeland.....the fans here are so awesome."
The song listing for Leaving the End Open is: Voices, Falling Free, Start Again, Pieces of Puzzles, Bittersweet, She Sleeps in Madness, In This Moment, Give In To This Love, Before This, Hole in My Head, and Leaving the End Open.
It
Johnny Gioeli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Johnny Gioeli, Eric Gadrix, Alessandro Del Vecchio
5AM WITH A CUP IN HAND
GOT MY FEET UP HIGH AND I SEE THE LAND
JUST ANOTHER DAY TO BE GRATEFUL
AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT HERE
I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH FOR FEARING FEAR
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN MISSING
I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE BEEN THERE
ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I'M FEELING
I WANNA FEEL IT EVERYWHERE
I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT
I CAN'T BREATHE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER ME
I CAN'T DREAM WITHOUT IT
I CAN'T BE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER ME
WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS IT (THAT MOVES YOU)
PM COMES AND I'M FELLING LOW
WITH A CAFFEINE FIX TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE SHOW
AND I LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHATS MINE
SHINING SMILE AND A HEARTS A GLOW
AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I MADE YOU
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MINE
AND I MUST HAVE BEEN STUCK INSIDE
AM I DREAMING ALL THE TIME
AND I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RUNNING
LIKE A MILLION MILES A DAY
SEARCHING FOR THE ANSWERS
DOESN'T MATTER ANYWAY
I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT
I CAN'T BREATHE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER ME
I CAN'T DREAM WITHOUT IT
I CAN'T BE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER MRE
WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS IT (THAT MOVES YOU)
5AM WITH A CUP IN HAND
GOT MY FEET UP HIGH AND I SEE THE LAND
JUST ANOTHER DAY TO BE GRATEFUL
The lyrics to Johnny Gioeli's song "It" convey a sense of appreciation for life and all its blessings. The opening lines describe a peaceful morning, with the singer enjoying a cup of coffee and taking in the beauty of the land. It is a reminder to be grateful for the simple things in life, like being able to move and touch others.
However, the singer acknowledges that they have not always been aware of what they've been missing. There is a sense of uncertainty and a desire to feel and experience everything. The repetition of the line "I can't live without it, I can't breathe without it all over me" emphasizes the importance of this unidentified "it" that moves and drives the singer.
As the day progresses, the mood shifts as the singer feels low in the evening. They use caffeine to get through the difficulties and look around to find solace in their surroundings. The presence of a loved one is highlighted by a shining smile and a glowing heart. It is a moment of disbelief and gratitude for having such a person in their life.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer cannot live, breathe, dream, or be without this elusive "it" that moves them. It is something that brings joy and meaning to their existence. The closing lines reiterate the continuation of being grateful for another day.
Overall, the lyrics of "It" convey a sense of gratitude, introspection, and a longing to feel and experience life to its fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
5AM WITH A CUP IN HAND
Starting my day early, holding a cup of something
GOT MY FEET UP HIGH AND I SEE THE LAND
Relaxing and enjoying the view from up high
JUST ANOTHER DAY TO BE GRATEFUL
Recognizing and appreciating the blessings in life
I CAN MOVE MY TOES I CAN TOUCH YOU
Having the ability to move freely and connect with others
AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT HERE
Feeling uncertain about how this fortunate situation came to be
I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH FOR FEARING FEAR
Not letting fear hold me back in life
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN MISSING
Unaware of the experiences or emotions I haven't yet encountered
I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE BEEN THERE
Unsure if I have truly lived or explored certain aspects of life
ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I'M FEELING
Being aware of the emotions and sensations I am currently experiencing
I WANNA FEEL IT EVERYWHERE
Desiring to experience those feelings in every aspect of life
I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT
Feeling like life is incomplete without this certain something
I CAN'T BREATHE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER ME
Feeling suffocated or unable to fully function without this something surrounding me
I CAN'T DREAM WITHOUT IT
Being unable to imagine or aspire without this something
I CAN'T BE WITHOUT IT ALL OVER ME
Feeling incomplete or not fully myself without this something
WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS IT (THAT MOVES YOU)
Questioning and seeking the essence of this something that deeply affects and motivates me
PM COMES AND I'M FELLING LOW
As evening approaches, experiencing a decrease in energy or mood
WITH A CAFFEINE FIX TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE SHOW
Using caffeine as a temporary solution to maintain energy and performance
AND I LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHATS MINE
Taking a moment to appreciate and acknowledge the things and people I have
SHINING SMILE AND A HEARTS A GLOW
Feeling joyful and happy, radiating positive energy
AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I MADE YOU
Feeling disbelief and gratitude for having someone special in my life
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MINE
Experiencing astonishment and appreciation for having this person as mine
AND I MUST HAVE BEEN STUCK INSIDE
Realizing that I may have been trapped in a negative mindset or situation before
AM I DREAMING ALL THE TIME
Questioning if my current happiness and fulfillment are too good to be true
AND I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RUNNING
Sensing a constant need to keep moving or striving
LIKE A MILLION MILES A DAY
Feeling like I'm covering vast distances or facing numerous challenges daily
SEARCHING FOR THE ANSWERS
Continuously seeking clarity or understanding in life
DOESN'T MATTER ANYWAY
Realizing that the answers might not ultimately matter or change anything
WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS IT (THAT MOVES YOU)
Reiterating the quest to discover the compelling force driving me
5AM WITH A CUP IN HAND
Starting my day early, holding a cup of something
GOT MY FEET UP HIGH AND I SEE THE LAND
Relaxing and enjoying the view from up high
JUST ANOTHER DAY TO BE GRATEFUL
Recognizing and appreciating the blessings in life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alessandro Del Vecchio, Eric Gadrix, Johnny Gioeli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind