Johnny Hollow is a Canadian band formed by singer Janine White, cellist Kit… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Hollow is a Canadian band formed by singer Janine White, cellist Kitty Thompson, and programmer and occasional vocalist Vincent Marcone (aka digital artist My Pet Skeleton). Their style is often described as dark cabaret, darkwave, and steampunk, and combines classical instrumentation (primarily cello and piano) with atmospheric electronic programming and lyrics that put a focus on storytelling. Due to Marcone's involvement the band has a strong focus on combining their music with visual art projects such as short films and flash games.

This Hollow World
Johnny Hollow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Woke up this morning radio moaning
Thoughts run in circles and set the day
I'm all burnt up
No resurrection
Lying here slinging ashes at the sun

Can't find what I once knew
Take me

Can't find what I once knew
Take me

I'm worried my wires are crossed again
So worried I've lost my connection
A desperate need
For more distraction
Won't you take me back to oblivion?

This Hollow World
Is holding onto me
My Soul my Mind
Is held magnetically
Electric friction
Washes over me
It feels so creepy
It feels so creepy

I'm worried i can't find what's real
Can't find any other way to feel
Blackbirds sing sad harmonies
Lost to the humming wires that feed

Useless agendas make a useless breed
All you can eat in a world of need
A discount price for all your good deeds
Tell me isn't that all you need?

Can't find what i once knew
Take me
Can't find what i once knew
Take me

This Hollow World
Is holding onto me
My Soul my Mind
Is held magnetically
Electric friction
Washes over me
Feels so creepy
Feels so creepy

Woke up this evening
Television screaming
Static burns in my world of dreaming
Soothed by the light
I drop my fist
Turn my cheek for a cathode ray kiss

Can't find what i once knew
Take me
Can't find what i once knew
Take me

This Hollow World
Is holding onto me
My Soul my Mind
Is held magnetically
Electric friction
Washes over me
It feels so creepy
It feels so creepy

This Hollow World
This Hollow World
This Hollow World

This Hollow World
This Hollow World

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Hollow's song, This Hollow World, explore the theme of disconnection and emptiness in modern society. The opening lines, "Woke up this morning radio moaning / Thoughts run in circles and set the day / I'm all burnt up / No resurrection / Lying here slinging ashes at the sun," set a gloomy tone that reflects the singer's sense of hopelessness and despair. The juxtaposition of the radio's moaning with the singer's circular thoughts creates a sense of being trapped in a cycle of negativity and uncertainty.

The chorus of the song, "This Hollow World / Is holding onto me / My Soul my Mind / Is held magnetically / Electric friction / Washes over me / It feels so creepy / It feels so creepy," emphasizes the singer's sense of being stuck in a world that feels empty and soulless. The use of electric imagery and language, such as "held magnetically" and "electric friction," highlights the sense of being trapped and overwhelmed by technology and modern society. The repeated refrain, "Can't find what I once knew / Take me," underscores the singer's yearning for a sense of connection and meaning that feels out of reach.

The latter half of the song introduces a sense of escape through television, which provides a "cathode ray kiss" that soothes and distracts from the emptiness of the world. However, the final repetition of "This Hollow World" leaves a sense of ambiguity as to whether the singer is truly able to escape or not. Overall, the song creates a haunting portrait of the modern world that many listeners may find relatable.

Line by Line Meaning

Woke up this morning radio moaning
I woke up to the sound of a radio playing mournful music

Thoughts run in circles and set the day
My thoughts are jumbled and I can't focus on anything

I'm all burnt up
I'm exhausted and drained of energy

No resurrection
I can't find a way to feel renewed or rejuvenated

Lying here slinging ashes at the sun
I feel helpless and like my actions or efforts are pointless

Can't find what I once knew Take me Can't find what I once knew Take me
I'm lost and can't find my way, I'm asking for help or guidance

I'm worried my wires are crossed again
I'm anxious about feeling confused or mixed up

So worried I've lost my connection
I'm concerned about feeling disconnected from myself or others

A desperate need For more distraction Won't you take me back to oblivion?
I'm looking for ways to escape my thoughts and emotions

This Hollow World Is holding onto me My Soul my Mind Is held magnetically Electric friction Washes over me It feels so creepy It feels so creepy
I feel trapped and overwhelmed by the negative aspects of the world and technology

I'm worried i can't find what's real Can't find any other way to feel Blackbirds sing sad harmonies Lost to the humming wires that feed
I'm struggling to find truth or authenticity in the world, and feel disconnected from nature and my emotions

Useless agendas make a useless breed All you can eat in a world of need A discount price for all your good deeds Tell me isn't that all you need?
The world is focused on unimportant things and materialism, and people are willing to sacrifice their values for temporary benefits

Woke up this evening Television screaming Static burns in my world of dreaming Soothed by the light I drop my fist Turn my cheek for a cathode ray kiss
I woke up to a loud TV and feel overwhelmed by the stimulation of technology, but am also comforted by it

This Hollow World This Hollow World This Hollow World This Hollow World This Hollow World
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and overwhelmed by the world and technology

Contributed by Amelia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@user-wn5gj8em1g

3y↑4

Woke up this morning,
Radio moaning,
Thoughts run in circles and set the day
I'm all burnt up,
No resurrection lying here,
Slinging ashes at the sun
I can't find what I once knew
I can't find what I once knew
I'm worried my wires are crossed again
So worried I've lost my connection
Desperate need for more distraction
Won't you take me back to oblivion

This hollow world is holding on to me
My soul, my mind is held magnetically
Electric friction washes over me
It feels so creepy, it feels so creepy

I'm worried I can't find what's real
Can't find any other way to feel
Blackbirds sing sad harmonies
Lost to humming wires that feed
Useless agendas make a useless breed
All you can eat in a world of need
A discount price for all your good deeds
Tell me isn't that al you need?

I can't find what I once knew
I can't find what I once knew

This hollow world is holding on to me
My soul, my mind is held magnetically
Electric friction washes over me
It feels so creepy, it feels so creepy

Woke up this evening, television screaming
Static burns in my world of dreaming
Soothed by the light I drop my fist
Turn my cheek for a cathode ray kiss
I can't find what I once knew
I can't find what I once knew

This hollow world washes over me
My soul, my mind is held magnetically
Electric friction washes over me
It feels so creepy, it feels so creepy

This hollow world

All comments from YouTube:

@ZizziHorrorshow

13y↑7

I've never seen her sing before, I've barely even seen pictures of her to be honest! Lol this was a real surprise when I heard she had done a video. Love this song! Love this video! Johnny Hollow rocks!

@MegaIchabod

12y↑3

The woman playing cello is beautiful. 11/10. Wonderful song and video. SO glad I stumbled across this group.

@johnnyhollowmusic

14y↑13

@VereChrono (Vincent here)... I'd do it again in a heart beat... though my laptop whom I've lovingly named "Tricksy", did not appreciate the stunt at ALL...

@KadajPhantomhive

4y↑2

oh no poor Tricksy! , how is she doing now? :D

@toydolls7979

10y↑18

we need more of this in the world

@blackberry8615

ikr

@johnnyhollowmusic

13y↑9

Keep passing it around octopanzer and we'll get it there ;)

@SheDemon666

2y↑1

This was my Myspace song when I discovered them forever ago.

@miketx420

12y↑1

HOLY CRAP! THEY MADE A M.V. HOT DAMN! long ago my best friend and music mate and me got into these guys in 03 when ya had to answer the riddles on the webpage made by the mypetskeleton guy who i think wuz their keyboardist, to hear songs it was something totally different and im sorry i ever stopped followin johnny hollow . i thank you who posted this your awesome and have a good ear. beautiful indeed beautiful. you have reinvigorated my love of many layers and deep sounds for music.!

@user-wn5gj8em1g

3y↑4

@acertainshadeofdead

12y↑2

oh my god, YES. I remember those riddles.. how they tormented me until i was like "REALLY?" I wish that version of the site was still around

@kendallwonderland1691

ooh back n the mypetskeleton days..then & forever!

@13whakeekeespirit13

10y↑3

This is one of the greatest music videos I have ever seen

@NightwalkersReprisal

12y↑4

Can't sleep. Can't sleep. Scary donkey will eat me. -Rocks back and forth in the fetal position-

@ChillerKane

11y↑2

Brilliant....everything about this vid. !!!!

@edgewalkerlion

13y

You people NEED to come to Brazil at some point. Casting for this video was perfect. Those two kids have very expressive faces. The girl's eyes look like they've seen more than anyone her age should.

@WoeVincent

10y↑6

I love this

@At.home.in.the.catacombs

13y↑2

I've listened to you guys for a long time now, and i'm so excited to see this!!!

@VereChrono

14y↑10

Playing the Keyboard in that pond could not have been comfortable or fun.

@EgonCom

Is it 10 years already? Wow...

@starryday100

My favourite Johnny hollow song x

@forgetfulstranger

4y↑2

Oml I remember my friend introduced me to this mv back in highschool, that donkey fucking terrified me but I thought the mv was cool.

@Hauntedserenity

13y

I only got into this band a couple months ago but I absolutley adore them! I'm looking forward to more material in the future :)

@starfireonvf

12y↑1

This song is amazing! Never heard of you guys before or this song. =]

@ezrathorngrave7906

11y

Ungodly beautiful. Truly astounding, bravo!

@amaryllismarrero513

10y

Great music video!! One if my fav songs!

@sudeeppokheral4867

You guys are Blowing My Mind♥️

@anandaisis7982

Such an amazing work 💜💜💜

@Whisper1006

13y

Lied und Video sind einfach der Hammer!

@rena1ryuugu

12y↑4

Wat happened to the little boy @ the end?

@quinmp3

13y

This video is awesome, Janine and Kitty's makeup is so pretty! They look gorgeous! (And of course Vincent is fabulous too)

@TOPHERHARPER

So good!

@MaddieTourmaline

12y↑1

I'm glad to hear it! Laughter is good for you! :D

@lesleysullivan792

9y↑7

I'll never understand why Miley Cyrus and most other pop singers are more famous than this band! These people are more talented and create much better music than anything I ever hear on the radio! It's a shame that most people never actually take the time to listen to artists like this.

@user-xy5ru4lf5c

9y↑4

Lesley Sullivan Who is this ? Miley Curys . Is it real person ?

@sandripley8834

8y↑2

je ne m'en lasse pas :)

@C0RBE4U

7y↑1

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!! OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG <3 <3

@ChillerKane

13y

Brilliant.!!!!

@user-iz5eb5rz8x

10y

И смотреть, и слушать.

@torontodrag

13y

Oh my goodness, how haven't I noticed this video until now? Clearly I'm not doing a very good job as Vincent's favourite stalker! :( You three look gorgeous as always and this video is amazing!! :) Can't wait for the new album!!

@ANonBinoDino

12y↑2

Fantastic :)

@GirzGirz

13y

Music video is awesome, so glad to see you expanding your mediums. Where was this filmed? Some of the scenes look like the arboretum in Guelph...

@edgewalkerlion

13y

They couldn't have picked a better child than that little girl. She is so tiny and young, but her expression is so... old. She's beautiful, but quite unsettling.

@buster12012

14y

yes, yes, YES! maliciously epic!

@PoignetBoheme

13y

oh johnny !!!!! THIS HOLLOW WORLD ♥

@kolalmeybuzasgmeybuzkolalg1923

5y↑2

2019

@Malkavian_Blink

13y

You guys rock. Really. Far better than any of that junk played on the radio these days. I discovered you thanks to Last.fm. You going on tour? I'm now going to try and find a website for you guys.

@alkoristar

13y↑1

@ElQuesoGuapo This song screams for a video that reflects what it is talking about

@Retrocool74

13y

that was AMAZING... this is why you are so great.. visually beautifully and hauntingly sexy.

@kisiel8437

8y↑2

This song is AMAZING, but what exactly is it about?

@MrRHYNOTANK

THIS HOLLOW WORLD!

@paglo89

12y

Cool :) But i still love the old video (don't know if it was original, or some fan made vid). You know, the one with psychotic looking pencil ;)

@TheAlexandervegan

13y

wow...

@ohdysphoria

14y

Cute and creepy-- I love it!! :D

@Fahbraccini

13y

Come to Brazil! Pleaseeeee! :la:

@waivedwench

11y

I went to school with the singer!

@LeonaRose1988

12y

so creepy! This video is incredible

@TheBirdBehindTheMask

13y

@GirzGirz We filmed it in Guelph. ;)

@xxTacy101

12y

x x ; Can SOMEONE make a Lyrical video of this song!?!? PLEASE?! ._. ''

@xxTacy101

13y

Can you do Lyrics for this?? :(

@greattriplehdx

9y↑8

I go to school with that little girl, I sit beside her LOLOLOLOLOL

@Unicornxoxox

11y

Holy crap I know those kids!

@grimreaper7509

what a beautiful disturbing song

@jonsolomon7861

11y

Your singer is very pretty.

@richardspeaker5193

10y

Dats gucci shit man #trifflin #hoes

@xxTacy101

13y

o-e ..This music video is So creepy ._. XD

@dawnyeljoers6649

7y↑3

hey the blonde girl goes to my school and is my best friend

@The1Julie1

12y

I love it but when u try to b creepy it's not creepy its funny laughed my head off LMFAO

@natalia3132

This song is strange

@The1Julie1

12y

Awesome but not creppy at all LMAFO

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