He is best known for being the founder member, songwriter and guitarist in The Smiths. The band released numerous singles and four studio albums between 1983 and 1987 until the band dissolved.
Since leaving The Smiths in 1987, Marr focused mainly on contributing to the work of established bands. He played session guitar and or wrote music for artists such as The Pretenders, Talking Heads, Billy Bragg and Kirsty Maccoll (among others). He also briefly became a full-time member of The The due to his friendship with singer Matt Johnson.
Most notably, in 1989 he teamed up with New Order's Bernard Sumner to form synthesiser/guitar super group Electronic. Combining at first with Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant, the duo released Getting Away With It which peaked at #12 in the UK charts. Electronic soon solidified as just Sumner and Marr and between them they released three albums. Self titled debut, Electronic, Raise the Pressure and Twisted Tenderness were released in 1991, 1996 and 1999 respectively.
In 2000, Johnny formed his own band called the Healers. He quickly enlisted Zak Starkey the drumming son of the Beatles’ Ringo Starr. In 2003 Johnny Marr + the Healers released an album called Boomslang, which featured Johnny writing lyrics and on vocals which was an unfamiliar role for him.
In September 2006 Marr announced his membership of the US band Modest Mouse on his website. His work appeared on their 2007 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. The following year he joined The Cribs as a full time member, touring, co-writing and recording their 2009 album Ignore the Ignorant. He left the band in 2011 to concentrate on solo work.
In 2013 he finally released his first proper solo effort, The Messenger. This was followed by extensive touring with the setlist including songs from his time in The Smiths and Electronic. He quickly followed up this debut with his second solo set in 2014 with Playland.
In June 2018, He released his third album called Call the Comet with 12 tracks. Call the Comet received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album scored an average rating of 76, based on 13 reviews. Writing for the Associated Press, Mark Kennedy opined that it was "easily his best as a solo artist, deep and rich both musically and lyrically" before concluding, "So feel free to stay in bed, Morrissey. Marr is who we need now."
25 Hours
Johnny Marr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a return
Was born unheard
But anyhow
Me was a word
A word just like now
And so I learned a need
And so I know of
Need from anyone
A life ahead
A life of ordinary mind
I said no no
I am a child of the divine
And so I was told
There was no need for anyone
Yeah, I saw my soul
And I was seeing what it was
All lies ahead
For life of shaking off crime
All eyes ahead
And I was working my mind
And so it goes
No need for anyone
And so I forego
A need, no
Well, I am erasing myself
The love I need is out there
Worlds I'm leaving
And the door really goes somewhere
Where all I need is myself
And learn all leads to an end
Worlds, I'm leaving
And this door really goes somewhere
Sometimes you look
And you look just like you learned
And some go on
And on some kind of terms
And ever again we march on
Like everyone
And ever again
I ran from all the freaks and priests
Who were hunting me down with attitude
And the heat and the bricks
Were falling on me like doom
Till I seen just everything I had to lose
And I told myself about all I had to do
Oh I am erasing myself
The love I need is out there
Worlds I am leaving
And the door really goes somewhere
Where all I need is myself
And learn all leads to an end
Worlds, I'm leaving
And this door really go somewhere
The song "25 Hours" by Johnny Marr is a contemplative track built on self-reflection and introspection. The opening lyric "So are we erasing ourselves" poses a question about the purpose of our existence and whether we have control over the direction of our lives. Marr sings about being born unheard, feeling like an outsider in society, and struggling with the need for love and connection.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I am erasing myself" which can be interpreted as an act of self-discovery or self-destruction. Marr sings about leaving behind old worlds, and opening new doors to find a sense of purpose and self-sufficiency. The lyrics are highly emotional and introspective, showing a deeper and more vulnerable side to Marr's songwriting.
Overall, "25 Hours" is a meditation on the human experience and the search for meaning and connection. The song offers a very personal perspective and shows the complexity of human emotion and experience.
Line by Line Meaning
So are we erasing ourselves
Are we purposely removing ourselves from society or changing who we are?
I am a return
I have come back from a previous state, reborn.
Was born unheard
I was born without recognition, without anyone hearing me.
But anyhow
Regardless, despite everything.
Me was a word
I was a representation, a symbol of something.
A word just like now
A word with the same importance and meaning as the present.
And so I learned a need
I realized that I required something.
For anyone
From someone, anyone.
And so I know of
I am aware of.
Need from anyone
That I can require something from anyone.
A life ahead
The future to come.
A life of ordinary mind
A life lacking originality or innovation.
I said no no
I refuse to accept that.
I am a child of the divine
I am a product of a higher power, or divine creation.
And so I was told
I was informed.
There was no need for anyone
That I was completely self-sufficient.
Yeah, I saw my soul
I experienced profound personal insight.
And I was seeing what it was
A true understanding of what my soul was.
All lies ahead
My future is filled with deception and obstacles.
For life of shaking off crime
A life spent trying to overcome sins or wrongdoing.
All eyes ahead
Looking forward to what's ahead.
And I was working my mind
I was mentally preparing myself.
And so it goes
This is how it always happens.
No need for anyone
I don't require anyone's assistance.
And so I forego
I willingly give up, relinquish my need.
A need, no
I don't need anything.
Well, I am erasing myself
I am intentionally removing myself from society.
The love I need is out there
The affection or support that I require is still attainable.
Worlds I'm leaving
The different facets of my life that I am departing from.
And the door really goes somewhere
This path leads to a new place or opportunity.
Where all I need is myself
I am self-sufficient in this new world.
And learn all leads to an end
By experiencing everything, it will inevitably come to an end.
Sometimes you look
Occasionally, you may appear as though you have learned.
And you look just like you learned
It seems like you've taken in wisdom or knowledge.
And some go on
Others continue to exist.
And on some kind of terms
And they do so on their own conditions or agreements.
And ever again we march on
We continue forward, perpetually.
Like everyone
Similar to how everyone else advances.
I ran from all the freaks and priests
I was running away from those who were odd or religious.
Who were hunting me down with attitude
They were pursuing me with a negative attitude or approach.
And the heat and the bricks
I was surrounded by danger and obstacles.
Were falling on me like doom
Everything felt condensed and hopeless.
Till I seen just everything I had to lose
Until I recognized the consequences of my actions or situation.
And I told myself about all I had to do
I reminded myself of the tasks necessary to improve my situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES DOVIAK, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angela Cheng
Another song written by an artist (true artists are notoriously self sufficient, as this song will discuss), for those who choose to follow their vocation ("a child of the divine") through work over an ordinary life because they've either "seen" or known what they have to lose in life - and thus they know exactly all they had to do and blot out other distractions. For those of you who don't know, Johnny Marr is the former guitar player for The Smiths. In addition to having the perfect ear for melody and hooks, this guy is a fucking poet. It'd be hard to find a better musician and songwriter in this world than Johnny Marr.
----
25 Hours
Johnny Marr
[Intro]
So are we erasing ourselves?
I am a return, was born unheard
But anyhow me was a word
A word just like now
And so I learned a need for anyone
And so I know of need from anyone
[Verse 1]
A life ahead, a life of ordinary mind
I said 'no no, I am a child of the divine'
And so I was told there was no need for anyone
Yeah, I saw my soul and I was seeing what it was
All lies ahead for life of shaking off crime
All eyes ahead and I was working my mind
And so it goes, no need for anyone
***AND SO I FORGO A NEED***
(damn right, Johnny)
[Chorus]
Well, I am erasing myself
The love I need is out there
Worlds I'm leaving
And the door really goes somewhere
Well, all I need is myself
And learn all leads to an end
Worlds I'm leaving
And this door really goes somewhere
[Verse 2]
Oh sometimes you look, and you look just like you learned
And some go on and on, some kind of term
And ever again we march on like everyone
And ever again I ran from all the freaks and priests
Who were hunting me down with attitude
And the heat and the bricks were falling on me like doom
Till I'd seen just everything I had to lose
And I told myself about all I had to do
[Chorus]
frasgar
Best song of the album!
Dam Ned
jhonny sigue siendo el crack de antaño, larga vida!
Angela Cheng
Another song written by an artist (true artists are notoriously self sufficient, as this song will discuss), for those who choose to follow their vocation ("a child of the divine") through work over an ordinary life because they've either "seen" or known what they have to lose in life - and thus they know exactly all they had to do and blot out other distractions. For those of you who don't know, Johnny Marr is the former guitar player for The Smiths. In addition to having the perfect ear for melody and hooks, this guy is a fucking poet. It'd be hard to find a better musician and songwriter in this world than Johnny Marr.
----
25 Hours
Johnny Marr
[Intro]
So are we erasing ourselves?
I am a return, was born unheard
But anyhow me was a word
A word just like now
And so I learned a need for anyone
And so I know of need from anyone
[Verse 1]
A life ahead, a life of ordinary mind
I said 'no no, I am a child of the divine'
And so I was told there was no need for anyone
Yeah, I saw my soul and I was seeing what it was
All lies ahead for life of shaking off crime
All eyes ahead and I was working my mind
And so it goes, no need for anyone
***AND SO I FORGO A NEED***
(damn right, Johnny)
[Chorus]
Well, I am erasing myself
The love I need is out there
Worlds I'm leaving
And the door really goes somewhere
Well, all I need is myself
And learn all leads to an end
Worlds I'm leaving
And this door really goes somewhere
[Verse 2]
Oh sometimes you look, and you look just like you learned
And some go on and on, some kind of term
And ever again we march on like everyone
And ever again I ran from all the freaks and priests
Who were hunting me down with attitude
And the heat and the bricks were falling on me like doom
Till I'd seen just everything I had to lose
And I told myself about all I had to do
[Chorus]
Pato 28
Grande Johnny!
Emmanuel Lécollier
A great componist, this J. Marr! He doesn't age at all...
Victor Mota
A great song in a "meh..." album
Aidan Amphlett
No, this is a 'meh' song in a great album
robert riopelle
Moving...now!
Cristian Navarro
Aguante johnny viejaa! no me importa nada!¡ (gritando)
Hoops590
This is a cursed song
No such thing as selling your soul, you can repent and be
saved by faith in Jesus Christ.