While at school, Allen featured in a number of school bands, playing drums. On one occasion Jon became the lead singer and realized that he was a natural show off. He later attended the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) on a songwriting course. Through this he learnt how to become a more self-disciplined writer. After graduating Jon moved to London, after one of his demos received a five-star review in the magazine Making Music. Management offers in London soon followed, prompting Jon to immerse himself in the live music scene and surround himself with like-minded people. Since moving to London, Allen found himself sharing the stage with artists as Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez.
After selling more than 20,000 downloads via his website of Going Home Jon is steadily building up a strong and supportive fan base in the UK. In 2009 he released his debut album Dead Mans Suit which featured the singles 'In Your Light', 'Dead Mans Suit', 'When The Morning Comes' and 'Down By The River'.
On May 22nd 2011, Allen released his second album 'Sweet Defeat' through Monologue Records. His first single from the album, 'Joanna' was playlisted on Radio 2.
'Sweet Defeat' was released in the US via OK! Good Records and can be purchased or streamed here:
http://www.okgoodrecords.com/blog/2012/03/13/jon-allen-sweet-defeat/
Bad Penny
Jon Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk my own road to ruin
Don't waste you breath trying to stop me
I know full well what I'm doing
I got time on my hands, salt on my tongue
Now I'm going down town I'm gonna get myself stung
Guess I'm crazy
But all I wanna do is wrong
I've got no illusions
I know I'm going down in flames
I'll be the first to be taken
When they start calling out names
I can't even remember all the bad things I've done
But I'll wear the blame for anything they wanna pin on
Guess I'm crazy
But all I wanna do is wrong
I'm a Bad penny baby
Right from my head to my tail
And sooner or later
I'm gonna fly off the rails
Baby don't be believing I could ever be true
Cause you know I'll be leaving the way that I always do
Why don't you walk out that door don't let me string you along
Cause the only thing you'll thank me for is getting you gone
Please believe me
All I wanna do is wrong
I'm a bad penny baby
Your fate is gonna be sealed
Cause everything's free
When you know how to steal
Baby don't make me love you
Just cause your bloods running hot
No don't you through it away now
Before you know what you've got
The best you can do is go back where you belong
Cause I can't do any better babe I'm just not that strong
Yeah I'm crazy
Cause all I wanna do is wrong
The lyrics in this song, Bad Penny by Jon Allen, depict a person who is self-destructive and enjoys engaging in negative activities. The singer is conscious of the fact that they are walking down the path of destruction, but they seem to derive a perverse pleasure out of it. He doesn't want anyone to try and stop him, and he is fully responsible for everything he does.
In the chorus, the singer calls himself a "bad penny," which is a British idiom that means a person who keeps showing up, usually uninvited, and is generally unwelcome. This indicates that the singer is aware of his flaws and recognizes that he is not the best person to be around. At the end of the song, the singer acknowledges that he may break someone's heart if they fall in love with him, as he is not capable of having a stable relationship due to his self-destructive tendencies.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the singer's internal struggles and the negative self-talk that he has become comfortable with. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that he does not want to be helped and will continue on his path of self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna burn my own bridge
I am determined to ruin my own future and ruin the relationship with the people I care about.
Walk my own road to ruin
I am determined to take a path that will lead to my destruction.
Don't waste you breath trying to stop me
I am beyond reasoning with and no one can prevent me from pursuing my self-destructive behavior.
I know full well what I'm doing
I am aware of the consequences of my actions and yet I'm still determined to pursue them.
I got time on my hands, salt on my tongue
I have nothing to lose and I'm ready to take risks and face the consequences.
Now I'm going down town I'm gonna get myself stung
I am going to partake in dangerous activities that will lead to my downfall.
Guess I'm crazy
I'm fully aware that my actions are irrational but I'm still doing them.
But all I wanna do is wrong
I am addicted to self-destruction and taking the wrong path.
I've got no illusions
I am not making any false assumptions about my situation, I know the consequences of my actions.
I know I'm going down in flames
I am well aware that my actions will ultimately lead to my destruction.
I'll be the first to be taken
I am fully aware that I will be the first to experience the consequences of my actions.
When they start calling out names
When I am held responsible for my actions and people publicly name and shame me.
I can't even remember all the bad things I've done
I have indulged so much in the wrongdoings that I cannot keep track of my actions and how they have led me here.
But I'll wear the blame for anything they wanna pin on
I am ready to take the fall for any wrongdoing that I have been a part of and accept full responsibility for my actions.
I'm a Bad penny baby
I am cursed or doomed and destined to experience bad luck or misfortune.
Right from my head to my tail
Bad luck follows me everywhere and affects everything that I do.
And sooner or later
It's only a matter of time before my actions lead to my downfall.
I'm gonna fly off the rails
My self-destructive behavior will eventually cause me to lose control and derail my life.
Cause you know I'll be leaving the way that I always do
I have a history of abandoning people and relationships, and I will inevitably leave you too.
No don't you through it away now
Don't throw away what you have right now before you appreciate and realize its worth.
Before you know what you've got
You may regret losing me when you realize what you had once I'm gone.
The best you can do is go back where you belong
It's best for you to move away from me and go back to where you were, away from my negative influence.
Cause I can't do any better babe I'm just not that strong
I am too weak to make any changes or be any better, and it's not fair for you to expect more from me.
Your fate is gonna be sealed
Being with me and my bad luck will cause you to experience your own disastrous future.
Cause everything's free
I have no regard for the law and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want, even if it means stealing.
When you know how to steal
My bad habits have rubbed off on you, and you too have now become accustomed to breaking the law and stealing.
Baby don't make me love you
Don't make me fall in love with you because I am not capable of being a good partner or loving you unconditionally.
Just cause your bloods running hot
Don't let your emotions or physical attraction to me cloud your judgment and rational thinking.
Cause the only thing you'll thank me for is getting you gone
Being with me will only lead to your destruction, and eventually you will thank me for forcing you to leave and move on.
Please believe me
Take my warning seriously and believe that being with me is not good for you.
Yeah I'm crazy
I'm fully aware that my actions are irrational, but I cannot help myself since I am addicted to self-destruction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind