Jonathan Richman began playing music and writing his own songs in the mid-1960s. In 1969 he moved to New York City, where he spent time living on the couch of The Velvet Underground's manager and working odd jobs while trying to break in as a professional musician. Failing at this, he returned to Boston. Having moved back, he formed The Modern Lovers. Other notable members of the group were keyboard player Jerry Harrison and drummer David Robinson, who later joined Talking Heads and The Cars, respectively. In 1972 they recorded a series of songs with John Cale producing, including the seminal "Roadrunner," which were eventually released on the group's sole album, Modern Lovers, in 1975.
Shortly after these recordings were made, Richman broke up the band and embarked on his long and eclectic solo career. For a while he continued recording under the "Modern Lovers" name (or rather, the more telling "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" appellation), but all the members were different, and in the new incarnation were essentially his backing band. The sound of the new group was considerably different as well, focusing on acoustic instrumentation rather than the prior electric guitars and drums. The album Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers was released in January 1977, Rock and Roll with the Modern Lovers followed a month later, and Modern Lovers Live in 1978.
In 1979 Richman finally went completely solo. That year's Back in Your Life was released under the "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" moniker, but this was true of only about half the disc—the rest was solo work. This album was probably the most extreme detour by Richman into eclecticism; after the odd but traditional acoustic rock of the previous albums, this one's solo tracks showed off a string bass and Glockenspiel as main instruments.A few years' hiatus ended in 1983 with Jonathan Sings!—memorably featuring a cover with Richman serenading a crowd wearing nothing but a guitar and neck strap. This was followed up with a series of pop efforts (Rockin' and Romance, It's Time for Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and Modern Lovers 88 from 1985, 1986 and 1988 respectively). Soon after, he returned to swooping madly around the musical landscape: country music with 1990's Jonathan Goes Country, and Spanish translations of his earlier work (as well as traditional Spanish songs) with 1993's Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar!
Always possessing an ardent cult following, Richman has become better known in recent years thanks to a series of appearances on fan Conan O'Brien's show; also helping was a major part in the 1998 movie There's Something About Mary, where he played half of a two-man Greek chorus that commented on the movie while performing in the framed action itself.
He has continued his release schedule all along, with You Must Ask the Heart in 1995, Surrender to Jonathan in 1996, I'm So Confused in 1998, Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow in 2001 and Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love in 2004. In 1998 a live album of Modern Lovers recordings from the early '70s was released, Live at the Long Branch & More. There is also a DVD of a live performance Take me to the Plaza 2002. A tribute album, If I Were a Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001. In live 'solo' shows, he frequently tours with drummer Tommy Larkins, the other part of the two-man chorus mentioned above. He is a tremendously charismatic stage presence, and this has helped maintain his dedicated cult following.
Richman's work with the first incarnation of Modern Lovers is a major influence on punk rock. One critic called him the "Godfather of Punk". Artists as diverse as the Sex Pistols and Joan Jett have covered "Roadrunner". Boston ska-punk band, Big D and the Kids Table, have covered "New England" live and on their Gypsy Hill EP. A version of "Pablo Picasso" performed by Burning Sensations was included in the 1984 cult film, Repo Man. David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his album Reality. Velvet Underground founding member John Cale has a version of the song on his 1975 album, Helen of Troy, and continues to include the song in his live shows. Iggy Pop has performed "Pablo Picasso" live and wrote an extra verse for it. Echo and the Bunnymen covered "She Cracked" in concert in 1984 and 1985 and Siouxsie and the Banshees have a version of the song on Downside Up.
Richman's music has set the tone for many alternative rock bands, such as Violent Femmes, Galaxie 500, They Might Be Giants ("Roadrunner" reportedly inspired John Flansburgh to become a musician), Weezer, Tullycraft, Jens Lekman, singer Frank Black (who composed the tribute song "The Man Who Was Too Loud"), Brandon Flowers, Art Brut, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady & Lifter Puller and Nerf Herder who composed a song about him, titled "Jonathan", which appeared on the band's second album How To Meet Girls. British country rock band The Rockingbirds released the single "Jonathan, Jonathan" in tribute to Richman in 1992.
As a producer himself, Richman and drummer Tommy Larkin produced Vic Chesnutt's final album Skitter on Take-Off in 2009 which appeared on Vapor Records. Chesnutt opened for Richman at concerts many times during his later years.
"Roadrunner" is on the soundtrack of School of Rock. In the commentary, director Richard Linklater mentions it is often called "the first punk song" and wanted to include it for that reason, along with all the other seminal rock songs in that film.
A tribute album, If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001.
Affection
Jonathan Richman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People all over the world
People all over the world are starving
For affection
And to me, this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I tell everybody the way I feel
Well I've starved before for affection
I blamed the world
And it's probably the worlds fault
That's true
But I was a star who said (?)
I don't have time for those people
So it was partly my own fault too
Well then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
That gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And affection helped me to live
So I say
People all over the world they're good
People all over the world ain't bad
If everybody'd be snobs like I've been
They won't care what they wish they had
Affection
People are starving just to be touched
People are starving just to be hugged and kissed
Well you've got radios and magazines and cars
And there's telephones and books everywhere
But plain old affection sits there over in the corner
and it says, "hmm, it's like they've forgotten that I'm there"
You know it takes gall to reach out and try affection
On people who maybe want your touch
But you can't tell
Because they can laugh, and that's like rejection
And you probably won't like that very well
But I say
People all over the world they're good
People all over the world ain't bad
If everybody keeps on chickening out
They won't care what they wish they had
Affection
"Jonathan, you're scaring us
We think this is the part of the song where everbody has to like, do the group hug and stuff. We don't even like our neighbor. Is that what we have to do now? No, don't worry...uhh...that's no good...we're not gonna do that...okay...and what's this song about anyway?"
Its just, if you do feel like it
Don't chicken out, that's all
"Is that all you're saying?"
yeah
"oh, okay"
People all over the world
People all over the world
People all over the world
Are starving for affection
In the song Affection by Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, the singer talks about how people all over the world are starving for affection. He states that it is not a funny matter, but a real issue. He talks about how he has starved for affection before, and how he blamed the world for it. He mentions that he thought he did not have time for people who wanted affection, but later learned to relax a little and met people who liked him. That gave him the courage to reach out and give, and that helped him to get more affection. He believes that people are starving just to be touched, hugged, and kissed, and that everyone needs affection to live.
The lyrics are essentially a plea for people to realize the importance of affection and not be afraid to show it to others. The song is a reflection of how the lack of affection can be a serious issue for people all around the world. Jonathan Richman encourages people to not be afraid of reaching out to others with love and affection, even if it is uncomfortable for them.
Line by Line Meaning
People all over the world
Everyone, no matter where they are, can be affected by the lack of affection in their life.
People all over the world are starving
Affection is so important to people that it can be compared to physical hunger.
For affection
People can be so lonely and disconnected that they feel they need affection to survive.
And to me, this ain't funny
The importance of affection is no joke to the singer.
To me this is real
The singer believes that the need for affection is a serious issue.
So I tell everybody the way I feel
The singer wants people to know how important affection is to them.
Well I've starved before for affection
The singer has personally felt the effects of not having enough affection in their life.
I blamed the world
The singer initially thought that it was someone else's fault that they lacked affection.
And it's probably the world's fault
But the singer realizes that the world can be a cold, unfeeling place.
That's true
The singer acknowledges the reality of the situation.
But I was a star who said (? )
The singer once thought they were too important to worry about others or to show affection to others.
I don't have time for those people
The singer made the mistake of thinking that they were too busy for other people.
So it was partly my own fault too
The singer takes responsibility for their part in causing their own lack of affection.
Well then I relaxed a little
The singer started to let their guard down and trust people more.
And I met more people who liked me
The singer began to realize that there were people who cared about them.
That gave me the courage to reach out and give
Knowing that others cared about them, the singer felt braver about showing affection.
And that helped me to get more affection
By showing affection to others, the singer was able to receive more affection in return.
And affection helped me to live
The singer recognizes that affection is necessary to have a fulfilling life.
People all over the world they're good
The singer wants people to know that there are good people everywhere.
People all over the world ain't bad
Despite the world being a tough place, there is still kindness in people.
If everybody'd be snobs like I've been
If everyone acted the way the singer used to, there would be even less affection in the world.
They won't care what they wish they had
People will regret not having shown more affection to others.
People are starving just to be touched
The simplest form of affection, like a hug or a touch, can mean so much to people.
Well you've got radios and magazines and cars
Despite technology and material possessions, people still crave love and connection.
And there's telephones and books everywhere
Even communication and knowledge cannot replace the need for human connection.
But plain old affection sits there over in the corner and it says, "hmm, it's like they've forgotten that I'm there"
Despite its importance, affection is often overlooked or forgotten in people's lives.
You know it takes gall to reach out and try affection
It can be difficult and scary to show affection to others.
On people who maybe want your touch
The singer recognizes that not everyone will welcome their affection.
But you can't tell
It's hard to know who will welcome affection and who won't.
Because they can laugh, and that's like rejection
Sometimes people will laugh or brush off affection, which can feel like rejection to the giver.
And you probably won't like that very well
Rejection can be painful and discouraging.
If everybody keeps on chickening out
If people continue to be too scared to show affection, the world will be a less loving place.
Affection
The message of the song is simply to not be afraid to show affection to others.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MODERN LOVE SONGS
Written by: Jonathan Michael Richman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@savanana8514
there's pure emotion in his eyes; nothing more, nothing less. he sings from his heart, not his desire to please a crowd. i admire the man.
@PedroHenrique-oz6yu
best comment
@rosejans1791
SAVANANA. IT WAS GREAT SEEING HIM IN PERSON. ONE OF THE GREATEST REAL PEOPLE EVER
@cosmicmatrix6238
i think i could watch this every day for the rest of my life.
@jflatl
It should be watched weekly at a very minimum.
@daboocher
Gorky park
@alex-pe9jy
im on day 3 of listening to this everyday for a year
@PedroHenrique-oz6yu
Id like to invite everybody in this comment section to a party in my house
@booshank2327
I accept.
@zahidarteaga1838
Accept