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.
I'm So Confused
Jonathan Richman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes no
I'm feeling delicate and this must show
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I like to do stuff but I best go slow
I look around now dazed but I don't know
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I think maybe I should just stay alone
But I'm too young to just stay home
I have to sigh now
I have to sigh now
I must stay honest and not play by(?)
So when I need someone I say right at the start
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
"You're thinking too much"
I know
"You're thinking about this too much"
I know
I have to sigh now
I have to sigh now
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
I'm so confused
Jonathan Richman's song "I'm So Confused" expresses the confusion and conflict he feels in his personal life, specifically with regards to his love life. The lyrics describe the singer as feeling conflicted between wanting to be with someone and the fear of getting hurt. He is feeling delicate and unable to make decisions, leading him to be in a confused state of mind.
The line "I like to do stuff but I best go slow, I look around now dazed but I don't know" suggests that he wants to take life slow and not rush into things, but he is also unsure of what to do next. In the line "I think maybe I should just stay alone, but I'm too young to just stay home," Jonathan is trying to find a balance between being independent and wanting to be with someone. However, he is continuously changing his mind, leading to confusion and uncertainty.
Overall, "I'm So Confused" is a heartfelt portrayal of the confusion one can feel when navigating love and relationships. It is a relatable song that speaks to the inner turmoil many people experience during romantic situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I think of only her
At times, I have this lady on my mind exclusively
Sometimes no
Other times, I don't think of her at all
I'm feeling delicate and this must show
Presently, I am experiencing a fragile emotional state, which is probably evident to others
I like to do stuff but I best go slow
I enjoy taking part in various activities, but I think it's best that I move slowly
I look around now dazed but I don't know
As I survey my surroundings, I feel confused and disoriented
I think maybe I should just stay alone
Perhaps it would be best for me to remain solitary
But I'm too young to just stay home
However, I believe staying at home would be an unsuitable choice as I am still young and need to explore the world
I have to sigh now
I can feel a deep sigh coming on
I must stay honest and not play by(?)
It's crucial that I remain honest and upfront when engaging with others
So when I need someone I say right at the start
Thus, if I require a person's presence in my life, I inform them at the very beginning
"You're thinking too much"
I know
"You're thinking about this too much"
I know
Others might say that I am overthinking my situation, but I am aware of that
I'm so confused
I feel extremely perplexed
I'm so confused
I feel extremely perplexed
I'm so confused
I feel extremely perplexed
I'm so confused
I feel extremely perplexed
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briteness
I've never seen a video like this before. But then again, Jonathan is in a class by himself. I could watch him dance for days. Thanks for posting this.
@ekolke
Love this and Jonathan Richman!! A true original!!
@AtrolleynaTrain
just found this guy, really impressed, great guitars and unique voice.
@coloritgreenbehappy
That signature Jonathan Richman hip sway is adorable and contagious af!
@8strings240
That's a pretty limber kick at the 1:38 mark. Dude is multi-talented!
@romeoantonio952
So unique. Jonathan is THE MAN.
@juancarlosgonzalezespino1840
Vaya video, me encanta, no lo conocía, desde ahora lo veré más veces. Gracias por el video
@mclff6926
This bass part is sick
@DisappointedDavid
Jonathan used to come into the bakery I worked at when he was in town for a show. Always such a nice guy who LOVED granola. He’d buy a couple hundred dollars worth every time, haha
@DanielFranc35
Richy as young and talented as ever!