Born Kathleen Josey in Dallas, Texas, Cotton sang with Dallas area bands be… Read Full Bio ↴Born Kathleen Josey in Dallas, Texas, Cotton sang with Dallas area bands before moving to Los Angeles, California. Although the The Go-Go's played "Johnny Are You Queer" in their live shows before they signed with I.R.S., it was Cotton who recorded the song for Bomp Records in 1981. The song was originally decried as "offensive" and "homophobic" by many critics and listeners - which may have helped its popularity. Cotton has always maintained she is a staunch supporter of gay rights and frequently turns up at Gay Pride events. The performance of the single attracted the attention of Elektra Records who re-released both the single and a full album in 1982. The Convertible Music LP featured music reminiscent of the 1960s girl group tradition. Cotton made an appearance in the 1983 film Valley Girl, singing "Johnny Are You Queer?" , "He Could Be the One" and "School Is In" during the film's prom scene. Elektra issued her follow up album, From the Hip in 1984 which failed to produce a hit. "Johnny Are You Queer" was recently featured in the film "Jackass: Number Two" during the "Anaconda Ballpit" stunt.

Cotton recorded Frightened by Nightingales for her own ROXCO Records label in 1993. Continuing to work behind the scenes, Cotton co-founded B-Girl Records, which issued recordings by Goldenboy and Alaska! A new album of her own music, The Influence of Fear on Salesmen, was planned for release in 2002 on B-Girl but failed to materialize under that title. Cotton released Movie Disaster Music in 2006.

Cotton was the long-term partner of legendary punk pioneer record producer Geza X, notable for producing records for such of early and influential California punk bands such as the Dead Kennedys, the Germs, Black Flag, the Avengers and The Weirdos. Although now seperated, the two currently co-own Satellite Park Recording in Malibu, California.

School
Josie Cotton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, two, one, two, three, four

I'm so glad that school is in
An I can see my old classmates again
I worked and slaved the summer through
Doing all the things my mama told me to do
I washed the dishes, I scrubbed the floor
Taught me to love what I've began before

Now I'm so glad the summers past
And school is in at last
School is in oh yeah, school is in
School is in, school is in oh yeah
School is in, school is in

Now you make think I'm nutty and tellin' you lies
But I'm going out tonight and find my school supplies

Cause it's a mission gonna be a gas
I said school is in at last
School is in oh yeah, school is in
School is in, school is in don't ya know it, oh yeah
School is in, school is in
School is in oh yeah, school is in
School is in oh yeah, school is in

Now summertime has come to an end
So I've gotta get back to my studies again
And make a grade so I can pass
And go-o-o up to the head of my class
I washed the dishes and scrubbed the floor
And taught me to love what I'd began before

Now I'm so glad the summers past
And school is in at last
School is in oh yeah, school is in
School is in, school is in oh yeah
School is in, school is in
School is in oh yeah, school is in

School is in oh yeah, school is in
School is in

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Josie Cotton's School is In speak about the excitement of returning to school after a long summer. The singer expresses her joy at seeing her old classmates again and being able to go on a mission to buy her school supplies. She states that she is willing to work hard to make a good grade and go up to the head of her class. This hardworking mentality is reinforced by how she talks about washing dishes and scrubbing floors with a positive attitude. All of these experiences have taught her to love what she began before and to always work hard towards her goals.

The song is a testament to the positive aspects of education and the joy of learning. The repetition of the line "school is in" reiterates the excitement felt by the singer and highlights the importance of making the most of one's educational opportunities. The message of the song is particularly relevant for young people, encouraging them to embrace the challenges of school and to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Overall, Josie Cotton's School is In is an upbeat and inspirational song that highlights the importance of education and hard work.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm so glad that school is in
I'm happy that school has started

An I can see my old classmates again
I can reunite with my former classmates

I worked and slaved the summer through
I worked hard during the summer

Doing all the things my mama told me to do
I did everything that my mother asked me to do

I washed the dishes, I scrubbed the floor
I cleaned the dishes and the floor

Taught me to love what I've began before
It taught me to appreciate the work that I started earlier

And school is in at last
Finally, school has started

Now you make think I'm nutty and tellin' you lies
You might think that I'm crazy and lying

But I'm going out tonight and find my school supplies
I will search for my school items tonight

Cause it's a mission gonna be a gas
It's going to be an exciting adventure

Now summertime has come to an end
The summer holidays have ended

So I've gotta get back to my studies again
I have to restart studying

And make a grade so I can pass
I need to score well to pass

And go-o-o up to the head of my class
I want to be the top student in class

School is in oh yeah, school is in
School has started

School is in, school is in don't ya know it, oh yeah
School has started, do you know that?

School is in
School has started

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY L. ANDERSON, GENE BARGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Geoff G

3y↑11

I remember this from Valley Girl and the 80's. What an amazing time to have been a teenager!

adrian zapata

38w

I was just looking at the soundtrack myself as well 😂😂😂😂

Hugh Mongus

2y↑1

Josie Cotton had so much talent. Her vocals are amazing. It's sad, but not all those who are talented are justly rewarded. It comes down to decisions (good and poor) made in the boardrooms of music studios. Which is to say, it comes down to guesses and taste (good and bad). Change one or two decisions, and Josie Cotton could have been as big as any female pop artist of the 80s.