Joanni Album Version
Kate Bush Lyrics


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Some moments that I've had
Some moments of pleasure

I think about us lying
Lying on a beach somewhere
I think about us diving
Diving off a rock, into another moment
The case of George the Wipe
Oh God I can't stop laughing
This sense of humor of mine
It isn't funny at all
Oh but we sit up all night
Talking about it

Just being alive
It can really hurt
And these moments given
Are a gift from time

On a balcony in New York
It's just started to snow
He meets us at the lift
Like Douglas Fairbanks
Waving his walking stick
But he isn't well at all
The buildings of New York
Look just like mountains through the snow

Just being alive
It can really hurt
And these moments given
Are a gift from time
Just let us try
To give these moments back
To those we love
To those who will survive

And I can hear my mother saying
"Every old sock meets an old shoe"
Isn't that a great saying?
"Every old sock meets an old shoe"
Here come the Hills of Time

Hey there Maureen,

Hey there Bubba,
Dancing down the aisle of a plane,

'S Murph, playing his guitar refrain,

Hey there Teddy,
Spinning in the chair at Abbey Road,

Hey there Michael,
Do you really love me?





Hey there Bill,
Could you turn the lights up?

Overall Meaning

In "Joanni Album Version" by Kate Bush, the singer describes various moments of pleasure and pain in life. The song starts with Bush reflecting on past experiences that brought her joy, such as lying on a beach or diving off a rock. She then shifts to reminiscing about a funny conversation with her friends, where they laughed about a man named George the Wipe, despite the fact that her sense of humor can be painful at times. The following verse takes place in New York, with Bush observing the city covered in snow and meeting a sick man in the lift who reminded her of film star Douglas Fairbanks. The song's chorus repeats the idea that moments in life, both good and bad, are precious.


The final verses of the song see Bush shout out to numerous people, including Maureen, Bubba, 'S Murph, Teddy, Michael, and Bill. These people are all familiar to Bush in some way, and she calls them out almost as if she is on a stage or in a crowded room. The final words of the song refer to "the Hills of Time," which could symbolize the passage of time or aging as individuals come across new experiences and people throughout their lives. Overall, "Joanni Album Version" sends the message to appreciate life's moments, no matter how painful or joyful they may be.


Line by Line Meaning

Some moments that I've had
Reflecting on the good moments that I have experienced in my life


Some moments of pleasure
Similar to the prior line, I have been fortunate to experience enjoyable moments


I think about us lying
Thoughts of a scenario where someone is with their loved one, lying somewhere on a beach


Lying on a beach somewhere
Similar to the prior thought, lying on a beach is a peaceful, serene moment that is pictured


I think about us diving
Picturing a scene where a person and their loved one are diving into the water together


Diving off a rock, into another moment
A visualization of someone diving off a rock to enter a different moment in time


The case of George the Wipe
Referencing a story or incident involving someone named George the Wipe


Oh God I can't stop laughing
The story is humorous and makes the person telling it laugh uncontrollably


This sense of humor of mine
The person talking is known to have a good sense of humor


It isn't funny at all
They recognize that the humor in the story probably won't be funny to others


Oh but we sit up all night
Although the story may not be funny, the people listening all night still enjoy the conversation and each other's company


Talking about it
The conversation centered around the story of George the Wipe


Just being alive
There are struggles with simply being alive sometimes


It can really hurt
Being alive can be hard and painful


And these moments given
Appreciating the gifts of moments given over time, such as the peaceful beach


Are a gift from time
Time has given these moments to appreciate and cherish


On a balcony in New York
A different moment is being pictured once again, this time on a balcony in New York


It's just started to snow
The scene involves snow, which has just started falling


He meets us at the lift
Someone meets the singer and their companions at the elevator


Like Douglas Fairbanks
The person has a brave and adventurous look like that of Douglas Fairbanks


Waving his walking stick
The person carries a walking stick and waves it like a cane


But he isn't well at all
Despite the confident appearance, the individual is actually unwell


The buildings of New York
An observation of the cityscape of New York is noted


Look just like mountains through the snow
The snow gives the buildings the appearance of mountains in the distance


Just let us try
The singer is requesting to have the ability to give moments back to important people


To give these moments back
The intention is to give these special moments back to loved ones


To those we love
The moments are desired to be given to people that the singer loves


To those who will survive
These moments will be remembered by those who outlive the artist


And I can hear my mother saying
The artist is recalling the voice of their mother in their thoughts


Every old sock meets an old shoe
The singer is bringing up a saying that their mother would say about old things being a good match


Isn't that a great saying?
The singer sees the saying as great, and possibly of some value to them


Here come the Hills of Time
It is unknown exactly what is meant by this line, as it is not in direct reference to anything stated prior


Hey there Maureen,
Individuals are being introduced in a sort of list or greeting format


Hey there Bubba,
The greeting-list format continues for additional people


Dancing down the aisle of a plane,
One of the people is observed dancing down the center aisle of a plane


'S Murph, playing his guitar refrain,
The specific person 'S Murph is noted to be playing a guitar riff


Hey there Teddy,
The introductions continue


Spinning in the chair at Abbey Road,
Teddy is seen spinning around in a chair at Abbey Road


Hey there Michael,
The person greeting Michael continues on


Do you really love me?
Michael is questioned about their love


Hey there Bill,
The last person is introduced


Could you turn the lights up?
Bill is asked about turning the lights up




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Theodisc

[Post-Chorus]
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
She just looks beautiful in her armour
Beautiful in her armour

[Bridge]
Elle parle à Dieu et aux anges
Dans ses prières

[Interlude]

[Outro]
Venez Sainte Catherine
Venez Sainte Marguerite
Elle a besoin de vous deux
Les voix, les voix du feu
Chante avec moi petite soeur
Les voix, les voix, les voix



All comments from YouTube:

Dale W. Daemicke

This album gets better and better with age. Like all Kate Bush. Timeless and gorgeous.

Youk Youk

Merci pour toutes ces Merveilleuses illustrations de Jeanne d' Arc ! Cette Chanson est si émouvante ( comme tout ce que compose Kate Bush ).

John Scott

I had to listen to this album 3 or 4 times before I could make my mind up if I liked it or not? Eventually I decided I did, & now appreciate it more each time I listen to the album.

Jane Wright

It's a grower X testimony to how good her music is xxx

Negan The Car Salesman

The song has a very relaxed funk to it. Kate Bush is great.

Neil Mayor

her battle cry in background toward the end ..gives me goose bumps

Theodisc

[Post-Chorus]
Joanni, Joanni, Joanni, Joanni blows a kiss to God
She just looks beautiful in her armour
Beautiful in her armour

[Bridge]
Elle parle à Dieu et aux anges
Dans ses prières

[Interlude]

[Outro]
Venez Sainte Catherine
Venez Sainte Marguerite
Elle a besoin de vous deux
Les voix, les voix du feu
Chante avec moi petite soeur
Les voix, les voix, les voix

Arnaud FAUCHERE

Très joli cadeau pour l'anniversaire de Kate :-)

E Osis

She makes a musical history lesson :)

Animal Revenge

Merci Kate pour cette chanson sur Jeanne.

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