Mr Johnson
Les Wriggles Lyrics
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Prises d'initiative et rigueur sont de mise
Cette nuit il s'attelle à la gestion du stock
Et pour tenir le coup quelques grammes de coke
Ce matin ces patrons veulent voir son travail
Avant de partir un dernier petit rail
1, 2, 3, 4 !
Ca booste la cacahuète
Ca booste la cacahuète
Ca décallotte les couettes !
Monsieur Johnson arrive d'un pas alerte et optimiste
Pénètre le hall puis la standardiste
Il lui dit bonjour
Il lui décolle un gnon
Et ouvre la porte de la salle de réunion
1,2,3,4...
Salut, ca va !
Ca va, salut !
Monsieur Johnson n'est jamais revenu...
The song "Mr Johnson" by Les Wriggles tells the story of a high-ranking employee in a large company named Monsieur Johnson. The first verse describes his typical work ethic of taking initiative and working with rigor. However, the second line takes a dark turn as it describes how he turns to using cocaine to manage his workload, even working through the night to manage the company's stock.
The intense high from the coke makes him feel invincible and, as the song pumps up with a catchy chorus, it becomes clear that the drug has incredible effects, making it seem like it can accomplish anything ("Ca booste la cacahuète," roughly translating to "It boosts the peanut," a French expression to describe something that elevates your mood).
In the end, though, the song takes a tragic turn, as Mr. Johnson never returns to work after taking a hit from his personal stash. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug use and the societal pressures that drive people to use them, even when it compromises their own well-being.
Overall, "Mr Johnson" is a satirical take on the modern world's obsession with success, productivity and a high-powered lifestyle, while poking fun at the unspoken acceptance of drug use within corporate culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Monsieur Johnson est cadre dans une grande entreprise
Mr. Johnson is an executive in a large company.
Prises d'initiative et rigueur sont de mise
They expect initiative and diligence from him.
Cette nuit il s'attelle à la gestion du stock
Tonight he works on managing the stock.
Et pour tenir le coup quelques grammes de coke
To keep going, he takes a few grams of coke.
Ce matin ces patrons veulent voir son travail
His bosses want to see his work this morning.
Avant de partir un dernier petit rail
Before leaving, he takes one more line of coke.
Ca booste la cacahuète
It increases energy levels.
Ca décallotte les couettes !
It stimulates sexual desires.
Monsieur Johnson arrive d'un pas alerte et optimiste
Mr. Johnson arrives with a confident and optimistic stride.
Pénètre le hall puis la standardiste
He enters the lobby and greets the receptionist.
Il lui dit bonjour
He says hello to her.
Il lui décolle un gnon
He punches her in the face.
Et ouvre la porte de la salle de réunion
And opens the door to the meeting room.
Salut, ca va !
Hey, how's it going?
Ca va, salut !
It's going well, hi!
Monsieur Johnson n'est jamais revenu...
Mr. Johnson never came back...
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.