- - -
Lucky Dube (born August 3, 1964, died October 18, 2007) was a reggae musician from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was named Lucky because when he was born in poor health, and the doctors thought he would die. But he survived, so was named Lucky. In his youth, Lucky lived with many different family members, singing in bars and in church. He eventually formed a band with some friends, but they could not afford to purchase instruments. Eventually, Lucky wrote a play which he and his bandmates performed, earning enough money to buy a guitar. Their band was then called Skyway, and they played in the mbaqanga style.
Two years after Skyway's formation, Lucky joined Richard Siluma's Love Brothers. He stayed with them for several years, before switching to reggae in the early 1980s. His first major success in that field came at the influential Sunsplash festival in Jamaica.
Lucky's "Together as One" was the first song by a black artist to be played on a white radio station in South Africa. His two most popular albums, Prisoner and Slave, are among the most renowned and best-selling in South Africa's history. One of Lucky's favourite singers was the late Peter Tosh.
On the 18th of October 2007, Lucky was shot dead in an attempted car jacking in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discography
Rastas Never Dies
Think About The Children
(The Above Two available on 2on1 - Lucky Dube Rastas Never Dies/Think About The Children (2000))
Slave (1989)
Prisoner (1990)
Together as one (1992)
House of exile (1992)
Captured Live (1993)
Victims (1993)
Trinity (1995)
Serious reggae business (1996)
Taxman (1997)
The Way It Is (1999)
The Rough Guide To Lucky Dube (2001)
Soul Taker (2001)
The other side (2005)
Respect (2006)
Johnny
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
According to his mother
But when she wasn't looking yeah
Johnny became a bad boy
He got into drugs yeah
Oh poor Johnny
One day he double-crossed
And it cost him his life
When she saw him lying on the ground
In a pool of blood yeah
Her only hope
Her only son she said
Oh Johnny
With her hands above her head
She cried Johnny Johnny
How can you do something like that to me
Oh she cried and said oh Johnny
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
Oh Johnny you made me cry cry
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
Oh Johnny you made me cry cry cry
Her only hope
Her only boy
Lying on the ground
In a pool of blood
She said Johnny remember
How I raised you boy
You could have been a doctor
You could have been a teacher
Oh Johnny
With her hands above her head
She cried and said Johnny Johnny
How can you do something like this to me Johnny Johnny Johnny
She said I took you to the best schools
In the country boy
Spent my last dime on you
Johnny
Thought you would be my shoulder
To cry on Johnny
Her only boy
Her only son
Lying on the ground
In a pool of blood
She couldn't hold back
Her tears
Oh Johnny
With her hands above her head
She cried Johnny Johnny
How can you do something like that to me
Johnny Johnny Johnny
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
Oh Johnny you made me cry cry
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
Oh Johnny you made me cry cry cry
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
In this heart-wrenching song, Lucky Dube depicts the tragic story of Johnny, a good child whose life took a turn for the worse due to drugs, betrayal, and ultimately death. Johnny's mother always considered him to be a good boy, but unfortunately, his addiction to drugs led Johnny down a path of destruction. Eventually, Johnny's gambling and addiction led him to double-cross someone, which ultimately cost him his life. When his mother learned of his death, she was devastated beyond measure, and her tears and cries reflect the pain of a mother who has lost her beloved son.
The lyrics of this song depict the reality of drug addiction and the destruction that it brings upon individuals and their loved ones. In addition, the song highlights the importance of parental guidance and the desperate need for children to have positive role models in their lives. Johnny's mother tried her best to raise him right, but ultimately her efforts were in vain because of the influence of drugs and bad company.
Overall, the song brings to the forefront the negative effects of drug addiction and underscores the need for society to address this problem in a holistic manner. The lyrics of the song suggest that there is hope for future generations, but it will require an unwavering commitment to tackling the root causes of addiction and promoting the benefits of wholesome living.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny was a good boy
Johnny was a well-behaved child
According to his mother
His mother held him in high regard
But when she wasn't looking yeah
Johnny had a tendency to misbehave
Johnny became a bad boy
Johnny began engaging in negative activities
He got into drugs yeah
Johnny started using drugs
Oh poor Johnny
It was unfortunate what happened to Johnny
One day he double-crossed
Johnny betrayed someone's trust
And it cost him his life
Johnny lost his life as a result of his actions
She couldn't believe it
His mother was in shock
When she saw him lying on the ground
She was heartbroken to see him motionless
In a pool of blood yeah
There was a lot of blood on the ground
Her only hope
Johnny was her only source of optimism
Her only son she said
Johnny was her only child
With her hands above her head
His mother's arms were elevated
She cried Johnny Johnny
His mother was mourning
How can you do something like that to me
His mother felt betrayed by his actions
Oh she cried and said oh Johnny
His mother was grieving
Oh Johnny you broke my heart
His mother's heart was shattered
Oh Johnny you made me cry cry
She was shedding tears due to Johnny's loss
Her only hope
Johnny's mother had no one else to rely on
Her only boy
Johnny was the only male child in the family
Lying on the ground
Johnny was deceased and on the floor
In a pool of blood
Johnny's death was violent and bloody
She said Johnny remember
Johnny's mother was talking to his ghost
How I raised you boy
Johnny's mother took care of him
You could have been a doctor
Johnny could have been a successful professional
You could have been a teacher
Johnny could have inspired others academically
Oh Johnny
His mother was speaking directly to him
She said I took you to the best schools
She invested in his education
In the country boy
The schools he attended were among the best
Spent my last dime on you
She was willing to make sacrifices for him
Thought you would be my shoulder
She had expectations for his support
To cry on Johnny
She wanted him to be there for emotional support
She couldn't hold back
His mother couldn't contain her emotions
Her tears
She was crying profusely
Oh Johnny
His mother was still talking to him
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUCKY PHILLIP DUBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nathaneal2542
I pray i never be that son whom makes her mama sad. To all those sons striving to be the best out of nothing. God bless you all and make your light shine.
@philanimtsha4142
As parents we do so much for our kids so that they can have a better future but the world is there!..waiting to corrupt young Minds. R.I.P Lucky dube, I LOVE THIS SONGS
@NeshaPlunkett
I use to say one day when I am a grown woman, I'd go to your concert,. But death came and stole you. I felt so cheated because I love your music you brought me through my own sadness and pain. Rest in tranquility Lucky Dube, forever loving you.๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ง๐ฟ๐
@champolahyamio6006
Same here sister. I really wanted to go to one of his concerts , alas!!
@KingBabaJames
I was lucky enough to see him in concert twice in Washington DC. My friend introduced me to his music in 2002. Since then I was hooked.
@qedezakhemkhwanazi8664
What a message in this song Lucky was a very good composer all his song has a message
@lumbanikhembo8675
The legend
His music is full substance
@truthonlee7029
Forever missed RIP Lucky DUBE respect and love from Fiji
@orabsikenna6361
Truly a Legend
@SultanwaRooty
African Reggae Lion ,,,,,,,Legend ,,,,๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟR.I.P