Dear John
Norah Jones Lyrics


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I got a house full of walls
And utility bills, every Monday the company calls
I got a nice bed to sleep on
And a chest of drawers, where I keep those jewels of yours

Cause you're always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John

Ten years passed
And I ended up with a house full of cats
But most of them went missing
On that window you never fixed, the door you never latched

When you were on your way out like the last time

Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John, oh John

I knew what you were doing
That summer when Candy came around
But I had too much hurt to bother you
When we lost our first child I thought a little payment was overdue
And I wanted you so bad

Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John, oh John, oh John, o John

I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you





Oh John

Overall Meaning

The song "Dear John" by Norah Jones and Ryan Adams tells the story of a woman who is left behind by her lover named John. The lyrics suggest that John has passed away and left behind a house full of memories, which the woman is now left to take care of. The house is a symbol for the life they once shared together.


In the first verse, the woman describes her home filled with bills and material possessions but notably, it is empty without John. She has two silver rings, one of which she wears and the other that John took with him when he passed away. The rings represent their commitment to each other and the loss she feels without him. As the song progresses, she reflects on the time they shared together, including the moments when they lost their first child and when John had an affair with someone named Candy. Despite these challenges, the woman still longs for John and misses him deeply.


Overall, "Dear John" is a poignant and emotional song that explores the themes of love, loss, and grief. The lyrics depict a woman who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her lover and the memories they shared together.


Line by Line Meaning

I got a house full of walls
I have a home, but it's not a comforting space


And utility bills, every Monday the company calls
I am burdened with the obligation to pay bills that never cease


I got a nice bed to sleep on
I have material comfort, but it doesn't ease my pain


And a chest of drawers, where I keep those jewels of yours
I have items of yours that I treasure, but they only serve to remind me of you


Cause you're always mine to keep when you're gone
Even when you're not physically present, you still belong to me


Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
We have a connection that goes beyond this world


It went underground with you, oh John
One of our rings was buried with you when you passed away


Ten years passed
A significant amount of time has gone by


And I ended up with a house full of cats
I have accumulated many cats as a form of comfort


But most of them went missing
I have lost many of my cats, perhaps due to negligence or despair


On that window you never fixed, the door you never latched
Your failure to maintain our home resulted in the loss of my cats


When you were on your way out like the last time
You were distant and withdrawing, like the period before your death


I knew what you were doing
I was aware of your infidelity with Candy


That summer when Candy came around
During a particular summer, when Candy was in our lives


But I had too much hurt to bother you
I was in too much pain to confront you about your actions


When we lost our first child I thought a little payment was overdue
When we experienced the loss of our child, I felt like you owed me something


And I wanted you so bad
Despite everything, my desire for you never faded


I miss you
I long for your presence


Oh John
A plea for the return of a loved one




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS, NORAH JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Floki1624

I've loved these two for so long...this song always melts me.

@LollieVox

Norah is amazing!!!

@stellerstallion253

OMG! the first time I heard this song was on my phone with buds, just sitting and listening and I broke out in a full cry.... simply because my husbands name is Jon. I ran to our bed woke him and kissed him hugged him, and told him how much I loved him.  I wouldn't let go for awhile, we have been married 15 years, together 20 years and I refused to buy the song. I felt like if I did, I was excepting his death and I would have to use it someday... but I love the song I guess it's a love hate type of thing, it makes me cry every time, so when I need to cry I listen to this song. Thanks Norah and Ryan y'all are the best I know someday I will have to use this song, I just don't want to right now.

@russiandawg

Ryan Adams just became my hero. He says some amazing things.

@999riorio

good job both of you now the song is so damn good

@ignoringtonlooloo991

ryan made this greater than it was

@PincheVatoMalo

This song was originally entitled Dear Juan, and it was about me l. True story

@40thCapeRifles

"I see the weather." That says a lot.

@CryptoAgeDigitalBusiness

You are so Perfet Norah

@alefor5423

norah jones tribute

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