Johnson began his musical career playing in folk clubs in the 1970s and ran a folk club at Sussex University, before forming a band called Grubstreet, which split up in 1983. In 1985 he made his first solo album, setting up his own label on which to release it, before forming an agitprop group, The Ministry of Humour, with Mark Shilcock and Graham Barnes. After the break-up of this act and a failed attempt at forming a new electric band, he returned to performing solo and also formed a duo with female singer Pip Collings. Since then, Robb has worked with a variety of bands with friend and fellow songwriter Leon Rosselson, as well as solo.
His career continues to the present, and he has been seen in pubs, clubs, pavements, pickets, benefits, arts centres, festivals, local radio, BBC Radio 3, Radio 4, Belgian Radio 1, Nicaraguan TV and Channel 4, the Albert Hole in Bristol, as part of Roy Bailey’s 1998 concert, and the Albert Hall in London. He also plays extensively in Belgium, Holland and Germany. He has also toured in Britain supporting Chumbawamba, and the United States with David Rovics.
In 1997 he composed the song cycle Gentle Men, based on the experiences of his grandfathers in the First World War. The song cycle was recorded by Johnson in collaboration with Roy Bailey, and performed at the commemorative Passendale Peace Concert, where the musicians were a jazz combo, led by Belgian jazz legend Koen De Cauter, and he subsequently toured it successfully in Britain.
Johnson’s album Metro (released September 2005) featured piano accompaniment by the late Russel Churney, who had previously worked with Julian Clary, Barb Jungr and Fascinating Aida. Again, the album received widespread praise in both music and national press: “unquestionably classy... excellent songs [that] show again what a fine, if provocative writer Johnson is” (The Daily Telegraph). In 2006 he was a special guest at the BBC's "Folk Britannia" concert at the Barbican Centre.
His label Irregular Records has also facilitated releases by a variety of song-orientated artists, including an album celebrating the work of Jacques Brel that has done much to focus a renewed interest in the chanson genre. He has translated several of Brel’s songs and performed concerts celebrating Brel’s life and work. Johnson has also co-written "Woman", a biography of Yoko Ono, published by Chrome Dreams.
In 2016, Johnson and a group billed as Robb Johnson & The Corbynistas released the single "JC 4 PM 4 Me" in support of UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which was considered a contender for the UK Christmas number one.
Don't Close The Bar
Robb Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put out the black bags, & that will be that,
The sun will still shine or the rain will still fall
The clouds will pass by still & that's about all,
You'll always be beautiful, & I'll always be late,
Put on your best dress or come as you are
But whatever you do, don't close the bar...
There's De Kroeg & Cross Lances, the Beconsfield Arms,
The Bell & the Nelson, the Cafe Notre Dame,
The Gasthof Zur Post & the Cafe Ronsard,
The Hare & The Hounds & the Stove & the Star,
The lights on the harbour, your old friend the moon,
A full pint of Fullers, a new Pelforth Brune,
A half of Retsina, a good cafe noir
A handful of peanuts, a nightful of stars
Don't close the bar....
Here's some suggestions of things you could do
Put on some punkrock & dance round the room,
Put on some Piaf, then have some Brel
& the best sex you can think of in your favourite hotel,
Don't go to Tescos, blow it all in FNAC
But wherever you do go it won't bring me back
So just keep on going, take this guitar,
Recycle my songs with the bottles & jars
Just don't close the bar...
The lyrics of Robb Johnson's song "Don't Close The Bar" are both reflective and suggestive of a relaxed, carefree mindset with a hint of sadness. The opening lines suggest an attempt to make peace with the inevitability of death and the temporary nature of existence, with the singer advising to simply let the natural order of the day occur without trying to control it. The second stanza brings back memories of different drinking establishments with different names - with the clear implication that one should not remain in the past but continue to move forward while relishing the present company - with the refrain of "Don't close the bar" repeated throughout. The final stanza gives instructions for what to do with oneself beside drinking, with a strong reinforcement to live without looking back.
The song is an intriguing mix of themes - on the one hand, it is a tribute to the value of companionship and simple pleasures, with drinking and music occupying critical roles in the life of the singer. On the other hand, it suggests a deep sense of wistfulness bordering on regret, with the refrain and overall tone implying a fear of boundaries slipping away and a loss of connection with those who choose to stay. Overall, the song is both a celebration of life and a deeply existential work that questions the value of one's choices and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Open the curtains, let in the cat
Start a new day, let positive vibes in
Put out the black bags, & that will be that,
Dispose of the rubbish and leave behind all that's bad
The sun will still shine or the rain will still fall
Life goes on in its natural course
The clouds will pass by still & that's about all,
Things happen but they pass by, so don't worry much
When it's my funeral, springtime won't wait
Time doesn't stop for anyone, not even for loved ones
You'll always be beautiful, & I'll always be late,
You're always amazing, but I might not always be on time
Put on your best dress or come as you are
Be yourself, wear what you want, just show up
But whatever you do, don't close the bar...
Don't stop having fun, keep celebrating life
There's De Kroeg & Cross Lances, the Beconsfield Arms,
There are many bars to go to, enjoy them all
The Bell & the Nelson, the Cafe Notre Dame,
Different places with different vibes, all worth experiencing
The Gasthof Zur Post & the Cafe Ronsard,
Wherever you go, there's always somewhere new to explore
The Hare & The Hounds & the Stove & the Star,
Different bars with different crowds, all worth meeting
The lights on the harbour, your old friend the moon,
Beauty is everywhere, in the familiar and the new
A full pint of Fullers, a new Pelforth Brune,
Enjoy beer, especially new ones you haven't tried before
A half of Retsina, a good cafe noir
Wine and coffee, two of life's most pleasurable little things
A handful of peanuts, a nightful of stars
Appreciate simple pleasures, like peanuts and stargazing
Here's some suggestions of things you could do
Here's some ideas, if you're not sure what to do
Put on some punkrock & dance round the room,
Express yourself, shake off any negativity
Put on some Piaf, then have some Brel
Listen to music, be moved by it, let it inspire you
& the best sex you can think of in your favourite hotel,
Enjoy love and passion in a favorite place
Don't go to Tescos, blow it all in FNAC
Don't waste time in mundane things, spend it in worthwhile pursuits
But wherever you do go it won't bring me back
Enjoy life, but remember that some things can't be undone
So just keep on going, take this guitar,
Keep moving forward, enjoy music and creating things
Recycle my songs with the bottles & jars
Keep the spirit alive, let it live through your creations
Just don't close the bar...
Don't stop having fun, keep celebrating life
Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.