Southside Johnny (real name John Lyon, born December 4, 1948 in Neptune, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Southside Johnny (real name John Lyon, born December 4, 1948 in Neptune, New Jersey) is an American singer-songwriter who usually fronts his band Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. Lyon grew up in Ocean Grove, New Jersey and graduated from Neptune High School. Southside Johnny first achieved prominence in the mid-1970s as the second act to emerge from the Jersey Shore music scene and be considered part of the Jersey Shore sound, following Bruce Springsteen. Southside's first three albums, I Don't Want to Go Home (1976), This Time It's For Real (1977), and Hearts of Stone (1978), were Stax-influenced R&B arranged and produced by the co-founder of the band and Springsteen confederate Steven Van Zandt and largely featured songs written by Van Zandt and/or Springsteen. The Van Zandt-written "I Don't Want To Go Home" became Southside's signature song, an evocative mixture of horn-based melodic riffs and sentimental lyrics. Other notable songs included "The Fever","Talk to Me," "This Time It's For Real," "Love on the Wrong Side of Town," and the definitive version of Springsteen's " Hearts of Stone."

Southside has long been considered the Grandfather of "the New Jersey Sound." Jon bon Jovi has acknowledged Southside as "his reason for singing." In 1982 the Rolling Stone Magazine voted the album Hearts of Stone among the top 100 albums of the 70's and 80's. In 1987, Southside and the Jukes were featured in the film Adventures in Babysitting performing at a college frat party.

Since 2001 Southside Johnny and the Jukes have toured the UK and Europe as an annual event, their first since the 1992 Better Days tour. His most recent album is Grapefruit Moon: The Songs Of Tom Waits (2008).

New coat of paint
Southside Johnny Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let's put a new coat of paint
On this lonesome ol' town
Set 'em up
I'll be knockin' 'em down, down, down
You wear a dress, baby
I'll put on my tie
We'll laugh at that old bloodshot moon
In a burgundy sky

All our scribbled love dreams
Are lost or thrown away
Here amid the shuffle
Of an overflowing day
Love needs a transfusion
Let's shoot it full of wine
Fishin' for a good time
Starts with throwin' in your line

Put a new coat of paint, baby
On this lonesome ol' town
Set 'em up, set 'em up
I'll be knockin' 'em down,
You wear your dress, baby
I'll root out my old tie
We'll laugh at that bloodshot moon
Up in that burgundy sky

Yes, we will

Laugh laugh laugh laugh
Come on, come on, come on, come on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Southside Johnny's song "New Coat of Paint" speaks about the desire to revitalize a town that has been lonely and deserted. The singer declares his intention to paint the town anew and bring life back into it. He asks his partner to join him and put on their best clothes, indicating that they are setting out to have a good time and rekindle their love in a desolate place.

The lyrics cleverly depict love as requiring a transfusion, requiring the lovers to "shoot it full of wine" to reignite its vigor. The song suggests that amidst the chaos and hardships of life, it is often essential to step back and choose to have a good time to make things work.

In the end, the song takes a celebratory tone, with the singer promising to laugh off any troubles and embrace the joy of life. The lovely imagery and metaphors employed in the lyrics make it an excellent piece that communicates the need for light moments in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's put a new coat of paint
It's time to make some changes

On this lonesome ol' town
In this lonely and dull place

Set 'em up
Get ready for a good time

I'll be knockin' 'em down, down, down
I am ready to conquer and win

You wear a dress, baby
You look beautiful and attractive

I'll put on my tie
I'll dress up and look sharp

We'll laugh at that old bloodshot moon
We'll find humor and joy in difficult situations

In a burgundy sky
Under the influence of wine and love

All our scribbled love dreams
All of our romantic aspirations

Are lost or thrown away
Have been forgotten or disregarded

Here amid the shuffle
In the midst of chaos and confusion

Of an overflowing day
Of a busy and overwhelming day

Love needs a transfusion
Love needs a boost

Let's shoot it full of wine
Let's infuse it with passion and pleasure

Fishin' for a good time
Trying to have fun

Starts with throwin' in your line
You have to put yourself out there to have fun

Put a new coat of paint, baby
Let's freshen things up

On this lonesome ol' town
In this dull and lonely place

Set 'em up, set 'em up
Get ready for a good time, let's do it

I'll be knockin' 'em down
I will successfully accomplish my goals

You wear your dress, baby
You look stunning

I'll root out my old tie
I'll dress up and match your elegance

We'll laugh at that bloodshot moon
We will find joy even in tough times

Up in that burgundy sky
Under the influence of passion and love

Yes, we will
We are certain

Laugh laugh laugh laugh
We will find joy and happiness

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Let's get going, let's enjoy ourselves

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM WAITS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Rebecca Patton

This right here...
Is a beastly tune..
Cheers friend 🤳

Marty Jewell

In true Jersey fashion. Sleazy, funky, barroom music. First saw them at NYC's Central Park Wollman Rink in mid 1970's. South Sides shows have always been a blast. Can't beat this with a stick, fuhgeddaboudit.

just now