Gnossienne No. 1
Steve & John Hackett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jonnys built to impress
A portrait of Christ
Tattooed on his chest
Fights like a Tiger
Afraid of no one
He robbed a drug store
Now he's on the run
And he"ll never surrender
Hes looking out for No.1
He"ll never surrender
Jonnys got a gun
feels tough
Like Jonny No.1
His Fingers reach out
for the cold hard steel
He caresses the gun
Yeh he like how it feels
Bad to the bone
But God made him that way
Today is the day
This worlds gonna pay
He was born that way
But crime dont pay
Jonny
Put the gun down Jonny
The lyrics of this song, titled Gnossienne No. 1 by Steve & John Hackett, depict the story of a man named Johnny, who is a tough and fearless criminal. The first verse describes his towering height of 6 feet 4 inches and his strong physique that is meant to impress. Johnny has a tattoo of a portrait of Christ on his chest, but this does not stop him from committing violent crimes. He has no fear and will not surrender. He has recently robbed a drug store and is now on the run with a gun in his hand.
In the second verse, the lyrics describe how Johnny feels when he caresses the cold hard steel of his gun. He feels tough and powerful like he is Jonny No. 1. Despite being bad to the bone, he thinks that God made him that way, and it is time for the world to pay for his wrongdoings. However, the lyrics end with the plea "put the gun down Jonny," indicating that the story may not end well for him.
Overall, the lyrics of Gnossienne No. 1 paint a vivid picture of a man who is not afraid of the law, and his actions have led to him being on the run from the authorities. The lyrics also portray a sense of tragedy, as Johnny's life may come to a tragic end at the hands of the law enforcement officers.
Line by Line Meaning
6 ft 4
Jonny is a tall man
Jonnys built to impress
Jonny has an impressive physique
A portrait of Christ
Jonny has a tattoo of Jesus on his chest
Tattooed on his chest
The tattoo of Jesus is located on Jonny's chest
Fights like a Tiger
Jonny is a skilled fighter
Afraid of no one
Jonny is fearless
He robbed a drug store
Jonny committed a crime by robbing a drug store
Now he's on the run
Jonny is evading law enforcement
And he's got a gun
Jonny possesses a firearm
And he'll never surrender
Jonny is determined to resist arrest
He's looking out for No.1
Jonny is only concerned about himself
Johnny's got a gun
Jonny is armed
Feels tough
Jonny feels powerful
Like Jonny No.1
Jonny sees himself as the best
His fingers reach out
Jonny's hand grasps for something
For the cold hard steel
Jonny is reaching for the metal of the gun
He caresses the gun
Jonny handles the gun gently
Yeah, he likes how it feels
Jonny enjoys the sensation of holding the gun
Bad to the bone
Jonny is inherently evil
But God made him that way
Jonny's evil nature was determined by a higher power
Today is the day
Jonny has decided that today is the day to act
This world's gonna pay
Jonny plans to harm the world around him
He was born that way
Jonny's criminal tendencies are innate
But crime don't pay
Jonny's criminal activities won't lead to success or happiness
Jonny
Addressing Jonny directly
Put the gun down Jonny
Someone is urging Jonny to disarm himself
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Steve Turnbull
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
permaveg
Steve and Johns "Sketches of Satie" is a superb album, John's flute has never sounded so good on it.
AuntyKaren
I'd forgotten about John Hackett's rendition of this piece. This guy is a master musician. His flute is a magic wand, casting hypnotic spells. His feel for music is overwhelming. It's gorgeous.
Lady BlackstarDust
I love Satie. Steve is so talented and together with his brother, what a treat!
jean-francois payette
my God Steve God Prog anyway just try to composed Voyage , dont ask it to the others members of Genesis , and Steve somes compos for flute on many Albums of Steve , no other Genesis , niw listen Suppers Ready , and say to me who composed the brain prog hisroric of flute on Suppers Ready
Kristopful
Magical interpretation...'Die-hard' classical music listeners may not like this. But I like parcticaly ALL interpretations of this piece. Each has a magic which I feel "Satie" would have appreciated.
Richard Robbins
Die hard classical listeners need to realize this is one of the best! interpretations. Really. John Hacketts tone is superb I am a flautist - move over Galway move over Rampal - time for new blood. Peace.
Frank X
I was this many years old when I discovered that there is a right angle flute. It makes perfect sense. Awesome music too.
AuntyKaren
John Hackett's album "Checking Out of London" is superb. I heard him play flute at his brother, Steve Hackett's gig on Hands of the Priestess which is one of the most beautiful tunes I know.
My La
Beautiful. Goosebumps.
Marc Moingeon
John and Steve Hackett kind of made me enjoy Satie... Or made me know him better, at least. I think the transcription for flute and classical guitar work tremendously well, as if it had been initially written for flute. Now, we have these version with Roger King on orchestral keyboards... I love this live DVD featuring the "acoustic" trio.