Uncle Jonny
The Killers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When everybody else refrains
My uncle Jonny did cocaine
He's convinced himself right in his brain
That it helps to take away the pain
Hey, Jonny
Hey, what you say, Jonny?

I wanna go out tonight
Come a little closer to the city lights
Levitation ain't your only friend
Levitation coming back again
Feel a burning in your body's core
It's a yearning that you can't ignore
Now I wanna go out tonight

Superman and hold on tight
He's convinced himself right in his brain
That it helps to take away the pain
Hey, Jonny
Hey, what you say, Jonny?

My appetite ain't got no heart
I said, my appetite ain't got no heart
Shocking people when you feel that pull
Shock 'em, drop 'em when you know it's full

I feel a burning in your body's core
It's a yearning that you can't ignore
I gotta go out tonight
Hey, Jonny, I got faith in you, man
I mean it, it's gonna be all right
He's convinced himself right in his brain
That it helps to take away the pain
Hey, what you say, Jonny?

Tell us what's going on
Feels like everything's wrong
Hey, what you say, Jonny?
If the future is real
Jonny, you've got to heal
Hey, what you say, Jonny?





When everybody else refrains
My uncle Jonny did cocaine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Uncle Jonny” by The Killers tell the story of a man named Jonny who is addicted to cocaine. The song is a lament for Jonny’s struggles and the ways in which he tries to escape from the pain in his life. The character of Jonny is portrayed as being someone who is convinced that cocaine can help relieve his suffering.


The first verse sets the scene with the rest of the world holding back from cocaine while Jonny indulges. The chorus reiterates Jonny’s belief that cocaine is the solution to his difficulties and it’s become his self-prescribed medication. The second verse paints a picture of Jonny’s life as desperate and restless, yearning for a way out. The second chorus reiterates Jonny’s self-deception and ends with the singer encouraging Jonny to heal.


Overall, “Uncle Jonny” is a highly effective damning critique of cocaine and drug addiction. The lyrics highlight the dependency and self-deception at the heart of addiction while simultaneously expressing empathy for those caught in the cycle.


Line by Line Meaning

When everybody else refrains
While everyone else is holding back,


My uncle Jonny did cocaine
my uncle Jonny uses cocaine.


He's convinced himself right in his brain
He's made himself believe in his mind


That it helps to take away the pain
that cocaine helps with his emotional pain.


Hey, Jonny
Hey, Jonny


Hey, what you say, Jonny?
What's up, Jonny?


I wanna go out tonight
I want to go out tonight


Come a little closer to the city lights
I want to go into the city.


Levitation ain't your only friend
You shouldn't rely on drugs for happiness.


Levitation coming back again
Drug use returning.


Feel a burning in your body's core
You sense an almost irresistible desire deep inside you.


It's a yearning that you can't ignore
It's a desire that you can't resist.


Now I wanna go out tonight
Now I really want to go out tonight.


Superman and hold on tight
Feel like Superman, hold on tight


My appetite ain't got no heart
My passion is empty


I said, my appetite ain't got no heart
What I'm saying is that my passion is empty.


Shocking people when you feel that pull
You can shock others when you're working on your addiction.


Shock 'em, drop 'em when you know it's full
Surprise them with your vibrant health once you’ve improved.


I feel a burning in your body's core
I feel the same desire deep inside me.


It's a yearning that you can't ignore
It's a desire that you can't resist.


I gotta go out tonight
I really need to go out tonight.


Hey, Jonny, I got faith in you, man
Hey Jonny, I have confidence that you can improve, man.


I mean it, it's gonna be all right
I truly believe that everything will work out.


Tell us what's going on
Tell us what's happening


Feels like everything's wrong
It feels like nothing is going right


Hey, what you say, Jonny?
What's up, Jonny?


If the future is real
If the future actually exists


Jonny, you've got to heal
You need to focus on your own healing, Jonny.


Hey, what you say, Jonny?
What's up, Jonny?




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Patty Theiss


on Mr. Brightside

Ed sharron

More Versions