The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band.
Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys.
Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented".
Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty.
A Girl Called Johnny
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Johnny come lately
I remember her shoes like a ballerina
A girl called Johnny who
Changed her name when she
Discovered her choice was to
Change or to be changed
Black as hell and white as a ghost
"Don't talk about life or death"
She said I've had enough of both
A girl called Johnny who was not scared
They'd have torn her to pieces but
Who would dare?
I remember a girl called Johnny
The train came to town, boy she got on it
With no looking back, with not a word
If she said goodbye, well I never heard
But the noise goes on
The noise, the jazz
And the truth is in somebody else's hands
And the house that a girl called johnny built
Is now just ashes and sand
The Waterboys’ “A Girl Called Johnny” is a haunting song that tells the story of a young woman who rebels against societal norms and chooses to live life on her own terms. At the start of the song, we hear of Johnny’s arrival in town, and though she’s a newcomer, we hear of her memorable round-toed “ballerina” shoes. Without any introduction, the song delves into Johnny’s life and how she chose to change her name when she realized she had a choice: change or be changed.
“A girl called Johnny who was not scared, they’d have torn her to pieces but who would dare?” – These lyrics show how Johnny was fearless, even when faced with obstacles and opposition to her way of living. Her life was in her own hands, and the society around her was unable to influence her decisions. We see her strength of character and independent spirit throughout the song. The song ends on a melancholic note, telling us that the house Johnny built has turned to ashes and sand, leaving a lifetime of memories behind.
Overall, “A Girl Called Johnny” is a poignant contemplation of a fiercely independent girl who chooses to live life on her terms, despite the world around her. It provides an insight into the complexity of the human spirit and how important it is to live life truthfully, no matter what others may think.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember Johnny, hey
The singer reminisces about a girl called Johnny.
Johnny come lately
Johnny arrived or started something relatively recently.
I remember her shoes like a ballerina
The singer remembers Johnny's shoes, which resembled those worn by ballerinas.
A girl called Johnny who
The artist reiterates that Johnny was a girl.
Changed her name when she
Johnny changed her name.
Discovered her choice was to
Johnny realized she had a choice to make.
Change or to be changed
Johnny could either change or be changed.
I remember a girl called Johnny
The artist continues to remember Johnny.
Black as hell and white as a ghost
Johnny had dark skin and pale features, creating a strong contrast.
"Don't talk about life or death"
Johnny didn't want to talk about serious or heavy topics.
She said I've had enough of both
Johnny had experienced enough of both life and death.
A girl called Johnny who was not scared
Despite what Johnny had experienced, she was not afraid.
They'd have torn her to pieces but
Others may have wanted to hurt Johnny.
Who would dare?
But nobody would be brave enough to do so.
I remember a girl called Johnny
The singer remembers Johnny yet again.
The train came to town, boy she got on it
Johnny left on a train.
With no looking back, with not a word
She didn't hesitate or say goodbye.
If she said goodbye, well I never heard
The singer didn't hear Johnny say goodbye if she actually did.
But the noise goes on
Despite Johnny leaving, life continues.
The noise, the jazz
The background noise, such as the music and the commotion, continues.
And the truth is in somebody else's hands
Others have the power to determine what is true.
And the house that a girl called johnny built
Johnny's legacy or contributions.
Is now just ashes and sand
It is all gone now and forgotten.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind