Johnny
Total Chaos Lyrics
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Johnny can't write
Johnny didn't have much of a life
Oh yeah - oh yeah
To fight their war he didn't believe in
His father told him to be a marine
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Johnny told his father, he just could not
He don't wanna live that way
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Johnny always thought there was something wrong
Day by day singing his fathers song
Johnny didn't want to live his life that way
Now day to day, dying the military way
Johnny was rough, Johhny was tough
But not tough enough, to just say no
Johnny went down to sign up that day
They sent him down to basic training
Johnny went to a foreign land
He died in the hands of a foreign man
We will always remember Johnny in his last days
The song "Johnny" by Total Chaos is a poignant commentary on the struggles of a young man who is forced to choose between his convictions and familial expectations. The song opens with the lines "Johnny can't read, Johnny can't write, Johnny didn't have much of a life" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. It's apparent from these lines that Johnny perhaps wasn't given the opportunities or resources to progress in his reading or writing, which could have contributed to his feelings of hopelessness or lack of direction.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that Johnny is being pressured by his father to become a Marine and fight in a war that he doesn't believe in. In response to this pressure, Johnny tells his father that he can't live that way. He doesn't want to participate in a war that he doesn't agree with, a decision that would have undoubtedly caused friction between Johnny and his family.
Despite his objections, Johnny ends signing up to be a soldier and doing what is expected of him. Tragically, it doesn't end well for him, and the song ends with the lines "He died in the hands of a foreign man, we will always remember Johnny in his last days." These lines are particularly poignant, highlighting the waste of life that occurs during war and the haunting legacy that it leaves behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny can't read
Johnny never had the opportunity to gain an education in reading
Johnny can't write
Johnny never had the opportunity to gain an education in writing
Johnny didn't have much of a life
Johnny had a deprived, rough life with little opportunity for fulfillment
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Refrain, no specific meaning
To fight their war he didn't believe in
Johnny did not have faith in the war he was fighting for the military
His father told him to be a marine
Johnny's father encouraged him to join the marines and fight for his country
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Refrain, no specific meaning
Johnny told his father, he just could not
Johnny expressed his reluctance in joining the military to his father
He don't wanna live that way
He did not want to live his life as an armed marine
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Refrain, no specific meaning
Johnny always thought there was something wrong
Johnny never truly believed in the war and the ethics of the government
Day by day singing his fathers song
Every day Johnny was reminded of his father's song about being a marine
Johnny didn't want to live his life that way
Johnny did not want to give up his liberty and live a life fighting a war he does not believe in
Now day to day, dying the military way
Johnny ended up serving in the military and died in combat as a result
Johnny was rough, Johnny was tough
Johnny had a tough spirit and was staying resilient in his rough life
But not tough enough, to just say no
However, Johnny's toughness wasn't enough to stand up to his father and decline joining the military
Johnny went down to sign up that day
Johnny made the decision to enlist in the military
They sent him down to basic training
After joining, Johnny reported to basic training
Johnny went to a foreign land
Following his training, Johnny was sent overseas to the battlefront
He died in the hands of a foreign man
Johnny was killed in combat by an enemy from a foreign nation
We will always remember Johnny in his last days
Johnny's life and sacrifice will always be remembered and commemorated
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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