Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm
And a beat-up old Buick but dressed just like dynamite
He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on easy Street
But they said, Johnny, it falls apart so easy
And you know hearts these days are cheap
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a cheater
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a liar
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Said, Johnny, don't cry
Puerto Rican Jane, oh, won't you tell me, what's your name?
I want to drive you down to the other side of town
Where paradise ain't so crowded
And there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All the golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight
Pull thirty-eight's and kiss their girls goodnight
Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh, she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet, she knew she'd never be true but then, she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin'
And the singer was singin' something about going home
She whispered, Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight
But just don't leave me alone
And Johnny cried, Puerto Rican Jane
Word is down, the cops have found the vein
Oh, them barefoot boys left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said their homes ain't no good
They left the corners, threw away all of their switchblade knives
And kissed each other goodbye
Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape, watchin' the kids playin' down the street
He called down, hey little heroes, summer's long
But I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat
Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls
Then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone
Jane moves over to share her pillow
But opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says, those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
All they ever want to do is fight
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
They're callin' through the window
Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?
And Johnny whispered, goodnight, it's all tight, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
We may find it out on the street tonight, now, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we can find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Ah, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may have to walk until the daylight, maybe (goodnight it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
With bruised arms and broken rhythm
And a beat-up old Buick but dressed just like dynamite
He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on easy Street
But they said, Johnny, it falls apart so easy
And you know hearts these days are cheap
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a cheater
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a liar
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Said, Johnny, don't cry
Puerto Rican Jane, oh, won't you tell me, what's your name?
I want to drive you down to the other side of town
Where paradise ain't so crowded
And there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All the golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight
Pull thirty-eight's and kiss their girls goodnight
Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh, she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet, she knew she'd never be true but then, she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin'
And the singer was singin' something about going home
She whispered, Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight
But just don't leave me alone
And Johnny cried, Puerto Rican Jane
Word is down, the cops have found the vein
Oh, them barefoot boys left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said their homes ain't no good
They left the corners, threw away all of their switchblade knives
And kissed each other goodbye
Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape, watchin' the kids playin' down the street
He called down, hey little heroes, summer's long
But I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat
Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls
Then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone
Jane moves over to share her pillow
But opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says, those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
All they ever want to do is fight
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys)
They're callin' through the window
Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?
And Johnny whispered, goodnight, it's all tight, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
We may find it out on the street tonight, now, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we can find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Ah, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may have to walk until the daylight, maybe (goodnight it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
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