The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Say farewell, g'night, Sonny-Jim,
In your defenseless, winning smile.
What do you hope to win?
And bliss face down, defended.
Well, now stoned Demon John
There's no town the boy cannot belong
Why did you come here?
Is it to excavate all your sins? Boil within?
Slaughter like the daughter of the devil you send me.
I have to deal, you called me here.
You couldn't say that you were juiced
The night that you were introduced
To Demon John
Gonna take him with you when you go?
Dance down slow. Oh, way down.
You cannot escape the bar-side angel dissector
You undo you life with too much cocoon,
Who's your protector?
Dark is the city where the white girls walk by,
Down below your eyes, just like fireflies.
You call me here, come on here, follow me dear,
Past cascades of rage and fear.
You called me here.
You couldn't say that you had been juiced
The time that you were introduced to Demon John.
Well, you knew you had to want to go , dance down slow.
By the light of the sun, murder comes
Today or tonight
Better get yourself and transcend it,
Or burst of light
Blaze stars into me,
While the love breaks through here and now.
So, murder by the light of the sun.
Please don't get too close to me.
You said you are for real, it's not pretend.
All memories stolen, know this for yourself.
How would you like to be the happiest man in the world?
Behind the weathered field hands, whose blistered
Paws
Harvest cut, for wedding clothes they'll never wear,
Marching down a road that was never there.
It takes place on a sunlit face and the backbone broken.
Please bring us light, Demon John, you Demon John.
Take him with you when you go.
In your defenseless, winning smile.
What do you hope to win?
And bliss face down, defended.
Well, now stoned Demon John
There's no town the boy cannot belong
Why did you come here?
Is it to excavate all your sins? Boil within?
Slaughter like the daughter of the devil you send me.
I have to deal, you called me here.
You couldn't say that you were juiced
The night that you were introduced
To Demon John
Gonna take him with you when you go?
Dance down slow. Oh, way down.
You cannot escape the bar-side angel dissector
You undo you life with too much cocoon,
Who's your protector?
Dark is the city where the white girls walk by,
Down below your eyes, just like fireflies.
You call me here, come on here, follow me dear,
Past cascades of rage and fear.
You called me here.
You couldn't say that you had been juiced
The time that you were introduced to Demon John.
Well, you knew you had to want to go , dance down slow.
By the light of the sun, murder comes
Today or tonight
Better get yourself and transcend it,
Or burst of light
Blaze stars into me,
While the love breaks through here and now.
So, murder by the light of the sun.
Please don't get too close to me.
You said you are for real, it's not pretend.
All memories stolen, know this for yourself.
How would you like to be the happiest man in the world?
Behind the weathered field hands, whose blistered
Paws
Harvest cut, for wedding clothes they'll never wear,
Marching down a road that was never there.
It takes place on a sunlit face and the backbone broken.
Please bring us light, Demon John, you Demon John.
Take him with you when you go.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Demon John Lyrics as written by Jeff Buckley Michael Tighe
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i absolutely love these lyrics-"well, now stoned demon john there's no town the boy cannot belong "...
YEah. The riff mixed with effects at the 0:57-1:00 mark reminds of a theme song or something, but I really love it. I love the riff during the break bits, when sings the line."Demon John"
this is one of the songs that is so evidently unfinished on sketches.
This song is brilliant but it really stumps me. Maybe just because I smoked about a million cigarettes tonight and I feel a bit sick, but I really can't figure out what it's about. Anyone got any clues for me? I would love to play this song but obviously I can't if I don't know what it means! Help me out fellow Buckley lovers! xox
I believe this song is about Jeff facing his demons... demon john may be referring to that. He is trying to confront his demons and everything he's buried in his soul...
He was definitely using light and stars as a recurring focus in his writing for sketches. This song always seems like an ode to drugs or some sort of irresistible demon. He’s briefly set free by the light of a lover or an angel or someone pure and good but it’s quickly snuffed out and he’s pulled back down into the promise of a dark seduction.