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Little Johnny Jewel Lyrics
Now Little Johnny Jewel,
Oh, he's so cool,
He has no decision,
He's just trying to tell a vision.
Some thought that this was sad,
And others thought it mad,
They just scratching the surface,
JJ can do the floor kiss.
Was he on display?
No, no, not today.
All that guy ever said,
He said, "I want my little wing-head."
He half-asleep at night
Over his head, sensation of flight.
And he wake up dreaming,
Dreaming...
And he run down to the airport,
The rush, the roar,
And he crouched down behind a fence,
With a chest full of lights,
Then,
He loses his senses...
Oh Little Johnny Jewel,
He's so cool,
But if you see him looking lost
You ain't gotta come on so boss!
And you know what he's paid,
You know that he's paid the price,
All you gotta do for that guy
Is wink your eye.
Oh, he's so cool,
He has no decision,
He's just trying to tell a vision.
Some thought that this was sad,
And others thought it mad,
They just scratching the surface,
JJ can do the floor kiss.
Was he on display?
No, no, not today.
All that guy ever said,
He said, "I want my little wing-head."
He half-asleep at night
Over his head, sensation of flight.
And he wake up dreaming,
Dreaming...
And he run down to the airport,
The rush, the roar,
And he crouched down behind a fence,
With a chest full of lights,
Then,
He loses his senses...
Oh Little Johnny Jewel,
He's so cool,
But if you see him looking lost
You ain't gotta come on so boss!
And you know what he's paid,
You know that he's paid the price,
All you gotta do for that guy
Is wink your eye.
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One of my favourites... I read it as a story, or hypothetical anecdote, relating to a guy who has removed himself from the usual flow of life in search of his own ideal (his 'vision'), and his dedication to representing this in some way. The final verse is like a secret understanding of this guy, like Tom knows that there is something more profound or worthwhile in what Johnny is doing/thinking. IMFO.
I like that interpretation. The epiphany at the airport, to me is echoed in the guitar solo. It builds before we even begin the story; like water trickling into as glass. The sound builds like the roar of the engines and then when it finally burst in to the guitar solo it is like a dam breaking . The emotion, ideas, imagination released; no boundaries , seemingly no sense of direction. It squeals and screams, desperate at finally getting out ;it is truly beautiful as it soars above. And just like Verlaine at the end of the song we...
I like that interpretation. The epiphany at the airport, to me is echoed in the guitar solo. It builds before we even begin the story; like water trickling into as glass. The sound builds like the roar of the engines and then when it finally burst in to the guitar solo it is like a dam breaking . The emotion, ideas, imagination released; no boundaries , seemingly no sense of direction. It squeals and screams, desperate at finally getting out ;it is truly beautiful as it soars above. And just like Verlaine at the end of the song we understand to. I had a similar experience with this songs as rbenyakov. I had it on my mp3 and I was waiting outside and the wind was crazy that day it made the grass and trees seem to dance to the song. It worked because the music comes from an organic place. Easily my favourite song.
How Cool is this song!? With this song, I cannot describe Televsion - Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Punk, Avant-Garde Anti Pop - difficult classification defines a great band. Love that Riff - doo, doo, doo.....doo, doo, doo!
I love the guitar solo. The first time I really listened to it I had it on an mp3 player and I wasn't really paying attention. Then the solo came on and I burst into tears, it reminded me of whale songs. There is just something really sad about that series of notes.
so cool
Also best riff ever and best improvisation ever. The bit with the reggae twangs, you know - after the riff quiets a little at around 4 mins in, "doo doo doo DUH-DUH x DUH-DUH x DUH-DUH doo doo doo", that's awesome.
I heard somewhere that this song was about Iggy Pop (real name James Jewel Osterberg). No idea if that's true, but the apparent drug references would make sense in that context... ;-)
I always thought this was about a Vietnam vet who suffered from PTSD and eventually succumbed to madness.
The best version of this is on "Live At The Old Waldof', IMHO.
May have been inspired by Tom’s twin brother John, who was a drug addict
“Wing-head” was Patti Smith’s nickname when she was in school.