Johnny is a man
And he's bigger than you
But his overheads are high
And he looks straight through when you ask him how the kids are

He'll get home around seven
'Cause the chevy's real old
And he could have had a cadillac
If the school had taught him right
And he could have married Anne with the blue silk blouse
He could have married Anne with the blue silk blouse

And the food is on the table
But the food is cold
(Don't hit her)

"Can't you even cook?
What's the good of me working when you can't damn cook?"

Well Johnny is a man
And he's bigger than her
I guess the bruises won't show
If she wears long sleeves
But the space in her eyes shows through

And he could have married Anne with the blue silk blouse
He could have married Anne with the blue silk blouse
Shows through
Shows through
Shows through


Lyrics submitted by saturnine

Repetition Lyrics as written by David Bowie

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Repetition song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This song could have a connection to John I'm Only Dancing. Notice how he is using the same names.

    Ziggy88on August 01, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    It's a lovely little ditty 'bout the wonderful subject of wife-beating.

    roton November 05, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Yea, I think it has a connection to John I'm Only Dancing..probably what happened few days later after that night..about the meaning just read it and you'll understand it.

    Halloween Jackon April 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I feel like it's called "Repeatitive" because the beatings probably happen frequently.

    Depressing song, but so good.

    ArsMoridenion March 11, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What rot said. It's as clear as crystal. It's about an abusive partner.

    CuteSparkinaon September 11, 2008   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation

    Tha bass and the guitar are beautiful.

    etelbertoon October 19, 2009   Link

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