Picked up by the police, only seventeen.
What did he do, what did he say?
His father left him as a little boy,
His mother turned tricks just to buy his toys.
Seventy two hour evaluation
Immediate psychiatric help
But Johnny wasn't crazy
He was just an angry boy
Years later, nothing much has changed.
Liquor, drugs, and gangs have made him a man.
Living in the streets in a world of his own,
He stops and watches his heart turn to stone.
He's an important person now
He's running with a wayward crowd
But Johnny wasn't crazy
He was just a lonely boy
The pain got too great, an eventual suicide,
Fear and anger were trapped deep inside.
If only Johnny could have opened up his heart,
Then me and Johnny wouldn't never had to part.
He's tired of running the vicious circle
He loaded and cocked his .45
But Johnny wasn't crazy
He was just a frightened boy
Oh,
How many Johnnys must there be?
Oh Johnny,
How I wish you were here.


Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44

Lost Child Lyrics as written by Michael Ness

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Lost Child song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is amazing. enough said.

    Alyssa1224on August 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the saddest songs ever, one of the saddest by Social Distortion. I dont know if it's a story telling song or about someone from Mike Ness' past... I love how it takes a personal turn at some parts of the song. It shows Johnny from the point of view of an outsider, and then a reminder from the speaker: "But Johnny wasnt crazy, he was just an angry/lonely/frightened boy..." And then at the end, it turns into a spoken narrative about Johnny and how he affected the speaker's life, how maybe the speaker wishes they'd remained close and maybe he coulda helped Johnny had he not been pushed away. The meaning is pretty self-explanitory, but I love the point-of-view shifts that occur during the course of the song. I think this might be the definitive early Social Distortion song.

    Tig45on June 24, 2012   Link

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

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.