Jonee went to the pawnshop
Bought himself a guitar
Now he's gonna go far
You gotta love 'em and leave 'em
Sometimes you deceive 'em
You made her cry
Jonee you're bad
You're gonna make her sad
Jonee jumped in his Datsun
Drove out on the expressway
Went head-on into a semi
His guitar is all that's left now
He made her cry
Now she calls his name
Jonee you're to blame


Lyrics submitted by bouncing soles, edited by karritevoyager

Come Back Jonee Lyrics as written by Mark Mothersbaugh Gerald Casale

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Come Back Jonee song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    "Come Back Jonee" is a lyrical deconstruction of "Johnny B. Goode," a rock'n'roll classic by Chuck Berry. The original holds a very straight focus, about a boy who everyone knows will one day go far because he's so good on his guitar. The Devo song tips that song onto its side and scoops out its belly, delving into Johnny's other potential issues. It explores the idea that he's in a failing relationship and can't live up to other expectations in life, and that his obsession with his guitar ends up costing him everything else.

    karritevoyageron April 30, 2014   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is SUCH a good song, how can no one have commented? Anyway, I heard on the commentary on the DEVO DVD that this song's about JFK, a subject Devo often write about in their songs. I don't really know what the pawnshop bit is about, but I know that in the music video, Devo wears what they describe as "Nazi Cowboy Suits" which gives the song a sinister tone. Maybe the song is about JFK using his "Guitar" (his charasmatic speeches and his political power) to become famous. The Datsun could be his presidency while the "semi" (Which can be a truck or a semi-automatic rifle) killed him because of it... I really like this song

    Philemon_Crowleyon June 08, 2006   Link

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