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Johnson's Aeroplane Lyrics

Four long lines one darker than the rest
Each one has a purpose, making borders on the land
Farmer's pride you know he works real hard
From a small aeroplane you can see the fields

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese gardens

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese gardens

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Four long years one later than the rest
The animals are thin and the pastures dry
Farmer's pride if the weather doesn't lie
From a small aeroplane you can see the sea

Lot's of blue
Very deep blue

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Johnson sees the fields from all the sides
Steel machines and black tar roads
Countryside where the spirit never dies
In his face all the history shows
Farmer's pride as the rains came down

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese gardens

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese gardens

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese gardens

Heart shaped hedges
Japanese Gardens

Ah, ah, ah, ah
A place to work and grow
A place to work and grow
Ah, ah, ah, ah
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8 Meanings

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Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

My second favorite INXS song, after The One Thing. The Swing is in my album rotation heavily for the first six months after it's release. This was a nifty and engaging tune, one that stuck in my head pretty good.

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

So what does it mean? There is clearly a story here, but what is it?

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

The story is likely about the hardships farmers suffer during the long droughts Australia's famous for. Johnson's aeroplane is likely a crop-duster. In the end, the rains come down and the farmers no longer have to suffer.

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

Great tune about the long droughts Australia has had, especially when the first white settlers where there. Johnson is a farmer who only wants to earn a decent living.

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

Amazing song. There is nothing quite like The Swing, in my eyes...

I love "heartshaped hedges, Japanese gardens".

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

I think it refers to cloud seeding. The technique was discovered in the 1940s and has been used in Australia from then till as late as the aughts. That would fit more than crop dusting (no bugs to kill if no plants for them to eat.) Just my SWAG from my first impression of the song, though I didn't look it up till today.

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

I can't help but feel that this is the band scoffing at people who work on the land. The band are quite comfortably removed from such a life. They've got the luxury of a good existence, therefore feel nothing but shame for primary workers. That's how I interpret this song

Cover art for Johnson's Aeroplane lyrics by INXS

My fave track from 'The swing' An excellent album.