Johnny Thunder

The Kinks

About Johnny Thunder

"Johnny Thunder" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks. It first appeared on their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, and it was written by the Kinks' main songwriter, Ray Davies.


Year:
1968
2:33
305 
#1

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Johnny Thunder lives on water, feeds on lightning. 
Johnny Thunder don't need no one, don't want money. 
And all the people of the town, 

They can't get through to Johnny, they will never, ever break him down. 
Johnny Thunder speaks for no one, goes on fighting. 
And sweet Helena in bed prays for Johnny. 

Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 
Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 

Thunder and lightning. 

Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 
Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 

Thunder and lightning. 
Though everybody tried their best, 
Old Johnny vowed that he would never, ever end up like the rest. 
Johnny Thunder rides the highway, moves like lightning. 
But sweet Helena just says, "God bless Johnny." 

Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 
Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 

Thunder and lightning. 

Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 
Ba ba-ba ba ba-ba ba, 

Thunder and lightning.

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The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, the Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk and country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals) and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in 1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins accomp… more »

8 fans

Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Details
"Johnny Thunder" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. It was first included in their concept album called "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society" released in 1968.
Album Theme
The song fits into the overall theme of the album, which features a collection of vignettes about an idealized version of English small-town and village life.
Song Inspiration
The song is inspired by and named after Johnny Thunder, a fictional character in DC Comics. However, in the context of the song, Thunder is seen as a free-spirited rebel who maintains a sense of joy and wonder in spite of living in a corporatized and homogenized society.
Songwriter
The song was written by Ray Davies, the lead vocalist of The Kinks, who is known for his distinctively English songwriting style.
Critical Reception
Critics largely praised "Johnny Thunder" for its storytelling ability and the masterful songwriting of Ray Davies. It is often regarded as one of the standout tracks from the album.
Music Style
The song encapsulates the band's shift away from hard rock and towards more melodic, folk-influenced compositions that tell stories.
Song Meaning
"Johnny Thunder" is seen by some critics as an autobiographical portrayal of Davies' own free-spirited, non-conformist nature.
Album Performance
Despite being lauded as a classic now, "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society" only reached number 201 in the Billboard 200 and was initially a commercial failure.
Legacy
Over the years, "Johnny Thunder" and the overall album have gained recognition for their unyielding individuality and have influenced numerous pop and rock musicians, including members of acclaimed bands like The Jam and Blur.
Live Performances
The Kinks rarely performed "Johnny Thunder" in live concerts, adding a sense of exclusivity to the song within their discography.
Instrumentation
The arrangement of the song is acoustically driven, with a noticeable contrast between the verses and the chorus in terms of instrumental intensity which adds to the song's charm.
Trivia
The band's manager reportedly didn’t want The Kinks to release the song and album because he thought it was “too English” for an international audience. This highlights the song's and album's deep roots in local British culture.

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