Johnny 99
Bruce Springsteen
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Ooo ooo ooo ooo, ooo ooo ooo Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late that month Ralph went out lookin' for a job but he couldn't find none He came home too drunk from mixin' Tanqueray and wine He got a gun shot a night clerk now they call'm Johnny 99 Down in the part of town where when you hit a red light you don't stop Johnny's wavin' his gun around and threatenin' to blow his top When an off-duty cop snuck up on him from behind Out in front of the Club Tip Top they slapped the cuffs on Johnny 99 Well the city supplied a public defender but the judge was Mean John Brown He came into the courtroom and stared young Johnny down Well the evidence is clear gonna let the sentence son fit the crime Prison for ninety eight and a year and we'll call it even Johnny 99 A fist fight broke out in the courtroom they had to drag Johnny's girl away His mama stood up and shouted "Judge don't take my boy this way" Well son you got a statement you'd like to make Before the bailiff comes to forever take you away Now judge, judge I had debts no honest man could pay The bank was holdin' my mortgage and they were gonna take my house away Now I ain't sayin' that make me an innocent man But it was more 'n all this that put that gun in my hand Well your honor I do believe I'd be better off dead So if you can take a man's life for the thoughts that's in his head Then won't you sit back in that chair and think it over judge one more time And let 'em shave off my hair and put me on that execution line
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22 fans
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Songwriter and Performer"Johnny 99" is a song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen, an influential American songwriter and the leader of the E Street Band.
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Album InclusionThe song appeared on Springsteen's sixth studio album, "Nebraska," which was released in 1982.
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Unique RecordingUnlike other albums, "Nebraska" was a solo album Springsteen recorded at home on a 4-track cassette recorder.
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Economic Depression ThemeThe song "Johnny 99" deals with themes of economic depression and hardship.
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StorylineThe lyrics tell the story of a man named Johnny who kills a night clerk out of desperation after losing his job due to a factory shutdown and gets sentenced to 99 years in prison.
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Realistic CharactersLike many other Springsteen songs, "Johnny 99" is known for its vivid characters who portray the difficulties of the working class.
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RecognitionRolling Stone magazine recognized "Johnny 99" as one of the Highlights of "Nebraska" in 1982.
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Song CoverThis song has been covered by various musicians, including Johnny Cash for his 1983 album "Johnny 99".
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Live PerformancesSpringsteen frequently performed "Johnny 99" as part of his live set, sometimes with a full band arrangement, despite the original recording being a solo performance.
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Film ReferenceThe title and storyline of "Johnny 99" were inspired by the film "The 3:10 to Yuma," a 1957 American Western film.
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Music StyleThe song largely follows a folk rock style, embodying a sense of storytelling common in folk music but combined with the energy of rock music.
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Social Commentary"Johnny 99" is often viewed as a social commentary on the American Dream and the struggles of the American working class.
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ImpactDespite its lack of commercial success, the song is regarded as a significant work in Springsteen's oeuvre for its gritty narrative and social realism.
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InstrumentationThe original track features Springsteen playing all the instruments, which consist of an acoustic guitar and harmonica.
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Song EvolutionIn live performances, the song has evolved from its sparse, acoustic original into a full-band, rockabilly stomp, showcasing Springsteen's ability to reinterpret his own music.
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Citation
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"Johnny 99 Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9572528/Bruce+Springsteen/Johnny+99>.
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