Be Good Johnny

The song Be Good Johnny by the Australian band Men at Work presents the perspective of a nine-year-old boy who feels pressured to behave appropriately but prefers to let his imagination run wild instead of focusing on classes or sports. Johnny, though he tries to understand the instructions he receives, feels misunderstood by the adult world around him. Lead vocalist Colin Hay uses his voice in various ways throughout the song, mimicking not only Johnny but also his mother, his father, and his teacher. Additionally, keyboardist Greg Ham contributes spoken dialogues that aim to capture the essence of Johnny. The song's title refers to Chuck Berry's famous Johnny B. Goode, adding a layer of cultural connection.

Recorded in 1981 and released in April 1982 as the third single from their debut album Business as Usual, the song falls within the power pop and new wave genres. Although it did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 due to not being released as a physical single in the United States, it reached number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. The production was handled by Peter McIan, with recording engineering by Jim Barbour, Peter McIan, and Paul Ray. The track runs for 3:37, and its B-side is F-19. This song, along with other singles from the album, helped Business as Usual become one of the best-selling records of the era, solidifying Men at Work's place in the 1980s music scene.