Home · Songs · Desireless · John
From album
François
Desireless · 1989 · Track 10
Details
TonalidadCm
Compás4/4
Tempo115 BPM
Duración4:15
ÁlbumFrançois
Año1989
ISRCDEQ858700102
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The story behind
The song John, released by Desireless in May 1988, departs from the immediate with lyrics that invite reflection on war and faith. Instead of focusing on a single conflict, the lyrics weave a tapestry of references to 20th-century war scenarios, mentioning places like Hanoi and Haiphong, associated with the Vietnam War, Madrid for the Spanish Civil War, Port Said for the 1956 Arab-Israeli conflict, Baghdad in the context of the Iran-Iraq War, and Berlin during World War II and the Cold War. This geographical breadth is complemented by a mention of various deities worshipped in different religions, such as God, Jehovah, Allah, Brahma, and Vishnu, posing the question of whether it matters who this "John" fought for, where he came from, or what faith he belonged to. The song narrates his death in mid-flight or amidst flames, in different geographical locations.
This synthpop piece, written and produced by Jean-Michel Rivat, was released as the second single from the album François. Despite being less accessible than its successful predecessor Voyage Voyage, John stood out for its insistent electro-pop sound and an emotional chorus. Rivat's production provided a distinctive spatial atmosphere, intended for the European market. In France, the song reached the top five in July 1988, remaining on the charts for 18 weeks. It had a positive reception in Spain, reaching number 8, although a remixed version released in the United Kingdom did not have the same impact. Over the years, Desireless has revisited John, including acoustic versions on albums such as Un brin de paille (2004), More Love and Good Vibrations (2007), and Ses plus grands succès (2003), as well as a new arrangement for the album L'Oeuf de Dragon (2013) alongside her collaborator Antoine Aureche.
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