Johnny
Small Town Struggles: Johnny's Pursuit of Happiness
Lyrics
There was Johnny like a stranger, living in a small town, measuring the
Johnny is a stranger in a small town, emphasizing his unfamiliarity with the community.
Small time
Describing the town as insignificant or uneventful.
He was thinner than a razor, Johnny in a small town
Johnny is thin and living in a small town.
Living with his finger on the trigger, wishing he could be just a little
He has a troubled mindset, with a desire for more in life.
Bit bigger
Expressing Johnny's wish for a larger existence.
Bored to the heart of himself
Johnny is deeply bored and dissatisfied with himself.
He was trouble in the making, trouble in the keeping, history repeating
Johnny is a source of trouble, and his history repeats itself.
He was walking into danger, Johnny in a small town
Johnny is willingly walking into danger in the small town.
Looking for a light in a tunnel, creeping in the dark
Searching for a guiding light in the darkness.
And doubting if the sun'll shine to the heart of himself
Doubting if positivity will reach the core of his being.
And he tells himself it'll be all right, happiness is just around the
Self-assurance that everything will be fine and happiness is imminent.
Corner
Belief that happiness is just around the corner.
And he tells himself it'll be okay, happiness is just a life away
Reiteration of the belief that happiness is not far away.
She was pretty as a picture, shining in a window, everybody said so
Description of a woman's beauty admired by everyone.
What did Johnny have to give her, Johnny in a small town
Questioning what Johnny has to offer to such a woman in a small town.
Putting on a suit he had borrowed, knowing she would probably leave him
Johnny wears a borrowed suit, anticipating the woman leaving him.
Tomorrow
Expectation of being left alone with his thoughts and troubles.
Leave him alone with himself
Johnny is left alone, reflecting on himself.
And he tells himself it'll be all right, happiness is just around the
Reassuring himself that things will get better, happiness is close.
Corner
Repetition of the belief that happiness is just around the corner.
And he tells himself it'll be okay, happiness is just a life away
Reiteration that happiness is not far away.
Everything is different but it's all the same to him
Everything has changed for Johnny, yet it feels the same to him.
Everything is nothing like it was, before she came, before she stayed,
Contrasting the present with the time before the woman's arrival and departure.
And went away
Reflecting on the impact of the woman leaving.
She left Johnny like a stranger, waiting in a small town, measuring the
Johnny is left as a stranger, measuring time in the small town.
Small time
Nights are longer than days, emphasizing the darkness in his life.
Nights were longer than the days were, living in a small town
Johnny's struggles and life in the small town.
Looking for a door he could open, hoping that he wouldn't break
Searching for an opportunity while hoping not to break further.
Until he'd broken free to the heart of himself
Striving for freedom and self-discovery.
And he tells himself it'll be all right, happiness is just around the
Self-assurance that happiness is close, just around the corner.
Corner
Reiteration that everything will be okay and happiness is near.
And he tells himself it'll be okay, happiness is just a life away
Continued belief that happiness is just a life away.
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