Johnny 99
Johnny 99: A Tale of Desperation and Justice
Lyrics
Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late last month
Auto plant closure in Mahwah, leading to unemployment.
Ralph went out lookin' for a job but he couldn't find none
Ralph's unsuccessful job search after the plant closure.
He came home too drunk from mixin' Tanqueray and wine
Ralph returns home intoxicated from Tanqueray and wine.
He got a gun, shot a night clerk now they call'm Johnny 99
Ralph, now Johnny 99, shoots a night clerk, facing legal consequences.
Down in the part of town where when you hit a red light you don't stop
Johnny in a troubled part of town, expressing anger and frustration.
Johnny's wavin' his gun around and threatenin' to blow his top
Johnny brandishing a gun, threatening to explode emotionally.
When an off-duty cop snuck up on him from behind
Off-duty cop arrests Johnny without him noticing.
Out in front of the Club Tip Top they slapped the cuffs on Johnny 99
Arrested in front of the Club Tip Top.
Well, the city supplied a public defender but the judge was Mean John Brown
Public defender provided, but the intimidating Judge John Brown presides.
He came into the courtroom and stared poor Johnny down
Judge Brown's stern gaze at Johnny.
Well the evidence is clear gonna let the sentence son fit the crime
Evidence is clear; Johnny to be sentenced to prison.
Prison for ninety eight and a year and we'll call it even Johnny 99
Prison term of 98 years plus one year to "call it even."
A fist fight broke out in the courtroom they had to drag Johnny's girl away
Fight erupts; Johnny's girl forcibly removed from the courtroom.
His mama stood up and shouted, "Judge, don't take my boy this way"
Johnny's mother protests the harsh judgment.
Well, son, you got any statement you'd like to make
Judge invites Johnny to make a statement before sentencing.
Before the bailiff comes to forever take you away
Mother's plea before Johnny is taken away.
Now, judge, judge, I got debts no honest man could pay
Johnny claims debts, implies financial desperation.
The bank was holdin' my mortgage and takin' my house away
Financial troubles include mortgage, imminent loss of home.
Now I ain't sayin' that made me an innocent man
Johnny doesn't claim innocence but suggests broader issues led to the crime.
But it was more 'n all this that put that gun in my hand
More than financial issues contributed to Johnny resorting to violence.
Well your honor I do believe I'd be better off dead
Johnny expresses a belief that death might be preferable.
And if you can take a man's life for the thoughts that's in his head
Challenging the judge's authority to punish thoughts with death.
Then won't you sit back in that chair and think it over judge one more time?
Plea for the judge to reconsider and reflect on the decision.
And let 'em shave off my hair and put me on that execution line
Johnny contemplating execution, suggesting the gravity of his despair.
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