John (Desireless song)

Lyrics and chart performances

The song deals with a man named John, apparently a soldier, who died during a mission. The lyrics mention several locations referring to conflicts in the 20th century : Hanoi and Haiphong (Vietnam War, 1945-54 / 1964-1975), Madrid (Spanish Civil War, 1936–39), Port Said (second Israeli-Arab war, 1956), Baghdad (Iran-Iraq, 1980–88), Berlin (Second World War, Cold War). Several Gods worshiped in various religions are also cited in the lyrics, such as God, Jehovah (Christianity, Judaism), Allah (Islam), Brahma and Vishnu (Hinduism).

The song was released in several European countries, notably in France, where it became a top five hit in July 1988 and remained for 18 on the chart (top 50), nine of them in the top ten. It was released in UK in a remixed version produced by Les Adams, but was a relative failure (a sole week on the chart, at number 92), while it failed the chart in the Netherlands. Yet, the song was a big hit - as its predecessor - in Spain, reaching n°8.

An acoustic version of the song was recorded by Desireless on her 2004 album Un brin de paille, on her 2007 double album More Love and Good Vibrations and on her 2003 best of Ses plus grands succès. The image on the single cover is a screenshot from the music video.

A new arrangement of the song was produced with Desireless' new musical partner, Antoine Aureche (AKA Operation of the Sun) for the 2013 album L'Oeuf de Dragon.

Track listings

1. "John" – 3:58
2. "John" (tempo 120) – 4:12

1. "John" (remix) – 6:28
2. "John" – 4:21

1. "John" – 4:19
2. "John" (remix) – 6:27
3. "Voyage Voyage" (extended remix) – 6:45

1. "John" (London remix) – 4:14
2. "John" (London re-remix) – 4:14

1. "John" (London remix) – 6:17
2. "John" (London remix - single version) – 4:11
3. "Voyage Voyage" (britmix) – 7:06

Credits