Thin Lizzy - Johnny Lyrics

the drummingstyle of brian downey is similar to andy parkers technic. two great old shool drummers.

If they could just be as famous in the USA then we would talk about THE BEST band anyway because in the UK they were hit makers according to the stats.

It goes to show how much of an absolute joke the hall of fame is. No Thin Lizzy...

Bar John Henry Bonham , that's some of the very best drumming I've EVER heard.

I agree completely! I would have to add Bill Ward also! Three of the best jazz drummers in rock and roll!

Somewhere on the waterfront
Johnny's hiding with a gun
Swears he'll kill any man that tells his story
He ain't sorry for what he's done

He broke into a drugstore
Just to cure a daily need
He didn't mean to shoot the guard
But he was blinded by the greed

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Oh Johnny, oh Johnny

You see that nun, she's his sister
She doesn't know that he's gone bad
When they told it to his father
It drove the old man mad

Just like his mother warned him
From her dying bed
It's all right to lose your heart
But never lose your head

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Look out

Now the cops have got him surrounded
And he doesn't stand a hope
He wonders how he could be in so much trouble
Over just a little dope

Five to one he gets away
That's the odds I'm going to give
Five to four they blast him away
Three to one he's going to live

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Oh Johnny, you better run
Oh Johnny, oh Johnny

Back in the alley where he was slain
I thought I heard something move
Beside the trash can lay a heart and chain
The picture had been removed

Just another junkyard juicer
Looking for a bed
It's all right to lose your heart
But never lose your head

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Oh Johnny, oh Johnny
Look out

What a sound what a band!!!

Phil was a brother for everyone who knows what means being lost and thrown away in that tough society. I have much than respect for him. and his music is awesome. Thin Lizzy is the best rock group imo. Rock IS Thin Lizzy and Thin Lizzy IS Rock.

This song needed the horn section at the end like a bull needs mammary glands.

All this bullshit about weather English Irish Welsh or Scottish these are one if not the best rock band of all time... And im English

"I'm prepared to shoot him if need be"

The drums on this are sick!

Sad that no new comments. Come on Ireland WTF USA!

Κομματαρα γαμω τον ΣΥΡΙΖΑ

My name is Johnny and I approve of this song!

I consider myself fortunate to have seen Thin Lizzy live in their hey day. Remember Phil's bass picking up the spotlight and moving round the place. So loud, so awesome. RIP Phil and Gary.

me too that bass

This Texan loves Thin Lizzy!

lizzy was so under the radar back then, so cool that core people took notice and captured these priceless songs on more than just this album

i love this song, i thought i was the only one that heard it . was that like 71 or something

'75 or '76

i have mick riordan to thank for this one

this song has so much Fucking energy

Is there another artist who sounds this way ?

Got this on the black plastic thing the day it came out, still have it in my collection.All this years on sounds even better. Power of the drums and bass guitar with brilliant guitar playing and Phillips vocal shear brilliance.

I also have my black vinyl thing, AND still the machine that will spin it beneath a diamond, and make the wonderful sounds emanate from from the huge black wooden boxes that have the symbol "Fisher" on the front.

Also two CD versions, mp3 versions....I've bought these albums so many times now. :)

"deadly" or "daily" need? Great song. Cheers!

amazing

listening to lizzy is like reading dickens or steinbeck. (or living in aberdeen (wa)).

I was seduced by The boys are back in town,and Jailbreak,but when Johnny the Fox came out, I realized what an incredible songwriter Phil Lynott was,plus the guitar playing is fucking phenomenal.You must listen to this LP.

Masterpiece! One of the strongest rhythm section, great catchy guitars..., what else u can ask for...

A song that packs a knock out punch.

One of the finest Lizzy-Songs. Great lyrics and powerful singing of Phil and the unforgettable Wah-wah-Solos of the one and only Brian Robertson!

I agree. One of the best Thin Lizzy songs. I bought this album almost 40 years ago and it is still rocking!

still sheads

Brian is Smok'in for sure, check out Bobby Caldwell on the first Captain Beyond album ... really smokes... enjoy.

missed these guys god bless phil

Thin.lizzy had some wicked intros.... this is one of their best!!

Jonny the fox on the other side, better intro.

All at all, Johnny the fox is the best album Thin Lizzy. No doubt.
Song Johnny in top 5....

yeah rockroll

See that nun, she's his sister, she doesn't know that he's gone bad. When they told it to his papa, it drove the old man mad. Just like his mother warned him, from her dying bed, its alright to lose your heart but never lose your head.

saw him when I didn't even know WHO or what I was seeing or hearing! so good to be hear now!!!! Born in 1962 wow

hey children, God be with him, and mc gonigles

Love that solo that fades out at the end, so bad ass!

One of Brian Robertson's finest moments as a guitarist.

That solo on Fools Gold

I WASH THERE IN CONSERT

This album is Brian Downey's masterpiece! One of the most underrated drummers in Rock and Roll history!

Agreed. You know your classic rock...great post!

Jeez how I used to sit mesmerized by Brian Downey's wonderfully creative fills.
My grandmother even noticed it on this song. She said, "Listen to that! He doesn't miss a beat!"

Preach Brother William!!!

totally agree,but cant deside witch version who was best,with,Sykes,or robbo

underrated bands

Yes! Rock the dark alleys.

Another Lizzy magnum opus in the opinionus of another junkyard juice !

They turn an ordinary riff into something great.

i feel suspicious when i hear this.

awesome track love this one , phil could always tell a story in a song. bad ass riff too. 

The beats are awesome in this

this rulz

This makes me proud to be Irish!!!! The sax is savage

makes me proud to be Irish also.love lizzy they were my first real love of rock.dont like the lizzy that's touring now thow.you always need the voice of phill its unique to thin lizzys music.when solo n soho came out in the early 80s.Phil's voice still haunts me he was a genuine bloke and sadly missed.

Nice one Jeannette...Met Phil back in the Cavern early 70's...

sure beats the hell out of that slacker dance crap they've been tryin to sell us on foe the last quarter century

did'nt think there was a sax .where

@Mickyjoe Yes Globalist band U2 is a shame

"It's Thin Lizzy, no need for description" Fine words indeed.
 This reminds me of the gangland films Hollywood used to make in the 50's.

Film Noir

Bloody good song on a bloody sunday real irish no uk

Hans Vierhout but we love them in the U.k , well at least I do 👍👍

Fuck UK anything dis be de Irish stuff .

Fuck UK anything dis be de Irish stuff .

Seeing as how there was a Scotsman and an American in the band its hard to say its purely Irish..

fucking racist im English i love LIZZY for there music no matter where there from

ROBBOS brilliant and hes a Jock

Thin Lizzy 5 to 10 I get away 2014 May..Look out UK Lotto!
Jimmy the Coup will be taken back for greed!
Poor Johnny! Ha Check out my tribute to Philo Looks Better than it sounds!
YouTube "Johnnies Birthday Tribute For Philo 2013 Yo" and Johnnies favorite Little record Queen "Joan vs Joe the Box" Philo once waved a bottle of wine at me in his Lizzymobile.............Thin Lizzy 20hi14 Lizzy Dont believe me Dont CHA!

Hands down my fave tune :) Oh philo

Lizzy were so much better with Robbo in the band, they did their best stuff with him. He was also great to watch playing live, a true maverick

I believe this is Phil Collins on drums

No way! That is "the one and only Brian Downey on drums" - unmistakable!

and rory gallagher!!!

Hey man early U2 wasn't that bad but still Guinness and thin lizzy a double Irish threat

the first 2 were good and totally lost it after joshua tree

I was still a child when i first time heard this song. I like it from then and i still love this. Thin Lizzy is dead, and sorry but Black star riders can`t ever be as great whitout Phil Lynnot!

....and Rory Gallagher!

still crank under the name of black star rider's !

Try Ziggy's bar in Cork, they'll play the DVD anytime!

Any radio station that would have the balls to play Live and Dangerous in its entirety would certainly have balls!

OK mm so this isn't Irish metal?..I didn't mean "metal" in the bonehead sense, but there is no arguing that Thin Lizzy even helped create and shaped early metal..Also, they had a hotshot american guitarist who was metal, and wrote metal riffs, sure bluesy soulful and beautiful, almost too nice. Otherworldly stuff, but Thin Lizzy is CERTAINLY HEAVY METAL.

Welcome to the entire music industry man. I feel your pain.

Brian Downey is kicking major ass on this song
very very underestimated band and drummer !

This is definitely not metal

prowelshgamer
I wouldn't say it's aluminum or steel either 🍦

Gentlemen, the two GREATEST exports from Ireland are as follows: Guinness Draught Beer and Thin Lizzy. Case closed! (U2??? Who the fuck are U2??? Fuck U2!!)

you forgotten rory gallagher

edwin santos AND RORY GALLAGHER..........

Don't forget about Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore..

this is metal!

WeedVulva Actually it's
Thin Lizzy 🍄

This Sir is hard rock.

Metal, hard rock, Thin Lizzy stands by itself. You can't shove it into any category.

There isn't a radio station in the world that has the balls to play this song. Even back in the day, never heard it played.

couldn't say it any better

The perfect rock song.

it's 'llright to loose your heart,
but never loose your hand!

You're not the only ones... Here in Brazil the same shit happens. The good music is now almost hidden from the public and the commercial crap wound our brains and ears everytime. Hope this will change someday in our countries. Sorry for the bad English...

Thin LIzzy of course. U2, The Poguges (ok not really Irish) Rory Gallagher, Stiff LIttle Fingers, The Clancy Brothers (Liam on his own) just to name a few. Maybe your complaint isn't such a bad thing in the long run. The best music out there is in local pubs and not know by the public at large.

you might see me popin up now and again its a habit worth performin r ya out there

Haha! Yeah, not Poor Johnny. I thought it was Watch out there...

Always thought he sang "Watch out there" instead of Poor Johnny...

niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee................

U2 where best in the 80s yes, the irony may be that because Thin Lizzy where so underrated they where able to maintain their sound and style without being destroyed by commercialism

i agree with the overrating. but still The Edge has a very unique guitarsound and awsome skills with the Delay-Effect. they really had their sound. and before they got really famous, they had a more indie sound, like all those underground bands in the early 80's. albums like "Boy" or "october" had a real underground sound and didnt make them famous till joshua tree......its the fame and commercial which ruins bands often

This is one of the best songs of the history the guitars are talking in this , Phil vocals are awesome and the lyrics no one do better.

They made a few good songs but they are insanely overrated, Bono stole his whole performance technique from Gavin Friday as well

i am a big fan of thin lizzy. but come on, you have to give U2 some credit, those guys a musical pioneers

Couldn't agree more.

Nice to see harry styles and justin bieber pushed the dislike button x) hehehe

IS this the 1st heavy rock concept album Ever???!!!

i agree with u,we were always a rock renowned country( thin lizzy,horselips,undertones,u2,boomtown rats etc) now our biggest music export is jedward.shame really

Thats SO* Right B.R. never got the Recognition he deserved...Those wicked Guitar Licks..

since 76... the guitar solo's N' its Wicked Twists... Brian Robertson Does many of those sounds...Of Gorham Too... I always felt B.R. never got the recognition he deserved...

one of Rocks GEMS , Many still are unaware of how Blazing this album was/is... Boogie woogie dance/Johnny/Johnny the Fox... Guitar like NO OTHER*!.

And even from the greatest Lizzy album ever.

This is definitely in my top ten no matter how many times I listen to it I get tingles in my belly.....bleedin deadly even have my own version :) oh Jenny oh Jenny

Shut the fuck up, and sort out your user name you ignoramus.

why isnt thin lizzy in the rock n roll hall of fame? ....

Aint that Gary Moore on Lead guitar. I LOVE that album

bang on dude

Couldn't agree more. I simply cannot understand how a song like this can be underrated like this.