Story Behind The Song
Based on a true story
Song Description
A paroled convict realizes his mistakes are too great. Part 3 of a Trilogy- Not Foolin' Me Now/ Bye-Bye Sonny/ Johnny's 29th Birthday
| Song Length |
4:00 |
Genre |
Rock - Alternative, Rock - Easy Listening |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Duet Male/Female |
| Mood |
Troubled, Disturbed |
Subject |
Murder, Rape, Suicide |
| Similar Artists |
Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
It was Johnny's twenty-ninth birthday,
They were throwin' a barbecue.
Mouse, Al and Julie planned the surprise,
The whole gang- just like old times.
Two months since parole, paid
Six years with his soul -Johnny
Killed a kid in Bud's liquor store.
A radio turns down-Johnny's seen walkin' up.
A camera aims high -hidin' low on the porch.
Johnny throws up his hands and laughs as he
Drops to the floor.
Tattooed arms embrace as Skynyrd plays.
Blue eyes set on Julie, sittin' there in the shade.
Blue skies frame the sun smilin' down over York Street
In May...
Was gonna be the perfect day
Behind a picket fence steaks roastin',
Toastin' beers to the prodigal one;
Julie's combin' slim fingers through Jon's thinnin' hair,
Whisperin' "Champagne and candles upstairs."
Takin' aim with cold eyes as a cop car rolls by, Johnny
Shoots it on down to the corner.
Al says "Hey Johnny, How's it feel to be free?"
Jon squeezes Julie, says, "Man, feels good to me."
Laughter cuts through the buzz of the late afternoon
Like a saw.
Johnny raises his mug, says "To all I have missed."
Hand between Julie's thighs, Johnny dives for a kiss; turns
Says "Break out the Kodak, it could be the last
Day like this..."
Today's the perfect day
Instrumental...
From a second floor bedroom,
Johnny stares through the window,
Not smilin' this time.
Turns to face the young woman
Asleep in her bed
As dusk creeps through the venetian blinds-
He says "Julie, I love you,
But it ain't enough-
Let's quit pretending.
All them things we talked about -Baby,
They ain't gonna happen...
"Today's my twenty-ninth birthday,
I can't believe I've lived this long.
Remember me you and Al racin' 109?
Yeah, and Mouse, -Those were some crazy times.
Six summers gone by -Can't believe you stood by;
You never missed even one Saturday.
Jules, it almost seemed easy inside lookin' out.
I'd just get me a job make a new life down South.
Well this man standin' here ain't that kid with false dreams
No more.
You all act like I'm somethin'- I hate seein' my face:
All them things I won't be -All them fucked up mistakes.
I've got one bullet waiting,
Just one shot to stop
The charade...
Today's the perfect day
REPORTER: "This bedroom community shed few tears this evening after learning local criminal Johnny Albrecht had taken his own life. Albrecht was convicted six years ago for the shooting death of a liquor store clerk during a botched robbery..."