John-John is a tribute to my old friend John Herald. He was an early inspiration as a creative guitarist, a plaintive expressive singer, and as a songwriter. John introduced me to wild mushroom hunting, to Chinese regional food, to many good songs, and to the value of listening to obscure records. In the 1960s I spent several summers staying in a trailer behind John’s house in Woodstock NY, helping him with arrangements and instrumental textures to his songs. He never did record or complete what I think are his best songs. I’ve tinted my song with the colors of John’s secret songs hoping they will not be forgotten.
John-John
(Jody Stecher/Vegetiboy Music BMI)
I was still in my teens gettin’ used to double digits
I spent some summers payin’ memorable visits
Up in the mountains all summer long
With a good friend of mine and they called him John
John-John, John-John
John-John, Oh John, Hey John
John was a dreamer, John was a walker
A guitar picker and a mushroom stalker
A soul-touching singer and a spinner of songs
No head for business had my friend John
John-John, John-John
John-John, Oh John, Hey John
He sang about love and a passenger pigeon
Plowboys, cowboys, the perils of religion
49 kids and none of them lazy
And they’re all just as crazy as a string bean lady
“I’m A Cold War Child” was dark and slow
“The Chinatown Kid” was full of get up and go
It was a long time ago, those days are gone
But I sure do remember my time with John
John-John John-John
I sure do remember my good friend John
John-John, John-John
John-John, Oh John, Hey John