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"John"
Single by Desireless
from the album François
B-side	"John (tempo 120)"
Released	1988
Recorded	1988
Genre	Synthpop
Length	3:58
Label	CBS Records
Songwriter(s)	Jean-Michel Rivat
Producer(s)	Jean-Michel Rivat
Desireless singles chronology
"Voyage, voyage" (1986) "John" (1988) "Qui sommes-nous?" (1989)

"John" is a synthpop song recorded by French singer Desireless. It was the second single from the album François on which it is the tenth track. Following the huge success of "Voyage Voyage", it was released in May 1988. Written and produced by Jean-Michel Rivat, the song was Desireless' last hit single in France.

Lyrics

"John" 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 narrator questions whether it matters who the symbolic "John" fought for (On his flag/there are stars, crowns/there are sickles, hammers/What does it matter?"), where he came from (He lives on a farm/in Loir-et-Cher/a tent on the edge of the desert/what does it matter?"), or what religion he was ("He says Bramah/he says Jehovah"), and she says that he "died in mid-flight" over Hanoi or Madrid or "died in flames" south of Baghdad or Port Said.

Critical reception

A review from Music & Media stated: "Although less accessible than "Voyage, Voyage", the single is another driving electro-pop single sporting a passionate, subtle chorus. Production by Michel Rivat is excellent and carries that special, spatial atmosphere, so suitable for the pan-European market".

Chart performance

Released in several European countries, notably in France, where it became a top five hit in July 1988 and remained for 18 weeks 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.

Versions

An acoustic version of "John" 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

• 7" single

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

• 12" maxi

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

• CD maxi

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

• 7" single - Remix

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

• 12" maxi - Remix

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

Credits

• Chorus by Desireless and Michel Laurent
• Mixed by Dominique Blanc-Francard and S.Prestage, at Digital Services
• Recorded at Studio Colour by Antoine Cambourakis and Steve Prestage
• Photography by François De La Noisette
• Written, arranged and produced by Jean-Michel Rivat
• Editions : Rivat Music

Charts and certifications

Notes

1. The exact peak position in Belgium (Wallonia) is unknown. The single reached at least number 9, as Music & Media provided the single's ranking only for that week, but it did not reach the top three, given every week by the magazine.

References

1. Habib, Elia (2002). Muz hit.tubes (in French). Alinéa Bis. p. 135. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
2. "Previews - Single of the week" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 15. 9 April 1988. p. 25. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 6 October 2021 – via American Radio History.
3. ""John", French Single Chart" (in French). Lescharts. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
4. ^ ""Desireless", Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
5. Muus, Diana (2 July 1988). "Weekly Update on the European Charts - Highlights" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 27. p. 11. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
6. "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 30. 23 July 1988. p. 17. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 18 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 30. 23 July 1988. p. 14-15. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 18 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
8. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Desireless". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 62. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
9. "Desireless – John" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
10. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
11. "1988 Year-End Eurocharts - Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 30. Retrieved 8 October 2021 – via American Radio History.
12. "French single certifications – Desireless – John" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Select DESIRELESS and click OK. 

External links

• "John", music video (official site)

• 1988 singles
• Anti-war songs
• Desireless songs
• 1986 songs
• CBS Records singles