Johnny Can't Read
Encyclopedia
"Johnny Can't Read" is the solo debut single from Don Henley
. The song focuses upon reading illiteracy and raises several thought-provoking questions. This song also reflects Henley’s respect for reading and his reading background. As he stated in the book Heaven Is Under Our Feet,
emphasized his respect for the written word.
Near the conclusion of this song, Henley sings the line "there's a new kid in town," which was the chorus to the song of the same name
he recorded with the Eagles. "Johnny Can't Read" is included on Henley's debut solo album I Can't Stand Still
.
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
. The song focuses upon reading illiteracy and raises several thought-provoking questions. This song also reflects Henley’s respect for reading and his reading background. As he stated in the book Heaven Is Under Our Feet,
"I began to read when I was five. My dad sometimes read me the ‘Funny Papers’ to me on Sundays and my mother, a college graduate and former schoolteacher, read to me almost every day from books. As I grew, she made sure that there was always reading material in the house that was suited to my age and ability."As for his respect for reading, he stated, "American Literature, like the air we breathe, belongs--or should belong--to everybody." His pioneering project to raise money to preserve Walden Woods
Walden Pond
Walden Pond is a 31-metre-deep lake in Massachusetts . It is in area and around, located in Concord, Massachusetts, in the United States...
emphasized his respect for the written word.
Near the conclusion of this song, Henley sings the line "there's a new kid in town," which was the chorus to the song of the same name
New Kid in Town
"New Kid in Town", written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther, is a song by the Eagles, from their 1976 album Hotel California. Released as the first single from the album, the song became a #1 hit in the USA, and #20 in the UK. The single version has an earlier fade-out than the album...
he recorded with the Eagles. "Johnny Can't Read" is included on Henley's debut solo album I Can't Stand Still
I Can't Stand Still
I Can't Stand Still is the first solo album by Don Henley, released in 1982 originally on Asylum Records then re-released in 1999 by Warner Bros. Records. The album went gold, reached #24 on the charts, and released three singles, including the huge hit "Dirty Laundry," which reached #3 on the...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 42 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 29 |