Johnny the Horse
Encyclopedia
"Johnny The Horse" is a single by British band Madness
from their 1999 album Wonderful
. The song struggled to make an impact in the charts after the success of "Lovestruck
", and peaked at #44 in the UK Singles Chart
.
Carl Smyth explained that "The song Johnny the Horse was inspired by a couple of tramps who I used to see often sitting and drinking cheap booze on a wall locally. One day one of them was crying and, after asking him what was the problem, he told me that his friend had been beaten and killed whilst trying to sleep in an empty building. The name is the kind of tag that Scots or Irish might give to a strong drinking hard man type." Another quote states that "...it's funny how people's lives can unravel y'know. So that's what it's about. Who remembers them, they've had a life and then sort of fall between the cracks."
Although bonus track "You're Wonderful" is listed as a remix, this is the only version of the song to be released. It might be considered to be the title track of the album from which this single is taken; although the track itself did not actually appear on "Wonderful", a snippet does appear in the preview medley featured on the "Lovestruck" single.
There is also a 'radio edit' of the single, where the line "Johnny the Horse was kicked to death, he died for entertainment" is replaced by the line "Johnny the Horse, who passed this way, he died for entertainment ".
CD1
CD2
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
from their 1999 album Wonderful
Wonderful (Madness album)
Wonderful is an album by the British ska band Madness. It was released in 1999 . Wonderful is their first studio album in original lineup since the 1984 Keep Moving LP.-Track listing:#"Lovestruck"...
. The song struggled to make an impact in the charts after the success of "Lovestruck
Lovestruck
"Lovestruck" is a song by the band Madness. The release marked the first time they had put out original material for over ten years, and signified their return to music...
", and peaked at #44 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Carl Smyth explained that "The song Johnny the Horse was inspired by a couple of tramps who I used to see often sitting and drinking cheap booze on a wall locally. One day one of them was crying and, after asking him what was the problem, he told me that his friend had been beaten and killed whilst trying to sleep in an empty building. The name is the kind of tag that Scots or Irish might give to a strong drinking hard man type." Another quote states that "...it's funny how people's lives can unravel y'know. So that's what it's about. Who remembers them, they've had a life and then sort of fall between the cracks."
Although bonus track "You're Wonderful" is listed as a remix, this is the only version of the song to be released. It might be considered to be the title track of the album from which this single is taken; although the track itself did not actually appear on "Wonderful", a snippet does appear in the preview medley featured on the "Lovestruck" single.
There is also a 'radio edit' of the single, where the line "Johnny the Horse was kicked to death, he died for entertainment" is replaced by the line "Johnny the Horse, who passed this way, he died for entertainment ".
Track listing
Two versions of the single were released on CD.CD1
- "Johnny The Horse" (Smyth) - 3:19
- "You're Wonderful (Remix)" (Smyth) - 3:40
- "Johnny The Horse (Enhanced Video)"
CD2
- "Johnny The Horse" (Smyth) - 3:19
- "I Was The One" (Barson) - 3:07
- "Dreaming Man" (Smyth/Foreman) - 3:07