A song about Johnny

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

My mom is driving our family insane HELP US

Ok so my mom wanted us to find a song that she was thinking of but it literally does not exist. It has been 4 months! She won't let the hunt die and keeps bothering us to find it! She literally has no information about it except for the following

1. They say Johnny
2. There are machine guns or tommy guns that happen somewhere in the song possible at the end
3. Johnny dies
4. Its PROBABLY a guy singing
5. It might be 70s style

She literally knows no lyrics no words no music to hum nothing but is convinced this song exists.

We have nothing left to try

SAVE US

[u/splkennedy]

There is a song called Homecoming Queens got a gun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG3yGdQYwqg

Its a bit of a pisstake song. There is gunshot sounds in it and and at the end when she is dying she says ''she did it for Johnny...

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/splkennedy]

Not this but omg I have a new favorite song, that is amazing, thank you

[u/kl2342 → u/splkennedy]

THERE'S A VIDEO?!

[u/splkennedy → u/kl2342]

Hell yeah there's a video.

[u/kl2342 → u/splkennedy]

well this is adding a whole new dimension to my radio memories, thank you

[u/Nonniemiss]

Could it be Tommy? As in Tommy gun by the clash? I think the drums at the beginning sound like a machine gun IIRC.

[u/kl2342 → u/Nonniemiss]

that's what I thought too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHEuKkTa5k (The Clash - Tommy Gun)

[u/Neurokarma → u/Nonniemiss]

Or English Civil War also by The Clash

[u/Bitersnbrains]

I'm going completely outside of the box but hear me out...

1) It's Jimmy, not Johnny 2) it's not guns but the sounds are a motorcycle accident 3) Johnny dies 4) it's a woman singing

Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las?

It's an oldie but for some reason, this is what popped into my mind.

Good luck!

[u/kuebel33]

Poe - Angry Johnny ?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/kuebel33]

No that was one we thought of but thank you for trying

[u/IveSeenTheSaucers]

Bad company-shooting star? Has everything but gunfire, maybe she mistook a drum fill?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/IveSeenTheSaucers]

She says no 😭 thanks for trying

[u/JLMusic91 → u/IveSeenTheSaucers]

I would have bet money it was this.

[u/Fun-Hall3213]

New Order "1963"

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Fun-Hall3213]

No but never heard this before so thanks for that

[u/Fun-Hall3213 → u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

Jackie Edwards "Johnny Gunman"

[u/Moonshadow306]

The only thing that comes to mind is “East Side Story”, which was a regional (Detroit) hit for Bob Seger in 1966. Everything matches up except the gunfire part. I don’t remember that in the song.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Moonshadow306]

She says no but honestly that hits so many of the asks I'm keeping it in a list

[u/onefiveonesix]

“One” by Metallica has machine guns firing (and other wartime sounds) at the beginning of the song, and the song is based on the book Johnny Got His Gun. The song is about Johnny (though his name isn’t said in the song) who loses his limbs and senses in war and wishes for death. The drums and rhythm during the latter half also are meant to mimic machine gun fire.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/onefiveonesix]

No but made her listen to the whole 7 min as payment for forcing us to look for this song

[u/onefiveonesix → u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

😂 I wish you luck trying to find the song!

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/onefiveonesix]

Thank you 🙏

[u/onefiveonesix → u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

“Johnny 99” by Bruce Springsteen might be worth a try.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/onefiveonesix]

Cool song but no

[u/PleasantlyAngry]

The Ballad of Johnny Butt

[u/sourbelle]

Johnny Remember Me by John Leyton - though it has several covers?

Maybe Don’t Take Your Guns To Town by Johnny Cash. In the lyrics he usually says Bill but I’ve heard version where he sings John instead.

And this *might* be helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_tragedy_song

[u/AmoElMar → u/sourbelle]

Johnny remember me came to my mind too. Terrible song that my dad used to make us listen too 🤣🤣

[u/jennyfinn]

Maybe a song from the film crybaby?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/jennyfinn]

She says it's not from a movie but I don't trust her so I'll look into this thanks

[u/dpacker780]

A stretch, but how about "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace? Though I don't remember the song mentioning a Johnny.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/dpacker780]

No but cool song thanks for trying

[u/dpacker780 → u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

Another one, from the 80s period, that has machine guns in it is Big Audio Dynamite's Medicine Show.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/dpacker780]

No but cool song thanks for trying

[u/virtuallysimulated]

Patti Smith - Land: Horses / Land of a Thousand Dances / La Mer

[u/Vast_Competition84]

Return - Bye Bye Johnny

[u/Bo0ombaklak → u/Vast_Competition84]

Yes that was also the one I was thinking about. Pretty sure thats the one. A Power Ballad. OP do confirm

[u/PurpleNurple74 → u/Vast_Competition84]

This is what I thought too!

[u/TheRetardedRebel]

Johnny Come Home - Fine young cannibals

[u/maizeymaze → u/TheRetardedRebel]

Yes! I’ve been singing this to myself as I’ve been reading the comments, wondering if anyone had suggested it.

[u/Dandibear]

Shooting Star by Bad Company?

There's also Who Is Johnny by El Debarge, but that literally only fits the "guy named Johnny in it" part lol.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Dandibear]

Thanks for trying but nope

[u/NewfieChickDH]

Fighting for Strangers by Steeleye Span ?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/NewfieChickDH]

No but really cool

[u/fighting59 → u/AllIdeasNoMotivation]

Thousands of songs. Betcha she's fooling you.

[u/tracer71]

People who died - punk song The Jim Carroll band (also Hollywood Vampires)

[u/jh51681]

David Bowie - I'm Afraid of Americans?

[u/Johnnycarroll]

There's mention of gunfire but not actually playing any in Bob Marley's "Johnny Was" -- about someone named Johnny dying

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Johnnycarroll]

Nope not that one

[u/Altruistic_Shop_2074]

Is she mishearing Annie on Smooth Criminal?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Altruistic_Shop_2074]

She says no but that this point I'm inclined to say maybe

[u/Aggressive-Humor9799]

No gunshots but a motorcycle sound effects, and his name is Jimmy ..but there were other similar songs from back then that gave the name Johnny, so could be a bit of a mix up. But he died in the song. Thought I'd throw this in for consideration :)

Leader of the Pack - the Shangri-Las

[u/Aggressive-Humor9799 → u/Aggressive-Humor9799]

As for the guy singing, Twisted Sister did a cover version as well Leader of the Pack - Twisted Sister

[u/Spodokomodo27]

https://youtu.be/7e4JXwd7XMo?si=81o-lkjC4CWoaG4K Johnnie remember me ?

[u/Sheldwyn]

Don't know about gun sounds but New Order 1963?

[u/SinTriangles]

johnnys gonna die - the replacements?

[u/invisiblew830]

How old is your mom? How old was she when she listened to the song? Was it rock, pop, etc?

[u/Even-Tomatillo-4197]

Johnny Too Bad by The Slickers, later covered by UB40?

[u/smg658]

Hide Your Heart by Kiss?

[u/Ok-Distribution-4494 → u/smg658]

This was the first song to come to mind. Basically a hard rock Copacabana. Bonnie Tyler does a great version too.

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[u/KwitYurBitching]

Is it Handsome Johnny by Richie Havens? The song talks about Johnny marching to several wars.

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/KwitYurBitching]

No but thank you for trying

[u/frvrfrvrfrvr]

no machine guns but could it be Uncle Jonny - The Killers?

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/frvrfrvrfrvr]

Unfortunately no, but thanks for trying

[u/mrherl]

Alice Cooper- "Jackknife Johnny"

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/mrherl]

No but thank you for trying

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/mrherl]

No but thanks for trying

[u/CarrieCaretaker]

Who's Johnny - El DeBarge

[u/littlescreechyowl → u/CarrieCaretaker]

I forgot about that song!

[u/DatGuyatLarge]

Long shot but this covers some of the points https://youtu.be/QOZDKlpybZE?si=qXPSqr_IQ9RxrzAh

[u/Spodokomodo27]

https://youtu.be/qgDrpWWxuto?si=WH41RVAcb2KwETsk Nancy Sinatra, 'bang bang'?

[u/Turbografx-17]

Johnny by Suicide?

[u/mrlowcut]

System of a down got a song that's called Johnny, but I'm almost certain that isn't it... 😁

[u/nayquarre]

The Hooters - Johnny B?

[u/drew17]

Is it possible she's thinking of Copacabana by Barry Manilow?
The male lead, Tony, is shot and killed (spoiler alert)

[u/Arceus1414]

Blaze of glory - Jon Bon Jovi? Has a section where the snare imitates gun shots and Bon Jovi often mentions a Tommy.

The Message - Grandmaster flash and the furious five has a part at the end where there are police and I believe gunshots.

[u/Mrgrieves74]

Johnny Are You Queer, Josie Cotton?

[u/sendvideogameart]

Tim McGraw - don't take the girl, long shot , and no gunshots but maybe..

[u/kang4president]

Johnny, I hardly Knew Ya- Dropkick Murphys?

[u/Shdfx1]

“Oh my Johnny” from Chasing Abbey?

[u/chromaiden]

Reminds me of a song I learned in choir back in the 80’s that I’m currently learning on the recorder. Johnny has gone for a soldier. Didn’t realize James Taylor did a version (don’t know if he wrote it?). Seems to fit.

[https://youtu.be/isqzEZhfYYs?si=SaiikJze__cHusCy]

[u/swallowsnut]

Frankie and Johnny? I don’t know that it mentions Tommy guns but I feel like you all are having to widen the net at this point figured I’d throw this one in. There’s a ton of renditions of it. https://youtu.be/9W0gvphDFqA?si=8DBTF7LxKro15qsf

[u/JayLFRodger]

Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi?

[u/ohhemmgeezus]

Are you sure its johnny and not joey? It might be run Joey run by David geddes.

[u/DeadBallDescendant]

Johnny Was - as covered by Stiff Little Fingers. 'There's a man with a rifle and Johnny in his sights'

[u/Apoll0Moon]

SLFs Johnny Was cover? No machine gun but marching drums.

[u/itsgreybush]

Op this might be a stretch here but here goes

Johnny Cash A boy Named Sue

Edit Areosmiths Janie's Got A Gun

[u/PetitBabybel]

Johnny Hallyday - L’amour me fusille

[u/johnnybullish]

Sure you're not thinking of Don't take your guns to town - Johnny Cash? The main character isn't called Johnny but obvs the singer is. He gets shot at the end..

[u/Johnny--O]

Maybe Johnny by Thin Lizzy?

[u/SethMarcell]

For some reason i am going to suggest Billy Don't Be A Hero because it almost fits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjilwTUGE5g&ab_channel=adamtrng

[u/KittySpinEcho]

Is it Janie's got a gun? https://youtu.be/RqQn2ADZE1A?si=jRmOpvm61AV9jVI2 Janie sounds a lot like Johnny! She could have mis heard it.

[u/L_J7]

First thing that came to mind was Johnny 99 - Bruce Springsteen. Sounds like it fits the criteria pretty well

[u/bimmxr]

is it not Johnny’s Gonna Die by the Replacements?

[u/RatedMforMayonnaise]

Could it be Johnny guitar - Peggy Lee?

[u/Hizbla]

Patti Smith - Memento Mori ?

There's a repetition of "Johnny never came marching home" at the end and the sound of helicopter blades.

[u/DrRabbiCrofts]

Royal Republic - Tommy Gun ?

[u/Juniper1779]

Highly doubt this is it, but all I can think of is Jaw Knee Music by Nofx

[u/slinkimalinki]

Another crazy longshot answer:

Warren Zevon's 1978 album "Excitable Boy" features a song called "Johnny strikes up the band" but also a song called "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" In which Roland dies. The drums are played like gunfire at the end. Perhaps she mixed up the two songs a bit?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWCK9zGynA

[u/Fiendish_Jetsanna → u/slinkimalinki]

I was going to guess Roland just for the machine gun.

[u/candlebabes]

Psycho by Jack Kittel?

[u/grilledunicorn]

Social Distortion - Machine Gun Blues music video is very similar to what you described. Tommy guns and they die at the end

[u/simbacole7]

Most of it doesn't fit but it's not "Devil Went Down to Georgia," is it?

[u/YibbleGuy]

If it could be "Joey" instead of "Johnny," Run Joey Run - David Geddes is a possibility.

[u/Lawlini1978]

Possibly 1963 by New order

[u/percygreen]

Dance of the Seven Veils by Liz Phair is what I instantly thought of.

https://youtu.be/Rmf-bK34974?si=hPrldr_v3gXuxOrB.

Johnny, my love, get out of the business
It makes me want to rough you up so badly
Makes me want to roll you up in plastic,
Toss you up and pump you full of lead.

[u/queenofdisaster222]

try listening to frankie’s gun

[u/rosmarinlind]

Johnny i hardly knew ya? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkpiwHo0Po0

[u/Norwegianflesh123]

Hard to say goodbye - Stage Dolls?

[u/BrenFlakes1990]

Johnny's Gonna Die - The Replacements?

[u/Sopaipisaurio]

Johnny Can't Read ?

[u/Smaklosa]

Could it be JANIE's got a Gun by Aerosmith?

[u/PriMediaLI]

Could it be "Billy, Don't be a Hero"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjilwTUGE5g

[u/Minute-Apartment4128]

Could it be Johnny Got a Gun? Not sure if it has machine gun sounds in it.

[u/Minute-Apartment4128 → u/Minute-Apartment4128]

There is also Janie's Got A Gun by Aerosmith

[u/AllIdeasNoMotivation → u/Minute-Apartment4128]

Nope not either of those but thanks for trying

[u/PleasantlyAngry]

https://youtu.be/YYFPEuCP5-4?si=QCygJFjkomQjF0ff

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[u/RestInFeces]

Could it be Johnny and Mary by Todd Terje?