THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

563-Fine Young Cannibals-Johnny Come Home.

1985-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. The age of 17 is the most used number in ‘Pop’ lyrics (see also best songs 353,) and ‘Johnny’ must be the most used name. From the 50’s Rock N’ Roll classic, ‘Johnny B Goode,'(see also best songs 30) to the 60’s Pop of ‘Johnny Remember Me,’ and ‘Johnny Angel,’ to the 1980’s, and that guy who sings ‘Be, Bop, A, Lua, Baby,’ in the Dire Straits song ‘Walk of Life,’ are just some of many examples.

The Fine Young Cannibals were formed in 1984, in Birmingham, England, by Andy Cox (guitar,) David Steele (bass guitar, synthesizers, piano, and drum machine,) and Roland Gift (vocals.) They took their name from the 1960 film ‘All the Fine Young Cannibals.’ Cox and Steele had both previously been members of the Ska band The Beat, known in America and Canada as ‘The English Beat,’ and in Australia as ‘The British Beat.’ With The Beat, Cox and Steele recorded three studio Albums between 1980-1982, and were involved in the writing of six of their eight UK hit singles (which would be eight if you include the bands two double ‘A’ sided singles.)

When The Beat split in 1983, Cox and Steele auditioned for a lead singer for their next project which would become The Fine Young Cannibals. Their choice was Roland Lee Gift who was born on May 28th, 1961, in Birmingham, England. His previous musical experience had been as the lead singer of the Hull based Ska band ‘Akrylykz,’ who had released two singles in 1980 without success, but had toured as the opening act for The Beat, The Specials, Madness, and The Clash.The Fine Young Cannibals stayed together for eight years, until 1992, releasing just two studio Albums, and achieving eight UK top 40 singles. They also had great success in America, where two of their songs, ‘She Drives Me Crazy,’ and ‘Good Thing,’ were both Billboard Number 1’s. Between the release of their self titled 1985 Album, and their 1989 Album,’ The Raw & the Cooked,’ Cox and Steele had chart success with their side project ‘Two Men, A Drum Machine and A Trumpet,’ while Gift pursued an acting career, appearing in the 1987 film ‘Sammy and Rosie Get Laid.’ and the 1989 film ‘Scandal.’

‘Johnny Come Home’ was taken from The Fine Young Cannibals self titled debut Album from 1985, and was co-written by Steele, and Gift, with all three band members credited as the songs producers. The song tells of ‘Johnny’ leaving home because of tensions in the family, even if it means he has to sleep rough, it is better than living with at least one alcoholic parent. His parents plead with him to come home, promising to change their ways.

‘What is wrong in my life, that I must get drunk every night?’