John Jones Music

A song written and demoed in England in 1992 which appears on Songs of 1992, Vol. 2 by john jones

What are you going to do about tomorrow
When will it all ever change
We’re finding out about the victims
They’ve been down and out and we’re all insane

When I wish upon a star
Do I believe in all the lying games that come my way
And is it not my right to know (all our right to know)

What’s a Nation, when the Sun is in the clouds
What we’re facing
It’s only a dream
And I guess all the screams I can hear ‘never meant to be seen

Can you hide from what you see
Or you just a case of hard to get
What are you going to tell all the sisters
And the brothers of the heart

Did I miss a devolution (devolution)
Have we really lost our way again
And did we fall apart (fall apart)
It’s back into the sea again (back into the sea)

What’s a Nation, when the Sun is in the clouds
What we’re facing
It’s only a dream
And I guess all the screams I can hear ‘never meant to be seen

What’s a Nation? What’s a Nation?
What’s a Nation? What’s a Nation?

Give it back to me I wanna see all people free
(set me free, set me free from your games)
Why don’t you give it back to us and make us free from your curse
(set me free, set me free from your chains)

Solo

Who will it find the right solution (time is a danger)
Will it all be just in vein (will it all be just the same)
Will we walk among the ruins (will we walk among the ruins)
Will we lose it again (lose it all again)

What’s a Nation, when the Sun is in the clouds
What we’re facing
It’s only a dream
And I guess all the screams I can hear ‘never meant to be seen

(what’s a nation) When all we got are tears in our eyes
(what’s a nation) There won’t be no more time for goodbyes
(what’s a nation) There’s nothing left for you in the night
(what’s a nation) Set these people free from your chains
(what’s a nation) Oh let them get away from your games
What’s a Nation (what’s a nation)
What’s a Nation (what’s a nation)

Words & Music by John Idris Jones ©1992 johnjonesmusic

Eight years after the Tohoku Earthquake tragedy in Japan, “the fourth largest earthquake in history”. Our thoughts are still with the victims, who are still facing the gigantic task of rebuilding their homes. The situation in and around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is still critical.

HOPE(HD/字幕) – Nick Wood feat. Julian Lennon, Tetsuya Komuro, and BEYOND Tomorrow Students from SynTokyo on Vimeo.

Along with John Jones, Michael Thompson and Randy Cooke. Produced by Nick Wood & John Jones.

This inspiring song is dedicated to supporting the ongoing recovery from the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.

iTunes Canada – iTunes Japan – iTunes USA – iTunes UK

All proceeds from the sale of the song and video will be donated to Beyond Tomorrow –  www.beyond-tomorrow.org.

A lovely song idea from the Hollywood Dell, circa 1994, written, performed, & recorded, by me (john jones esq.)

Beat the Same Heart from (Songs of 1994-1995)

A song written from the perspective of a civilian caught in the bombings and wars that have inflicted our planet.

©1994-2018 JohnJonesMusic

Written and recorded in late 1995, after the outpouring of hate during the O.J. Simpson trial, which was somewhat of a precursor to 2017’s year of madness.
All instruments and vocals by John Jones. Released in 2016 on Songs of 1994-1995

©1995johnjonesmusic

Hardly a moment goes by without me thinking about Billie Rainbird and Simon Phillips, and what they going through, after losing their home and recording studio to the Thomas Fire in Ojai, earlier this month.

I don’t think I have ever met two more beautiful people than Billie and Simon. There is a lot of love in these two!

Help them by visiting their gofundme Life Rebuilding Fund page for more information.

Billie Rainbird & Simon Phillips in 2016

The State of Mind video was filmed in Toronto in June, 1997, and produced by my brother, the late Philip “Pip” Mellows, and his Players Film Company.
Neil Grieve did the final editing in Culver City.

I was filmed on the roof of the old Edge Hotel, playing a guitar I rented from Long & McQuade. The video was shot at various sites around downtown Toronto. During the editing, Neil added some snaps of Beverly Hills.

I wrote State of Mind in August 1992, during the destruction of Iraq. How can anybody live life in a war zone?

The demo was recorded in England in 1992, and in 1996 we overdubbed Richard, and Steve (recorded by Stuart), Michael (at his studio), and then Stuart mixed it at Music Grinder in Hollywood.

State of Mind, written by John Jones.
guitars keys and vocals by John Jones
drums by Steve Ferrone
percussion by Richard Martinez
slide guitar by Michael Thompson
Engineered and Mixed by Stuart Breed and John Jones.
Recorded in Hollywood California, at the treehouse in the Dell, and at the Record Plant. Mixed at the Music Grinder, Hollywood. Mastering by Stephen Marcussen

Well, we’ve both been scolded for our “foreign language” versions of these two tracks.

Ring of Fire in Spanish by Johnny Cash

State of Mind (with new lyrics by I.&.R. Bastien) in French by john jones

Here is a nice article on other musicians who have crossed the divide – From David Bowie To Charli XCX, 10 Artists Who’ve Recorded Songs In Another Language

In this time of uncertainty, Be true To Yourself!

My buddy and groove-mate, Mark Dwyer, led the production of my song, Never Let Us Go, which was recorded in Hammerwood:

Never Let Us Go – John Jones – Songs of 1992