Be Good Johnny

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“Be Good Johnny”
Single by Men at Work from the album Business as Usual
Released	1982
Format	7"
Genre	Pop
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Colin Hay
Producer	Peter McIan
Men at Work singles chronology
"Down Under" (1982) "Be Good Johnny" (1982) "Underground" (1983)

"Be Good Johnny" is a 1982 song by Australian band Men at Work, from their first album, Business as Usual.

The song is written from the viewpoint of a 9 year-old boy who is constantly being told to be good, but prefers to daydream rather than concentrate in class or play sports. Johnny feels like he understands some of his instructions, but also that he is completely misunderstood by the adult world.^[1] The lead singer, Colin Hay, uses his voice in different ways throughout the song to imitate Johnny, Johnny's mother and father, and his teacher.

The melody of the chorus is used as the theme song of the British and US versions of the reality TV program Supernanny. The title of the song is a reference to Johnny B. Goode.

[edit] References

v • d • e Men at Work Colin Hay | Ron Strykert | Jerry Speiser | Greg Ham | John Rees Studio albums Business as Usual | Cargo | Two Hearts Live albums Brazil Singles "Keypunch Operator" / "Down Under" | "Who Can It Be Now?" | "Down Under" | "Be Good Johnny" | "Underground" | "High Wire" | "Overkill" | "It's a Mistake" | "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive" | "Everything I Need" | "Maria" | "Two Hearts" Compilations The Works | Puttin' in Overtime | Contraband: The Best of Men at Work | Simply The Best | Definitive Collection | Super Hits | Essential Men at Work