First and Last Post about Jack Johnson...ever

So we had to do a paper about something we didn't like and how it can be enjoyed even if we don't like it. The following is a paper on Jack Johnson, I don't even like that I did a paper about him. Regardless, here it is.

When Jack Johnson’s music comes on the radio, at a party, or on someone’s playlist it is usually a good time to leave the room. The no effort music coupled with the boring and pointless lyrics that make up 90% of music now a days along with a beach vibe that is supposed to be a memento to hanging on the beach is just unimpressive. Perhaps it is the fact that Johnson’s music is synonymous with the “bro” mentality of hanging out, pretending to talk like a surfer, and being self absorbed. Perhaps it’s the fact that the lyrics to the majority of his songs are lazily written and poorly received when you actually think about whatever it is he is singing about. Or perhaps it is the fact that he’s just a shameless knock off of much more impressive talent like Radiohead, Bob Dylan, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Beatles. Whatever the reason Johnson’s music is hard for me to appreciate and I don’t think it’ll ever reach any sort of pinnacle in my musical tastes, but understanding why people enjoy it is certainly possible.


Jack Johnson’s music is carefree and easy to listen to without a doubt. His songs and melodies are simple and approachable and his lyrics remain easy to remember. The music gives of a natural vibe, one that doesn’t need the extra additives of ambient sound, manipulated noises, bizarre twists, or even basic electric features typically found in today’s music. His songs are, mostly, acoustic and give off a purely natural sound that couple with his very smooth voice to provide a sound that is very easy to fall into and relax with. Johnson’s inspirations definitely bleed through when it comes to his music as certain notions of Dylan and The Beatles are brought to a forefront when he plays. That’s certainly a key to Johnson’s music, it plays off the popularity of music that people liked before and simply reinvents it for a different age group. It’s as if someone took Bob Dylan’s politically fueled and insanely creative lyrics and smashed them into basic language that could simply relay the message “chill man we’re on the beach”.


Listeners and fans of Johnson also have that instant bond that comes with listening to music that is considered massively popular but not overplayed. Johnson isn’t on the popular radio stations as much as GaGa and Miley so his music has a certain sacredness to it without going to far into the world of music that isn’t played on the radio at all. Johnson’s music appeals to those who don’t want difficult music or music that makes you think when you listen to it. It’s music that makes your mind go blank and your body go lax. Johnson’s music is music meant for a generation that wants to not worry about the future, there is nothing to get and nothing deep to understand. You don’t have to tilt your head sideways, place your hand beneath your chin, or use your ability of perception to figure anything out. The music is simply there, like a stack of banana pancakes, waiting to be enjoyed. It’s simple, it’s catchy, and it’s popular.

I absolutely refuse to put a picture of him on my blog,


I hate myself for this