Surabaya Johnny

Marianne Faithfull · 20th Century Blues [1997]

I was young, I was just sixteen then

When you came up from Burma one day

And you told me to pack up my suitcase

And I did and you took me away



I said, "Do you work nice and steady

Or do you go sailing and roving out to sea?"

And you said, "I have a job on the railroad

And baby, how swell it's all gonna be"



You said a lot, Johnny it was all lies

You sure had me fooled, right from the start

I hate you when you laugh at me like that

Take that pipe out of your mouth, Johnny



Surabaya Johnny, is it really the end?

Surabaya Johnny, will the hurt ever mend?

Surabaya Johnny, ooh, I burn at your touch

You got no heart, Johnny but oh, I love you so much



Thought at first you were kind and gentle

Till I packed up and went off with you

And it lasted two weeks until one day

You laughed at me and hit me too



You dragged me all over the city

Up the river and down to the sea

Now I look at myself in the mirror

And some old woman looks back at me



You didn't want love, Johnny, you wanted money

I gave you all I had you wanted more

Oh, don't look at me that way, I'm only trying to talk to you

Wipe that grin off your face, Johnny



Surabaya Johnny, is it really the end?

Surabaya Johnny, will the hurt ever mend?

Surabaya Johnny, ooh, I burn at your touch

You got no heart, Johnny but oh, I love you so much



When we met I forgot to ask you

Why they called you that funny name

But in every hotel on the seacoast

I found out, and I loved you all the same



I'm tired, I'm worn out

The sea's pounding in my ears

And I reach out my arms to hold you

You're not here and who even cares?



You got no heart, Johnny you're just no good

You going now? Oh, tell me why

I love you after all, Johnny, like that very first day

Don't laugh at me no more, Johnny



Surabaya Johnny, is it really the end?

Surabaya Johnny, will the hurt ever mend?

Surabaya Johnny, ooh, I burn at your touch

You got no heart, Johnny but oh, I love you so much

I love you, I love you so much

Surabaya Johnny

Released on Marianne Faithfull's 1997 compilation 20th Century Blues, Surabaya Johnny stands as a hauntingly atmospheric track that captures the essence of her mid-1960s work. The song features a distinctive, minimalist arrangement that emphasizes vocal delivery over complex instrumentation, characteristic of the era's emerging folk and art rock movements. Faithfull's performance is notable for its raw emotional intensity and unique phrasing, which has become a staple in her discography. The recording reflects the transitional period in her career where she moved away from traditional pop structures toward more experimental and introspective styles. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke a specific mood of melancholy and urban isolation, cementing its place as a significant piece in her catalog.