History and Listening Guide

Click icon to add pictureBy

Sterling Mateer

Early LifeBorn on May 18,1975Born in Oahu, HawaiiParents: Jeff and Patti

Johnson

Interesting Facts: Jack’s dad was a

professional surfer

Jack took interest in sports at a young age

Suffered surfing accident that almost took his life.

Age 5:started surfing

Age 10: sponsered by

Quicksilver

Age 17: Pipeline Masters

Surfing

Musical interestAt 14 learned to

play the guitar

At 16 started writing own songs

After surfing accident and during college years Jack got more into

music

Graduated from Kahuku high SchoolAttended the University of California

Graduated with a degree in filmPlayed rhythm guitar for a band called Soil

College Years

After collegeCreated a surfing

movie , “Thicker Than Water”

Loved film making

Introduced to Garret Dutton of G Love and Special Sauce

Decided he wanted to pursue music

Jack and Garret became friendsRecorded “Rodeo Clowns” together

Ben Harper saw his talent and helped Jack

Start of Musical career

Albums

InfluencesBob Dylan

Jimi HendrixRadiohead

Otis ReddingBen HarperG Love and

Special SauceSublimeBeatles

Bob MarleyNeil Young

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Inspired by a friend who was chasing a girlAlbum “In Between Dreams

Released in 2005Nominated as Best Male Vocal Performance

at the Grammies in 2006

Listening to Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

0:00 Intro 4/4 time, Guitar only, Hit of the strings as a downbeat

0:09 Verse 1 vocals with guitar accompaniment. 0:27 Chorus No more downbeat of guitar and

conjunct0:40 Verse 2 Drums added with vocals and guitar1:03 Chorus drums added and symbol1:23 Bridge Note change, piano added. Arch

created with vocals. 1:42 piano solo.1:59 verse 3 soft staccato piano in background2:17 chorus symbol crash

Upside Down

Chosen to provide Curious George soundtrack

Sing-a-long and Lullabies was first number one album

Released in 2006Produced by Jack with help from Robert

Carranza Upside Down went platinum

Depicts Curious George behavior

Listen to Upside Down

0:00 Intro Box drums, snapping fingers, guitars0:30 Verse 1 Vocals. 4/4 time.1:08 Chorus drum change 3rd beat emphasis. Maraca

added.1:45 Verse 2 Box drum and guitar repeat theme.2:-04 Chorus same2:22 Bridge note change, vocals, guitar and maraca

only.2:32 chorus2:42 Coda drum hit and halt of music. Slows down3:15 End guitar and vocal

Better Together

Explains him and his wife’s relationshipOn “In Between Dreams” album

Released in 2005Released as a single in 2006

Producers: Jack and Mario Caldada

Listen toBetter Together

0:00 Intro conjunct picking of guitar. Moderato

0:11 Verse 1 Vocals, Guitar in duple meter. Bass guitar

0:46 Chorus symbols. Piano arches.1:20 Verse 21:56 Chorus Symbols again2:32 Bridge Symbols hit more. Xylaphone

glissando.3:05 End Guitar picking. Instruments fade.

Staple It TogetherOn In between Dreams Album

Released in 2005Never came out as a single

Meaning: Don’t dwell on the past or stress about the future

Listen to Staple It Together

0:00 Intro electric guitar picking. Symbols, drums and bass come in. Fast song

0:33Verse 1 Vocals. Drums and guitar stop. Bass guitar and wood block

0:54 Chorus electric guitar , symbols and drums1:13 Verse 2 Drums not as prominent1:34 Chorus2:17 Verse 3 singing slows down2:26 Chorus at 2:37 different words added.2:54 Coda Guitar note change. Symbols end.

Works Cited "Jack Johnson Biography." AceShowbiz. Web. 07 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/jack_johnson/biography.html>.   "JACK JOHNSON BIOGRAPHY." Sing365.com. Sing365. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/jack-johnson-biography/bef2b0ce1009556248256bf200239921>.

  "Biography of Jack Johnson." Timeline.com. Web.

<http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=187694>.   "Upside Down (Jack Johnson Song) - ENotes.com Reference." Enotes.com.

Enotes.com. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. <http://www.enotes.com/topic/Upside_Down_%28Jack_Johnson_song%29>.

  "Better Together." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Apr. 2012. Web. 07 Feb.

2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Together>.   Rovi, Andrew Leahay. "Jack Johnson." New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows,

Celebrity News, Top Stories. M.T.V., 29 Sept. 2003. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. <http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/johnson_jack/artist.jhtml>.