In Memoriam: Johnny Chickenmeat

Rest in power to one of music’s living legends; Johnny Chickenmeat, born Jonathan Thomas Samuels II, July 12th, 1975-August 19th, 2022. (47 years young.)

Woody Guthrie. John Lennon. Michael Jackson. Lizzo. Johnny Chickenmeat. No matter your particular tastes or preferences, these names are undoubtedly in the pantheon of most important musical acts ever. Each year, new songs rise and fall, different groups or artists top the charts, but there is always a legacy of legendary performers who seem to permeate the culture in ways we may never fully understand or unspool within our lifetimes. Like a hidden bedrock that supports the foundation, these artists frame our cultural understanding of music, love, and even life itself.

Johnny Chickenmeat was one such artist. His songbook spans every emotion. Relatable, bizarre, and cloying. Epic and yet intimate. Snotty and indolent, to frozen in the fear of the mundane, to scathing and revolutionary, Chickenmeat took his listeners by the collar and dragged them through his psyche kicking and screaming. And if he held onto you, you’d emerge out the other side a little bit disoriented, a little bit in love, and a whole lot more aware.

Here are the top five Johnny Chickenmeat songs of all time.

5.) Johnny Chickenmeat – Johnny Chickenmeat “This is the Time” (1993)

The opening track from his debut album screeches into existence like a newborn baby opening its eyes for the first time. Two electric guitars seem to circle and snap at each other like wolves competing for alpha status. The extended howling intro quickly sinks into a crunchy punk rock riff that finds Johnny half-chanting, half-pleading with his listeners to tell with him whether or not this is his moment. Hindsight lets us know…yes, very much yes.

4.) Johnny Chickenmeat – I See You “Work Your Mouth” (1994)

Quick on the heels of an acerbic, brash album, Johnny Chickenmeat released a collection of songs that were the polar opposite of what anyone was expecting. Recorded in secret on his tour bus, this acoustic album captured the vulnerability and lyrical brilliance we would come to know him for. “Work your mouth,” he almost whispers, “So that I can know your thoughts.” It eventually becomes a blowjob song but whatever. There are a lot of songs about blowjobs.

3.) Johnny Chickenmeat – Feathers “You Know Me” (1997)

Fresh off of a very painful and public divorce, Chickenmeat provides insights a shrink would never be able to find. “I’m afraid of how well you know me,” he croons in a Sinatra impression, brushes skittering over hi-hats “I’m a lush without any pain.” A cathedral organ begins humming, spiking, showering the dour track with a kind of ironic levity. Yes, he does talk about getting a blowjob at the very end, but that’s only the live version. Listen to the studio track for a better experience.

2.) Johnny Chickenmeat – Johnny Chickenmeat “Hell’s Real” (1993)

The bass drum here fucking rooooollls, and it builds so much anticipation that you’re a bit stunned when the accordion starts the melody. The fact that he only sings on his inhales rather than his exhales is probably a bit overwhelming for a novice, but all of us smart music genius people get what he was going for here. The track ends with him coughing and audibly puking, which says a lot about the post-Clinton NAFTA years.

1.) Johnny Chickenmeat – All Alone “All Alone” (2003)

“Save it for the sad people,” Chickenmeat intones, finally at peace with himself. The guitar walks up and down the scales, and Johnny feels free at last here. This song is a young man finally understanding all the nuance and subtlety that accompanies maturity. He ponders being alone, he ponders being in love. The longing and strained steel guitar matches up with the hoofclops of his horse. Weirdly, there is no sex stuff. It’s more mind than body. “Save it for the sad people,” he says, “I’m not one of them anymore.”

Good song.