Album: Frizzle Fry (1990)

License This Song 

• When he was young you'd not find him doing well in school,
  His mind would turn unto the waters.
  Always the focus of adolescent ridicule,
  He has no time for farmer's daughters.
  
  Alienated from the clique society,
  A lonely boy finds peace in fishing.
  His mother says John this is not the way life's supposed to be.
  Don't you see the life that you are missing?
  
  And he says...
  When I grow up I want to be,
  One of the harvesters of the sea.
  I think before my days are done,
  I want to be a fisherman.
  
  Now years gone by we find man that rules the sea.
  He sets out on a dark May morning .
  To bring his catch back to this small community.
  He doesn't see the danger dawning.
  
  Four hours up, oh the ocean swelled and swelled,
  The fog rolled in it started raining.
  The starboard bow. Oh my God we're going down!
  They do not hear his frantic mayday.
  
  And he says
  When I grow up I want to be,
  One of the harvesters of the sea.
  I think before my days are done,
  
  I want to be a fisherman.
  I'll live and die a fisherman.
  Calling John the Fisherman. Writer/s: LES CLAYPOOL, TIMOTHY W. ALEXANDER, TODD HUTH
  Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

• Miles from West Linn, OrFirst song in a rhythm game that was not a cover! Congrats, Primus!:D
• Cody from St Joe, Moi think im going to have to disagree with you too rick. i think les actually stated this was about a fisherman and alot of primus' songs are very gritty. just listen to the guitar in this and the bass in my name is mud
• Zach from Green Bay, Wihas an awesome guitar beat
• Rick from Buffalo, NyI disagree with Alex of Colebrook, mainly because Primus doesn't seem exactly like the "gritty" type of band. But it's a song, meant to be interpreted by the reader. Unless the writer says otherwise, I stay with my previous assumption, even if it makes me look (falsely) like a zealous Christian.
• Alex from Colebrook, CtLet's make sure to recognize that Rick from Buffalo is only stating his very incorrect opinion and doesn't seem to understand the real meaning of this song.
  
  Anyway, Fishermen are (more specifically were) a bunch of tough mofos and this song really captures that gritty, honorable danger.
• Rick from Buffalo, NyThe song is religious. His name is John, the name of the man who baptized Jesus. The fact that he wants to be a fisherman is a connection to the fact that Jesus's disciples were fisherman that became "fishers of men". the song is about a boy who wants to be a priest, not somethng that's mainstream in this world
  
• Reuben from Amsterdam, NetherlandsFunny, how Primus likes to play songs about guys and their trades, like 'Jerry was a race car driver', or 'Sergeant Baker'. I love them!
• Sara from San Diego, Cathis is on guitar hero II and its wicked fun i have conquered that game
• Matt from Cherry Hill, Njthis is a great song. I will tell you the guitar in this song is incredibly fun to play, and is downright catchy.... I AM JOHN THE FISHERMAN!!!
• Cam from Cambridge, CanadaThis song is on guitr hero 2 for ps2.

More Songfacts:

Me And Bobby McGeeJanis Joplin

"Me And Bobby McGee" was written by Kris Kristofferson and first recorded by Roger Miller. Janis Joplin's famous version turned Bobby into a boy.

LovesongThe Cure

Cure lead singer Robert Smith originally wrote "Lovesong" as a wedding present for his fiancée, Mary, shortly before their marriage.

Don't Go Breaking My HeartElton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John had a huge hit duetting with Kiki Dee on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," but he's also performed it with RuPaul and Miss Piggy.

S&MRihanna

Rihanna claims that "S&M" is about her love/hate relationship with the media. Apparently her paparazzi are using whips and chains.

My Name IsEminem

Eminem sampled a song by Labi Siffre on "My Name Is." Siffre, a gay activist, made Em take out some gay humor in the lyric before allowing it.

PillowtalkZayn

Zayn's "Pillowtalk" reached #1 on the Hot 100, something his former One Direction bandmates never achieved.

Editor's Picks

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.