Johnny Are You Queer?

"Johnny Are You Queer?" (also stylized as "Johnny, Are You Queer?") is a 1980s pop song credited to the writing team of Bobby and Larson Paine.[3][4] The song was first performed live by the Go-Go's, and eventually recorded by Josie Cotton, who released the song as a single in 1981 and 1982, and as part of her 1982 album Convertible Music.[4][5][6] The song was featured on the Valley Girl soundtrack (1983).

"Johnny Are You Queer?"
1981 single recording through Bomp! Records
Single by Josie Cotton
from the album Convertible Music
B-side"(Let's Do) The Black-Out"
Released1981, Bomp! Records
1982, Elektra Records
GenreNew wave, punk rock[1]
Length2:43
LabelBomp! Records
Elektra Records (reissue)
Songwriter(s)Bobby and Larson Paine, Philo Cramer (uncredited)[2]
Producer(s)Bobby and Larson Paine

Credits

The song's music was based on the song "Fetch me One More Beer" by the Los Angeles-based punk rock band Fear, written by the band's guitarist Philo Cramer and John Clancy.[7] Bobby and Larson Paine, who were managing The Go-Gos, re-worked the song with new lyrics and gave it to them, but after a falling out forbid the band from playing it and gave it to Josie Cotton.[2] In several interviews Cotton has suggested that the song's title was lifted from lyrics in the Fear song,[8][9] though other times she has stated that Fear's version of it went “You're a fuckin’ queer”,[2] which is consistent with Fear's demo of the song.[10][11]

When Fear found out a variation of their song had become popular, a meeting regarding the publishing rights of the song was arranged between them and the Paines. The two sides decided the winner of a coin toss would get the publishing rights to the song, which the Paines won.[12]

Premise

The song's lyrics are written from the perspective of a young woman that is questioning her relationship with the titular Johnny. He had approached the unnamed woman and asked her on a date, only for him to spend most of his time with his friends and with various men that she believes are homosexual. Because of this and Johnny's apparent ambivalence toward her, she questions Johnny's sexuality, asking him if he's ultimately queer.[13]

Music video

A music video for "Johnny Are You Queer?" was produced in the 1980s. The video shows Cotton and Johnny sitting on a park bench where she makes romantic advances, much to Johnny's discomfort.[14]

Reception

The song was the subject of controversy upon its release.[15] Cotton was accused by multiple conservative groups as promoting homosexuality, and one network claimed that "there was no Josie Cotton and that she was actually a gay man who was trying to convert unsuspecting straight men into a homosexual lifestyle."[16] The Village Voice and The Advocate were both highly critical of "Johnny, Are You Queer?"; The Village Voice criticized the work in an article titled "Josie, Are You a Bitch?"[16]

Years later AllMusic reviewed the song and noted that "In retrospect, the song sounds rather tame, and throughout, the joke is on the petulant girl, not Johnny: "he's not interested in her that way, so clearly he must not like girls" is (deliberately) a laughably arrogant premise."[17]

Cotton has stated that since the song's release she has been contacted by several people who thanked her for the song because it helped them come to terms with their own homosexuality.[18]

Charts

In 1982, the song reached number 38 on the Billboard Club Play Singles chart[13] and number 8 on the Canadian charts.[19]

Covers and media uses

The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1983 film Valley Girl and is performed in the film by Cotton, along with several other songs.[20] A live version by The Go-Go's later was released on their compilation Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's (1994). The rap group Elephant performed a remix for "Johnny, Are You Queer?",[21] while the band Glass Candy remixed the song with The Shangri-Las’ "Give Him a Great Big Kiss".[13] "Johnny Are You Queer" is also heard in 2006 film Jackass Number Two.

Screeching Weasel covered the song on their 1994 album How to Make Enemies and Irritate People.[22]

It can also be heard in the Glee season 2 episode, Blame it on the Alcohol, while New Directions are playing spin the bottle in Rachel Berry's basement.

References
  1. "Josie Cotton | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  2. http://magnetmagazine.com/2006/09/09/josie-cotton-the-story-of-%E2%80%9980s-new-wave-hit-%E2%80%9Cjohnny-are-you-queer%E2%80%9D/
  3. "Johnny Are You Queer?". The Rake and Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  4. "JOSIE COTTON: THE STORY OF '80S NEW-WAVE HIT "JOHNNY, ARE YOU QUEER?"". Magnet Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  5. Kozak, Roman (1983). Cotton Picks a Hit With 'Queer' Choice of Tunes. Billboard. p. 57. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  6. GREENBLATT, LEAH. "VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80s: Do You Agree?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  7. Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film, Zach Carlson ISBN 978-1606993637/
  8. https://chelseacommunitynews.com/2019/09/29/oh-yeah-josie-cotton-is-everything-then-and-now/
  9. http://www.spacecaserecords.com/news/2012/11/11/josie-cotton-interview
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUgLag_LvBE
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXibneZ9zOI
  12. https://popcultureexperiment.com/2017/10/09/cover-songs-uncovered-johnny-are-you-queer/
  13. Eddy, Chuck. "Katy Perry's Campy, Gay-Baiting Polka-Dot Pop Was First Cooed By '80s New Waver Josie Cotton". Spin. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  14. Rosen, Zack. ""Johnny, Are You Queer?" Josie Cotton Says "Yes.": The New Gay Interview". The New Gay. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  15. Cateforis, Theo (2013). The Rock History Reader. Routledge. pp. 181, 188. ISBN 978-0415892124. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  16. FITZHARRIS, DUSTIN. "Catching Up With Josie Cotton". Out. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  17. Mason, Stewart. "Johnny, Are You Queer? (review)". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  18. "he Queer Story of Johnny and Josie". Punk Globe. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  19. "RPM Weekly Top 50 Singles". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  20. Osborne, Jerry (December 2, 1990). "'Valley Girl' music battle was awesome". Chicago Sun-Times (subscription required). Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  21. "Elephant". Chicago GoPride. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  22. https://www.allmusic.com/album/how-to-make-enemies-and-irritate-people-mw0000626424
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