Well, it was inevitable: after getting the early 1960s Joanie Sommers tune “Johnny Get Angry” stuck in my head, I had to cover it myself. The version that really got me into this song is from the 1990 film Nightbreed, specifically the Clive Barker-approved director’s cut. Other versions of the film apparently were missing the song—performed by actress Anne Bobby in the role of heroine/love interest Lori Winston—which is a travesty, as it’s really key to highlighting the struggle inherent in Lori and Boone’s relationship in the flick.
Here’s that version:
The Anne Bobby/Nightbreed version is the one I used as the basis for my own performance. Instead of the iconic kazoo solo from the Sommers original, I replaced it with a classic late 1950s/early 1960s voiceover part after the key change.
I also decided to have fun with the song, dedicating it to my friend John. John and I have been buddies for ten years, and have been jamming and playing together for about as long. We also attend church together, so we know each other pretty well.
I thought framing it as me singing the song to John—complaining about his lack of machismo in our “relationship”—would make for a humorous send-up:
You can’t see John in the video, but he was beet red and fairly amused.
I promise, I’m an allegedly heterosexual man.
Rock on!
—TPP
Other Editions of Open Mic Adventures:
- “Open Mic Adventures I: Oingo Boingo’s ‘Just Another Day’“
- “Open Mic Adventures II: Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’“