History and Listening Guide By Sterling Mateer

Early Life Born on May 18,1975 Born in Oahu, Hawaii Parents: 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 interest At 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 School Attended the University of California Graduated with a degree in film Played rhythm guitar for a band called Soil College Years

After college Created 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 friends Recorded “Rodeo Clowns” together Ben Harper saw his talent and helped Jack Start of Musical career

Albums

Influences Bob Dylan Jimi Hendrix Radiohead Otis Redding Ben Harper G Love and Special Sauce Sublime Beatles Bob Marley Neil Young

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing Inspired by a friend who was chasing a girl Album “In Between Dreams Released in 2005 Nominated 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 conjunct 0:40 Verse 2 Drums added with vocals and guitar 1:03 Chorus drums added and symbol 1:23 Bridge Note change, piano added. Arch created with vocals. 1:42 piano solo. 1:59 verse 3 soft staccato piano in background 2:17 chorus symbol crash

Upside Down Chosen to provide Curious George soundtrack Sing-a-long and Lullabies was first number one album Released in 2006 Produced 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, guitars 0:30 Verse 1 Vocals. 4/4 time. 1:08 Chorus drum change 3 rd beat emphasis. Maraca added. 1:45 Verse 2 Box drum and guitar repeat theme. 2:-04 Chorus same 2:22 Bridge note change, vocals, guitar and maraca only. 2:32 chorus 2:42 Coda drum hit and halt of music. Slows down 3:15 End guitar and vocal

Better Together Explains him and his wife’s relationship On “In Between Dreams” album Released in 2005 Released as a single in 2006 Producers: Jack and Mario Caldada

Listen to Better 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 2 1:56 Chorus Symbols again 2:32 Bridge Symbols hit more. Xylaphone glissando. 3:05 End Guitar picking. Instruments fade.

Staple It Together On In between Dreams Album Released in 2005 Never 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 0:54Chorus electric guitar, symbols and drums 1:13 Verse 2 Drums not as prominent 1:34 Chorus 2:17 Verse 3 singing slows down 2:26 Chorus at 2:37 different words added. 2:54 Coda Guitar note change. Symbols end.

Works Cited "Jack Johnson Biography." AceShowbiz. Web. 07 Feb "JACK JOHNSON BIOGRAPHY." Sing365.com. Sing365. Web. 09 Feb "Biography of Jack Johnson." Timeline.com. Web.. "Upside Down (Jack Johnson Song) - ENotes.com Reference." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 07 Mar "Better Together." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Apr Web. 07 Feb Rovi, Andrew Leahay. "Jack Johnson." New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Top Stories. M.T.V., 29 Sept Web. 07 Mar