As soon as I hear the mellow acoustic guitar chords of Jack Johnson, I am instantly transported back to the living room of the apartment I grew up in. For many people, Johnson’s calming voice and catchy songs represent something more than just another beat – they offer a door to the past.
Johnson’s music is characterized by its laid-back, beachy vibe, which makes sense considering he was born in Hawaii and learned to surf at the age of 5. Raised by surfer Jeff Johnson, he was invited to participate in the finals of the Pipeline Masters at age 17, becoming the youngest person to do so. However, his surfing career came to an end when he sustained an injury that required over 100 stitches in his forehead while surfing at the Pipeline.
Aside from learning to surf at a young age, Johnson also learned to play the guitar at age 8 and started songwriting at 12 years old. He rediscovered his passion for creating music when he played in the band Soil in college. During his mid-20s he also had the opportunity to open for Sublime, who were relatively unheard of at the time. His music career got launched into the spotlight when he wrote “Rodeo Clowns” for G. Love, which was a hit. His 2001 debut album, Brushfire Fairytales, was a success on the indie scene and showcased Johnson’s skills as a solo musician. His subsequent albums have continued to spread Johnson’s message of love and peace through reassuring songs.
Johnson’s songs have a quality about them that instantly relax the mind as soon as the first verse plays. The simplicity of his acoustic guitar backtracks combined with the warmth of his vocals creates a real, genuine approach to music that people love. He cuts through a lot of the flash and glamour that currently surround the music industry and strives to create a direct connection to his listeners. His music fits the picturesque scene most people envision when they imagine Hawaii – laid back chords, snippets of ukulele, and traditional island beats – perfect for a nap in a hammock or a day at the beach.
Aside from spreading love for people through his music, he also spreads love for the environment through his eco-friendly production practices. His music studio in Hawaii, the Mango Tree Studio, uses solar power and power-saving air conditioning. In addition, many of his CDs are packaged using recyclable materials and his tours are carbon-neutral. Much of the profits made off of his musical career has been donated to the Johnson Ohana Foundation, which is a nonprofit public charity started by Johnson and his wife to promote environmental, music, and art education for youth.
Jack Johnson may not be a new artist, but his message and music are still very much needed today. While the message of society nowadays is to go, go, go – I think we can all take a lesson from Johnson’s songs to stop and appreciate the world around us.
My Top Ten:
- “Banana Pancakes” (In Between Dreams)
- “Upside Down”
- “Better Together” (In Between Dreams)
