Well you win, it's your show now
So what's it gonna be
'Cause people will tune in
How many train wrecks do we need to see
Before we lose touch of
We thought this was low
It's bad getting worse so

Where did all the good people go,
I've been changing channels
I don't see them
On the TV shows
Where did all the good people go,
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow

They got this and that
With a rattle of tat
Testing, one two
Man what you gonna do
Bad news, misused
Got too much to lose
Gimme some truth
Now whose side are we on
Whatever you say, turn on the boob tube
I'm in the mood to obey
So lead me astray, and by the way now

Where did all the good people go,
I've been changing channels I don't see them
On the TV shows
Where did all the good people go,
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow

Sitting around feeling far away
So far away but I can feel the debris
Can you feel it
You interrupt me from a friendly conversation
To tell me how great it's all gonna be
You might notice some hesitation
It's important to you it's not important to me
But way down by the edge or your reason
Well it's beginning to show
And all I really want to know is

Where did all the good people go,
I've been changing channels
I don't see them on the T.V. shows
Where did all the good people go,
We got heaps and heaps of what we sow

They got this and that
With a rattle of tat
Test down, one two
Man what you gonna do
Bad news, missed use
Gimme some truth
You got too much to lose
Now whose side are we on
But anyway, okay, whatever you say,
Wrong or resolute, I'm in the mood to obey
Station through station
Desensitizing the nation

Where did all the people go?

Going, going, gone


Lyrics submitted by AllStarMe

Good People Lyrics as written by Jack Hody Johnson

Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Good People song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

32 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    i am so glad that jack johnson uses his songs to make social commentary, someone needs to! this is one of my favorite songs on the new album. sadly, its really true how controlled we all are by various aspects of our lives, like television. people just dont think for themselves as much as they should be.

    CrayonDrawnCaton February 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    much like ted leo/pharmacists, jack makes a politically and socially charged song feel so happy-go-lucky. Love it. :)

    thaibruinon March 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    reality t.v. sucks!

    Notserpon March 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love the way there is a build up of intensity in his questioning of 'where did the good people go?' -- this shows his building frustration towards the way society is going due to media. True lyrical genious.

    azecevicon March 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is my highlight of the new album (lots of close seconds) - love singin' it at the top o' my lungs in the car.

    It's an added bonus that this song has a social commentary - I just like it cuz' it's bloody catchy - nuf' said.

    JACK IS the sheeznat! I can't believe I missed out on concert tix! ARgh!

    BA Baracuson March 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    station to station desensitizing the nation

    isnt that like the tightest two lines ever with that tune jack is so frigging awesome.

    saminexon April 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of my favorite songs on the new album. & it's true.. where did all the good people go?

    anyone else see a semi-relation to cookie jar.. about what we see on tv.. hmm

    flyinghorseson May 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song represents why Jack Johnson is the epitome of cool, and why he would rather surf and hang out at the beach then fall for the trappings of American celebrity. On top of that ,the song is so pleasant and relaxing to listen to. This guy is really such a unique talent and person and this is my favorite of his new songs.

    joeyguseon May 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah this songs about lack of decent people.... very true especially if you watch tons of reality tv....backstabbing mofos..... survivor, tar, apprentice, realworld....every single one of these so called reality tv shows display societies lack of ....decency..... i still love reality tv though lol.....

    C0ldplayon June 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song was actually written just after George Bush won the election. The lines "wrong or Resoulute but in the mood to obey' really reflect Jack' attitude well

    katdefudgieon June 19, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fortnight
Taylor Swift
The song 'Fortnight' by Taylor Swift and Post Malone tells a story about strong feelings, complicated relationships, and secret wishes. It talks about love, betrayal, and wanting someone who doesn't feel the same. The word 'fortnight' shows short-lived happiness and guilty pleasures, leading to sadness. It shows how messy relationships can be and the results of hiding emotions. “I was supposed to be sent away / But they forgot to come and get me,” she kickstarts the song in the first verse with lines suggesting an admission to a hospital for people with mental illnesses. She goes in the verse admitting her lover is the reason why she is like this. In the chorus, she sings about their time in love and reflects on how he has now settled with someone else. “I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary / And I love you, it’s ruining my life,” on the second verse she details her struggles to forget about him and the negative effects of her failure. “Thought of callin’ ya, but you won’t pick up / ‘Nother fortnight lost in America,” Post Malone sings in the outro.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.