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Music Man – Johnny Ryan - The New Orleans sound has always been major influence on the song writing direction and overall philosophy of Johnny & The Mongrels. It was a conscious decision to write a song like “Music Man” to pay homage to the city and its life-force. And what better way to do it than in a “Professor Longhair-like style.” The lyrics describe the history of music and its significance in Johnny's life growing up and into present day playing with The Mongrels.

- Johnny comments, “It was really exciting and serendipitous to get the chance to have the incredible squeeze box player Roddie Romero on this track. Roddie is a Lafayette, LA legend which incidentally is a stone's throw from Dockside so adding his Acadiana/Louisiana Creole style to this song was a dream come true.

Secondly, the pure fire piano that Bill McKay lays down on this track really makes the song come alive and would make Professor Longhair proud. Bill is phenomenal to watch as he plays. In the studio he was literally surrounded by keyboards; from a Hammond B-3 to Clavinet and a Baldwin Grand Piano, he had his choice of instruments to lay down the swaying groove that defines Bill McKay.”

Lyrics

Now I was feeling lonely
Like a poor excuse for a man
Then I remembered the story
That makes that feeling end

I love music man
Yes, I love music man!
Cuz when there’s good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong…

I remember when I first played music
Just tryin’ to mess around
Wasn’t nothing like J.J.
But it took me off the ground

I love music man
Lord I love music man!
And when there’s good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong…

Well I learned a little Broussard
Funked around with James Brown
Swamped it up with ‘ol Benoit
Then turned right back around

I love music man
Oh, I love music man!
And you know when there’s good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong…

Sometimes we play the blues
And then we bring the funk
It's right on top of that soul
That grooves ya till yo drunk

I love music man
Yes, I love music man
when there’s good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong

Now ya’ll have heard my story
Hope-you-wanna hear some more
Cuz we-gonna-bring-that-music
That brings ya to the floor

I love music man
Yeah I love music man
So when there’s good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong…

I said when theres good music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong…

Yes when there’s soul music goin’ on
Then you can do no wrong!!