I am not sure when and where I heard this song for the first time. But it has been my healing anthem, From the video, it came out sometime during the AIDS/HIV epidemic since at the end they lower a quilt.
The story of the song is she meets a guy at a party, they have a one night stand, she finds out she has a sexually transmitted disease. (I assume AIDS) She talks about the song that her hopes and dreams are now destroyed.
This song describes so much how I felt when I found out I contracted Venereal Warts that turned into HPV Cervical Cancer strain. That diagnosis changed my life. I get so fearful when it is time for my yearly woman’s exam. Granted I understand that I do not have a life-threatening STD. Yet it still impacts my life.
One night of going to a male soldiers barracks changed my life forever. I don’t look at life the same. My hopes and dreams of being fearless have been trampled. Going to the grocery store sometimes can be an all-day wrestle of bravery.
This song means so much to me.
“She Thinks His Name Was John”
Where they are now, who they married, how many kids they have
She knew their backgrounds, family, and friends
A few she even talks to now and thenBut there is one she can’t put her fingers on
There is one who never leaves her thoughts
And she thinks his name was JohnA chance meeting, a party a few years back
Broad shoulders and blue eyes, his hair was so black
He was a friend of friend you could say
She let his smile just sweep her away
And in her heart, she knew that it was wrong
But too much wine and she left his bed at dawn
And she thinks his name was John
Now each day is one day that’s left in her life
She won’t know love, have a marriage or sing lullabies
She lays all alone and cries herself to sleep
‘Cause she let a stranger kill her hopes and her dreams
And all her friends say what a pity what a loss
And in the end when she was barely hangin’ on
All she could say is she thinks his name was John
She thinks his name was John
