“Freedom”
Freedom no size fits all
Freedom that’s not what’s wrong
Freedom too much to bother
Freedom
Freedom hangs on the door
Freedom guns run for cover
Freedom too much to bother
Freedom
America poor man’s heart
Rich man loves to watch him starve
America doctor lawyer farmer soldier
An ocean apart
Red white and blue fifty stars
Drop in the bucket where to start
Freedom
It’s not more law and order
Freedom
Or ghastly border
Freedom cash on the corner
Freedom schools place your order
Freedom too much to bother
Freedom
Freedom church on the corner
Freedom do unto others
America poor man’s heart
Rich man loves to watch him starve
America doctor lawyer farmer soldier
An ocean apart
Red white and blue fifty stars
Drop in the bucket where to start
We’re free to do the things that really do matter
We’re free to be the seam that holds it all together
Free don’t just sneeze one life does matter
One life does matter buck stops with us
Apple pie is not a pie without the crust
Freedom what’s more important
Freedom these days you wonder
Freedom
It’s not a maybe sorta
Or playing God with a brother
Freedom jobs on the corner
Freedom homeless tomorrow
America poor man’s heart
Rich man loves to watch him starve
America doctor lawyer farmer soldier
An ocean apart
Red white and blue fifty stars
Drop in the bucket where to start
We’re free to do the things that really do matter
We’re free to be the seam that holds it all together
Free don’t just sneeze one life does matter
One life does matter buck stops with us
Apple pie is not a pie without the crust
Freedom our lives move on
Freedom body and soul
Freedom worth all its marbles
Freedom
Freedom America
Freedom America
Freedom
Words & Music: McNeil Johnwood
Latest Song Review
McNeil Johnwood – “Scarecrow”: A Late-Blooming Indie Rebel’s Political Broadside
McNeil Johnwood’s debut single “Scarecrow” is a searing political indictment wrapped in Americana-tinged indie rock, produced by Calvin Lauber.
At 59, McNeil Johnwood bursts onto the indie scene with the subtlety of a Molotov cocktail lobbed into a hay barn. His debut single “Scarecrow” is a searing political indictment wrapped in the trojan horse of Americana-tinged indie rock. It’s the sonic equivalent of your favorite uncle suddenly deciding to torch his MAGA hat at the family barbecue.
Johnwood’s lyrics read like a fevered Twitter thread come to life, a stream-of-consciousness rant against a certain orange-hued political figure. “Scarecrow not who you say you are,” he growls, his voice carrying the weight of decades of pent-up frustration. The imagery is stark and unforgiving: “hands up hands hands up mister / my car won’t start locked up robbed of / don’t you give me that look / staring down barrel of a shotgun.”
Producer Calvin Lauber (of Boygenius and Julien Baker fame) brings a modern indie sheen to Johnwood’s raw material. The track is a sonic collage, with banjo plucks providing an ironic down-home feel while ominous electro-ambience swirls beneath. It’s as if Woody Guthrie decided to collaborate with Trent Reznor, resulting in a protest song for the post-truth era.
he chorus hits like a sledgehammer to the skull: “falling down dominoes fall down / crossing out truth means nothing now / Stale chips and parties / Hail to the scarecrow.” It’s a lyrical Rorschach test, each line open to interpretation yet unmistakably pointed in its critique. Johnwood’s “soulfully weary vocals” (his words, not mine) are bolstered by female harmonies that add an almost hymnal quality to the proceedings, as if he’s leading a choir of the disillusioned.
For a man who’s never played a paid gig, Johnwood comes out swinging with the confidence of a seasoned pro. “Scarecrow” is less a song than a statement of intent, a late-career artist making up for lost time by holding nothing back. Whether this musical gambit pays off remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: McNeil Johnwood isn’t here to make polite dinner conversation. He’s here to flip the table and see who’s still standing when the dust settles.
2 Debut Singles Released 1.26.24
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McNeil Johnwood Artist Page on
And we didn’t need to wait long to experience another side of this most enigmatic artist, ‘Scarecrow’ showing us a darker dimension and something that is fulsome of creeping malevolence but in a way that won’t have us double bolting the door. There is a visceral quality to proceedings, ideal fare for a soundtrack to a tense TV drama and no sumptuous banjo is going to change that. At times I was reminded of Midlake, especially in the vocal turns but where ‘Scarecrow’ stands apart is in the big opus of a production. So impressive that it becomes something for students of music to pull apart such is the richness of the arrangement. Just too much going on to take in on a single listen and my instinct tells me that the real reveal will only come several sessions in. A modern day polemic with all the trimmings. KH
Memphis-based artist McNeil Johnwood showcases compelling folk songwriting on two recent track releases, on different sides of the tonal spectrum. “Scarecrow” delivers a fiery political commentary, while “Magical” is a sweetly romantic indie-folk love song. Influenced by artists like Rush and Julien Baker, Johnwood’s music reflects personal struggles and triumphs, marking a bold entry into the music scene after years away (and teenage years as a U.S. Tennis Association Top 10 junior ranked player).
An ominous meshing of haunting acoustics and buzzing synths stir on “Scarecrow,” with eerie lyrical refrains express a sense of skepticism and foreboding. The track is reflective of Johnwood’s views of Donald Trump. “I am independent, but that man is a scarecrow—he’s not who he says he is,” Johnwood says. The “hail hail to the scarecrow,” line feels suggestive of blind following, asking “what has he done?” with stirring concern. Banjo, textural electronic tones, and backing vocal harmonies bolster a riveting production from Johnwood.
Another success, “Magical” pursues a completely different tone. Rather than being a distraught political perspective as in “Scarecrow,” “Magical” captures the beauty of life — and in particular, falling in love. Caressing acoustics and smitten lyrical reflections center around lap steel and dreamy vocal additions. The lyrics capture the first time Johnwood saw his wife. “Being married to her for 35 years is the greatest accomplishment of my life. We have three kids together…I get emotional just talking about it,” Johnwood says. These two tracks are wholly exemplary of Johnwood’s notable talents as a songwriter, both in regard to heart-tugging love songs and political swipes.
BIO
McNeil Johnwood has been called an enigma for good reason.
When he was 18 years old, Johnwood was a U.S. Tennis Association Top 10 junior ranked player, yet he came from a broken home with parents sadly unaware of his dominance on the court. Johnwood has gone on to establish two non-profits, and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote diversity in tennis, yet he’s struggled with public speaking due to social anxieties. He has a hard time being emotionally open in close relationships, yet he’s a proud family man dedicated to his wife of 35 years.
At 59, Johnwood had not played in a band or a paid show or gig, yet he’s coming onto the music scene a fully-formed singer-songwriter with an edgy and emotive Americana sensibility. The Memphis-based artist is now releasing his first pair of singles, the fiery and politically-charged “Scarecrow,” and the wide-eyed romantic “Magical.” Both are produced by superstar engineer, producer, and mixer Calvin Lauber (Paramore, Boygenius, Julien Baker).
“My music comes from my experiences and how I relate in the world. I come from a lot of anguish and pain. These songs are about me pushing back against my fears and self-doubt. I’m sharing it all openly, learning, and evolving,” he shares.
Johnwood counts Rush , REM, U2, and Elliot Smith as primary influences, though he’s a voracious music listener always soaking up new sounds. Calvin Lauber’s work with Boygenius, and Julien Baker has been a recent inspiration. Johnwood’s lyrics range from social commentary to being intimately confessional. “In songs, I can talk about my values, tell stories, and confide things I have trouble sharing openly—I reveal myself in my songs,” he says.
Music has been an on and off pursuit for Johnwood. He is a self taught guitarist who has been playing since high school. From his mid 20s until he was 30, Johnwood wrote songs and recorded them on a four-track, but when he had a family he sold all of his equipment to focus on being a provider.
Johnwood didn’t play for 15 when he spied a guitar in a closet at his best friend’s house. Asking to borrow it, and later buying it, he started playing and writing again. He briefly paused to support his daughter’s musical pursuits which is where Johnwood first encountered producer Calvin Lauber and began learning about the modern music business. Over the past year, Johnwood has returned to music, combing through his back catalog, relearning his old songs while writing new ones, and honing his craft performing at open mics.
His debut singles are strong introductions to the emotional and thematic span of Johnwood’s artistry. The compelling and timely, “Scarecrow,” is a potent political missive aimed directly at Donald Trump. “I am independent, but that man is a scarecrow—he’s not who he says he is,” Johnwood says. Johnwood’s sharp political commentary throughout the song pulls no punches. One standout passage is: falling down dominoes fall down crossing out truth means nothing now/Stale chips and parties/Hail to the scarecrow old hymns rallies/Jail tits and movies/hail hail to the scarecrow. “Scarecrow,” deftly layered with banjo, ominous electro-ambience, and gorgeous female harmony vocals supporting Johnwood’s soulfully weary vocals, evokes an outlaw country song for fans of modern indie-rock.
In sharp contrast, “Magical” is a sweetly romantic song about the first time Johnwood saw his wife. This heartfelt indie-folk love song is textured with lonesome lap steel, intriguing atmospherics, crunching guitars, twanging guitars, and dreamy female vocals..
Up next, Johnwood plans to continue writing, recording, releasing more songs, and cultivating a following through live shows and tours. “I believe in my music. I’ve practiced and worked hard, and I am at a time in my life where I’m ready to go for it,” Johnwood says.
- LB
