BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982
“Johnny Are You Queer?” is a 1980s pop song that was written by Bobby and Larson Paine. The song was first performed live by the Go-Go’s and was later performed by Josie Cotton, who released the song as a single in 1981 and 1982, and as part of her 1982 album Convertible Music. The song was also featured on the Valley Girl soundtrack.
The song was the subject of controversy upon its release. Cotton was accused by multiple conservative groups as promoting homosexuality and one network claimed that “there was no Josie Cotton and that she was actually a gay man who was trying to convert unsuspecting straight men into a homosexual lifestyle.” The Village Voice and The Advocate were both highly critical of “Johnny, Are You Queer?” and The Advocate demonized the work in an article entitled “Josie, Are You A Bitch?”
Years later AllMusic reviewed the song and noted that “In retrospect, the song sounds rather tame, and throughout, the joke is on the petulant girl, not Johnny: “he’s not interested in her that way, so clearly he must not like girls” is (deliberately) a laughably arrogant premise.”
Cotton has stated that since the song’s release she has been contacted by several people who thanked her for the song, as it helped them come to terms with their own homosexuality.
In 1982, the song reached #38 on the U.S. Billboard Club Play Singles chart.
SIDE A:
Johnny Are You Queer? 2:46
SIDE B:
(Let’s Do) The Blackout 2:57
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Johnny Are You Queer? | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #38 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Elektra – AS-11538
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Power Pop
CREDITS:
Bass, Guitar – Bobby Paine
Drums – Richard Adelman
Drums [Additional] – Don Heffington
Engineer – Geza X, Glenn Feit, Ray Blair
Piano – Jimmy Ehinger
Producer, Written-By – Bobby Paine, Larson Paine
Synthesizer – J.B. Frank*
NOTES:
“Johnny Are You Queer?” from the LP “Convertible Music”.
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Love this song thanks Paul.
I’m with the majority here..
Great cover and can’t wait to hear this!
Thanks Paul 🙂
I’ve now listened to this and i find it very funny. It amazes me that such a song could shock and anger anyone, but then again some people just need to stamp on ideas that don’t fit with their moral code. People with closed and poisoned minds are always right and they’ll tell you that over and over again, even when they’ve been proved wrong, because one of the many things they’re incapable of doing is admitting they’re wrong, because that shows weakness. It’s a shame the world’s run by these kind of bloody idiots. Right that’s my tuppence worth.… Read more »
One of the GREATS. Thank you for this. I’ve been wanting to update my old 128 kbps file for Blackout.
Bryan, your attempt at postmodern irony failed. Try again!
Thank you Dean 🙂
Ahh, big Bry is a funny funny guy. Loving the last week of posts Paul. The good old New Wave at it’s finest!
Thank you Mothloop 🙂
Never heard that before! Oh, I LOVE it. It´s hilarious, it´s upbeat, it lights up one´s day and fills you up with a good mood.
AWESOME!
Btw, with regards to DT and what appears to be happening in The People´s Prison Of North Korea,
how about an upload of Heaven 17´s “Let´s All Make A Bomb”? ´Sigh…….´
I know Song_and_ Dance the whole bomb dropping situation sickens me.
Dear Bryan, me thinks you protest too much. Now do everyone a favour, come out of that closet, put on those arseless chaps and dance, dance, dance!
Thanks Paul. I’ve not heard this before, but as with everything on your sight, i’m willing to give it a go! Keep up the good work.
Thank you Emodleo. Hope you like it 🙂
It’s hard to believe that such ultra-conservative groups ever existed (and apparently still do). Filled with people so bankrupt of happiness in their own lives and personalities that they waste their lives away searching for things to be offended by so they can complain publicly as a means of saying “look at me up here on my pretend moral high ground”.
But enough of that. This is a great song that is essentially a satirical jab at the egoism of youth and young infatuation. Kinda reminds me of Julie Brown, only more subtle in its humourous delivery.
Thank you Morts I could not have said it better myself. 🙂
Now that I’ve had a chance to listen to both tracks I’d have to say that the b-side is musically catchier and actually my preferred song. Bonus!
I think Bryan is on the wrong website. Can someone direct him over to “GetALife.com”? Where he can troll the right crowd. We don’t allow hateful, close-minded bigot’s here at BurningTheGround.com.
Totally agreed
One of my faves! Thanks Paul!
You’re welcome Memoryboy 🙂
That cover image always made me laugh. Gee, I wonder…. A new wave/mutant disco classic, with that kind of snark, like Cristina. It would have been cool if the Go-Go’s had recorded this one properly.
I know would have love to hear what the Go-Go’s could have done with this. I laughed at the cover too the guy on the side with the shorts on lol 🙂
Get some good music I find these 2 defiled, and the last couple shouldn’t even been posted
you used to posted some good ones on What happen? I’m anainst gay it’s and ambomination
to God.
Seriously? Surely you must be joking?
Paul posts a great and eclectic mix of pop.
A lot of tracks I’ve not heard of before in Australia and am glad to be introduced to these gems.
Paul has previously posted from LGBTI artists too. Why complain now?
Maybe this page is not for you?
Paul, I have the upmost respect for you. I love your site and everything you post and you are a great human being.
There is a very simple solution to your problem Bryan. Don’t come back to this site any longer and you won’t be offended. Nobody wants you here with your close-minded outdated attitude. You really need to grow up.
Keep up the great work Paul. You are amazing!
Bryan, I was deeply saddened and disappointed by your comment here regarding this record, and to go a bit more, disheartened about your hateful and hurtful feelings to things. Paul’s site is all about love and light, a “Hate Free Zone” and I’m ashamed of what you had to say. I applaud all of the readers here who have commented about what you had to say and admit their shock and dismay. Hey, if you are unhappy here, please leave!! AND, shouldn’t you be a bit humble concerning all of the free music you are getting here? You many not… Read more »
Jeff, your words bring tears to my eyes. I found THAT PERSON´s comment not worthy of a reply, just shook my head and felt sad for him. There shouldn´t be any space for hatred in our hearts. Aren´t people out there bad enough? Hasn´t the world gone crazy enough? Sometimes I feel like staying in bed and pulling the sheets over my head but that´s not good enough. We must not give up hope and we cannot let our lives made miserable by people like HIM.
Hugs&kisses, love&light to all the good souls here.
S´n´D
Song_and_Dance,
It makes my heart feel so full of love because of the wonderful camaraderie we share here on Paul’s blessed site. I am so happy that we are here for each other. Thank you for your kind words S’n’D. Have a fantastic day!
Jeff
Nicely put Jeff and S’n;D
Cheers, Emodleo!
Jeff
I love this one as well, Paul!! First heard it from “Valley Girl” and it’s been a favorite ever since. The early 1980’s was such a goldmine for adventurously fun and outrageous experimentation. Not saying that this song was particularly outrageous, only for the title, but very fun indeed. I just love the early 80’s. I was coming off Disco dance music and really got turned onto New Wave dance music. It was like a punk version of disco and it really helped shape my musical sensibilities. Thank you big time for this record. I can’t wait to hear the… Read more »
You’re welcome Jeff I agree this is really fun. Happy Easter 🙂
Love it Paul. Whatever happened to Josie?
I don’t know it would be interesting to find out what she is up to now 🙂
Thank you for this one, Paul! “Johnny, Are You Queer?” is a hilarious record and one of my favorites. I love the cover artwork, so much that I bought the 12″ record myself, even though I do not own a record player. Now I’ll finally get to hear that b-side, thanks to your transfer.
Thank you Bellenger1981 the cover art was a factor in my purchase too 🙂