I was at a fan meet-and-greet in New York in 2018, and two fans came up and were like, ‘Hi, I’m John, and this is my boyfriend, Jonathan. We love your music!’ And I was like, ‘Wait—your names are John and Jonathan? Okay, I gotta write a song called “John and Jonathan”!’ I was on a walk in [the Toronto suburb of] Oakville near my parents’ house with my boyfriend, and I remember being on a pier and it just came to me: ‘John and Jonathan/Are on the town.’ I got so excited and went back home and just started recording right away. I’ve written so many of my most successful songs in Oakville at my parents' dining room table.
lyrics
[Refrain]
John and Jonathan are on the town
John and Jonathan, they go up, they go down
At the Bowery, in line they wait
They will stay all night then wake at eight
[Verse]
John and Jonathan are at the café
John likes coffee black, and Jon au lait
Making good decisions, they must have taste
They stand by their choices, they stand, they face
[Chorus]
But how will I know if they care for me?
Do I believe what they say?
When I'm on stage they all cheer for me
I must soak up the praise
And save it for a rainy day
[Bridge]
Dear John and Jonathan
Who am I to you?
Dear John and Jonathan
Je ne sais quoi
[Refrain]
John and Jonathan are on the town
John and Jonathan, they go up, they go down
At the Bowery, in line they wait
They will stay all night then wake at eight
[Chorus]
But how will I know if they care for me?
Do I believe what they say?
When I'm on stage they all cheer for me
I must soak up the praise
And save it for a rainy day
supported by 43 fans who also own “John and Jonathan”
Every minute of this is production perfection — filled with clever and beautiful textures, plus rich and full throated vocal performances. So simultaneously challenging and gorgeous and captivating. I feel suspended in each moment when I listen to this spective
supported by 27 fans who also own “John and Jonathan”
I think it's difficult to write songs about something other than romantic love, and still be able to communicate the intensity with which those feelings can hit a person. Some of the entries on this album are fantastic examples of this niche. dani_bloop
supported by 24 fans who also own “John and Jonathan”
Alvvays has always been great, but with this album they took it to the next level. Every one of these songs is lodged in my brain now, permanently (in a good way). s. moxley
Buoyant vocals and a varied palette of synths work in perfect tandem to create gorgeous art-pop that's able to address big realities. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 2, 2019