Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'Johnny Walker' by
Marius Müller-Westernhagen are a metaphorical portrait of the artist's relationship with alcohol, specifically with the brand of whisky 'Johnny Walker'. The singer personifies alcohol as 'Johnny Walker', his 'best friend', who has never let him down and has always listened to him, unlike other people.
The song begins with the lines 'Johnny Walker, now you're back / Johnny Walker, I'll pay you in cash'. Here, one can feel the singer's dependence on alcohol. Alcohol is always there when he needs it, and he is willing to pay for it.
In the lines 'Johnny Walker, always tanned / Johnny Walker, with his back against the wall', the desperate situation of the singer is portrayed, who turns to alcohol to forget his problems.
The chorus 'I've tried, I can't do without you / Why would I? - I like you / No one listens to me as well as you do / And Johnny, you never laugh at me' repeats the dependency and the comforting function that alcohol has for the singer.
In the lines 'Johnny Walker, I don't believe in that nonsense / Johnny Walker, you would be a little devil / Johnny Walker, roast me if you want / Johnny, I feel royal', the singer denies the danger of alcoholism and emphasizes his willingness to self-destruct in order to experience the temporary happiness that alcohol gives him.
The song ends with the lines 'Johnny Walker, you've never let me down / Johnny, you're my best friend', which shows the sad truth of the story: alcohol is the only 'friend' the singer can rely on, even though it is slowly destroying him.