Songs from Cincinnati

Apparently, I’m one of the eleven people not employed by the production who regret that HBO has canceled “John from Cincinnati”. So it goes.

Even if you despised the show, though, there are two songs from the soundtrack that you have to check out if you’ve never heard them before. One is the opening theme, “Johnny Appleseed”, by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. The other is Bob Dylan’s “Series of Dreams”, which is used in the opening scene of the final episode. Follow the links above to hear them on Rhapsody.com. (You’ll need to sign up for a free introductory account.)

You can find the lyrics — which are every bit as powerful as the music — here for “Johnny Appleseed” and here for “Series of Dreams”.

16 Responses to “Songs from Cincinnati”

  1. Bobby Poon Says:

    No Butchie instead.

    I’ll be missing that show just as much, so you’re not completely alone.

  2. Ryan Speck Says:

    I was deeply impressed by the show. First, I was angry that HBO would attempt to replace “Deadwood” with anything, but, hey, any Milch is good Milch.

    Now “John” is gone as well and, with it, we lose a thoughtful modern “Twin Peaks”. Sad that we only get original and strange shows after every 5 or 10 years.

    I guess HBO should have known better after the equally-excellent “Carnivale”, but apparently they figured a modern ensemble drama about surfing was a better bet than a period supernatural drama in the Dust Bowl.

    The worst part is we’ll never know just what the fuck was going on or where it was going.

    But they’ve still got Milch under contract, so he’ll crank out something else that will hopefully be equally compelling. And it’ll get cancelled after a year or two. So it goes.

  3. Brian Spence Says:

    Well, I watched every episode, so I can’t say that I hated it, but overall I wasn’t very entertained. It became one of those shows I would leave on while doing other things (probably why I didn’t ‘get it’, it’s not the kind of show you don’t need to pay attention to).

    HBO seems to cancel strong shows all the time. Every time something gets canceled, I hear someone saying “but that was my favorite show!” I felt that way about the slow-to-start-but-eventually-brilliant Lucky Louie, and I REALLY miss Rome.

  4. Fred Chamberlain Says:

    The best show that ever had the carpet pulled out from under it was Dead Like Me. Though I only learned of it after it had already finished out its 2 seasons on Showtime, it struck me as the best show ever to air…

  5. scott Says:

    Let’s start a petition! I was just getting into that show. Anything with Ed O’Neil is worth a look! I’ve been saying goodbye to the Sopranos. I’m SO over them.

    If you want something to keep entertained while JOHN goes back to Cincinatti, you can visit my brand-new website/pleasure palace at http://www.ShadowDaily.com

  6. Brian Spence Says:

    I did like the music in John from Cincinnati, I forgot to say that…

  7. gordon Says:

    Apparently you are!

  8. Lyn Says:

    I liked the show. Don’t know why but I did. The music was great too.

  9. gordon Says:

    Then perhaps I’m worng…

  10. Brian Spence Says:

    Hey Steve, haven’t heard from ya in a while…

  11. gordon Says:

    Yeah…

    Cough, or clear your throat or something so we know you’re okay.

  12. Gordon Says:

    Seriously, Steve, this post was date August 19th… Today is the 31st…

    C’mon…

  13. Steve Gerber Says:

    I’m here.

  14. Gordon Says:

    Okay.

    Thanks for letting us know.

  15. Stephen Payne Says:

    Heh, been a while since I’ve been here.

    Well, there’s still “Big Love.”

  16. jb Says:

    I watched every episode, and while the show certainly had it’s flaws, I think it was pretty unique and daring, especially within the context of the American culture we’re currently living in.

    While I like Big love a lot and liked Series like Six Feet Under and Rome, like most TV serials, those shows thrive on dragging their characters through the mud morally for the sake of higher and higher drama. Watching a cast of almost entirely unlikeable, selfish characters slowly learn to care for each other and begin to act like family and community was completely worth it.

    As much as I can understand/sympathize with people who complained about this show on a technical level. I think TV as a whole is better when it gives us this kind of material.