Forty Fives Say Six Six Six

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character named Johnny White, a musician playing an "old tune" who seems to embody a dark, almost supernatural aura. The opening lines suggest he's a familiar, perhaps notorious, figure in the scene, with the "devil" himself seemingly in hiding from his presence. This immediately sets a tone of unease and fascination, hinting at a deeper, more sinister narrative beneath the surface of a simple performance. The central tension revolves around Johnny's age and his association with the number six, a clear nod to the devil. He claims to be "ninety three," an impossibly old age, and his "forty fives" – likely referring to firearms, given the context of "Bonnie and Clyde" and the overall gritty imagery – "say six, six, six." This juxtaposition of extreme age and infernal numbers creates a sense of unholy power and a life lived outside conventional morality, especially when contrasted with the "crucifix" he seemingly disdains. The most striking craft element is the persistent repetition of "forty fives say six, six, six." This phrase acts as a dark mantra, reinforcing Johnny's connection to something malevolent. The imagery of him living "like Bonnie and Clyde" and "turning tricks of the devil into dollar signs" further solidifies his outlaw persona, suggesting a life of crime and moral compromise. The mention of a "broomstick in the hands of a witch" in the second chorus adds another layer of dark folklore to his character. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they create a compelling, albeit ambiguous, portrait of a charismatic anti-hero. The ambiguity surrounding Johnny's true nature—is he a literal devil-worshipper, a dangerous criminal, or simply a captivating storyteller?—is what draws the listener in. The repeated "six, six, six" and the outlaw narrative combine to suggest a life steeped in transgression, making Johnny White a figure who is both terrifying and undeniably magnetic.