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Click on the ‘Play’ button above to hear the song and read the lyrics below. If the player doesn’t start straight away, wait and then press the ‘Play’ button again.
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Demo Joe with lyrics by Paul Robert Thomas with music produced by Lee Aholima in Auckland, New Zealand
Demo Joe is a disheveled young man from a wealthy background who trades his privileged life at Cambridge for a performative existence as a professional protester. The song is satirical take on the “protest culture” trope, shifting from a character study into a classic story of transformation.
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Demo Joe is available to download on Bandcamp HERE
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Watch the video promo on YouTube HERE
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Demo Joe lyrics
Demo Joe was a lonely lad indeed
For comfort he’d smoke lots of weed
But he couldn’t get higher
Putting more coal on the fire
Couldn’t fulfil all of his needs
They say that he rarely bathed
And that he hardly ever shaved
His hair was like a birds nest on fire
But he had this burning desire
This planet he was determined to save
He’d go to any demonstration
Anywhere across the nation
Shouting and waving his fist
But the point of it all he always missed
Never understood the situation
Demo Joe, Oh Demo Joe
Why don’t you look out your window
Demo Joe, Oh Demo Joe
Why don’t you look out your window
The sun is in the sky
See the birds fly high
There’s more to life don’t you know
There’s more to life don’t you know
Oh Demo Joe
Joe’s parents were very rich
Even sent Joe to Cambridge
Money opens many a door
But he sold his flat screen and walk-in fridge
Now he sleeps with a blanket on the floor
Of course Joe draws the dole
It helps to reinforce his role
Of him being down and out
As they think ‘oh what a poor soul
He’s in need of help without a doubt’
Joe hangs out with rent a crowd
They always bark so loud
Sounding like a castrated dog
Making a noisy row
Like hunters chasing a hog
Demo Joe, Oh Demo Joe
Why don’t you look out your window
Demo Joe, Oh Demo Joe
Why don’t you look out your window
The sun is hanging low
As the river flows
The world’s passing you on by
The world’s passing you on by
Oh Demo Joe
One day Joe met a girl
Who opened his eyes to the world
And taught him all about love
That made the ends of his toes curl
Like he was in heaven above
Joe doesn’t smoke no more
Or go to demo’s that’s for sure
Is like he has been reborn
On another planets far off shore
For his past life he doesn’t mourn
Now Joe works nine to five
And a big Volvo car he drives
Is married with 2.4 kids
And he sure thinks that he’s arrived
His happiness he can’t keep hid
Mister Joe, Oh Mister Joe
Each day you look out your window
Mister Joe, Oh Mister Joe
Each day you look out your window
The sun is shining bright
Your life’s filled with light
Love makes the world go round oh
Love makes the world go round oh
Oh Mister Joe
Song lyrics by Paul Robert Thomas PRS No. 497904008 (London)
Music produced by Lee Aholima – Apra IPI 00596628396
PRS Tunecode: 937534ET
Audiosparx Catalog ID: 1382885 ISRC: US5UL2607693
released January 26, 2026
all rights reserved
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