"Johnny Got a Zero" (alternatively "Johnny Zero") is a 1943 popular song inspired by John D. Foley, who served in the United States Army Air Forces as a gunner during World War II and was popularly known as Johnny Zero.1
In the song, Johnny does poorly in school, with the other children mocking him with "Johnny got a zero" every time he fails a test. However, when he grows up and becomes a fighter pilot, his fellow pilots now cheer "Johnny got a zero" every time Johnny shoots down a Mistubishi A6M "Zero", a Japanese fighter aircraft.2
The song "Johnny Got a Zero" was released as sheet music in 1943, lyrics by Mack David and music by Vee Lawnhurst, and topped out at #4 on the Variety list for the week of April 28.2
An a cappella rendition by The Song Spinners, "Johnny Zero", stayed on Billboard magazine's charts from June to August 1943, peaking at #7.2
References
References
- "Johnny Got a Zero". National Museum of the United States Air Force. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
- Jones, John Bush (2006). The songs that fought the war: popular music and the home front, 1939-1945. Waltham, Massachusetts: Brandeis University. p. 175. ISBN 1-58465-443-0. Retrieved May 24, 2010.