Nobody Told Me

Discovering wonder in the everyday became John's final creative gift. Written during his last prolific period and released posthumously, "Nobody Told Me" captures John's amazement at life's constant curveballs and delightful surprises. Even after decades of fame, trauma, and global recognition, he maintained the curiosity of someone encountering the world for the first time.

Amazement filled John's voice as he reflected on becoming a father again in his forties and witnessing how the world kept evolving in unexpected ways. The song mixes profound observations with playful references to current events, showing how John had emerged from his self-imposed exile from the music business with optimism and hope. Each new development, personal or global, sparked genuine wonder.

Youthful curiosity helped John rediscover his hopeful perspective on life. Rather than assuming he'd "seen it all," he approached each day with a willingness to learn. He stepped away from the music business for several years to raise his son, Sean. This openness helped him find the joy in simple things, like baking bread. 

Sometime during those domestic years, John reconnected with his creative self and began writing some of his most beautiful songs. As “Nobody Told Me” suggests, life constantly offers “days like these” we don't see coming. Sadly, with John’s tragic death, his family lost a husband and father, and the world was deprived of seeing where John’s renewed creativity would lead him.

Today, I will approach at least one familiar situation with fresh eyes, expecting to discover something that surprises me.

What recent surprise in your life have you dismissed rather than celebrated? How might maintaining John's sense of wonder change your daily experience?