Meaning of "Johnny Come Lately" by Catatonia

The lyrics of "Johnny Come Lately" explore themes of envy, inadequacy, and the elusive nature of knowledge and expertise. The character of Johnny Come Lately represents someone who excels in a particular area, in this case, gardening, and is viewed with a mix of admiration and resentment by the narrator. The idea of wanting to know the secret behind someone else's success but ultimately being unable to access it is a common human experience. The struggle to understand and replicate the achievements of others, as well as the feeling of being left behind despite one's efforts, is poignantly captured in the song. The mention of the "godforsaken soil" hints at the idea that some knowledge or talent is beyond reach, no matter how much one desires it, highlighting the futility of trying to possess what is unattainable.