Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “Johanna (Sweeney Todd)” by Stephen Sondheim
The song “Johanna” from the musical “Sweeney Todd” is a dreamy and romantic ballad sung by the character Anthony Hope. This song musically paints a picture of his affection and longing for the character of Johanna, a girl he has been unable to be free to be with. He sings of how much he loves her and adores her, yet he cannot have her in his life. His loneliness and hopelessness are deeply felt.
The song is full of melancholic imagery and longing, mentioning things like a bewitched sea and anguish and yearning. It is a mournful ode to a love he cannot escape and will never be able to attain. Even though Anthony is consumed with his desire and longing for Johanna, he still has to accept it as an unrequited love. This is a heartbreaking story of a love affair that will never be, and the longing and loneliness that comes with it.