As a 'people's poet', John's subject matter includes characters who are not particularly famous outside their own area. Some are still living, some are dead, some he knows, or knew, some he was told about. Through being born and through being involved in folk-music for over 30 years as a performer, singer and composer, many other characters have crossed his path and have been the subject of his pen.

Stories flow out of John of local characters such as Willie Deuchars who used to walk everywhere to football games; Cowdenbeath, Alloa, Methil, Stirling, and according to John's father, Wembley. He recalls a character, Johnny Purvis, who used to sell papers outside the Regal Picture House and Bobby Broon who John remembers seeing carrying trays of flowers and plants and was reported to have been gassed during the First World War. He talks about a witty and brilliant cartoonist, Bud Neil, who peculiarly wore basketball boots and jeans despite being in his 50's.

Another character whom he recalls in detail and about whom he wrote a song was Ziggy McGiff. He was part of the group of people who John remembers hanging around Dunfermline on a Saturday morning. The group was mainly in 'Teddyboy' dress and spoke in 'prison lingo'. Ziggy was a leading light in this band, and at Christmas time was seen selling "holly with berries" on the steps of Woolworth's on the High Street. Ziggy became the subject of the song that bears his name, Ziggy McGiff. Of all the characters who have influenced John, members of his own family played a significant part.