Some could argue that the downfall of John Lennon came when he met Yoko Ono. After the releases of ?Two Virgins? and ?Life With Lions,? the somewhat controversial and humour enticing albums, (both within a year of each other), the future career of Lennon seemed lacking in all the speciality of The Beatles. Even Lennon was seen to be doubtful in his departure from the band. He married Yoko on the 20th of March 1969 which was then followed by the infamous 8 day peace protest in bed as their honeymoon. The Plastic Ono Band album was released almost immediately after The Beatles split officially in May 1970, yet the final ?Let It Be,? The Beatles swansong wasn?t released until after this date.
Moving to New York in September 1971, he released the album, ?Imagine? only a month later after his departure from England. It wasn?t long until immigration almost successfully got him packing his bags and heading home. Splitting from Yoko for about a year later, he went out on several heavy drinking sessions with old friend and known alcoholic, Harry Nilsoon. Together they recorded the album, ?Pussy Cats?, sadly I can?t find a listing for this anywhere as a chart entry here or over there. Eventually allowed his green card after Sean was born, he retreated from the music industry to be alone with his new family. Putting the lid down on his piano and closing the guitar case, he seemed to have found his perfect home. On the brink of a come back with the signing of a music contract, the future seemed bright for the Lennon family until the fatal meeting with Mark Chapman where he shot Lennon out side his home on the 8th of December 1980.
We take a look at one of the compilations that has graced our record shops since his death. It would appear that on every anniversary of birth or death, an album has followed featuring his best known music from his solo career. This is one of them?
?Imagine there?s no Heaven, its easy if you try..? First released in November 1975, it went straight to number one. Again issued in December 1988 and then again in December 1999, in total, it sold over a million copies, but still, the simplicity of this track was always destined to be one of the great anthems in human history whether he was still with us or not. The hands make very little movement across the keys and with a video piece in just the same vein, they are as uniquely powerful as each other. The essentialism is within the opening piano chords. Lennon was not the greatest singer, in fact, straining his poor voice in early Beatle recordings was not unusual. (The song, ?Twist And Shout,? always had to be left until the end of a show due to the anxiety it would have on his vocal chords.) He was primarily a poet, a collector or words, creating images for the heart and for the soul of his listeners. As Dylan as his constant musical guide in his head, Lennon was, it could be said, imitating the legendary folk singer, but naturally what shone through and essentially what we connected to was the person who enlightened us from within John. Love or loathe The Beatles, one cane listen to ?Imagine? and feel something. Whether it is thoughts for our own families and children or the world as a whole, this song is very much affective and will remain so for generations to come. The tragedy of this heart dominating piece of humanitarism, is that the song is forever remembered, but the words have long been forgotten?
?Instant Karma? is the second track on this compilation album. It has to be said that one is struck by the extent of the love that John shared with Yoko, not just for each other but for their dedication to the projects that they had together. Flicking through the sleeve, we notice that the simple black and white photography is relaxed and we feel welcomed into their world. The twenty tracks are performed by John but mostly by The Plastic Ono Band which on many occasions incorporated some well respected musicians including Klaus Voorman (the German friend from the days of Hamburg who designed the Revolver album for The Beatles) and Eric Clapton. One is also struck by not just the political strengths of this man but his diversity within his music. We shift from grief stricken soul to folk, pop and rock and roll, Lennon?s first being the latter. It was released February 1970, reaching number 5.
This track, I wonder is probably more autobiographical than a political statement. The extent of this track musically throws out to its audience the same crowd-filling-a -room feeling as ?Give Peace A Chance.? A lot of hand clapping and a cast of thousands fill our ears. These tracks are primitive in their recordings in following the Ono/Lennon theme of musicians jamming a song rather than playing it in a studio situation. A mumbled counting in at the intro gives the full feeling of a song almost made up as they went along. I felt, lyrically, it was a personal dig at his shallowed emotion from being the star of The Beatles. One gets the impression that Lennon, after leaving the band, spent the rest of his life reflecting and analysing his former existence.
?Mother,? is very definitely a self therapy track that was actually spawned by some sessions with a certain Dr Janov. It is crucially a very personal track and once the words have been digested by the listener, it feels as thought we are encroaching on something so intensely intimate that its is like extreme intrusion. The opening line may bring a lump to the throat; ?..mother, you had me, but I never had you? I wanted you but you didn?t want me?? is an incredibly disturbing statement for a child to make to its mother. Another line is???father you left me, but I never left you?? If we knew a small fraction of Lennon?s upbringing, we would know that he was abandoned by his father, whom in twenty years of John?s life, he only saw him twice. Also brought up by his mother?s sister, Mimi, so with this information in hand, it is a painful ballad about one?s parents to bear, even from the voice of a grown man. Released in December 1970, it failed to enter a chart.
Another self analysis mark of Lennon?s life is portrayed in the beautifully gentle, ?Jealous Guy.? Whilst hitting the bottle in a suicidal fashion at the temporary break from Ono, this simply tuned song offers a touching and affectionate plea for his lost one. For a man to open up his inner most feelings surely is a mark of dignity and strength. We see the sensitive side of Lennon, a side not seen whilst a foul mouthed, bad tempered Beatle. In this violin complemented ballad, we can surely be thankful for the presence of Yoko in his life. If not, he would never have penned such poetry. Released in November 1985, but failed to get any higher than number 65..
?Power to The People,? is back to the chanting, peace seeking days of the strong Lennon/Ono union. Again, a marching demonstration song easily shouted from the roof tops in great chorus. Yet with its anti war themes of such poignancy, I can only think of Citizen Smith shouting from outside Tooting tube station?Unlike Smith, Lennon found himself on many occasions being labelled as part of America?s radical left. Released as a single in March 1971, it managed a fairly decent number 7.
?Cold Turkey,? may have had all the signs of a drug addiction track but it was actually directed at the governments from both side of the pond. At the release of this track, it was at the same time as Lennon handing back his M.B.E to the Queen. Naturally, the timing for Lennon was appalling and the single flopped. A fairly mediocre rock track by John?s standards, it does not help with the cries and wails of his voice towards the end. Deeply analytical and self opposed, it denotes a less than happy time in his life. Released in November 1969, it reached a weak number 14, despite its surrounding situations.
?Love,? is again a personal reflection on the love in his life and the love lost from his parents. He describes ?love is wanting o be loved..? I feel with these tracks that it is Lennon?s attempt to quite openly bare his soul. We, the majority, only accept the musical quality of the sturdy piano and ever so soft acoustic guitar. Perhaps it is because we don?t know how to deal with someone else?s instantly personal feelings? Released November 1982, it reached only number 41.
?Mind Games,? is a whining track that may get on one?s nerves after too many listens. I do believe that John took his music too far sometimes in the respect of his introverted perspective view on the world. Being so disillusioned with the leading heads of state from both sides, he became withdrawn in his ideas, far beyond anyone?s comprehension, these were strange, avant garde pieces for his own personal benefit. Lennon totally looses himself in the immensely droning and brain washing theme of this song. I do believe he forgets, that there are people, in the future, out there who will be listening to this?A fairly awful song, it was surprisingly released as a single in November 1973 and got an average number 26.
?Whatever Gets You Through The Night,? is a jolly, happy clappy song that takes on a sudden change of theme from the rest of the album. It says, ?hey, forget everything I just said, its okay, whatever you fancy, gets you going, floats your boat, just do it..? Gone briefly are the overly emotional, 3-in-the-morning analysis of the plight of the world. We are awoken to this disco/party track to jump up and down and forget about life?s troubles?.. I?m all for that? Released in October 1974, only to struggle to number 36.
?#9 Dream? is what the title suggests. A dream state created by the distorted, drifting vocals of Lennon with slight Sgt. Pepper instruments. Floating violins, whispers and taps on tambourines have us swimming down a slow moving stream in the afternoon sun. Again, a track that probably held a deeper meaning for Lennon and Ono rather than the listener, who thought, ?hey, this is cool..? Its tracks like these that were wasted on us public.. Released in February 1975, it managed number 23.
?Stand By Me..? id the only track on this extensive album that is not written by Lennon. A classic track written for Ben. E. King by the ever legendary songwriters, King, Leiber and Stoller; the men who were responsible for some of the greatest rock and roll songs ever recorded. Lennon?s love for rock and roll was widely known. He later blamed Elvis for seducing him into creating his own band.. This was not a well liked cover but it still stands well with Lennon?s own backing track and vocal range. Although not his song, he had the ability to take such a song and create it as his own. Adding a croaky vocal and heavier guitars allowed him to do this.. Released May 1975, it failed to get any higher than number 30.
?(Just Like) Starting Over? was the ironic record which shot to number one a month after his death in 1980. A quivering rock and roll moment and somewhat retro aiming at the Teddy Bear re run moving through the younger set of the day. It?s popularity stemmed from Lennon?s untimely death. The ?starting over? theme personally related to his life re born with Yoko and Sean, their son. It was some what a macabre anthem in the feeling of life after death and the strengths his record selling abilities after his passing.
?Woman,? finds us soothing over with the gentleness and humbly inspiring themes of his obvious relationship with Yoko and some may say, the respect he had for his mother whom he had loved with equal tenderness. It is a sensitive tribute to any woman from a man feeling failed in his adoration for her. An emotional piece with just as much feeling musically as in the lyrics? Released January 1981, shot to number one.
?Beautiful Boy,? has the same tenderness as the previous track but now, more focused on the birth of Sean. Much a piece picked on by the media, they highlighted the pushed-aside Julian who had been almost rejected in his earlier life by his father, Lennon, and had been the subject of ?Hey Jude,? by McCartney. This had been written several years before as an arm around the shoulder comforter to Julian after the break up of Lennon?s first marriage to his mother, Sylvia. ?Beautiful Boy,? features the lyric, ? life is what happens to you while you busy making other plans..? A sweet song completed with the tinkling tune denoting a children?s music box in this swaying nursery lullaby. Never released as a single.
?Watching The Wheels,? follows and the nest four tracks take the tempo up a little. This song is particular lifting musically, but yet, still very middle of the road by today? standards. Even though the subject remains with its element of struggle in life and the man coming to terms with his own complicated mind, his mood seems more optimistic and on an even keel. His mood always was heavily reflected in his music. Like many of us waking up knowing we?re going to have a bad day, I guess Lennon felt much the same thing musically? Released April 1981, reaching number 30.
?Nobody Told Me,? is one of my favourite Lennon tracks from his solo career. Yet again, it is a stab at the human race but somehow tongue n cheek. A song for a day that isn?t going so well, a song that I have in my head most days! There is a great deal of electric guitar playing a looped riff on a melodic theme and percussion that lifts the track to a foot tapping, skipping down the road effect from a happier Lennon. Released January 1984, to a fairly impressive number 6.
?Borrowed Time,? is a little on the new wave, Ziggy theme with its abstract Level 42 riff and its fading in and out lyrics. I wonder if this may have been the way forward for him, if he had still been alive. Its fundamental basis is a calypso style for a summer?s day on a Jamaican beach. Lennon delights us in his won vocal percussion. An unusual turn for the rock and roll head strong artist and a refreshing approach for the listener. It prides us into an understanding that Lennon could lift our spirits with open and future forward thinking themes as well as the gut wrenching ballads that have us reaching for razor blades. Lennon enjoyed all music and could adjust his uniqueness to even such foreign and unravelled paths of sounds such as calypso? I just wish I could roll my ?R?s? like he could? Released March 1984, only to number 32.
?Working Class Hero,? will have us throwing away our bongos and reaching for that bathroom cabinet door. This was the titled that labelled Lennon from his death and beyond. In this track, he reaches out to another hero of his, Bob Dylan. With acoustic guitar and minus a harmonica, he extends his talents to hard minded folk music. He falls to the very depths of personal humanity lyrically and the very struggle faced by millions just to go and earn a crust. A cold, truthful legacy to the working class, which is all of us?It was the B side to ?Imagine? in 1975.
?Happy Xmas (War Is Over,) was admittedly, his greatest anti war, anti government chant which only became famously known after his death. Unfortunately, it took seven shots in his chest to make us sit up and listen. The one disadvantage of this track is that we can hear Yoko singing, of course, she couldn?t sing a note, so for this, it is amusing. The other down side is a personal one and it reminds me of Christmases of years ago with the family. With all the spangle and droopy tinsel of all that is festive, it will always be tinged with the tragedy of Lennon?s death. It is a song that will may the listener feel humble and sorrowful for perhaps not appreciating the man when he was still alive. On any account, I do find this song very depressing. Released in December 1972 to number 2 then again in December 2003 but only reaching number 33.
Our last track is ?Give Peace A Chance? and we have gone full circle in his career within this album. Released as a single in July 1969 and recorded at the famous ?bed in? with all sorts of hangers on, musicians, drop outs, press and intellectuals, one can almost smell the mustiness of the unwashed bedclothes and the sweatiness of the enormous crowd huddled into the small hotel room. Don a bed sheet and a guitar and invite a few hundred of your closest acquaintances round for a chanting session. You?ll find this track enlightening, spirit lifting, soul soaring and it will make you want to sway with arms and legs and sing to the top of your voice. The words are simple and effortless and very much Lennon?s finest moment. In my mind, he could have started and finished his career with the very release of this record and this one only. The rest of the songs could all have been recorded but perhaps left to one side for his own personal therapy and reflection. I believe the real tragedy was not the fatal introduction of Mark Chapman, but his career, his music and his thoughtful words, wasted on the shallow human race?
Violent and troubled in his youth, he found self assurance and peace in age. His power was sometimes immeasurable. During the 8 day bed in, he and Ono had boards erected across the world in 12 cities campaigning against the Vietnam war.
On the 28th of November 1974, he made his final public appearance in concert at Madison Square Garden.
All songs written by John Lennon (except Stand By Me by Leiber/Stoller/King. EMI Records Abbey Road. Bought in HMV for nine pounds.
?michelle duffy 2006. Ciao and dooyoo (sam1942) 2006
Michelle is a freelance writer in the South of England and owner of the websites, http://www.generationsounds.co.uk, http://nevermindthebloggers.bravehost.com and their successful sister, ?Never Mind The Bloggers? at http://paperback-writer29.tripod.com She has been writing over the last year, for five major consumer websites across the world and is one of the only two music category advisors for one website in the U.K. Her websites promote young, amateur and professional bands/artists and their fan clubs whilst also reviewing them for local and world wide promotion. She has also recently launched the blogs; ‘The Ramblings Of An Old Rocker,’ ‘Bohemian Waffle,’ ?The Rhythm Rock And Blues Machine? and ?The Moped?s Musings? and ?Generation Sound Suite.? She is currently working on two shops selling her music styled artwork and now sells on Ebay.
