John Lennon
John Lennon was, “a little bit like you and me” but I doubt people around the world will be celebrating our work 40 years after our death. Can you imagine no John Lennon? I can’t.
In 1980, when Lennon was killed, I was 7 years old and I remember how all the radio stations seemed to be playing his songs. His songs are the first I remember and see bits of him in other people every day.
Lennon wrote about being a Jealous Guy and being Crippled Inside. He had been hurt and his songs were often a plea for help. He loved Rock and Roll and paid tribute to his heroes; Chuck, Little Richard and Buddy.
Phil Spector believed Lennon had the greatest Rock and Roll voice of all time. I think one day Lennon would believe he really was the greatest and the next day be full of self doubt. People have written book’s about Lennon’s nasty side.
Although both his ex-wives have said being married to him was a privilege. No one who knew him denies he could be a handful. George Harrison observed, “John Lennon is a saint and he’s heavy-duty, and he’s great and I love him ... But at the same time, he’s such a bastard — but that’s the great thing about him, you see?”
His second son, Sean Ono Lennon, once remarked, “He was a macho pig in a lot of ways and he knew it. The only thing that made it ok was that he could admit it. That was his saving grace. He tried to overcome it.”
I see Sean’s point. To some extent it’s the way he owns up his flaws that make John Lennon appealing. Lennon once said he saw his songs as being little postcards to the world. Song writing came naturally to him. He believed all you had to do was tell the truth and make it rhyme.
I love his famous songs like Instant Karma and Strawberry Fields but I also like his cover versions. When I hear him singing Twist & Shout I really believe him. It feels like he really means it and that he’s singing from his heart.
In no particular order, here are ten recordings by Lennon I connect with and that I think are often overlooked.
Real Love (single tracked piano demo)
Soldier of Love (live at the BBC 1963)
Beautiful Boy (stripped down 2010 mix)
Nobody Told Me
Hey Bulldog
Not A Second Time
Crippled Inside
Angel Baby
Baby Please Don’t Go (live with Frank Zappa)
Look At Me
