There's been an awful lot written about John Lennon. From his rebellious early days, to his entrapment in The Beatles' early days, to the drug-hazy Sergeant Pepper, to the peace-protesting house husband, he is a vastly interesting character and one of the legends of the last century. But I'm not going to write about the man himself. There are legions of books out there about the man, both before, during and after his Beatles' career, and recently the musical press has been inundated with accounts of Lennon's life. All of which will be much more in-depth than I could write. So it's why I shall write about what I do know: Lennon's music.
I first heard Lennon, like so many before me, through the Beatles. It was through The Beatles One album I heard the likes of 'Help!', 'All You Need Is Love' and 'Come Together', and was immediately entrapped. Lennon's lyrical talent is something that shines through all of his records, his nonsensical metaphors a delight to listen to. 'Glass Onion' and the brilliant 'I Am The Walrus' are perfect examples of this, who else would have written 'Semolina pilchard, climbing up the Eiffel tower' and 'Elementary penguin singing Hari Krishna'. No-one really, is the answer to that. Well, maybe now after Lennon.
It was in reading more about The Beatles and Lennon that you come to appreciate his music more. George Harrison is a great character, while Paul McCartney has written some of the best songs of all-time. But Lennon's songs are so brilliantly personal, every one reflects a little part of himself in a way songwriters rarely do. The moody 'You Can't Do That' is a bitter warning to a lover, 'No Reply' an accusing finger-pointing and 'Yes It Is' a swooping story of love covering the depths of Lennon's early insecurities around women.
'Help!' is literally a cry for just that, surviving 'Beatles' treatment through Lennon's emotional delivery, while the ploddingly epic 'In My Life' shows him for the first time in a truly autobiographical sense that would later dominate his output. See 'Nowhere Man', 'She Said She Said', 'Yer Blues', 'Julia', 'Don't Let Me Down' and 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)' for his journey while part of the Fab Four. Also, have a listen to 'Tomorrow Never Knows', 'Rain' and 'Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite' to hear the guy's experimentalism and ingenuity.
Strawberry Fields Forever' however is his crowning glory. Hallucinogenic, twisting and turning, seductive; it is one of the most interesting and fantastically-made songs of all time. Here, Lennon trumps McCartney's 'Penny Lane' and writes his name in history as one of the most supremely-talented musicians ever to come from these shores.
His post-Beatles output is arguably more interesting. Songs like 'God' and 'Mother' are great listens as they are the most personal songs ever heard; it's Lennon airing his most personal hurts for all to hear. 'Imagine' and 'Give Peace A Chance' rightfully go down in history as immense songs which have earned their place in history.
John Lennon is a genius. Pure and simple. His death 30 years ago this year was a tragedy, something on the scale that has only been met a few times this century, and his loss is still being felt and paid for today. However, his music is as vibrantly inspired today as it was when it was written, and that is why Lennon will outlive us all within his songs.
And to finish off, here's my five favourite John Lennon songs you may not know:
The Beatles/With The Beatles - It Won't Be Long - A raucous toe-tapper that stands as one of the best Beatles album openers
The Beatles/ Revolver - I'm Only Sleeping - A drowsily inspired tale of Lennon's legendary laziness
The Beatles/ The Beatles (The White Album) - Happiness Is A Warm Gun - Theatrical rock at its best; from mellow piano to fuzzy mood rock to anthemic release
The Beatles/ Yellow Submarine - Hey Bulldog - Dark piano rock that betters Lady Madonna
John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band - God - The most honest pop record of all time - '‘I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me’, ‘I was the walrus, but now I’m John’
And just for good measure, here's another great Lennon track - 'You Can't Do That' - with footage from The Beatles.
NWR
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