Lennon (album)
Encyclopedia
Lennon is a four CD box set featuring many of John Lennon
's solo songs and was released in 1990.
Compiled by the foremost authority on The Beatles
, Mark Lewisohn
, Lennon emcompasses generous samples from his single-only releases, and his albums from Live Peace In Toronto 1969
to Menlove Ave.
Lennon, which never charted in the UK or US, was deleted from Lennon's catalogue in the late 1990s.
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
's solo songs and was released in 1990.
Compiled by the foremost authority on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Mark Lewisohn
Mark Lewisohn
Mark Lewisohn is an English author and historian, regarded as the world's leading authority on the English rock band The Beatles.-The Beatles and related subjects:...
, Lennon emcompasses generous samples from his single-only releases, and his albums from Live Peace In Toronto 1969
Live Peace in Toronto 1969
-Side two:-Personnel:* John Lennon — lead vocals, rhythm guitar* Yoko Ono — vocals* Eric Clapton — lead guitar, backing vocals* Klaus Voormann — bass* Alan White — drums* Kim Fowley — spoken introduction-External links:*...
to Menlove Ave.
Menlove Ave.
Menlove Ave. is a 1986 album by English rock musician John Lennon. It is the second posthumous release of Lennon's music, having been recorded during the sessions from his albums, Walls and Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll...
Lennon, which never charted in the UK or US, was deleted from Lennon's catalogue in the late 1990s.
Disc one
- "Give Peace a ChanceGive Peace a Chance"Give Peace a Chance" is a song written by John Lennon, originally under the moniker Lennon–McCartney, released as a single in 1969 by the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 13 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1809 in the United States. It is the first solo single issued by Lennon, and...
" – 4:53- Originally credited to Lennon/McCartneyLennon/McCartneyThe Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership is one of the best-known and most successful musical collaborations in history...
, the credit was revised in the 1990s to cite only John Lennon as its composer
- Originally credited to Lennon/McCartney
- "Blue Suede ShoesBlue Suede Shoes"Blue Suede Shoes" is a rock and roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955 and is considered one of the first rockabilly records and incorporated elements of blues, country and pop music of the time...
" (Carl PerkinsCarl PerkinsCarl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
) – 2:38 - "MoneyMoney (That's What I Want)"Money " is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, and became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise....
" (Bradford-Berry GordyBerry GordyBerry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
) – 3:25 - "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" (Larry WilliamsLarry WilliamsLarry Williams was an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, songwriter, producer, and pianist from New Orleans, Louisiana...
) – 3:23 - "Yer BluesYer Blues"Yer Blues" is a song by The Beatles, the second song on the third side of The Beatles, also known as The White Album. It is credited to Lennon–McCartney, but was written by John Lennon while in Rishikesh, India.-Lyrics:...
" (Lennon/Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) – 3:42 - "Cold Turkey" – 5:02
- "Instant Karma!Instant Karma!"Instant Karma!" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1970 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1003 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1818 in the United States. It is the third solo single issued by Lennon, and it peaked at #3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 singles...
" – 3:23 - "MotherMother (John Lennon song)Mother is a song by British musician John Lennon, first released on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. An edited version of the song was issued as a single in the United States on Apple Records, catalogue 1827, about three weeks after the album. The single runs about fifteen seconds...
"– 5:35 - "Hold OnHold On (John Lennon song)"Hold On" is a song from the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. It features only vocals, tremolo guitar, drums, and bass guitar, typical of the sparse arrangements Lennon favoured at the time...
"– 1:53 - "I Found OutI Found Out"I Found Out" is a song by the English musician John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The song is angry and intensely bitter, expressing Lennon's disillusionment with a world dominated by what he saw as false religion and idols....
" – 3:37 - "Working Class HeroWorking Class Hero"Working Class Hero" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.-Theme:The song is a take on the class split of the 1940s and 1950s, and of the 1960s in which he was famous. The song appears to tell the story of someone growing up in the working...
" – 3:50 - "IsolationIsolation (John Lennon song)"Isolation" is a 1970 song appearing on John Lennon's first official solo album release, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:*John Lennon – vocals, piano, organ...
" – 2:53 - "RememberRemember (John Lennon song)"Remember" is a 1970 song appearing on John Lennon's first official solo album release, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.The song was influenced by Lennon's primal therapy sessions with Dr Arthur Janov, and the lyrics reflect things typically remembered in therapy. The memories described are unpleasant...
"– 4:36 - "LoveLove (John Lennon song)"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, originally released in 1970 on the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.-Song:The song first came out on Lennon's 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. "Love" later appeared on the 1982 compilation The John Lennon Collection, and was released...
" – 3:24 - "Well Well WellWell Well Well (John Lennon song)"Well Well Well" is a song from the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:*John Lennon – vocals, guitar*Ringo Starr – drums*Klaus Voormann – bass...
" – 5:59 - "Look at MeLook at Me (John Lennon song)"Look at Me" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, from his solo debut album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. Written during the extended White Album sessions of 1967–1968, it was shelved until its release on Lennon's 1970 debut album...
" – 2:54 - "GodGod (John Lennon song)"God" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The album was released on 11 December 1970 in the United States and the United Kingdom....
" – 4:10 - "My Mummy's DeadMy Mummy's Dead"My Mummy's Dead" is the closing song on the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. It is one of the songs John wrote concerning his mother, along with "Julia" and "Mother"...
" – 0:53 - "Power to the PeoplePower to the People (song)"Power to the People" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971 by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple R5892 in the United Kingdom and Apple 1830 in the United States. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the British singles chart...
" – 3:18 - "Well (Baby Please Don't Go)" (Ward) – 3:56
Disc two
- "ImagineImagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
" – 3:04 - "Crippled InsideCrippled Inside"Crippled Inside" is a song written and performed by John Lennon from his 1971 album Imagine.The song combines the bleak lyrical content of Lennon's prior solo recording, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, with the more upbeat musical arrangements typical to the rest of Imagine...
" – 3:49 - "Jealous GuyJealous Guy"Jealous Guy" is a song written and performed by John Lennon which first appeared on his 1971 album Imagine. It is one of the most commonly covered Lennon songs, with at least ninety-two recorded cover versions, the most notable being Roxy Music's version, which reached number one in several...
" – 4:15 - "It's So HardIt's So Hard"It's So Hard" is a song written and performed by John Lennon which first appeared on his 1971 album Imagine. Shortly after the album's release, the song was released as the B-side to the single "Imagine."...
" – 2:26 - "Gimme Some TruthGimme Some Truth"Gimme Some Truth" is a protest song written and performed by John Lennon from his 1971 album Imagine.Like several songs on the album, such as the title track "Imagine", "Gimme Some Truth" has blatant political references emerging from the time it was written, during the latter years of the Vietnam...
" – 3:16 - "Oh My LoveOh My Love"Oh My Love" is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono that appeared on Lennon's Imagine album in 1971. George Harrison contributed guitar on this and several other songs for the album.-Information:...
" (Lennon/Yoko OnoYoko Onois a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
) – 2:45 - "How Do You Sleep?" – 5:36
- "How?" – 3:42
- "Oh Yoko!Oh Yoko!"Oh Yoko!" is a 1971 song, written and performed by John Lennon, that can be found on his album Imagine and the greatest hits compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon....
" – 4:19 - "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"Happy Xmas " is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir....
" (Lennon/Ono) – 3:34 - "Woman Is the Nigger of the WorldWoman Is the Nigger of the World"Woman Is the Nigger of the World" is a song written by John Lennon & Yoko Ono and recorded by John Lennon. It was released as a single on Apple Records in the United States and in New Zealand and Japan, but was withdrawn from release in Britain. It peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, making...
" (Lennon/Ono) – 5:15 - "New York CitySome Time in New York CitySome Time in New York City was released in 1972 and is John Lennon's third post-Beatles album, fifth with Yoko Ono, and third with producer Phil Spector...
" – 4:29 - "John Sinclair" – 3:28
- "Come TogetherCome Together"Come Together" is a song by The Beatles written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song is the opening track on The Beatles' September 1969 album Abbey Road....
" (Lennon/McCartney) – 4:25 - "Hound DogHound Dog (song)"Hound Dog" is a twelve-bar blues written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952. Other early versions illustrate the differences among blues, country, and rock and roll in the mid-1950s. The 1956 remake by Elvis Presley is the best-known...
" (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) – 3:02 - "Mind GamesMind GamesMind Games is John Lennon's fourth post-Beatles album, and was recorded and released in 1973. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games was poorly received by music critics...
" – 4:12 - "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)"Aisumasen " is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is included on the 1990 boxset Lennon.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:...
" – 4:44 - "One Day (At a Time)" – 3:07
- "Intuition" – 3:09
- "Out the BlueOut the Blue"Out the Blue" is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is included on the 1990 boxset Lennon, the 2005 two disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon and the 2010 album, Gimme Some Truth...
" – 3:21
Disc three
- "Whatever Gets You thru the NightWhatever Gets You thru the Night"Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1974 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1874 in the United States and Apple R5998 in the United Kingdom. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on the British singles chart...
" – 3:25 - "Going Down on LoveGoing Down on Love"Going Down on Love" is a song by John Lennon, released as the first track on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:*John Lennon - vocals, acoustic guitar*Nicky Hopkins - piano...
" – 3:54 - "Old Dirt RoadOld Dirt Road"Old Dirt Road" is a song written by John Lennon and Harry Nilsson, released on Lennon's 1974 album Walls and Bridges.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:*John Lennon - vocals, acoustic guitar...
" (Lennon/Harry NilssonHarry NilssonHarry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
) – 4:09 - "Bless You" – 4:37
- "Scared" – 4:39
- "#9 Dream" – 4:48
- "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)" – 2:55
- "Steel and GlassSteel and Glass"Steel and Glass" is a song by John Lennon, released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges.-Recording:Lennon recorded an acoustic demo of "Steel and Glass" in the summer of 1973, before studio work began on Mind Games. At this point he had only the melody and a few sentences of lyrics, it would be...
" – 4:37 - "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"Nobody Loves You " is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. The song is included on the 1986 compilation Menlove Ave., the 1990 boxset Lennon, the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology...
" – 5:10 - "Stand by Me" (Ben E. KingBen E. KingBenjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
/Leiber/Stoller) – 3:28 - "Ain't That a ShameAin't That a Shame"Ain't That a Shame" is a song recorded by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew, in New Orleans, Louisiana, for Imperial Records and released in 1955. It was previously recorded in 1901 by Silas Leachman. The recording was a hit for Domino, eventually selling a million copies. It reached #1 on the...
" (Fats DominoFats DominoAntoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
/Bartholemew) – 2:30 - "Do You Wanna Dance" (Bobby FreemanBobby FreemanBobby Freeman is an African-American soul singer, songwriter, and record producer who recorded for the Autumn Records label in San Francisco, California. He is best known for his 1958 hit "Do You Want To Dance?" and his 1964 Top Ten hit "C'mon and Swim"...
) – 2:52 - "Sweet Little Sixteen" (Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
) – 3:00 - "Slippin' and Slidin'" (PennimanLittle RichardRichard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
/Bocage/Collins/Smith) – 2:16 - "Angel BabyAngel Baby (song)"Angel Baby" was a 1960 single by Rosie & The Originals. The song was recorded independently on a two-track machine when lead singer Rosie Hamlin was only 15 years old. Initially unable to find a label willing to distribute the song because of its unpolished sound, the group convinced a San Diego...
" (Hamlin) – 3:39 - "Just Because" (Lloyd PriceLloyd PriceLloyd Price is an American R&B vocalist. Known as "Mr. Personality", after the name of one of his biggest million-selling hits...
) – 4:25 - "Whatever Gets You Thru the NightWhatever Gets You thru the Night"Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1974 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1874 in the United States and Apple R5998 in the United Kingdom. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on the British singles chart...
(Live)" – 4:19 - "Lucy in the Sky with DiamondsLucy in the Sky with Diamonds"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is a song written primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, for The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...
" (Lennon/McCartney) – 5:58 - "I Saw Her Standing ThereI Saw Her Standing There"I Saw Her Standing There" is a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and is the opening track on The Beatles' debut album, Please Please Me, released in the United Kingdom by Parlophone on 22 March 1963....
" (Lennon/McCartney) – 3:28- Tracks 17-19 recorded live at Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
show on 28 November 1974
- Tracks 17-19 recorded live at Elton John
Disc four
- "(Just Like) Starting Over(Just Like) Starting Over" Starting Over" is a song written and performed by John Lennon for his album, Double Fantasy. The B-side was Yoko Ono's "Kiss Kiss Kiss". It was released as a single on 24 October 1980 and reached number one in both the USA and UK two weeks after he was murdered. It is his biggest solo American...
" – 3:56 - "Cleanup TimeCleanup Time"Cleanup Time" is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1980 album Double Fantasy. It was written in Bermuda in June 1980.-Personnel:The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:*John Lennon - vocals, acoustic guitar...
" – 2:57 - "I'm Losing YouI'm Losing YouI'm Losing You is a 1996 novel by the American novelist, screenwriter and director Bruce Wagner. Wagner adapted his novel for, and directed, a 1998 film of the same title, starring Frank Langella and Daniel von Bargen. The film adaption grossed $12,688 in limited release....
" – 3:56 - "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)"Beautiful Boy " is a song written and performed by John Lennon. It was released on the 1980 album Double Fantasy, the last album by Lennon and Ono released before his death....
" – 4:01 - "Watching the WheelsWatching the Wheels"Watching the Wheels" is a single by John Lennon released posthumously in 1981 after his murder. It was the third and final single released from Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album, and reached #10 in the U.S and #30 in the UK....
" – 3:31 - "Woman" – 3:32
- "Dear Yoko" – 2:33
- "I'm Stepping OutI'm Stepping Out"I'm Stepping Out" is the final single from the final John Lennon and Yoko Ono album Milk and Honey. In it, Lennon celebrates his enthusiasm for the night life of New York City, and makes tongue in cheek reference to his "househusband" period. It reached #88 in the UK Singles chart and #55 in the...
" – 4:06 - "I Don't Wanna Face It" – 3:21
- "Nobody Told MeNobody Told Me"Nobody Told Me" is a song by the British musician John Lennon. Recorded shortly before his death in 1980, the song was later completed by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in 1983 and released as the first single from Lennon and Ono's album Milk and Honey in 1984. The song was later released in the UK in...
" – 3:33 - "Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time (John Lennon song)"Borrowed Time" is the title of a song from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's last album, Milk and Honey. While the single failed to chart in the United States, it charted at #32 in the UK Singles Chart....
" – 4:28 - "(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess" – 2:27
- "Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves HimEvery Man has a Woman who Loves Him"Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him" is a Yoko Ono song from her Double Fantasy album with John Lennon. The version released as a single, and on the compilation album Every Man Has a Woman, is credited to Lennon, and has stripped away Ono's lead vocal, while bringing Lennon's backing vocal up in...
" (Ono) – 3:31- Originally released on Double FantasyDouble FantasyDouble Fantasy is an album released by John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, in 1980. Though initially poorly received, the album is notable for its association with Lennon's murder three weeks after its release, whereupon it become a worldwide commercial success, and went on to win the 1981 Album...
with Ono on lead, this version features Lennon and was first released in 1984
- Originally released on Double Fantasy
- "Grow Old with MeGrow Old with Me"Grow Old With Me" is one of the final songs written by John Lennon. It was recorded by Lennon as a demo at his home in the Dakota Building in 1980, and later appeared on the posthumous album, Milk and Honey in 1984. It was also considered as a possible reunion single by his former bandmates during...
" – 3:07