John's Solo Work

John Lennon's solo work, much like his work with the Beatles, was very eclectic and revolved around what period John was in. Although his music was not as commercial as Paul's, John's solo work, in my opinion is the better of the two. John began making solo records with his wife, Yoko Ono, and their music, if it is to be called that, is actually unfinished music, and is made of random sounds much like "Revolution 9" on the White Album. His music as a solo artist started out very well, as Plastic Ono Band and Imagine were both hit records, but then John's songwriting started to falter, and albums like Sometime in New York City and Mind Games were some of John's worst music to date. But John began writing great songs again for his Walls and Bridges album, his cover songs for Rock and Roll Music was great and a collection of some of his greatest singles, Shaved Fish, was a great seller. John took a break from music, then returned with one of his finest albums to date, Double Fantasy, he was killed and there have been numerous albums released posthumously.

I am going to begin with Plastic Ono Band instead of the Unfinished Music with Yoko because I believe that is where the music starts. Just before Plastic Ono Band John and Yoko had gone through a lot. Most important is the bitter breakup of the Beatles, also John and Yoko were married, had bed ins, and participated in "Primal Scream" a type of therapy by Arthur Janov. Both John and Yoko had tragic childhoods and with this therapy they learned to let out there feelings about their parents and John also wrote his feelings. Stark songs like the opener "Mother", the closer, "My Mummy's Dead" and "Working Class Hero" all display John's feelings at the time. Although there are some positive songs like the classic, "Love", mostly the album is dark and ominous, like how Lennon was feeling. The best song, I believe, on the album is "God", in which John whole heartedly lists all his doesn't believe in including "Beatles". That is a harsh reminder of the breakup. Overall the album is great, but very depressing.

Imagine, John's second album is portayed as being softer but the harsh songs on it outweigh those on Plastic Ono Band. The album opens with the classic, "Imagine", John's most well known song, and contains other song, melodic songs like, "Jealous Guy" , "Oh My Love" and "How?". All of these songs are some of Lennon's finest. John's harsher songs are "Crippled Inside" and "Gimme Some Truth" and the most harsh is "How Do You Sleep?". The latter is a message to Paul, and it is said that it is a retaliation to something Paul did, but it shows how the relations between the Beatles are, and how mean John can be. John not only attacks Paul's solo music, but criticizes his Beatles work, his life, and basically says Paul was a fluke for writing "Yesterday". George Harrison plays guitar on this album, which indicates whose side he is on, just like how Ringo played drums on Plastic Ono Band.

Both of the previous albums were recorded in England, with Imagine being recorded at Ascot, John and Yoko's house. The next album was made in New York City, their new home. Sometime in NYC is a double album that also has Yoko's work on it. It is very politically motivated. In fact it is probably to politically involved which is why it was not a hit. The cover of the album provides the best indication of the material as it is designed like a newspaper, much like the songs. Radical songs like "Woman is the niggar of the world", "John Sinclair", "Attica State" and "Angela" are all on the album. The last three, along with "Luck of the Irish" are songs that are in support of a cause. The motivation behind them is geniune and good, but the music is much to radical and not nearly as good as the other albums. The next album, Mind Games, is the low point in Lennon's career. The album comes when John and Yoko are going through a rough time and they separate. Besides this, John is threatened with deportation and he just cannot get his musical juices working. Perhaps the only Lennon caliber song on here is "Mind Games" the title track. That song is one of John's most memorable and is beautiful, but it is just about the only good song on the album. Other songs on there include the silent song, "Nutopian National Anthem", "Bring On the Lucie(Freeda Peeple)", and "You Are Here".

The next album, Walls and Bridges, is full of some of John's finest work and includes his first number one which was a collaboration with Elton John. "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" is John's first number one and also is the reason John was onstage with Elton in Madison Square Garden. John and Elton had a bet that if that song went to number one John would perform with Elton, it did, and John made good on his bet. Other good songs on the album are "#9 Dream", "Surprise, Surprise" and "Steel and Glass". The last song is the best, and it is much like "How Do You Sleep?" but with a new victim, Allen Klein, or John himself. The album also has John's mistress, May Pang, on it and it also has Julian drumming on "Ya Ya" with John. The album artwork has some of John's cute drawings when he was a kid. "Rock and Roll Music" is John's last album before his retirement. It is made because of legal problems involving a Chuck Berry song, and "Come Together". The album has John doing some very good covers of some 50s songs, most of which are good. "Stand By Me" and "Slippin and Slidin" are probably the best.

After Walls and Bridges John reunited with Yoko and they had a son, Sean. Because of this John tok a five year retirement from music. He returned in 1980 with Double Fantasy, which also contained his second number one, "(Just Like) Starting Over". This album is also a John and Yoko collaboration and her work has also improved. All of the songs on the album are some of John's finest except maybe "Cleanup Time". His best work is "Woman", "Beautiful Boy", "Watching the Wheels", and "I'm Losing You". The first two are John's tribute to the family he always craved. Tragically John was killed while he worked on his next album, Milk and Honey. This album also has great work by Lennoon and one can only imagine how good they could of been had he finished them. Like Double Fantasy, the album has songs about Yoko, Sean and family. These songs are mainly upbeat and happy and show that John was once again having fun making music. The album opens with "I'm Steppin Out", which is a story of how the househusband who wants a night out on the town. Next is "I Don't Wanna Face It", followed by "Nobody Told Me", which John actually finished. "Borrowed Time" is another one of John's good songs and finally "Grow Old With Me" ends John's work on the album. The last song was unfinished and was a home recording since the other ones were stolen. The song was supposed to be on Double Fantasy with Yoko's "Let Me Count The Ways". Both songs were also inspired by the Brownings, Robert and Elizabeth Barrett who are 18th century English poets. Up until 1998 there have been many releases of new Lennon albums that are mainly like "Greatest Hits", which are good but don't offer new material. In 1998 Yoko released a John Lennon Anthology which is 4 discs of outtakes and live performances of songs. It is a great piece of work and shows all sides of John. The songs are divided up into periods of 4, "Ascot", "NYC", "Lost Weekend", and "Dakota" and one can definitely see an evolution and change in John's songs. John's solo music is well worth listening to. It always has a message for the world. There are numerous singles that are not listed, which probably are the greatest. SIngles like, "Instant Karma", "Happy Xmas", and "Give Peace a Chance" are not on any album, but well worth mentioning. John's solo music, I believe is the best of all the Beatles solo efforts, and a very important piece of music history.