While he is famous as half of the best songwriting duo known to man, John Lennonhis talent as an independent performer is just as impressive – even before his dissolution The Beatles. Throughout his life, he wrote profusely. Not just songs, but poetry and prose and political essays. He was in a constant creative state.
Lennon’s work was at its peak when he was writing his autobiography, as can be seen in his songwriting in the second half of the 60’s. During this time, he dug deeper than ever before, his style and skill evolving into something that transcended popular music of the era. He took a big place in the anti-war and cultural movementswhich greatly influenced his art. Here are the five best Beatles songs Lennon ever performed.
5
“Revolt” (1968)
The Beatles made three versions of “Rebellion“: the fast-paced hard rock single version was first released in August 1968. The slower, bluesy version is titled “Revolution 1” and an artistic, artistic version called “Revolution 9” appears on The Beatles’ self-titled album, commonly known as “The White Book.” The single version is the best known and most suitable for commercial reception and radio play.
Lennon was inspired by the frequent political protests in 1968 while writing this song. He supported social change and the Left movement, but rejected violent protest. He believed that influence could be changed through peaceful means. His words reflect this: “When you talk about destruction / don’t you know you can count me out.” The New Left, a political movement born from the culture, took offense to the song. They felt that the song was frivolous and rude, and the Beatles (Lennon in particular) were not as radical as they once thought. Lennon later regretted his approach to “Revolution,” changing the lyrics from “You say you want a revolution/ Well, you know/We all want to change the world” to “You say you want a revolution / We better get going right away” when you sing the song live.
4
“Come Together” (1969)
“Come together” has the opening track on it Abbey Roadone of their most popular albums. It reached number one on the Tableau Hot 100 after the album’s release in 1969. The song was inspired by an unsentimental protest about the Vietnam War led by Lennon and his second wife, Yoko Ono. Many of the big players in the counterculture movement joined and supported these protests, including many new wave politicians. One of these politicians had a campaign slogan: “Join – Join the Party!” The phrase stuck with Lennon, and from him, he drew the title of this song.
The lyrics capture the listener’s attention, unconsciously and outwardly throughout the verses: “He don’t wear no shoes, he got a toe football / He got a monkey finger, he shot a Coca-Cola / He says, ‘I know you, you know me’ / One thing I can tell you is, you gotta be free.” These lines are thought to refer to drugs, as well as emphasizing the turmoil and political unrest that defined this period. Some of the lyrics come directly from the R&B legend and rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry – Lennon interpreted much of his 1965 single, “You can’t catch me.”
3
“All You Need Is Love” (1967)
“all you need is love” was released as a non-album single in 1967. The song was the United Kingdom’s contribution to Our World – a historic television program, the first live, multinational, multi-satellite broadcast. Artists from all over the world contributed to the programme, which was available in 24 countries, but the Beatles’ performance was the most anticipated.
The lyrics are deliberately simplistic, idealistic, and point-driven: “You can’t do anything, but you can learn how to be on time / It’s easy / All you need is love / All you need is love / All you need is love, love / Love is all you need” Lennon knew it would be received by an international audience, and acted accordingly. Our World or he reworked something he had already created, but either way the message is clear: love conquers all. The song became synonymous with flower power and the push for peace on earth.
2
“In My Life” (1965)
Lennon thought of “In My Life” as his first “real” work – despite being written and recorded midway through the Beatles’ career. The song (and Rubber soulthe album on which it appears) marking a departure from the simpler love songs that the band had been making. It was written autobiographically, based on nostalgia for his childhood in Liverpool. He wrote the lyrics in poem form, first mentioning specific places from his childhood before deciding on a more general form.
This song is a reflection on home and the past, full of themes about it peace, acceptance, and memory. It’s beautiful and comfortable and one of Lennon’s most complete pieces of work. The lyrics are very self-reflective, full of gratitude and emotion: “You I know I will never lose respect / For people and things that have gone before / I know I will often stop and think about them / In my life I love you more.”
A fun fact about the instruments: the piano solo during the bridge was taped at half speed, producing a two-time recording that sounds more like harp than a traditional piano piece.
1
“Norwegian Forest (This Bird Has Flew)” (1965)
“Norwegian forestLennon wrote this song as a thin account of his business in London. George Harrisonand a bright, twangy sitar adds a folky texture to the track. Despite its unpleasant subject matter, the song itself is cozy and folky, evoking a cosy, wine-filled evening by a roaring fire.
The narrative of “Norwegian Wood” departs from the familiar description of a rock star’s sexual escapades. Instead of Lennon pursuing this woman, apparently she was deceived – she dragged him into her apartment, and in the end she made him sleep in the bath: “She told me she was working / In the morning and she started laughing / I told her I didn’t / And I went to sleep in the bath. This twist on a common trope makes the song more interesting. The images are vivid and strangely beautiful – the listener can picture the illegal business unfolding before their very eyes.