Recommendations of the Editorial team
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot in New York. For Rolling Stone, the widow of the Beatle, Yoko Ono, looked back on his career. And selected ten songs that had played an important role in Lennons.
Yoko Ono loves the Beatles. When creating this list, however, the songs were deliberately limited to the songs that Lennon took after the band was separated. “He felt really free afterwards. He let his feelings run wild. It was the truth that spoke from his mouth.”
The ten songs:
1. “Oh My Love” 1971
Most love songs are about making people hot. Instead, he said: “I see it clear for the first time.” It was not about sexual advances, it was not about “I Miss You” – he was concerned with real love.
2. “Gimme Some Truth” 1971
“Gimme Some Truth” is more topical than ever today. Somehow he was ahead of his time. And his music also had this quality, which was not known in songs at that time.
3. “Give Peace A Chance” 1969
Of course you can’t avoid this song. He is the evidence of how John was able to write without losing sight of the big picture. And it worked: he stimulated people to think, he triggered real changes in this world.
4. “God” 1970
A strong and brave song. When I first heard the line “I don’t Believe in Beatles”, I had to swallow a little. And so other people did, albeit for other reasons (giggles). The song is even more revolutionary than “revolution”. He wiped away all cobwebs and said: “I stand here.”
5. “Grow Old with me” 1984
He said to me, but also to an entire generation: “Let’s Grow Old Together.” After his death, I only had a cassette with this recording that I kept in my handbag. I even had an alarm bell on the door to my bedroom to wake up when someone was coming in. Under all circumstances, I wanted to avoid that the recording would be stolen.
6. “Imagine” 1971
The chord sequence and meaning of the song were very simple and directly. That was important. He had a special talent for this type of hymn.
7. “Scared” 1974
I had the impression that this piece would have been suitable for processing as classical music. In any case, it transcends musical limits.
8. “Jealous Guy” 1971
It was difficult for him to write this song – he spoke completely openly about his jealousy. I believe that not many songwriters would be able to do so. You would probably sneak around the hot porridge on tips.
9. “I don’t Wanna Be a Soldier” 1971
“I Don’t Wanna be a Soldier, Mama, I Don’t Want To Die” – that actually says it all. A wonderful anti-establishment song that acts not only from a soldier, but also from a priest. Georges Slide guitar is wonderful.
10. “Mother” 1970
A very intense song. Women have played an important role in the history of humanity: Ultimately, it was born between our thighs. John had the courage to say: “Mother, I need you.” He was very aware of the role of women in society.