"You Are Here: The 10 Best John Lennon Solo Songs"
Excerpt:
#6 “Jealous Guy”
Though the melody dated back to his days as a Beatle (composed during the infamous trip to India, specifically), the lyrics came together during the Imagine sessions, resulting in the greatest non-singles in Lennon’s catalog. One of the most unique love songs ever written, the unusually paranoid perspective (he sings of “shivering inside” and losing “control” throughout) offers an emotional core far more striking than the standard “Moon/June/Spoon” conceits. While it’s hard to imagine anyone being this concerned over their proposed soulmate, Lennon was clearly uneasy. Given his history—and what was to come—he had a right to be.
"Jealous Guy" would be my choice for Lennon's best solo outing.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday reading
"Revolutionary Man: John Lennon As Political Artist"
Excerpt:
Lennon’s capacity and desire to move across cultures is evident in his art and politics. “Imagine” has been defanged and sanitized through kitsch oversaturation and appropriation by those committed to the constraints of borders. Espousing a radical humanism and internationalism in its conception of a world without borders, it is, however, more revolutionary than ever. How many people, particularly those in the wealthy nations of the North, would be willing to surrender their nationality, to effectively do away with their country? Imagine no land to defend, no national sports team to support. Inspired by the ethos of “Imagine”, Lennon called a press conference in 1973 to announce the establishment of Nutopia, “a conceptual country” that “has no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people.’ Nutopia’s national anthem- a brief line of silence- appears on the album Mind Games (1973). The event was intended to be both playful and provocative. The following words by James Joyce suggest Lennon’s spirit: “When the soul of a man is born in this country, there are nets flung at it to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language and religion. I shall try to fly by those nets.” (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916).
John Lennon helped to transform the art and image of the pop star. His very public political activism and socially and politically aware lyrics have earned him a prominent place in the creative and political history of rock. Lennon was at once noble and narcissistic. He had both an artist’s arrogance and empathy. But what cannot be doubted is his creative intelligence, intellectual curiosity, capacity for growth and willingness to take risks.
Excerpt:
Lennon’s capacity and desire to move across cultures is evident in his art and politics. “Imagine” has been defanged and sanitized through kitsch oversaturation and appropriation by those committed to the constraints of borders. Espousing a radical humanism and internationalism in its conception of a world without borders, it is, however, more revolutionary than ever. How many people, particularly those in the wealthy nations of the North, would be willing to surrender their nationality, to effectively do away with their country? Imagine no land to defend, no national sports team to support. Inspired by the ethos of “Imagine”, Lennon called a press conference in 1973 to announce the establishment of Nutopia, “a conceptual country” that “has no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people.’ Nutopia’s national anthem- a brief line of silence- appears on the album Mind Games (1973). The event was intended to be both playful and provocative. The following words by James Joyce suggest Lennon’s spirit: “When the soul of a man is born in this country, there are nets flung at it to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language and religion. I shall try to fly by those nets.” (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916).
John Lennon helped to transform the art and image of the pop star. His very public political activism and socially and politically aware lyrics have earned him a prominent place in the creative and political history of rock. Lennon was at once noble and narcissistic. He had both an artist’s arrogance and empathy. But what cannot be doubted is his creative intelligence, intellectual curiosity, capacity for growth and willingness to take risks.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The true "Fifth Beatle"
A new BBC documentary, Produced by George Martin, has the legendary producer back in the news.
- Jon Savage of the Guardian examines Martin's role in the beat-rock revolution of 1963.
Excerpt:
But the Beatles were unprecedented, and, as 1963 went on, the mania built. You can hear it in the records as they escalate in confidence and intensity: From Me to You is still teen pop, but She Loves You is incandescent. Sophisticated yet ecstatic, tricksy yet, on occasion, pulverising, With the Beatles defined the pop album.
This excitement spread into the pop charts in general that year, with, among others, the Searchers (Sweets for My Sweet), the Hollies (Stay), and the Rolling Stones (I Wanna Be Your Man, a Beatles cover). It was the year of Phil Spector's peak, with UK top 10s by the Crystals (Then He Kissed Me, Da Doo Ron Ron) and the Ronettes (Be My Baby).
The question remains: why did this happen in 1963? Some of it is to do with a natural pop cycle. Although Cliff Richard was almost exactly the same age as John Lennon, he had been having hits since 1958 and was thoroughly integrated into showbiz. A younger generation – coinciding with the demographic surge of the postwar baby boom – wanted something of their own.
- The Irish Independent's interview with Martin.
Excerpt:
But his ability to remain grounded doesn't lead him to underestimate their achievement altogether. He may regard it as just work, but he knows The Beatles' work was very good.
"I think we recorded well over 200 titles and of those probably 60% were great songs. I mean not just a pass-by thing, but really great. And I would have given my teeth to have written even one of them."
I am unable to resist asking the most clichéd of all Beatles questions. "Do you have a favourite song?" He grimaces slightly: "Not really, no. People ask me this all the time."
But when I promise to tell him mine if he tells me his, the characteristic Martin humour and courtesy triumphs and he relents. I say 'Here, There and Everywhere' and he replies: "Well now, if I ever give an answer, I take it into Paul and John's territory. If it's Paul, I say 'Here, There and Everywhere' and if it's John, 'Strawberry Fields Forever'."
- Jon Savage of the Guardian examines Martin's role in the beat-rock revolution of 1963.
Excerpt:
But the Beatles were unprecedented, and, as 1963 went on, the mania built. You can hear it in the records as they escalate in confidence and intensity: From Me to You is still teen pop, but She Loves You is incandescent. Sophisticated yet ecstatic, tricksy yet, on occasion, pulverising, With the Beatles defined the pop album.
This excitement spread into the pop charts in general that year, with, among others, the Searchers (Sweets for My Sweet), the Hollies (Stay), and the Rolling Stones (I Wanna Be Your Man, a Beatles cover). It was the year of Phil Spector's peak, with UK top 10s by the Crystals (Then He Kissed Me, Da Doo Ron Ron) and the Ronettes (Be My Baby).
The question remains: why did this happen in 1963? Some of it is to do with a natural pop cycle. Although Cliff Richard was almost exactly the same age as John Lennon, he had been having hits since 1958 and was thoroughly integrated into showbiz. A younger generation – coinciding with the demographic surge of the postwar baby boom – wanted something of their own.
- The Irish Independent's interview with Martin.
Excerpt:
But his ability to remain grounded doesn't lead him to underestimate their achievement altogether. He may regard it as just work, but he knows The Beatles' work was very good.
"I think we recorded well over 200 titles and of those probably 60% were great songs. I mean not just a pass-by thing, but really great. And I would have given my teeth to have written even one of them."
I am unable to resist asking the most clichéd of all Beatles questions. "Do you have a favourite song?" He grimaces slightly: "Not really, no. People ask me this all the time."
But when I promise to tell him mine if he tells me his, the characteristic Martin humour and courtesy triumphs and he relents. I say 'Here, There and Everywhere' and he replies: "Well now, if I ever give an answer, I take it into Paul and John's territory. If it's Paul, I say 'Here, There and Everywhere' and if it's John, 'Strawberry Fields Forever'."
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Another round of reissues
Two of Paul's solo albums, McCartney and McCartney II, will be getting the reissue treatment, with a release date of June 14. All of the usual details apply ("extensive liner notes, bonus tracks, film footage...").
Excerpt:
McCartney oversaw all aspects of these reissues, and it shows in the many extras that will be featured. Each album will be released in both pared-down two-disc versions and multidisc/DVD packages, the latter of which will include extensive liner notes, bonus tracks, film footage and a hardbound book featuring photos by both McCartney and his late wife Linda McCartney, whose stunning images documented the couple's seemingly idyllic life.
Excerpt:
McCartney oversaw all aspects of these reissues, and it shows in the many extras that will be featured. Each album will be released in both pared-down two-disc versions and multidisc/DVD packages, the latter of which will include extensive liner notes, bonus tracks, film footage and a hardbound book featuring photos by both McCartney and his late wife Linda McCartney, whose stunning images documented the couple's seemingly idyllic life.
Assorted Ringo news
- Ringo's next album may have an autobiographical bent to it.
- Details on Mr. Starr's upcoming Euro tour.
- Ringo's good deed.
- Ringo co-wrote two of the tracks on Ben Harper's yet-to-be-released new album, Give Till It’s Gone.
- Finally, Mr. Starkey also contributed a song (an old one) to the soundtrack for Ceremony, a "dramedy" starring Uma Thurman.
- Details on Mr. Starr's upcoming Euro tour.
- Ringo's good deed.
- Ringo co-wrote two of the tracks on Ben Harper's yet-to-be-released new album, Give Till It’s Gone.
- Finally, Mr. Starkey also contributed a song (an old one) to the soundtrack for Ceremony, a "dramedy" starring Uma Thurman.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
More on "Imagine"
I often find satisfaction in the desecration of sacred cows. When it comes to pop culture, "Imagine" is indubitably one of the most sacred. With that in mind...
From The Daily Dish's Andrew Sullivan:
Personally, I have extremely mixed feelings about this song. Most times it makes me want to vomit because of its self-serving sanctimony and silliness. I mean: Lennon did not have to imagine, he could have sold every thing he owned to the poor as Jesus recommended to the rich young man. But life in the Dakota was somehow preferable. But I must confess that occasionally - if heard purely as a utopian fantasy - it can work. Musically, it's sublime. And then you hear David Archuleta's version and you're back to cleaning the puke off your laptop.
From one of Sullivan's readers:
Regarding the “I wonder if you can" line in the song, when Neil Young performed it at the concert to honor the victims of 9/11, he changed the line to “I wonder if I can?” Not so sanctimonious that way, but rather a humble challenge to himself. That one word changes the whole song.
From The Daily Dish's Andrew Sullivan:
Personally, I have extremely mixed feelings about this song. Most times it makes me want to vomit because of its self-serving sanctimony and silliness. I mean: Lennon did not have to imagine, he could have sold every thing he owned to the poor as Jesus recommended to the rich young man. But life in the Dakota was somehow preferable. But I must confess that occasionally - if heard purely as a utopian fantasy - it can work. Musically, it's sublime. And then you hear David Archuleta's version and you're back to cleaning the puke off your laptop.
From one of Sullivan's readers:
Regarding the “I wonder if you can" line in the song, when Neil Young performed it at the concert to honor the victims of 9/11, he changed the line to “I wonder if I can?” Not so sanctimonious that way, but rather a humble challenge to himself. That one word changes the whole song.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Assorted George news
- Martin Scorsese's Living in the Material World project, which consists of a documentary and an illustrated book about George, will see the light of day this fall.
- Read about the short note that George wrote to Pattie Boyd several years after she ditched him for Eric Clapton.
- Finally, rock 'n' roll and Hinduism.
- Read about the short note that George wrote to Pattie Boyd several years after she ditched him for Eric Clapton.
- Finally, rock 'n' roll and Hinduism.
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