#223 John Lennon, 'Imagine' (1971)
Previously #80
The opening chords on this record have got to be amongst the most famous ever played on record. Even the most casual music listener, no matter their age (almost) will be able to identify the song after about 1-2 seconds in. After having written and recorded some of the most recognisable music of the ‘60s (and what would become of all time), Lennon wrote an anthem for the Human Race. ‘Jealous Guy,’ an old Beatles-era song known as ‘Child Of Nature,’ showed up on this, his second record. What would become Lennon’s most covered song, with at least 92 versions, the song became more of a confessional to Yoko (they would eventually split for 18 months in 1973).
This album is a true 5-star album for me, so I could mention every song. I won’t though, but I do want to talk about these two in particular; ‘Gimme Some Truth’ is one of my all-time if not THE all-time favourite solo Lennon songs of mine. The lyrics are acerbic Lennon at his best, or worst, whichever way you look at it. Lyrics in stark contrast to his output with The Beatles and to that of his ex-pal, Paul McCartney, whose music Lennon described as “Granny Music,” which leads me to the next song, ‘How Do You Sleep?’ A direct response to McCartney’s song released earlier that same year, ‘Too Many People,’ from ‘Ram’ (#350). Amongst a litany of pointed lyrics come the famous lines "The only thing you done was yesterday / And since you've gone you're just another day," references to the songs ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Another Day,’ as well as "Those freaks was right when they said you was dead," referencing the “Paul Is Dead” rumours. Another blatant reference is the opening line, "So Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise." Although Ringo Starr wasn’t a part of the recording, he was visiting the studio at the time and eventually called Lennon out saying “That's enough, John.” The album was received lush production from recently deceased, convicted murdered, Phil Spector, and featured George Harrison on guitar, and Beatles old Hamburg cohort and frequent solo member-collaborator, Klaus Voorman. Also on the album is Yes’s Alan White on drums and Nicky Hopkins, a frequent collaborator on The Rolling Stones’ records throughout their career.
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