Imagine: My Top 10 John Lennon Songs

With John Lennon's birthday just around the corner (he would have been 70 this October 9th), I thought it was fitting to take a trip down memory lane and write about my favorite John Lennon songs. John Lennon had a profound effect on people, both as a member of the Beatles and as a solo artist. Years after his passing, I still think back to when I heard the news of his passing - When he was killed, it felt as if I'd lost a very dear friend.

Even though I missed most of the Fab Four's British Invasion, I was a huge fan of the Beatles as I was growing up. My father wasn't keen on my listening to modern rock music (he liked Johnny Cash and big band music) and my mother always enjoyed artists like Bing Crosby and Elvis, but they somehow tolerated my Beatles addiction. And yes, I was addicted. I could list them off, but suffice it to say that I had an extensive collection of vinyl records (dated myself there, didn't I?) and 8-track tapes (doh) until the melting accident (don't ask).

In addition to being a fan of the Beatles, I also enjoyed John Lennon's solo material. In fact, I wore out several copies of "Double Fantasy" through the years, in particular. Well, okay... I admit it - I wore out SOME of the songs on the album (I tended to skip over anything that had Yoko Ono caterwauling on it). Despite my parents grumbling that he was a druggie and a hippy, I always felt that the world was a better place because of John Winston Ono Lennon.

It's a thought that I maintain to this day.

My Top Ten List of John Lennon Songs (in no particular order)

"Imagine" : A song that can still bring tears to my eyes, "Imagine" is often considered to be John Lennon's signature song. First released in 1971, it is one of 3 of his solo songs that made the list of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll (along with "Instant Karma!" and "Give Peace a Chance"). This song's lyrics always seem to touch me in the most profound way - "You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope, someday, you'll join us - and the world will be as one." What a wonderful dream that was.

"Happy Xmas (War is Over)" : This has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. Not only is it a beautiful song, it also has a beautiful and deep message. Performed with the Harlem Community Choir, it's a great song for young and old alike.

"Twist and Shout" : A classic Beatles hit, "Twist and Shout" shone with John Lennon's unique voice belting out the lyrics. It's one of those great songs that you just can't help but want to sing along with (or scream, as the case may be). I couldn't have a top ten list of John Lennon's songs without including this classic hit.

"Watching the Wheels" : Supposedly written in regards to John Lennon's hiatus from music (from 1974 until "Double Fantasy" was released in 1980), this song has always held a special place in my heart because of my way of looking at life. I think people get a lot of different meanings out of this song, both positive and negative; some people feel it's a song about avoiding responsibility, where others see it as a reminder that you have to take time out for some of the simpler things in life - that if you get caught up in the craziness and drama, your life can spin out of control and ceases to be your own.

"I Am the Walrus" : Performed while John was a member of the Beatles, released in 1967, this is perhaps one of the most surreal pieces in music history. Said to be a combination of three different songs that Lennon was working on at the time, it became one of the Beatles' strangest, yet most popular, hits.

"Give Peace a Chance" : Released in 1969, this call for peace still urges me to grab a bunch of friends and run to the nearest park. It's a song that makes me want to go sit in the sunshine, throw my hands up in the air, clap and sing along. Hare Hare Krishna!

"(Just Like) Starting Over" : This song is both funny and beautiful, in its own special way. I can't help but listen to it and imagine it being performed like the Temptations or some do-wop group up there, in front of the mics. Nevertheless, it is a very sweet love song about being with someone special. If you've ever been with someone who makes you feel like you're falling in love for the first time, over and over again, you'll understand completely.

"A Day in the Life" : One of my all-time favorite Beatles songs, "A Day in the Life" was a song that was both eerie and beautiful, showcasing Lennon's voice to perfection. A mixture of fact and fiction, this song was comprised of news headlines, childhood memories and fictitious thoughts on a tragic event surrounding the death of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's friend, Tara Browne.

"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" : Performed by the Beatles, this song was written and sung by John Lennon and released in 1965. I always enjoyed this song with its paranoia and need to hide one's emotions from the world. Lennon's voice is perfect for this song, possessing an almost needy and injured sound that adds to the feeling of abandonment and resulting feelings.

"Strawberry Fields Forever" : Another great Beatles hit, "Strawberry Fields Forever" was a song composed entirely by John Lennon. The title of the track was in reference to Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army Children's Home near Lennon's childhood home. Lennon claimed that the song was a mixture of "psycho-analysis set to music" and childhood nostalgia. While Lennon claimed to believe that the song was poorly recorded, the end result was a hauntingly beautiful song that will live on in the hearts of many - as will the memory of this talented artist and musician.

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." - John Lennon

Sources:

http://www.johnlennon.com/ - John Lennon biography

http://www.imdb.com - Information on John Lennon