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Beatles forums => Songs => Topic started by: Kevin on March 29, 2010, 12:20:45 PM

Title: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 29, 2010, 12:20:45 PM
And slowly the lights go out.....the last time The Beatles sit down to record a song specifically destined for single release.
I remember Yodll saying ages ago that this should have been a Plastic Ono Band single, and for a long time I agreed with him. But I actually really like this now. Paul makes a mighty fine rhythm section and I love the clean, jaunty sound. John's lyrics are great, especially the Christ!/crucify joke. It's nice to see them working together in this way, and a nice reflection on Paul that he was happy with this cobbled together bit of Lennon conceipt to be a single. Both of their popular images as control-freak or humourless paranoid take a battering here.
I'm not sure how telling it is that until you're told most people don't even notice George and Ringo are AWOL.

I also really like Old Brown Shoe, but like most of George's song it doesn't have that climatic moment to lift it out of the second division. Or hje seems to have trouble writing refrains. But I just had a thought that many of John and Paul's
greatest moments come whebn they combine bits of songs and offer advise, whereas George was on his todd.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on March 29, 2010, 12:39:07 PM
Terrible. One of the few songs that makes me feel ashamed to be a Beatlesfan.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on March 29, 2010, 05:09:18 PM
Catchy song but I totally hate the lyrics. Typical self-indulgent Lennon lyrics, especially that Christ/crucify thing. he knew that would p*ss people off.

But aside from the lyrics, it really is a great song.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on March 29, 2010, 07:03:29 PM
This song sucks. One of the worst songs the Beatles ever released. John rambles on, the song goes nowhere, the twangy guitar is awful, and the whole thing sounds like it was put together in 3 minutes. Just terrible. As Mairi said, typical John self indulgent bullsh*t. It was clear to us all that John had lost all inspiration to write a decent song at this point. Probably one of my 5 most hated Beatle songs.

'Old Brown Shoe' is a decent 2nd tier song from George. The middle break saves it from being too annoying. Love the bass though regardless of who played it (George or Paul) and the drums are cool. Pretty average song in a whole.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: SemolinaPilchard on March 29, 2010, 08:30:32 PM
Pauls vocals at the end save it from being completely worthless for me.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on March 29, 2010, 09:21:32 PM
Great song! Great music!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Almighty Doer of Stuff on March 29, 2010, 10:58:27 PM
I've always liked the a-side. If you don't like John singing about himself, you probably don't like most of his post-Beatles music either. Some may call it "self-indulgent", but a whole lot of people really eat up all that introspective, personal stuff. When a person makes art about something that they themselves are feeling, it tends to feel more powerful and intense to the end viewer/listener, especially if it's done right. Take Paul for an example of the opposite end of the spectrum. He almost never puts himself into his music. He sings to universally appealing things, or he tells stories about other people. This takes a different kind of talent, and has a very different, but still enjoyable, effect on the end viewer/listener. The only pieces of himself he usually put in his music is that he loved Linda, and that was painfully obvious to anyone who saw them together when she was around. You don't know about their fights, which they undoubtedly had, because they chose to keep them private (which is valid, of course; as I said, it's just two different styles of music and also of life). The one time he actually writes a song about something personal, when he says he loves John, everyone's jaw drops.

The point is, some people like one style more than the other. I happen to like both, and I like this song and the way it allows John to laugh off his frustrations with people driving him nuts all the time. I also think the Christ/crucify joke was more a joking jab at himself than a cocky likening of himself to Jesus. He was referring to his earlier media gaffe. At the same time, the likening was probably ironic; by comparing himself to Jesus and the horrible troubles he went through, John was telling himself that his comparatively minor annoyances weren't that bad. If he were serious about thinking his life was as rough as Jesus's, the song probably wouldn't be so upbeat and fun-sounding.

-------

As for the b-side, I don't know who played the bassline, but I believe George played just about all of it except the drums on the demo, which appears on Anthology, so if Paul played it he was taking instructions from George.

I really love this song. It sounds like the sonic equivalent of riding in a horse-drawn carriage where the horses have been spooked and are running frantically, and the lyric is just as scary. I think it's a really fun song, and I don't think it needs a chorus. I think a chorus probably would have hurt the song, in fact.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on March 29, 2010, 11:44:15 PM
I've always liked the a-side. If you don't like John singing about himself, you probably don't like most of his post-Beatles music either. Some may call it "self-indulgent", but a whole lot of people really eat up all that introspective, personal stuff. When a person makes art about something that they themselves are feeling, it tends to feel more powerful and intense to the end viewer/listener, especially if it's done right. Take Paul for an example of the opposite end of the spectrum. He almost never puts himself into his music. He sings to universally appealing things, or he tells stories about other people. This takes a different kind of talent, and has a very different, but still enjoyable, effect on the end viewer/listener. The only pieces of himself he usually put in his music is that he loved Linda, and that was painfully obvious to anyone who saw them together when she was around. You don't know about their fights, which they undoubtedly had, because they chose to keep them private (which is valid, of course; as I said, it's just two different styles of music and also of life). The one time he actually writes a song about something personal, when he says he loves John, everyone's jaw drops.

Not trying to turn this into yet another John vs Paul thread but I just want to point out that Paul could write about personal things, he just chose not to do it in an obvious way like John did. I like John's personal songs like Mother but TBOJAY just comes off as totally self-involved. Wow, people don't like your annoying girlfriend. Poor you.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on March 30, 2010, 01:42:54 AM
If you don't like John singing about himself, you probably don't like most of his post-Beatles music either.

Your right because I dont.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on March 30, 2010, 02:05:03 AM
ballad of j&y - for me, everything good about this song is from paul - - - - especially the harmonies - they are unusual
.
old brown shoe - i'm not sure but i think i like this because it hasn't been played on the radio a jillion times. it also has an unusual gallop to the rhythm that reminds me of the song "highway 61" by bob dylan . . . .  hmm, once more it's paul's harmonies that i like best
i was never quite sure why old brown shoe made the blue 'best of' double album - but i'm glad it did
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Almighty Doer of Stuff on March 30, 2010, 02:29:49 AM
Not trying to turn this into yet another John vs Paul thread but I just want to point out that Paul could write about personal things, he just chose not to do it in an obvious way like John did. I like John's personal songs like Mother but TBOJAY just comes off as totally self-involved. Wow, people don't like your annoying girlfriend. Poor you.

I agree about Paul. I know that he can and just usually chooses not to, hence my mention of "Here Today" whose title I just remembered. However, the song doesn't mention anyone not liking Yoko, so I don't know where you're getting that criticism from.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: I_Will on March 30, 2010, 02:34:10 AM
ballad of j&y - for me, everything good about this song is from paul

This.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on March 30, 2010, 05:36:35 AM
I agree about Paul. I know that he can and just usually chooses not to, hence my mention of "Here Today" whose title I just remembered. However, the song doesn't mention anyone not liking Yoko, so I don't know where you're getting that criticism from.

You know what I mean though. That was the general attitude towards her at the time the song was written.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on March 30, 2010, 08:24:11 AM
That was the general attitude towards her at the time the song was written.

And to this day
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on March 30, 2010, 08:38:06 AM
After several double A-sides, this was really a double B-side, wasn't it? Musically I think both songs are throwaways. And the lyrics to TBOJ&Y are embarrassing. Yeah John, I think all those people who had to work crappy jobs in stores and factories really pitied you at the time for having such a hard, difficult life.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 30, 2010, 08:51:13 AM
i was never quite sure why old brown shoe made the blue 'best of' double album - but i'm glad it did

I believe including obscure b sides not available on albums was a marketing ploy to intice buyers who already had the albums (this was only 3 years after the split.)
I think too there was a deliberate attempt to give the albums an anthology feel, to stop making it just another greatest hits. And George needed his quota on the albums to pay the rent. (I've always suspected Octopuses Garden was included to give Ringo a good royalties whack,)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 30, 2010, 01:10:57 PM
Catchy song but I totally hate the lyrics. Typical self-indulgent Lennon lyrics, especially that Christ/crucify thing. he knew that would p*ss people off.


I think the lyrics are quite smart and funny.
Ballads are generally doomy, oh woh is me affairs, and I think the "you know it ain't easy" chorus is just John playing around with the whole ballad concept thing. I think the thrown together, sparse country instrumentation justs adds to the charm. I wonder too if John was making a cheeky reference to Dylans recent The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest.
I think the Christ/crucify thing was a cheeky nod at the "bigger than Jesus" affair. I think it's quite clever.

I also like the way he included self-depracating (sp) lines like "they look just like two guru's in drag."  He didn't need to draw that kind of negative image upon himself. Again I believe that's another hint that John didn't intend this to be taken too seriously.

We know John courted, and probably enjoyed, all the attention he was suddenly getting, and he was yet to loose his sense of humour completely. I don't really think he expected sympathy.

Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on March 30, 2010, 01:17:45 PM
I wonder to if John was making a cheeky reference to Dylans recent The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest.
The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: emmi_luvs_beatles on March 30, 2010, 01:25:31 PM
The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde?


;D

(http://cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/003/874/0000387439_350.jpg)

Anyways, I like this song, even with all of the crap it's getting. I may just be warmed up to it because it was on my first Beatles CD (Beatles 1). And as for Old Brown Shoe, it's a good enough song, especially for a George B side.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 30, 2010, 01:31:27 PM
The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde?

Yep. I think he was just having fun with the whole ballad thing, which must have struck him as even more amusing because he was writing about himself.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on March 30, 2010, 01:45:17 PM
^Plus they knew Georgie Fame.


Plus look at John's outfit.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 30, 2010, 01:50:10 PM
Plus look at John's outfit.

I'm not sure what you mean
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on March 30, 2010, 01:54:57 PM
I'm not sure what you mean

Joking with religion. As he did in his ballad.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on March 30, 2010, 02:20:18 PM
Joking with religion. As he did in his ballad.

aaah. I thought you meant he was dressed like Mr Fame.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on March 30, 2010, 02:24:15 PM
No. John is on the left, Paul is on the right and Mr Fame himself is in the middle. ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on March 30, 2010, 09:10:11 PM
On the one hand, I do like this song.  I do think it's meant to be somewhat humorous and self-deprecating on John's part and I'm not one who is really into his self-indulgence usually but I like this song.  Though I guess in some ways it does seem more like a B-side.  On the other hand, I do think a lot of my favorite things about the song are what Paul is doing on it, like that backing vocal on the last verse, etc.

Quote
I agree about Paul. I know that he can and just usually chooses not to,

I thought she said he just chooses not to do so in as obvious a way, not that he chooses not to.  I think there are a lot of personal things in Paul's songs, they just aren't obvious and even when he sings about other people, we are finding out about him, how he thinks, what sorts of things catch his attention and make him feel and inspire him. 

If he's singing about Eleanor Rigby - it shows he's someone who thinks about people who end up lonely and invisible and how they feel and live and how the world views them(or ignores them as the case may be)--and it's a topic that seems kind of close to his heart, he wrote a number songs dealing with disaffection and/or loneliness--so what that tells me is that even in the midst of his 20's, living high and rich and avante garde, he thought about the people who weren't.  He's telling us about himself just by choosing that as a song topic.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on March 31, 2010, 04:36:23 AM
(http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg3/cd5sing/cd15915.jpg)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Almighty Doer of Stuff on March 31, 2010, 12:50:30 PM
Where are you getting these cover images? Judging by the size of the barcodes, it looks like they're CDs. As far as I'm aware the singles were never released on individual CDs, so are they knockoffs?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on March 31, 2010, 02:46:57 PM
Where are you getting these cover images?


Right mouse click > "Properties" > URL: http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg3/cd5sing/cd15915.jpg  :)

Quote
The Beatles CD Singles Collection

Released in late 1992, this 22 CD box set was designed like the EP set, but reproducing all of the original British single releases. All of the 5" discs have individual sleeves similar to the original British issue picture sleeves. The box was issued in Britain November 2 (CD BSCP 1), in the USA on November 11 (C2 0777 7 15901 2 2), and in Japan on March 24, 1993 (TOCP-7701/7722).

These 22 singles were first released on the compact disc format in 1988 and 1989 as individually packaged 3" CDs. Japan also isued their 3" singles in a beautiful blue miniature box set in December 1989 (TODP-2121/2142).

 
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on March 31, 2010, 07:35:19 PM
Where are you getting these cover images? Judging by the size of the barcodes, it looks like they're CDs. As far as I'm aware the singles were never released on individual CDs, so are they knockoffs?


As Joost told you, those covers are from rarebeatles.com.

They are from the CD singles collection released in the 1990's (with the original mono versions). During the 1960's the singles in UK didn't have covers (except for a couple of cases) but during the 1970's and the 1980's they were re-issued in vinyl with the same cover images I'm showing here.

(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/bsc1_b.jpg)

(http://www.jpgr.co.uk/bsc1_d.jpg)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on March 31, 2010, 08:50:47 PM
I've always liked the a-side. If you don't like John singing about himself, you probably don't like most of his post-Beatles music either.

I love John`s singing about himself. In fact people don`t think that an artist sings about himself, they tend to think in a more general way. And JOHN IS THE MOST SINCERE ARTIST OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 01, 2010, 12:31:28 AM
And JOHN IS THE MOST SINCERE ARTIST OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

Bullsh*t. John wrote and sang songs mostly about woe is me stuff. If he ever sang a song about what kind of an a**hole he was, I might side with you a bit.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 01, 2010, 07:03:29 AM
And JOHN IS THE MOST SINCERE ARTIST OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

I think Cynthia often rolled her eyes when she heard John sing "I'll always be true" in 'Love Me Do'.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 01, 2010, 08:14:07 AM
I. And JOHN IS THE MOST SINCERE ARTIST OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

Sorry Jane - rubbish. You've checked out all the artists of the 20th century and done a quick sincerity check then?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 01, 2010, 08:32:18 AM
I guess we should mention that this is the last Beatle UK number 1, and the last time John would ever see a song he sang reach the top. End of an era really. From now on we really are dealing with just mere mortals.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 01, 2010, 11:10:10 AM
whatever gets you through the night went to the top
it hit number one in states
.
.
also, u.s.a. is like 5 or 6 times the population of england so hitting number one here reflects alot more than uk ..... (yeah, i said it  ha2ha)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 01, 2010, 12:07:18 PM
whatever gets you through the night went to the top
it hit number one in states
.
.
also, u.s.a. is like 5 or 6 times the population of england so hitting number one here reflects alot more than uk ..... (yeah, i said it  ha2ha)

Sorry - just referring to the UK charts.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 01, 2010, 01:44:44 PM
whatever gets you through the night went to the top
it hit number one in states
.
.
also, u.s.a. is like 5 or 6 times the population of england so hitting number one here reflects alot more than uk ..... (yeah, i said it  ha2ha)

It usually reflects America's bad taste. ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: I_Will on April 01, 2010, 04:22:51 PM
It usually reflects America's bad taste. ha2ha

This.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 01, 2010, 08:37:05 PM
whatever gets you through the night went to the top
it hit number one in states
.
.
also, u.s.a. is like 5 or 6 times the population of england so hitting number one here reflects alot more than uk ..... (yeah, i said it  ha2ha)

UK is not the whole world! Ha-ha! Nyfan, I side with you!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 01, 2010, 08:45:21 PM
Bullsh*t. John wrote and sang songs mostly about woe is me stuff. If he ever sang a song about what kind of an a**hole he was, I might side with you a bit.

They were all ass-s!
And if you think that John didn`t put HIS sincerity into his songs, though his songs sound very sincere, than he IS A TRUE ARTIST. According to you without being sincere he wrote such songs about very personal things. How did he manage? He is either a great ARTIST, who is able to feel such things or he did feel that way when he wrote them. Or you are mistaken. No other conclusion can be made. :P
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 02, 2010, 12:24:03 AM
What was he so sincere about? How he felt when he kicked herion? How losing his mother screwed him up during his lifetime? How through his perception, women got a raw deal in life (although he contributed to it)? How he questions religion and wants people to follow? How he related to the middle classes woes?

I never dug his opiniated garbage and he depresses the hell out of me. The idiotic guy didnt know how good he had it and he wants to bring everybody else down around him. f*** him and his sincerity.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 02, 2010, 08:59:12 PM
Certainly, it is better to conceal your feelings and to stay hypocritical? To use politically correct words all the time, to say one thing and to really mean quite another? To smile and to pretend while wishing to tear a person apart? Hard to say which is better. As for me I don`t like hypocritical people, I don`t like when somebody smiles at you and says things which he/she doesn`t mean, or just wants to flatter you or to sweet-talk.
John wasn`t like that. And he suffered from it. It is absolutely possible that he missed his mother. It doesn`t mean that he was tortured all his life, he just remembered her and wrote a song about her. Which means he had something to tell us if his feelings poured into a song. His songs had something personal in them. If you don`t like it, it is ok. But actually you yourself are a very sincere person and by that quality you are closer to John than to any other Beatle.  All the rest were round-about guys, and you are like John, say what you think straightforward. BTW just like Kevin, who is so close to John he can`t even imagine. Hello, guys, you are GREAT!  ;)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 03, 2010, 01:46:09 AM
John wasn`t like that.

I think he was. John had a great knack for making people feel bad for him (whether through song or conversation) when he himself screwed up. I think it made him feel a little better about himself. Take 'Woman is The black person Of The World' for instance. John wrote this song that created such feelings among people due to how women were being treated. Well hell. I wonder how Cynthia felt when she walked in on John screwing Yoko in her bed? Hypocritical a bit? I'm not going to get into all the instances, but I think he was a fake. Like I said, he had a way of getting people to follow him and I see your no different.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 03, 2010, 02:41:41 AM
Although I agree that John was a hypocrite in many, many, ways (especially the whole "Working Class Hero" thing- annoys the hell out of me as someone who is actually working class) I don't think he was a fake so much as a deeply conflicted and flawed human being. I think he tried to make up for his more a**hole-ish actions by writing these songs of peace and love.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 03, 2010, 04:58:22 AM
Although I agree that John was a hypocrite in many, many, ways (especially the whole "Working Class Hero" thing- annoys the hell out of me as someone who is actually working class) I don't think he was a fake so much as a deeply conflicted and flawed human being. I think he tried to make up for his more a**hole-ish actions by writing these songs of peace and love.

I'll go along with this. Thanks Mairi for being a voice of reason as I probably went a little strong as usuaul.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: peterbell1 on April 03, 2010, 03:30:38 PM
I think John was human - sometimes an a**hole, sometimes a decent bloke. Sometimes a loving husband, then off on his lost weekend. A hands-on dad with Sean, an absent father for Julian.
On top of all this though, I think he was always fairly honest. His writing was openly personal, where someone like Paul would be a little more veiled with his lyrics, even if he was writing from a personal viewpoint. Ballad of John and Yoko is a good example of how honest John could be in his songs.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 03, 2010, 10:01:17 PM
I think John was human - sometimes an a**hole, sometimes a decent bloke. Sometimes a loving husband, then off on his lost weekend. A hands-on dad with Sean, an absent father for Julian.
On top of all this though, I think he was always fairly honest. His writing was openly personal, where someone like Paul would be a little more veiled with his lyrics, even if he was writing from a personal viewpoint. Ballad of John and Yoko is a good example of how honest John could be in his songs.

I agree with you. First of all John was human. And being human he experienced different emotions and moods, he might have tried to hide them from other people but they inevitably manifested themselves in his songs. It is impossible to write a song about something you do not feel. Especially a good song. He just didn`t try to conceal his emerging springing emotions.
Maybe it is hard for some of you (especially British) to understand it and to agree with it since your own culture tells you to keep your feelings to yourself and not to reveal them because according to your culture it is improper. One should remain cold, reserved, aloof with an upper stiff lip and so on (I am a bit joking) Can it be so? That is why you believe John can`t have been frank and think he was pulling your leg.
However, my culture tells me to be open and speak my heart, and not to be ashamed of feelings. We have absolutely wonderful songs-romances about all kinds of human emotions, all of them very profound and deep. I can understand John and I think he was quite sincere when he sang about certain things.   :)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 03, 2010, 10:39:23 PM
 ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha
take it to them, jane !!
 ;yes
john lennon had to leave you brits and come to new york because you're all so miserable, awful, cantakerous and cruel . . . . . . . (no offense)  ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 04, 2010, 01:06:01 AM
Just wondering if the thread will be locked or the troll will be banned.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 04, 2010, 02:58:42 PM
That's quite a pigeon-hole on Britain Jane. It's now the most multi-cultural tolerant society on the planet and what you to refer to is quite a dated stereo-type created by Royalty and the Houses of Parliament. To be polite, to not burden your feelings on others has equal merit to letting your feelings out. Surely there's times and places for when to apply both behaviours? I.e. Workplace, family, friends, strangers etc.

'If you live in a glasshouse, don't throw stones.' I think this saying reflects where you will get a divide on Lennon and 'what he stood for.'

I thought Lennon in America was a great tax dodge personally but whatever you like to think NY41. Miserable, awful, cantankerous and cruel? On what assumption is that based on? Like I said 'If you live in a greenhouse.....heheheh

I never really enjoyed this song much. It's a bit acoustic wishy washy with an un-inspired bassline.

Many great points from everyone. :)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 04, 2010, 03:46:01 PM
Britain. . .  the most multi-cultural tolerant society on the planet
.
ok apple beatle - you see you? you are decrying blanket statements while inserting one
i don't know what that's based on
new york is the melting pot - we are all here my friend ha2ha
.
(but actually i think the most multicultural country was canada or australia by statistics)

.
and john lennon didnt live in america -  he lived in new york - thats where i got my info - john gave us the high ratings.
the tax thing is something i never thought of though. interesting but i think he loved it here

-- this is just fun - truthfully i'd love to visit uk and have a blast.
======
the reason i'm responding is your comment about the bassline. i think it's a direct nod to 'dont be cruel' by elvis. this is why i like b.o.j.a.y. -i think it's a last moment of john and paul connecting on their childhood friendship
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 04, 2010, 07:08:13 PM
It's now the most multi-cultural tolerant society on the planet and what you to refer to is quite a dated stereo-type created by Royalty and the Houses of Parliament. To be polite, to not burden your feelings on others has equal merit to letting your feelings out.

Thank you, An Apple Beatle. It is interesting to learn what the British think about themselves and the fact that they no longer consider themselves to be reserved and aloof. BTW I never meant that Britain was an intolerant society. It is very tolerant, even extremely tolerant and certainly multicultural. Yet, I wish you would preserve some typically English or British features.
You see, the stereotypes are still quite strong. They do exist here about the British. Maybe the difference could be seen as compared to Russians or to Americans, Americans are closer to us in character.
We had a professor from Bath who spoke about stereotypes, and he admitted that the British were reserved and hypocritical in a good sense of the word. Though the national identity is changing now. All national identities are experiencing certain changes.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 04, 2010, 09:50:18 PM
Heheheh I appreciate your points. Maybe it was London that is the most multi-cultural capitol?....it was a bit of a blankent reaction in fairness. I'm just saying that it perhaps does not represent the majority of the British people that inhabit these islands and have to put up with our leaders abuse of position. Perhaps politically reserved and aloof is what your referring to? I'm interested to learn how one defines a nation really from my perspective. All countries have pride and shame to draw upon that make up their 'characteristics.'

I'm not overly patriotic, I got a little defensive perhaps on the cantankerous etc remarks and I find it interesting to see how 'we' are perceived as a nation. Is this how the English are often portrayed in films maybe? Maybe the views are personal, that's all cool. I'd rather hone in on the positive aspects of nations as all have their faults. My mother was Italian, father English and I was born in Wales so I feel pretty neutral. Music has no boundaries and that's what I subscribe to.

I'm sure JL loved it in New York as some of his interviews reveal and didn't mean to sound so cynical, it was just thrown in response, as I'v heard that remark used like the classic 'Imagine no possessions with millions in the bank' arguments in pubs over the years.
I'm mainly interested in him as a musician not the person, as that's something for himself and close ones to keep, unless they decide to write a book of course.  ;D

Regards bassline NY, I never thought of that but now you come to mention it, they are very similar. It's just the general vibe on this track I don't dig rather than anything in particular.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 05, 2010, 12:44:58 AM
I love it. He's SO not taking himself seriously. The whole crucified thing is a JOKE! And I love that it's just him and Paul. Love it when Paul comes in at the end. They always sound great together. The computer guy at my school actually thought it was Yoko! HA!

Anyway, you guys take things way to seriously sometimes. Stop putting everything under such a harsh microscope. Yeah, Lennon wasn't perfect, who of us are?? Like to see any of us put under such scrutiny and come out smelling like roses. Yeah, there are stereotypes, yeah, some are true, some aren't, but what's the harm in laughing about some of it? Doesn't that eventually tear them down? Dunno, grew up in NY and we do it all the time. Maybe the humor just doesn't translate. And oh yeah, Lennon clearly LOVED NYC and America. It's highly documented! The dude was becoming a citizen for God's sake! He felt freer here for some reason. I kinda wish he hadn't though. And NYC and America were way different then. Don't really know what he'd think of it now. Don't even know what I think of it sometimes! But then, the grass is always greener right?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: emmi_luvs_beatles on April 05, 2010, 12:42:53 PM
Anyway, you guys take things way to seriously sometimes.

This.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on April 05, 2010, 06:31:22 PM
My favourite part is when John sings "Oh boy when you're dead, you don't take nothing with you but your soul - think!". It's a very religious lyric! ;)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 06, 2010, 09:02:56 AM
John Lennon was a human??????  Brits are cantankerous???????? I'm agreeing with Sondra????????
Just when you thought this place had nothing new to offer......
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 07, 2010, 12:43:13 AM
Kevin, I was hoping for insight, but I suppose your right. I take it to seriously.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 07, 2010, 01:33:01 AM
Any insight anyone could offer would only be speculation based on their perspective of things.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 07, 2010, 01:35:23 AM
Just wondering if the thread will be locked or the troll will be banned.

It still lives. Look how mature we've become!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 07, 2010, 10:58:28 AM
Although I agree that John was a hypocrite in many, many, ways (especially the whole "Working Class Hero" thing- annoys the hell out of me as someone who is actually working class) I don't think he was a fake so much as a deeply conflicted and flawed human being. I think he tried to make up for his more a**hole-ish actions by writing these songs of peace and love.

I think this sums Lennon up perfectly. He probably considered himself a straight-up, honest guy who believed he was being sincere. But as we all know we are often the worst judges of our own characters. Like most of us he could probably rationalise his own a**hole behaviours. It's understandable how Lennon believed his own hype (don't we all?) What baffles me is how an outsider, with access to so many opinions and facts on the man, can agree with him.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 07, 2010, 11:16:29 AM
there's a great part of geoff emerick's book where john tells geoff that a few years in the army would do him well and geoff is really offended because he considered himself to have a more salt of the earth background than john
-- the portrayal of john in that book is an eyeopener.
we have fake working class people as rock troubadours, fake thugs as rappers and so on, lol.
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but even jesus is portayed differentlly in the different gospels of the bible with conflicting personality traits. i tellya, the way things are goin . .  hahaha. let's not go there
=====================================================================
i don't think john lennon was trying to write his master opus with ballad of . .
the song feels like a fun throw away. the production/arrangement echos that good time laugh vibe - - -
and as usual, john comes off like - the most fun/talented/interesting guy at the party. . . who may or may not be an a-hole on the car ride home
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 07, 2010, 11:21:29 AM
What baffles me is how an outsider, with access to so many opinions on the man, can agree with him.

People often downplay any negative things that someone who they idolize has done. I could name a few dozen musicians that I greatly admire even though they've done things that I would probably find unforgivable if any of my friends would do them.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 07, 2010, 11:33:29 AM
we have fake working class people as rock troubadours, fake thugs as rappers and so on, lol.
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For sure. Dylan passing himself as a hobo, Jagger affecting his working class accent etc. It's all smoke and mirrors. But really, like watching the stage magician saw his lady in half, it doesn't take too much to see through it.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 07, 2010, 12:50:10 PM
I think this sums Lennon up perfectly. He probably considered himself a straight-up, honest guy who believed he was being sincere. But as we all know we are often the worst judges of our own characters. Like most of us he could probably rationalise his own a**hole behaviours. It's understandable how Lennon believed his own hype (don't we all?) What baffles me is how an outsider, with access to so many opinions and facts on the man, can agree with him.

I think at first he would have been a lot of them things but then in light of un-paralleled success, he struggled to cling onto that old 'values/roots' part of himself amongst the madness. Tapping into that is where songs like this come out for him. It's very hard to find authentic articles and I realise as I age, there are many pretenders. The real authentics are normally too disturbed or dis-illusioned to be commercial! lol

Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 07, 2010, 07:35:51 PM
And there`s one thing I can`t understand. What claims do you, guys, have to Lennon`s millions? Why do you underline your discontent with this fact? All musicians are rich, all artists are. Lennon didn`t rob anybody, didn`t exploit any poor workers, he wasn`t an owner of some business. He earned his money in the most honest way, by his talent, by presenting his songs and music.
What is wrong in his singing about the working class, about peace? I don`t find anything bad in it. On the contrary, he could have ignored all such issues, why should he pay attention to all these? But he did at some point in his life. Which is creditable. And no matter what his motives were, the aim was positive.
Why should you think that if an artist sings about the working class, then he has to give away his money to those people? This is like the October Revolution of the 1917 in Russia. When all the money of the rich was given to the poor and the working class. But history teaches us that is the wrong decision. People must earn money not get it for nothing. This is why the economy of the USSR collapsed. People are born equal but with different abilities and as a result some get more in this life, some less.
Lennon got more. But he remembered his roots (his parents were poor, although Mimi was low-middle class) and sang songs about it. Did other rich artists sing any songs about such things?
Oh, I believe my thoughts are rather disorderly, but I can`t get your accusations.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 08, 2010, 01:10:24 AM
The problem is that he was never Woking Class and if he was, it was by choice. That, and he sang the song as if HE struggled for years and years. It was almost as if it was personal and we know better. Its well known that he grew up in the most well-to-do home of any of the band members. Seriously, how long was John honestly working class? By 20, the guy was making millions. His assumption of working class doesnt seem to hold the same clout as the rest of ours.

John Lennon singing about the working class people would be the equivalent of Hugh Heffner being jealous of my sex life.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 08, 2010, 01:34:19 AM
Working Class Hero is a pretty good song, but as someone who has grown up not just working class but at times pretty damn poor, it's kind of an insult don't you think? I don't pretend to go around knowing what it's like to grow up in the ghettoes, or to be a teenage mother. I wonder what the other group members thought of the song, especially Ringo and George who as we all know were far from being well-off.

I love John but class differences are a HUGE thing for some people and to co-opt someone's experiences can be seen as hurtful by those who actually have to go through those experiences.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 08, 2010, 04:28:33 AM
The definition of working class must be way different for you guys. Growing up, my family would be considered working class, or blue collar. People with little to no education who worked minimum wage type jobs. What precludes John's family from being in this group? The dude's family wasn't rich. His mom got pregnant at a young age, he was given to his aunt to be raised, his dad, a very blue collar guy, left him. I mean, sounds all very working class to me. And I really don't see how his writing about this experience is insulting. He's not co-opting anything. He's writing about things he saw or lived and paying tribute. Maybe he identified with the working class more than any other group. Who are we to say what artists can and cannot comment on?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 08, 2010, 04:31:44 AM
The problem is that he was never Woking Class and if he was, it was by choice. That, and he sang the song as if HE struggled for years and years. It was almost as if it was personal and we know better.

You're making assumptions here. Another assumption could be that maybe he was singing from a place of empathy. He might have been able to put himself into their shoes. Who know. Was he ever questioned about it?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 08, 2010, 05:12:49 AM
You can write a song about anything, really. I think Working Class Hero is a good song and I relate to it. But I think the issue most people have here is with John's branding of himself as this down to earth blue collar guy. True, his parents were working class but Mimi was his primary caregiver and from what I have heard she was pretty middle class.

I'm not comparing John's situation to my own because really that would be preposterous. We come from two completely different eras. I just wonder sometimes what the other members of the group thought of that image of John's because as I mentioned earlier their situations were more genuinely working-class.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 08, 2010, 05:19:06 AM
I think Paul's mentioned it. But it's not like Paul is ever petty or anything. ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 08, 2010, 05:25:20 AM
Paul was pretty obessed with social-climbing, though, wasn't he? He took to the Ashers' lifestyle pretty well. And Linda definitely wasn't poor.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 08, 2010, 05:28:26 AM
He also said he spoke better than the other guys. Will less of a scouse accent. Now he's all about being a working class scouse. And people get on Lennon!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 08, 2010, 06:16:39 AM
You're making assumptions here. Another assumption could be that maybe he was singing from a place of empathy. He might have been able to put himself into their shoes. Who know. Was he ever questioned about it?

I'm only making assumptions from the stuff i've read. It was made pretty clear by authors and even his own band mates that Mimi was better off than most. Your kidding yourself if you think john was made to go work at a ripe young age to put food on the table. Its more like John could have laid on the couch eating sandwiches all day if he wished. The song wouldnt have been such a bitter pill if he would have sang to the Working Class instead of with them. Thats all i'm trying to say. I like the song, but it just seems like such a farce.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 08, 2010, 08:04:52 AM
I never got from the lyrics that he was singing about himself. Except in the interview he does say he's working class! I'd like to find interviews where the others addressed this.

From Rolling Stone:
According to Lennon in an interview with Jann S. Wenner of Rolling Stone magazine in December 1970, it is about working class individuals being processed into the middle classes, into the machine.

What do you think of "Give Peace A Chance?"
As a record?

Yes.
The record was beautiful.

Did you ever see Moratorium Day in Washington, D.C.?
That is what it is for, you know. I remember hearing them all sing it — I don't know whether it was on the radio or TV — it was a very big moment for me. That's what the song was about.

You see, I'm shy and aggressive so I have great hopes for what I do with my work and I also have great despair that it's all pointless and it's sh*t. You know, how can you beat Beethoven or Shakespeare or whatever? In me secret heart I wanted to write something that would take over "We Shall Overcome." I don't know why. The one they always sang, and I thought, "Why doesn't somebody write something for the people now, that's what my job and our job is."

I have the same kind of hope for "Working Class Hero." It's a different concept, but I feel it's a revolutionary song.

In what respect?
It's really just revolutionary. I think its concept is revolutionary, and I hope it's for workers and not for tarts and f**s. I hope it's what "Give Peace A Chance" was about, but I don't know. On the other hand, it might just be ignored.

I think it's for the people like me who are working class — whatever, upper or lower — who are supposed to be processed into the middle classes, through the machinery, that's all. It's my experience, and I hope it's just a warning to people. I'm saying it's a revolutionary song; not the song itself but that it's a song for the revolution.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 08, 2010, 08:30:13 AM
I don't think John was being a hypocrite when he wrote 'Working Class Hero'. Doesn't seem to me like he's singing about himself, he just gave his audience a song that most of them could relate to. And who ever said that pop songs have to be autobiographical? Brian Wilson didn't surf, Joni Mitchell didn't go to Woodstock, the guy from the Flower Pot Men has never been in San Francisco and I don't suppose Paul McCartney ever really had a crush on a French girl named Michelle. It doesn't really matter much, does it?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 08, 2010, 08:40:12 AM
It doesn't really matter much, does it?

Only matters to me when people lay on the whole 'How sincere and from the heart' John was. I like John, but I still think he pulled the wool over a lot of peoples eyes. Thats all.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 08, 2010, 08:54:14 AM
Only matters to me when people lay on the whole 'How sincere and from the heart' John was.

Good point.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 08, 2010, 09:51:24 AM
so it's agreed, john lennon was a big fake  ha2ha
 ha2ha
 ha2ha
just kidding
i mean, it's not like he had some super affluent background -
it's not like he came from great wealth and privilege and then adopted this whole persona of a struggling artist
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that'd be yoko
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 08, 2010, 10:00:21 AM
Let's face it, it's pretty hard to pull up any one person in this business and accuse them of fakery. The whole pop music industry is based on the stuff.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: An Apple Beatle on April 08, 2010, 10:45:36 AM
 ha2ha NY classic! :) This is what I'm getting at Kevin about the industry and authenticism. It's not a dig at Lennon who was a genuine article in the sense of grafting for his art. He delivered to get where he was and that involves a work ethic in itself. Growing up in 'Red' Liverpool with big Trade Union roots and background would have been a big part of his young shaping I'm assuming. Some more great points raised. Empathy is an often used tool by a writer.....fundamental infact for any serious lyricist. I accept and dig Lennon's and the groups flaws.......less manufactured and representative of most of us. We all exist with idio-syncracies. It's the ever evolving, continuing thoughts they evoke that make their songs so special imo.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 08, 2010, 07:40:57 PM
I'm only making assumptions from the stuff i've read. It was made pretty clear by authors and even his own band mates that Mimi was better off than most. Your kidding yourself if you think john was made to go work at a ripe young age to put food on the table. Its more like John could have laid on the couch eating sandwiches all day if he wished. The song wouldnt have been such a bitter pill if he would have sang to the Working Class instead of with them. Thats all i'm trying to say. I like the song, but it just seems like such a farce.

Mimi was better off only because she had a good house. Nothing else was better. She accommodated students, which is very modest income and what kind of income can it be? And what kind of life is it if you are obliged to live with unknown people? So again she made use of her house. And her husband didn`t earn good money. Besides he died early. John`s parents were definitely working class, his father - poor, his mother - the lower layers of society. And they remained so till their death. So John`s background was working class.
If he didin`t have to work at a factory or at a bar, (though I maybe wrong, but it seems to me he did work a little), it`s because he was a child then. Besides he started playing music and earned money in this way by concerts and playing at some family parties, which is also quite honorable, cause he did earn some money.
His song about the working class shows that he didn`t become a snob, a superior creature who can`t condescend to poor people. He says I am like you, I am an ordinary man. And I think there`s nothing in it for people from the working class to feel uneasy about or to consider it an insult. If they say - Oh, look at the guy! He has millions but he sings about us, then it just shows that they are jealous of his money, which is an improper thing to do. This is a revolutionary-charged kind of mentality. Don`t bother about other people`s money, bother about yours. And go and get it yourself! Like Lennon did, like the Beatles did! Sorry guys, I have nothing against their millions.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 08, 2010, 07:45:09 PM
I don't think John was being a hypocrite when he wrote 'Working Class Hero'. Doesn't seem to me like he's singing about himself, he just gave his audience a song that most of them could relate to. And who ever said that pop songs have to be autobiographical? Brian Wilson didn't surf, Joni Mitchell didn't go to Woodstock, the guy from the Flower Pot Men has never been in San Francisco and I don't suppose Paul McCartney ever really had a crush on a French girl named Michelle. It doesn't really matter much, does it?

Joost, I agree with you!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 08, 2010, 08:01:01 PM
Only matters to me when people lay on the whole 'How sincere and from the heart' John was. I like John, but I still think he pulled the wool over a lot of peoples eyes. Thats all.

Actually he was. Try to understand his character. And do not proceed from your own modes of behavior. John was a very emotional person. He often acted from emotions, he couldn`t pretend, his emotions accompanied him all through his life, which is not very good for any person. And emotional people just have to let emotions out. That is why his songs are based on his own emotions. Which means that at that particular time and in that particular place he felt that particular feeling. And he really did! If he was unhappy it could be seen, when he was bored he was bored, when he felt like doing something he did.
If he was such a customer who pulled the wool over people`s eyes, he would have never said such a thing as We Are More Popular Than Jesus. He would have kept the outrageous thing to himself, carefully calculating the consequences and saying something politically correct, proper, with a hypocritical smile on his face. But he was incapable of that. And always had to face the music, unlike the other diplomatic Beatles. And this is TRUE! Think of it!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 08, 2010, 11:32:23 PM
Mimi was better off only because she had a good house. Nothing else was better. She accommodated students, which is very modest income and what kind of income can it be? And what kind of life is it if you are obliged to live with unknown people? So again she made use of her house. And her husband didn`t earn good money. Besides he died early. John`s parents were definitely working class, his father - poor, his mother - the lower layers of society. And they remained so till their death. So John`s background was working class.
If he didin`t have to work at a factory or at a bar, (though I maybe wrong, but it seems to me he did work a little), it`s because he was a child then. Besides he started playing music and earned money in this way by concerts and playing at some family parties, which is also quite honorable, cause he did earn some money.
His song about the working class shows that he didn`t become a snob, a superior creature who can`t condescend to poor people. He says I am like you, I am an ordinary man. And I think there`s nothing in it for people from the working class to feel uneasy about or to consider it an insult. If they say - Oh, look at the guy! He has millions but he sings about us, then it just shows that they are jealous of his money, which is an improper thing to do. This is a revolutionary-charged kind of mentality. Don`t bother about other people`s money, bother about yours. And go and get it yourself! Like Lennon did, like the Beatles did! Sorry guys, I have nothing against their millions.
ha2ha ha2ha BOMBOclaat  ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 08, 2010, 11:49:22 PM
. . . If he was such a customer who pulled the wool over people`s eyes, he would have never said such a thing as We Are More Popular Than Jesus. He would have kept the outrageous thing to himself . . .
ok, this ^^ one i'm not so sure about - because being outrageous is what got john lennon attention - and he most likely knew that about himself since he was small . . .  to the point that he may have used it as his own personal social tool (just my opinion)
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i guess my real opinion is that J.L. was just the type of person he was- due to life events -and he was thrust into the public eye because of his talents, his essence, his hard work and being on the cusp of a movement - - - now we all (as someone said) have him under a microscope !
....
but back on topic - this elongated thread caused me to listen to b.o.j.a.y. again this morning . . . paul's piano is really a key element ! the percussive use of piano actually bears a resemblance to why dont we do it in the road . . (in my opinion  :D)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 09, 2010, 12:16:05 AM
Quote
Mimi was better off only because she had a good house. Nothing else was better.

Her husband did earn good money, he owned his own business.  How do you think they got the "good house"? :)  John was better off than the rest of them, and he had relative "rich" relatives who could give him 100 pounds for his 21st birthday(which was a heck of a lot of money back then).  That was probably more than other Beatles parents made combined in a month.

Yes she took in students after his death to help keep it up but she they were still relatively well off as compared to the other three Beatles, including Paul.  He didn't live in a terraced house(those "houses" where there is a group of them all connected, only corner units have a side wall to themselves) with an indoor toilet until he was 13, and that was only because the house placement came with his mother's job.  When she died, they got to stay in the house but his father only made about the same wage he made at the beginning of World War 2. I remembering reading Paul's dad made under 5 pounds a week when she died in 1956. For comparison's sake, the average weekly wage in 1950, 6 years earlier, in Britain was over 7 pounds and by 1960, 4 years later,  the average weekly wage was over 14 pounds, so he was making probably less than half the average salary at that time(and the average person in Britain in the 50's was considered working class most likely).  George's family probably made about the same(but with no "leg up" on the housing so they didn't luck out on finally getting a terraced house with an indoor toilet until years later, there were waiting lists) and Ringo's even less.

So I'd say John probably seemed rather a lot more well off to them.  So they probably had good reason to feel perhaps he was a bit of a pretender in that regard, because they actually lived it.  
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 09, 2010, 12:35:49 AM
I dont know. I come down hard on John sometimes, but its not really his fault. Its the fans and public that cause it for me anyways. I get tired of people putting him on the pedestal and percieving him as some kind of holy being or some kind of peace activist with all the answers in which he's not. I think he would have you think so though. One minute you have him singing about giving peace a chance and power to the people while in the next context, he's also singing about how easy it is to imagine theres no heaven and how he's drowning in a sea of hatred. I dont know. He has always come across as some depressed, insecure, f***ed up person to me thats even a bit immature at times. He displayed that through his music and personality and I just cant give him the appreciation that so many others have.

I dont want to come across as seeming like I dislike John or anything like that becuase thats far from the truth. The guy has written some of the greatest music ever and I enjoy a lot of it. Its just when I see or hear people talking about him as being such a hero and important figure in  their lives,,,,I just have to sit back and sigh.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 09, 2010, 12:56:29 AM
"The Ballad of The Ballad of John and Yoko"
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Posting in a thread made by Kevin . .
Many say John's not working class . .
Sondra and Jane
Say they like the refrain
Apple Beatle says he gives it a pass
Christ you know .. it  ... ... aint . . . . . . ea . .
  :-X
;sorry
what?!?! this discussion has been epic  ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 09, 2010, 07:34:21 AM
One minute you have him singing about giving peace a chance and power to the people while in the next context, he's also singing about how easy it is to imagine theres no heaven

I don't see what the contradiction is here. What's not peaceful or humanitarian about not believing in life after death? 'Imagine' is about a world without religion, countries or possessions, ergo: without any reasons to start a war.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 09, 2010, 08:12:47 AM
If he didin`t have to work at a factory or at a bar, (though I maybe wrong, but it seems to me he did work a little), it`s because he was a child then. Besides he started playing music and earned money in this way by concerts and playing at some family parties, which is also quite honorable, cause he did earn some money.

C'mon - the guy was at Art school, poncing about painting, writing and screwing girls. Hardly the little urchin forced to sing for a crust of bread to keep himself out of the mines.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 09, 2010, 11:29:01 AM
but can't it be said that john lennon had a hard childhood ?
doesn't the parental thing more than balance the (minor) discrepencies between the household wealths of john and the other beatles ?
. . . . if you wanna 'go there' and play the dead mom card
-
-
just to clarify -
if your mom dies you're allowed to pose as proletarian
if your dad ditches you you're allowed to wear ripped jeans
and
. . . if your cat stubs its toe you can whine that no one understands your art
where's that damn rule book . .
.
.
.

 ha2ha the man in the mac made us fly coach . . . he didn't give us a chaaaaaance . . WAHHHH  ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 09, 2010, 11:40:31 AM
.
If he was such a customer who pulled the wool over people`s eyes, he would have never said such a thing as We Are More Popular Than Jesus.

okay. If that quote demonstrates his sincerity then we should dig out some more.

- the Beatles smoked dope in the Palace when they got their MBE's. The others said they didn't. A lie.
- the Beatles jammed with Elvis. See above
- he (JL) was a genius. Let's add an unsufferable conceipt.
- he saw a UFO.. Throw in fantasist.

Let's just say Lennon had a habit of saying whatever suited him at the time. I guess that's a kind of sincerity.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 09, 2010, 06:46:17 PM
but can't it be said that john lennon had a hard childhood ?
doesn't the parental thing more than balance the (minor) discrepencies between the household wealths of john and the other beatles ?
. . . . if you wanna 'go there' and play the dead mom card

Yeah, that might explain his mental well being, but it still doesnt put him in the 'Working Class' category.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 09, 2010, 07:12:32 PM
C'mon - the guy was at Art school, poncing about painting, writing and screwing girls. Hardly the little urchin forced to sing for a crust of bread to keep himself out of the mines.

Just a minute! I had a friend at the University, whose parents were working class. The girl went to study at the university due to her knowledge, there she was writing, reading and screwing guys. And what? Children of the working class who go to universities stay working class till they get a job that will distinguish them from that class. She didn`t work though she could have done it to make her parents` life easier. Nevertheless she WAS WORKING CLASS and remained so... I don`t think she is now cause she has quite a good  intellectual job. But her background is working class.
John wasn`t forced to sing but he did earn a bit of money this way.
Besides he worked at the cafe of his mother`s new husband. Though not for a long time cause he started playing more.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 09, 2010, 07:22:43 PM
He has always come across as some depressed, insecure, f***ed up person to me thats even a bit immature at times. He displayed that through his music and personality and I just cant give him the appreciation that so many others have.

I dont want to come across as seeming like I dislike John or anything like that becuase thats far from the truth. The guy has written some of the greatest music ever and I enjoy a lot of it. Its just when I see or hear people talking about him as being such a hero and important figure in  their lives,,,,I just have to sit back and sigh.

John was emotional. He was sometimes depressed, sometimes merry, but never only one thing. He was never insecure, he just had to be always on the move. He had to move somewhere, to get going, otherwise he got bored, like it happened to him with Cynthia. The only thing that I agree with and I wanted to write about it too is that he was rather immature, a big boy. Funny, humorous, naughty, vulnerable like a child, who sometimes needs somebody to turn to. But he was never a fake, never a hypocrite.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 09, 2010, 07:31:40 PM
okay. If that quote demonstrates his sincerity then we should dig out some more.

- the Beatles smoked dope in the Palace when they got their MBE's. The others said they didn't. A lie.
- the Beatles jammed with Elvis. See above
- he (JL) was a genius. Let's add an unsufferable conceipt.
- he saw a UFO.. Throw in fantasist.

Let's just say Lennon had a habit of saying whatever suited him at the time. I guess that's a kind of sincerity.

Oh, no. These are all innocent things you`ve mentioned. The Jesus thing is outrageous, not now, people have changed - but at that time it was. Remember the effects of it. He said it because he did feel kind like it at the time, overwhelmed by the popularity and all, he was quite sincere though he added an element of humour to it as he usually did. Poor John he was always sincere and people suspect he was double-faced cause they can`t imagine somebody being that open.
It`s like - If you want to deceive a diplomat tell him the truth. He will never believe you!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 09, 2010, 08:53:54 PM
John was emotional. He was sometimes depressed, sometimes merry, but never only one thing. He was never insecure, he just had to be always on the move. He had to move somewhere, to get going, otherwise he got bored, like it happened to him with Cynthia. The only thing that I agree with and I wanted to write about it too is that he was rather immature, a big boy. Funny, humorous, naughty, vulnerable like a child, who sometimes needs somebody to turn to. But he was never a fake, never a hypocrite.
.
.
Jane, you're talking about the John Lennon from the Beatles or a different one?
 
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 09, 2010, 09:34:46 PM
Nyfan! Hello! First of all, how are you? Hope you are OK!!! Please, don`t take it all too seriously! Well, actually as far as I can see you don`t. You are humorous. I laughed at your last post (and not only last)! I really did.  :)
You think, I`ve gone too far? Maybe, maybe! But I believe I know such people like John, they are kind and open but close-up in alien surroundings. Please, could you tell me about an incident when John was a hypocrite. But, please, don`t speak about the guys`, all of them, extramarital affairs. This doesn`t count.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 09, 2010, 10:12:04 PM
hi jane :) - im ok, thanks. hope you are too  :D
i would never take the bait to bash on the late great john lennon, lol  :D
.
.
. . . but that man was hipocrite, rhynocrite and even alligatorcrite too  ha2ha
.
like no possessions with mansions
or man of love who treats his own son like crap
or a preacher of reality who hides behind drugs
and - yea - the whole woman thing
.
.
i love that he was hypocrite though, because we all are 
ha2ha ha2ha
and i like all the ideas in this thread=very interestinggggggggg  :D :D ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 09, 2010, 10:38:30 PM
I probably would have liked this song, but my sister played it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 10, 2010, 12:39:23 AM
'Dad was a hypocrite. He could talk about peace and love to the world but he could never show it to his wife and son' - Julian Lennon
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 10, 2010, 04:20:15 AM
Quote
The girl went to study at the university due to her knowledge, there she was writing, reading and screwing guys.

As I recall, John's Aunt Mimi got him into the Art College by telling them she'd pay his tuition.  So she paid his tuition to art college.  In any case she certainly had more money than any of the other Beatle's parents - none of them could have remotely afforded to pay for college tuition and supplies.  They all pretty much just had enough to make ends meet while living in public housing. 
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 10, 2010, 07:31:55 AM
wait now.
what i read is that william pobjoy (the head master of john's high school) recommended that john go to art school when he saw what great talent john had -despite his poor grades.
and that pobjoy wrote john's recommendation because he knew people at the art school
.
.
john had the most affluent upbringing of the beatles according to one paul mccartney interview . .
and paul goes on to point out that john's upbringing had the most family turmoil and personal tragedy of the four beatles
.
.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 10, 2010, 09:54:23 PM
As I recall, John's Aunt Mimi got him into the Art College by telling them she'd pay his tuition.  So she paid his tuition to art college.  In any case she certainly had more money than any of the other Beatle's parents - none of them could have remotely afforded to pay for college tuition and supplies.  They all pretty much just had enough to make ends meet while living in public housing. 

If you insist that Mimi was middle-class (lower middle-class) then you can`t deny that John`s parents were working class. And children come from their parents, relate to them. John`s origin was working class, his upbringing was lower middle class, ok. But why can`t he sing about his origin?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 10, 2010, 10:03:43 PM
'Dad was a hypocrite. He could talk about peace and love to the world but he could never show it to his wife and son' - Julian Lennon

He could never show it to them, because he wasn`t a hypocrite, as he didn`t love Cynthia, especially at this period of their relationship. Very simple to see it! He couldn` t pretend much he loved her. When he started living with Yoko he took Julian to their place every weekend, and Julian says it himself in the interview. Only when he left for NY they stopped seeing each other much. Unfortunately this is the fate of practically all children of divorced parents. Mothers stay with them, but fathers get new families and since they live separately they don`t see each other much. New children are born and a person can`t tear apart.
Besides I believe that it is Cynthia who imposed these ideas on Julian. Like most divorced abandoned wives.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 10, 2010, 10:05:35 PM
wait now.
what i read is that william pobjoy (the head master of john's high school) recommended that john go to art school when he saw what great talent john had -despite his poor grades.
and that pobjoy wrote john's recommendation because he knew people at the art school
.
.
john had the most affluent upbringing of the beatles according to one paul mccartney interview . .
and paul goes on to point out that john's upbringing had the most family turmoil and personal tragedy of the four beatles
.
.


This is all true!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 10, 2010, 11:54:36 PM
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE

BEING MALE MIDDLE CLASS AND WHITE
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 11, 2010, 01:40:25 AM
He could never show it to them, because he wasn`t a hypocrite, as he didn`t love Cynthia, especially at this period of their relationship. Very simple to see it! He couldn` t pretend much he loved her. When he started living with Yoko he took Julian to their place every weekend, and Julian says it himself in the interview. Only when he left for NY they stopped seeing each other much. Unfortunately this is the fate of practically all children of divorced parents. Mothers stay with them, but fathers get new families and since they live separately they don`t see each other much. New children are born and a person can`t tear apart.
Besides I believe that it is Cynthia who imposed these ideas on Julian. Like most divorced abandoned wives.

Oh come on Jane. Your reaching now. Your even trying to exhibit John as a decent father to Julian because he took him during weekends when he was with Yoko. Geez. Your also trying to say that Cynthia was practically brainwashing Julian into believing bad things about John. He saw it for himself when John and Yoko was laying in Cynthias bed. The only thing non-hypocritical about John is that he never denied being a terrible father to Julian and a bastard husband to Cynthia. I'll give him credit for that.

All you need is love indeed.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 11, 2010, 02:19:32 AM
Quote
what i read is that william pobjoy (the head master of john's high school) recommended that john go to art school when he saw what great talent john had -despite his poor grades.
and that pobjoy wrote john's recommendation because he knew people at the art school

Yes you are right.  Like I said I couldn't remember the whole story.  Pobjoy did suggest it BUT Mimi still ended up paying the tuition to actually keep him in the school. 

Quote
john had the most affluent upbringing of the beatles according to one paul mccartney interview . .
and paul goes on to point out that john's upbringing had the most family turmoil and personal tragedy of the four beatles

Doesn't matter what Paul said in an interview, it's bald faced facts that John was the most affluent and it's actually mentioned in many biographies.  Even if Paul had never mentioned it(and I didn't know he had until I read it here), doesn't change the fact that John had the most affluent upbringing.  Personal tragedy has nothing to do with the financial state of his upbringing.  No one is denying he had a right to sing about his mother. :)

Quote
As for his parents -  you are making it like being "working class" is in the DNA.  Doesn't matter what his mom and dad were, he did not live in a working class household(yes lower middle class). 

As for his parents -  you are making it like being "working class" is in the DNA.  Doesn't matter what his mom and dad were, he did not live in a working class household(yes lower middle class).  It's like saying if someone was adopted from poor parents, they are poor, even if though they grew up as the child of a doctor living in 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a big yard in the suburbs.

I'm only insisting on not ignoring what are the facts.  Not to mention it has been mentioned in plenty of Beatles biographies. 
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 11, 2010, 02:46:00 AM
anyone wanna talk about 'old brown shoe'?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 11, 2010, 05:22:49 PM
Oh come on Jane. Your reaching now. Your even trying to exhibit John as a decent father to Julian because he took him during weekends when he was with Yoko. Geez. Your also trying to say that Cynthia was practically brainwashing Julian into believing bad things about John. He saw it for himself when John and Yoko was laying in Cynthias bed. The only thing non-hypocritical about John is that he never denied being a terrible father to Julian and a bastard husband to Cynthia. I'll give him credit for that.

All you need is love indeed.

Please, do you know a single divorced father who sees his children more often than at weekends? Less often - yes, but - more often? Certainly this separation and practice of not seeing one`s children is terrible but it is common. Does Paul and Nancy Shevell take Beatrice to stay with them over the weekend?
There may be two reasons why John did it to Cynthia, I mean let her see him with Yoko. One - he couldn`t tell the whole thing to Cynthia himself, couldn`t bring himself to do it and this incident meant an instant end to the relationship. Second - he was indifferent to Cynthia, or she got on his nerves, or he even hated her.
Do you think that people have to stay together till the end in any case?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 11, 2010, 05:36:18 PM
Doesn't matter what Paul said in an interview, it's bald faced facts that John was the most affluent and it's actually mentioned in many biographies.  Even if Paul had never mentioned it(and I didn't know he had until I read it here), doesn't change the fact that John had the most affluent upbringing.  Personal tragedy has nothing to do with the financial state of his upbringing.  No one is denying he had a right to sing about his mother. :)

Sorry, you have failed here. Do you believe he didn`t have the right to sing about the working class? Oh, MG! You are censors! You are telling what people should sing about? And how people should feel and what people should feel? Then let`s ban piles of songs for the reason you insist on.
This person has the right to sing about that and that person doesn`t have the right to sing about this... We are watching them closely, no escape from us...
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 11, 2010, 05:46:43 PM
As for his parents -  you are making it like being "working class" is in the DNA.  Doesn't matter what his mom and dad were, he did not live in a working class household(yes lower middle class).  It's like saying if someone was adopted from poor parents, they are poor, even if though they grew up as the child of a doctor living in 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a big yard in the suburbs.

His origin is working class. He knows about it. He remembers it. He doesn`t dismiss it as indecent or something, though usually people tend to suppress the truth. If they become rich they would like nobody to know the real truth about themselves, because they want to be accepted by the upper layer, which is not that simple. At least it was like that before, in the 60s, 70s. John remembers his roots, which is very good and creditable.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 11, 2010, 05:48:02 PM
anyone wanna talk about 'old brown shoe'?

I wanna! Give a hint!  :)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 11, 2010, 05:49:27 PM
a side note, or maybe the main point . . does john lennon even claim to be working class in the lyrics to this song?
in fact, the lyrics imply 20 years of education

As soon as your born they make you feel small,
By giving you no time instead of it all,
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school,
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool,
Till you're so f***ing crazy you can't follow their rules,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years,
Then they expect you to pick a career,
When you can't really function you're so full of fear,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,
And you think you're so clever and classless and free,
But you're still f***ing peasents as far as I can see,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
There's room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill,
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 11, 2010, 05:53:30 PM
I wanna! Give a hint!  :)

ok, george is kind of false in this song,
family shoe shopping records show that as a child george frequently had new shoes and they were most often black or grey.
....
.....
........ discuss !  ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 11, 2010, 07:45:39 PM
True. Lennon never said he was working class. I AM WORKING CLASS - never.
He said - A working class hero is something to be... If you want to be a hero just follow me.
If YOU, meaning not him, but somebody, maybe somebody from the working class, wants to be a hero, a leader, an example then this person should follow him. Where? Maybe onto the streets for a demonstration, to protest against the situation, to demand more rights, to improve the standards of living. Follow him? Why not? He is a singer, he will sing for them in the front row.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 12, 2010, 12:12:14 AM
Please, do you know a single divorced father who sees his children more often than at weekends? Less often - yes, but - more often? Certainly this separation and practice of not seeing one`s children is terrible but it is common.

Yeah, its called the freakin law. I'm sure he got visitation rights for once a week and he took it. If he didnt, my god, we might see what kind of father John really was to Julian. You dont have to bother asking me or anybody else about it, Julian has written or said plenty about how it really was, and it wasnt a bed of roses as we all know.

Quote
Does Paul and Nancy Shevell take Beatrice to stay with them over the weekend?

I have no idea. Do you? Why did you even bring this up? Paul has never been publicly ridiculed for being a sh*tty father. as a matter of fact, John has even asked Paul how he got along with julian so well as he didnt know how to do it.


Quote
There may be two reasons why John did it to Cynthia, I mean let her see him with Yoko.

She did when John was laying her bed with her. I'm sure Cynthia and Julian was pleased as punch about that.

Quote
One - he couldn`t tell the whole thing to Cynthia himself, couldn`t bring himself to do it and this incident meant an instant end to the relationship.

Sorry, my only response is to be a man and not some demon that traumitized his only son at the time.

Quote
Second - he was indifferent to Cynthia, or she got on his nerves, or he even hated her.

This may be, but let me ask you something,,,being a woman, would you have enjoyed or respected the manner in which he procedded with the breakup?

Quote
Do you think that people have to stay together till the end in any case?

No, but dont you think the situation could have been handled a whole lot better? This is a man about peace and love after all.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 12, 2010, 12:22:27 AM
Sorry, you have failed here. Do you believe he didn`t have the right to sing about the working class? Oh, MG! You are censors! You are telling what people should sing about? And how people should feel and what people should feel? Then let`s ban piles of songs for the reason you insist on.
This person has the right to sing about that and that person doesn`t have the right to sing about this... We are watching them closely, no escape from us...

He has every right to sing about whatever he wants to, but does that change the fact that he might be singing out of context? Hell, I could sing about being the president of the United States, but I've never been the president. Thats easy enough, isnt it?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 12, 2010, 12:27:09 AM
True. Lennon never said he was working class. I AM WORKING CLASS - never.
He said - A working class hero is something to be... If you want to be a hero just follow me.

But how does he know this when its clear he's never lived in that situation?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 12, 2010, 01:42:16 AM
Quote
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.

So yeah, I'd say he IS saying he is working class.

If you want to be a hero well just follow me, after singing about how being a working class hero is something to be.  Ergo, he is saying he is working class.

Quote
Does Paul and Nancy Shevell take Beatrice to stay with them over the weekend?

I don't know about all the time, but we know they have gone on vacation with her and we know that Paul arranges his work schedule around Beatrice's school schedule.  We know he often takes her to school in the mornings when he has her.  Clearly he is very involved in her life and makes the extra effort to be involved.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 12, 2010, 02:35:59 AM
So yeah, I'd say he IS saying he is working class.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me, after singing about how being a working class hero is something to be.  Ergo, he is saying he is working class.

see, i read the lyrics and thought the title phrase meant 'a hero to working class people'...not 'a hero who is working class'
anyway, i went ahead and looked at some photos of the mendips house - john's room, the yard---- it did look kind of upper class - well.... middle class ?
i tried to picture a young john lennon growing up there . . in his aunt's nice house because his mom's a screw-up and his dad's not around . . . . .
i'm just not getting 'rich kid' from this . . i mean . . it's his aunt's house not his or his parents. they didn't legally adopt him . . that's almost like living in a fancy orphanage or something. you really have nothing - you have less than if you lived in a crappy house with your blood parents
also, what about his upbringing up to the age of 6?
this website shows the houses john lennon lived in
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/pob40.html (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/pob40.html)

i'm gonna be offline for a while . . but i fully expect this thread to be 12 pages when i return  ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 12, 2010, 05:07:18 AM
You people are being so picky about this. The guy grew up around it, his parents were working class, his friends were working class, he related to it. So what? Once upon a time it wasn't considered cool to be working class. I mean, who really cares about this stuff anymore? It's just another label. If he wrote a song that inspired or touched people, then why question what his motives were. It's art.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 12, 2010, 07:50:19 AM
It was about John's sincerity.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 12, 2010, 08:19:43 AM
You people are being so picky about this. The guy grew up around it, his parents were working class, his friends were working class, he related to it. So what? Once upon a time it wasn't considered cool to be working class. I mean, who really cares about this stuff anymore? It's just another label. If he wrote a song that inspired or touched people, then why question what his motives were. It's art.

Because we like talking about Beatle stuff?  :)
If we didn't express opinions or make assumptions things would be a tad dull around here.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 12, 2010, 03:31:18 PM
You people are being so picky about this. The guy grew up around it, his parents were working class, his friends were working class, he related to it. So what? Once upon a time it wasn't considered cool to be working class.

Once upon a time. It isn't considered cool anymore.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 12, 2010, 07:09:17 PM
Quote
i'm just not getting 'rich kid' from this . . i mean . . it's his aunt's house not his or his parents.

I never said he was rich(though I guess the relative who gave him 100 pounds was rather well off but that isn't him), I said he was clearly brought up in a better financial situation than the other Beatles.  He was - maybe he wished he was working class but if anything I'd say the romanticization of it shows that he probably actually wasn't.  It's the whole romanticization of a situation outside of what you actually experienced because somehow it looks better. 

But, you know, there was a reason that Paul's family were "social climbers"(though I really hardly see wanting the kids to get a good education and wanting to have a house with an indoor toilet as a bad thing:) - because it is really really hard to barely make enough money to keep the kids fed and in decent cloths, to always have to worry that you are only one "bad break" away from possibly barely being able to feed your family.  That sort of think affects some people more than others, I have a feeling Paul's mother grew up in somewhat more desperate straights than his dad and that is why she was the one especially determined to make a better life for her kids. 

Also NO kids(especially at that time) had money possessions of their own to any large degree, that's part of being a kid so no I wouldn't say it was like a "rich orphanage". It would have been no different if he'd lived with his parents, it would have been his parents stuff, not his, except for stuff that was given to him or that he bought when he had money, just like it was with Aunt Mimi.   He had an aunt who was very strict and not supportive of his interests but who did love him, he had other relatives around who also loved him.  Now, in no way does that take the place of his parents, there is no way that situation is NOT incredibly painful BUT he wasn't totally unloved and it was a heck of a lot better than an orphanage.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 07:42:16 PM
The conversation about relatives giving 100 pounds to John and his being middle class because of that is very strange. Relatives have nothing to do with you. If you take relatives into account then I am a millionaire. You know I sometimes live in my relatives` large villa... BUT I am not the upper class, and have never considered myself to be. I am only saying it cause your way of thinking is VERY strange.
Another thing - are his half-sisters middle class? They had middle class relatives, such as Mimi, they lived in Harrie`s house, which was rather nice and in wonderful surroundings. They went to Scotland to their middle class relatives. SO - Julia and Jackie were middle class. What NONSENSE! Oh, they had a very rich brother, so they became upper-class.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 12, 2010, 07:48:06 PM
^Jane, that's not what maywitch is suggesting. Sorry to drop into this discussion by the way.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 07:55:48 PM
^Jane, that's not what maywitch is suggesting. Sorry to drop into this discussion by the way.

Sorry too! I haven`t read the post properly. I just remembered reading his other post about John`s relatives giving John 100 pounds. And that is why I wrote about that. relatives have nothing to do with you, and even Mimi had nothing to do with John, his background remains working class. Like BORN to a working class family.
Even if you consider that not enough, I believe he still has all the right to write about the whole thing.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 12, 2010, 07:59:58 PM
It's not about having the right or not, but whether and how sincere he was about it. I think.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 08:09:49 PM
Also NO kids(especially at that time) had money possessions of their own to any large degree, that's part of being a kid so no I wouldn't say it was like a "rich orphanage". It would have been no different if he'd lived with his parents, it would have been his parents stuff, not his, except for stuff that was given to him or that he bought when he had money, just like it was with Aunt Mimi.   He had an aunt who was very strict and not supportive of his interests but who did love him, he had other relatives around who also loved him.  Now, in no way does that take the place of his parents, there is no way that situation is NOT incredibly painful BUT he wasn't totally unloved and it was a heck of a lot better than an orphanage.

Ok, this is all speculation. You don`t know what John felt. But his sisters know better. I believe them, I believe Julia: "Now I can see that there was far more to what John was doing than pure exhibitionism (or hypocricy as you say). The grief and loss he had suffered as a child had been transformed into a desperate craving for love and attention... But of course that didn`t do the trick, it didn`t make the ghosts of the past - his father`s loss, Mummy`s loss, Mimi`s coldness - go away. Perhaps every child who has been abandoned by their parents, struggles with the feeling unlovable. I did, Jackie did, and John did." John wasn`t totally unloved, he was simply unloved, he didn`t feel love, he didn`t have it
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 08:15:49 PM
Yeah, its called the freakin law. I'm sure he got visitation rights for once a week and he took it. If he didnt, my god, we might see what kind of father John really was to Julian. You dont have to bother asking me or anybody else about it, Julian has written or said plenty about how it really was, and it wasnt a bed of roses as we all know.

You haven`t answered my question, Tkitna. Do you know such fathers? I don`t know even a single father who sees his children that often, once a week, at weekends. The reason why I mentioned Paul is that Paul surely doesn`t see Beatrice even once a week, Ok, they`ve taken Beatrice on holiday, and what? just once. It is not like living together. Besides, so did John, they took Julian too.
I absolutely do not blame Paul. It is the fate of all divorced parents and their children. I am all against it certainly.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 12, 2010, 08:18:49 PM
John wasn`t totally unloved, he was simply unloved, he didn`t feel love, he didn`t have it

Ok, this is all speculation.

I don't think John's stepsisters really had an insight on John's life and feelings. They didn't meet more than a handful times I think. Just because Julia and Jackie felt that way, doesn't mean John felt the same.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 08:22:50 PM
Ok, this is all speculation.

I don't think John's stepsisters really had an insight on John's life and feelings. They didn't meet more than a handful times I think. Just because Julia and Jackie felt that way, doesn't mean John felt the same.

Funny, Bobber, you post a reply and I at the same time. And you know what? My reply is always lost clashing with yours! You are stronger, I can`t compete with you. So I am doomed...  :'(
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 08:25:20 PM
It's not about having the right or not, but whether and how sincere he was about it. I think.

But it is your judgement or other people`s judgement. Nobody can know. You can`t know his feelings. And what if John wrote it all sincerely, why can`t you imagine such a situation? He was sincere about it all!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 08:31:51 PM
Ok, this is all speculation.

I don't think John's stepsisters really had an insight on John's life and feelings. They didn't meet more than a handful times I think. Just because Julia and Jackie felt that way, doesn't mean John felt the same.

Sorry, I can`t agree with you! You believe what outsiders say, different people, who even haven`t met John, but you don`t believe his sisters? This is strange! Besides, they did meet more than a handful times, especially when they grew up, before John got married. They saw him at their place, with mummy, they played with him, talked to him, they knew Cynthia quite well. Please, read the book! It is quite good. Surely they had an insight.
In fact, it is all very interesting, and I don`t mind other people`s comments, like Kevin said the more opinions the better.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 12, 2010, 08:42:41 PM
You haven`t answered my question, Tkitna. Do you know such fathers? I don`t know even a single father who sees his children that often, once a week, at weekends.

My stepfather has main custody of his son. And he is a fine father (and stepfather) I must say!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 12, 2010, 09:08:21 PM
This is fantastic, Mairi!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 12, 2010, 09:35:25 PM
Sorry, I can`t agree with you! You believe what outsiders say, different people, who even haven`t met John, but you don`t believe his sisters? This is strange!

I disagree. I never understood why when someone dies, his relatives are all of a sudden supposed to have absolute knowledge of what he would've thought or what he would've done. I grew up with my two brothers, I see my oldest brother every week and he's my best friend. Besides our parents and his wife I like to think that I know him better than anyone else does, but I could never speak for him cause I'm not him and I can't look into his mind.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 13, 2010, 12:54:09 AM
You haven`t answered my question, Tkitna. Do you know such fathers? I don`t know even a single father who sees his children that often, once a week, at weekends. The reason why I mentioned Paul is that Paul surely doesn`t see Beatrice even once a week, Ok, they`ve taken Beatrice on holiday, and what? just once. It is not like living together. Besides, so did John, they took Julian too.
I absolutely do not blame Paul. It is the fate of all divorced parents and their children. I am all against it certainly.

I've never really stopped to consider it to be honest Jane, but what point are you trying to make? Are you trying to say that John really wasnt a bad father to Julian although julian and he himself admitted he was? Please, clue me in as to where your trying to go with this.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 13, 2010, 02:21:49 AM
Jane, McCartney is a hands on father. He's with Beatrice more than you think. He doesn't have a nanny, he cooks for her, takes her to school. They guy isn't always busy.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 13, 2010, 02:31:35 AM
Because we like talking about Beatle stuff?  :)
If we didn't express opinions or make assumptions things would be a tad dull around here.

That's not what I'm saying!!!!!!! Of course that's what we do around here! No, don't ever make assumptions people, only the facts please. Give me some credit man!

It's just that this discussion just seems to be going in circles now. There's no definitive answer for this one cuz how on earth can we ever know if he was sincere or not? When it comes to Lennon, there seems to be people who believe he was all soul and others who believe he was just a great con-man. His legacy is amazing. First he was canonized, now the backlash has started and every fault he ever had is being magnified a 100x over. Not talking just about here, but everywhere. It's great reading.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Sondra on April 13, 2010, 02:33:03 AM
Once upon a time. It isn't considered cool anymore.

Depends on where you are in life.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 13, 2010, 02:35:07 AM
Depends on where you are in life.

Wherever that is, I'm sure not there! Ha.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: maywitch on April 13, 2010, 03:24:19 AM
You haven`t answered my question, Tkitna. Do you know such fathers? I don`t know even a single father who sees his children that often, once a week, at weekends. The reason why I mentioned Paul is that Paul surely doesn`t see Beatrice even once a week, Ok, they`ve taken Beatrice on holiday, and what? just once. It is not like living together. Besides, so did John, they took Julian too.
I absolutely do not blame Paul. It is the fate of all divorced parents and their children. I am all against it certainly.

Paul is with Beatrice a lot.  He's with her enough to know and talk with the Mums of other children at her school(he gave them tickets to his show at the O2 in December of last year because they had complained to him "Why don't you ever play in England?")  He's very hands on, obviously not quite so much as he was with his older kids due to the shared custody but he's seems to be very much there and involved in her life.  I honestly don't think she'll ever doubt she was loved by him.  Not the way Julian did.

Ok, this is all speculation. You don`t know what John felt. But his sisters know better. I believe them, I believe Julia: "Now I can see that there was far more to what John was doing than pure exhibitionism (or hypocricy as you say). The grief and loss he had suffered as a child had been transformed into a desperate craving for love and attention... But of course that didn`t do the trick, it didn`t make the ghosts of the past - his father`s loss, Mummy`s loss, Mimi`s coldness - go away. Perhaps every child who has been abandoned by their parents, struggles with the feeling unlovable. I did, Jackie did, and John did." John wasn`t totally unloved, he was simply unloved, he didn`t feel love, he didn`t have it

Which actually has nothing to do with his financial situation or being a "fancy orphanage"(which is what I was responding to), plenty of people have "cold parents"(a la Mimi) it doesn't make them orphans.  Also I said the situation with his parents was obviously incredibly painful, but again, nothing to do with his being "working class" or not or being sincere in his singing about it.

As well John's sisters  were speculating, based on their own feelings.  And I actually don't doubt he felt many of those things, though it still speculation on her part. But let's face it teenage boy John did not spend time discussing his feelings with his much younger sisters.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 13, 2010, 11:08:31 AM
It's just that this discussion just seems to be going in circles now. It's great reading.
i think that the debate of john's childhood wealth came from his 'rockstar complaints' in ballad of j&y . . which then morphed into was john working class which brought light to the song of the same name . .  leading to jane's comment that john wasnt hypocritical which brought on the analysis of john's value as a parent . . .
so clearly this argument is octagonal, not circular  ha2ha
.
.
.
anyway . .  compare 'life's been good' by joe walsh to 'ballad of j&y' - speaking of rock star complaints
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 13, 2010, 07:29:00 PM
I disagree. I never understood why when someone dies, his relatives are all of a sudden supposed to have absolute knowledge of what he would've thought or what he would've done. I grew up with my two brothers, I see my oldest brother every week and he's my best friend. Besides our parents and his wife I like to think that I know him better than anyone else does, but I could never speak for him cause I'm not him and I can't look into his mind.

Well, I don`t say that they knew everything concerning John, certainly not! And they couldn`t and can`t judge everything. But they DO know at least something, don`t they? Or you suppose that they don`t?  ???   Certainly growing together and being brothers-sisters they knew some things about each other, especially things relating to feelings, which we ARE discussing here. We are not discussing facts or actions now, we are discussing FEELINGS. As Bobber said , we are speaking about sincerity - a feeling, an attitude based on feeling. So I am very logical here, guys!   :P
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 13, 2010, 07:50:38 PM
I've never really stopped to consider it to be honest Jane, but what point are you trying to make? Are you trying to say that John really wasnt a bad father to Julian although julian and he himself admitted he was? Please, clue me in as to where your trying to go with this.

Thank you for your question.
I am trying to say that we mustn`t blame John much for his not seeing Julian often. This is common practice unfortunately. If you don`t live with a child you get driven away from him/her. Opposite examples are just exceptions to the rule. And it seems the only thing everybody accuses John of is this one. But this is LIFE. It is very good that John admitted it, and it is natural that Julian felt deprived, any child does in such circumstances. I am not trying to support John here but I feel that it is a bit unfair to accuse him strongly of that. Everybody seems to come very hard on John in this question. Too hard. Besides I am sure he was getting back to Julian and we know that they were rediscovering a new relationship with each other. John`s death was very tragic in all respects, truly in all.
I don`t like the fact that Julian and Cynthia said not very good words about John. First, Julian was getting closer to John at the time of the tragedy, and surely John did love Julian. A child can`t be so hard. Second, Cynthia proves to be a very revengeous person, she even ends her book JOHN with very unkind words. She could have written them somewhere in the book, in some other part of the book, but to write it in the very end is mean. The end should be positive. The person is dead. He was her husband. We must forgive.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 13, 2010, 07:51:37 PM
Jane, McCartney is a hands on father. He's with Beatrice more than you think. He doesn't have a nanny, he cooks for her, takes her to school. They guy isn't always busy.

Then I take my words back. I was wrong.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 13, 2010, 07:59:53 PM
As well John's sisters  were speculating, based on their own feelings.  And I actually don't doubt he felt many of those things, though it still speculation on her part. But let's face it teenage boy John did not spend time discussing his feelings with his much younger sisters.

Who knows better? You, fans? Or the sister? The answer is obvious.
And, yes, he did! You don`t understand John at all! First, read the book. Second, the girls saw John quite often during the last years of their mother`s life. Third, John was a hooligan on the surface, when dealing with guys, but he was very sensitive and emotional. Certainly with his sisters he was quite open, he didn`t have to pretend to be tough.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 13, 2010, 09:53:25 PM
Jane, do you have any siblings?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 13, 2010, 11:50:44 PM
Thank you for your question.
I am trying to say that we mustn`t blame John much for his not seeing Julian often. This is common practice unfortunately. If you don`t live with a child you get driven away from him/her. Opposite examples are just exceptions to the rule. And it seems the only thing everybody accuses John of is this one. But this is LIFE. It is very good that John admitted it, and it is natural that Julian felt deprived, any child does in such circumstances. I am not trying to support John here but I feel that it is a bit unfair to accuse him strongly of that. Everybody seems to come very hard on John in this question. Too hard. Besides I am sure he was getting back to Julian and we know that they were rediscovering a new relationship with each other. John`s death was very tragic in all respects, truly in all.

Your the first person i've ever talked with that has actually stood up for John in this matter. Its really not the issue of how much time he spent with Julian, its what he did with that time. John didnt know what to do with the kid or how to act. Paul was playing with Julian once when they were all on holiday and John even asked Paul how he did that. How he could entertain the child like that. John just didnt know how to be a father and would have rather of ignored the responsibility than to face it at that time and he often did. Why do you think people feel a little remorseful towards Sean somethimes. All of a sudden, John was a candidate for father-of-the year with Sean. Its bullsh*t that he showed such love for one son and the other got such a raw deal. I could never do that.

Quote
I don`t like the fact that Julian and Cynthia said not very good words about John.

Yeah, saying that Julian came from the bottom of a bottle of whiskey is much better than the truth that Cynthia and Julian stated.

Quote
First, Julian was getting closer to John at the time of the tragedy, and surely John did love Julian. A child can`t be so hard. Second, Cynthia proves to be a very revengeous person, she even ends her book JOHN with very unkind words. She could have written them somewhere in the book, in some other part of the book, but to write it in the very end is mean. The end should be positive. The person is dead. He was her husband. We must forgive.

Its so much easier to forgive when your not in the situation.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 14, 2010, 06:54:12 AM
Certainly growing together and being brothers-sisters they knew some things about each other, especially things relating to feelings, which we ARE discussing here. We are not discussing facts or actions now, we are discussing FEELINGS.
My brothers and me very rarely discuss our feelings, to be honest. So once again, I don't think I could ever feel entitled to speak for them.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2010, 08:13:42 PM
My brothers and me very rarely discuss our feelings, to be honest. So once again, I don't think I could ever feel entitled to speak for them.

You may not be discussing feelings, but you know pretty well how you all feel and what you all feel.
Actually, I am giving up this discussion because it will lead to nothing. Again I am not supporting John but a person can appear not to know what to do with a child, for example when this father is quite young, and it often happens to young fathers. However later this very person may come to understanding what to do with his own children, how to deal with them. He may be absolutely different with his younger children.
I never say that John was an excellent father to Julian but to bring up this fact every time people speak about John is unfair.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 14, 2010, 08:45:20 PM
I never say that John was an excellent father to Julian but to bring up this fact every time people speak about John is unfair.

In the context of this discussion, its right on the money though. John didnt practice what he preached. Theres many other aspects too.

John was human and made mistakes like all of us do. The point I was trying to make though was that the people who look at John as some holy messiah or peace activist are wrong. They're fooled into thinking that way. Thats all.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 15, 2010, 12:19:47 AM
people who look at John as some holy messiah or peace activist are wrong. They're fooled into thinking that way.
there was another thread (of many) with this sentiment the other day and i responded that the john=saint perception was because of yoko and how she has . . . marketed . . john's legacy
it's all very condescending and self-righteous and gives yoko a chance to get up and say stuff like . . "a rainbow is love and love is peace"
(as someone else said in that thread - she's a performance 'artist')
she knows who he really was. someone with a recent heroin addiction who was insecure, still harboring feelings for maypang and had a stack of playboy magazines at the foot of his bed
anyway, it made me think . .
john lennon's last song 'starting over' is kind of saying - "ive been a bad husband, lets take a vacation" - that's really not preachy at all. it's admitting to having flaws
that peace/imagine messaih stuff is largely yoko's rap
so next time some hackeysack playing unbathed idiot tries to tell you about martin luther king, the dali lama and john lennon . . . go to your stereo and crank out 'run for your life'
i'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man
ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 15, 2010, 12:40:32 PM
john lennon's last song 'starting over' is kind of saying - "ive been a bad husband, lets take a vacation" - that's really not preachy at all. it's admitting to having flaws
that peace/imagine messaih stuff is largely yoko's rap

I agree about 'Starting Over'. I think John finally started to feel comfortable in his own skin around that time and was ready to really give us some great, honest music during the 80's, but it wasnt meant to be. 
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 15, 2010, 06:59:58 PM
In the context of this discussion, its right on the money though. John didnt practice what he preached. Theres many other aspects too.

John was human and made mistakes like all of us do. The point I was trying to make though was that the people who look at John as some holy messiah or peace activist are wrong. They're fooled into thinking that way. Thats all.

I believe that John didn`y preach anything, he sang songs. You shouldn`t take his songs as prayers otherwise you yourself appear to be thinking that John was a messiah. He wasn`t a messiah, but a lot of what he said, his ideas turned out to be ahead of his times. And that is very interesting!
Actually he was a peace activist at some time of his life and even was persecuted for that, not openly, but he was in the CIA files. Was it for nothing? Certainly not!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 15, 2010, 07:06:37 PM
and had a stack of playboy magazines at the foot of his bed

so next time some hackeysack playing unbathed idiot tries to tell you about martin luther king, the dali lama and john lennon . . . go to your stereo and crank out 'run for your life'
i'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man
ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha

Playboy magazines? Not bad indeed! I approve of it!  ;D
I am sure that Martin Luther King and Dalay Lama had a lot of faults and kept their favourite glossy magazines and, who knows, maybe playboy ones as well??  :o
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 15, 2010, 08:37:46 PM
He wasn`t a messiah, but a lot of what he said, his ideas turned out to be ahead of his times. And that is very interesting!

Oh please, clue us in. What exactly was ahead of their times that John preached? I must know.

Quote
Actually he was a peace activist at some time of his life and even was persecuted for that, not openly, but he was in the CIA files. Was it for nothing? Certainly not!

What was it for then? Even the presient of the United States knew the hold that Lennon had on the heard. I see that its no different here on this board. A drug addict preaching about peace. Priceless.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 15, 2010, 09:01:48 PM
Actually he was a peace activist

That's an insult to everyone who ever actually suffered and sacrificed for peace. What did John do besides sing a few catch phrases about peace and not leaving a fancy hotel room for a week? John was nothing more than a bored, rich rock star looking for a hobby and something to sing about.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 15, 2010, 09:14:52 PM
If you want to talk about peace activists, why don't you talk about Joan Baez, she actually spent time in jail for encourageing people to burn their draft cards!

im just sayin
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 15, 2010, 09:39:02 PM
If you want to talk about peace activists, why don't you talk about Joan Baez, she actually spent time in jail for encourageing people to burn their draft cards!

Or Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave, who personally organizes strikes and boycots for oppressed workers and has sued the US government on a few occasions.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Mairi on April 15, 2010, 10:29:14 PM
I never knew about that. I don't really listen to their music, but that's really cool.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: JimmyMcCullochFan on April 15, 2010, 10:41:49 PM
Thunderclap Newman's "Something In The Air" knocked this song off of number one  ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 15, 2010, 10:43:24 PM
If you want to talk about peace activists, why don't you talk about Joan Baez, she actually spent time in jail for encourageing people to burn their draft cards!
Or Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave, who personally organizes strikes and boycots for oppressed workers and has sued the US government on a few occasions.
^^^
didn't know that on both counts - cool
.
and i guess you might as well throw bob geldof and the unbelievably charitable harry chapin and . . . (fights the urge) b . . b . . bono
.
.
but in all fairness, i think john lennon put his money where his mouth was also- he put up money for magic alex to invent electric paint  :D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 15, 2010, 10:57:00 PM
Again, I wrote a huge post, but it got clashed with another one and disappeared. I won`t rewrite it, but I will repeat the main idea that one has to be there at that time to understand the whole situation. Please, watch videos and see films, read books to judge. What those people you mentioned did is nothing. Workers still remain workers. John was a singer, a poet, he wasn`t supposed to give his blood for anybody, and he didn`t intend to. He sang songs. This is his way of being involved. If you don`t like him you will go on with this rhetoric of yours. No matter. Besides, he couldn`t do much cause he wasn`t an American citizen, it was all very risky, you have forgotten about it!
I quit, guys! I won`t write here any more. This is all very unfair. I can`t stand unfairness. Good luck to you!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 15, 2010, 11:10:52 PM
I quit, guys! I won`t write here any more.
.
i'm sorry jane, i cant permit that
this thread is supposed to reach 12 pages and you're a big part of it ! you're doing great - your points are well backed up and respectfully presented  :D
.
now . . . get to typin ! !
 ;yes
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 16, 2010, 06:42:08 AM
Please, watch videos and see films, read books to judge.

We're all Beatles fans here. We've watched the videos and films and read the books.

What those people you mentioned did is nothing.

Be honest, what do you know about what Tom Morello did? If you would've done just a little bit of research before making such a statement, you would've found out that among many other things he:
- Founded Axis Of Justice (a non-profit organization for social justice - http://axisofjustice.net (http://axisofjustice.net))
- Was a driving force behind Guess Jeans sweatshop and Taco Bell boycots
- Organized strikes by the LA janitors and Southern California grocery workers
- Sued the US government for the declassification of all documents relating to the use of music in interrogations at Guantanamo Bay

John was a singer, a poet, he wasn`t supposed to give his blood for anybody, and he didn`t intend to. He sang songs. This is his way of being involved.

In other words: he was a singer and a poet, not an activist.

If you don`t like him you will go on with this rhetoric of yours.

We're Beatles fans, of course we like John Lennon. We just don't choose to idolize him to the point where we're seeing him as a flawless human being. And what you call "this rhetoric of yours" are just opinions that differ from yours.

This is all very unfair. I can`t stand unfairness. Good luck to you!

What's unfair about people having different opinions and expressing them?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 16, 2010, 10:49:59 AM
In other words: he was a singer and a poet, not an activist.

.
why are these mutually exclusive of eachother?
example - stevie wonder's 1981 song 'happy birthday' directly led to martin luther kings birthday being declared an american federal holiday
also, i think bob dylan's 'hurricane' helped get hurricane carter a second trial
.
i think any of the people cited in these last few posts would cite john lennon as someone who used his fame platform to speak out against war and for peace
he spoke out against the vietnam war when the beatles were still moptops
his involvement in anti war rallies and his influence in the peace movement was why nixon was trying to deport him
he hosted the mike douglas show and brought out yippie jerry rubin and black panther bobby seale
once again, using his fame as a platform
and of course, he basically penned the themesong for the anti war movement
.
john lennon- definitely not a flawless saint / / but certainly one of many figures who played a role in the anti war movement - if nothing more than getting it publicity !  ;yes
(http://jaavuortenkielta.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/war-is-over3.jpg)


Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 16, 2010, 11:08:47 AM
why are these mutually exclusive of eachother?

They aren't. But as Jane said it herself:
Quote
he wasn`t supposed to give his blood for anybody, and he didn`t intend to. He sang songs.
= He wasn't an activist, just a singer.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 16, 2010, 11:36:29 AM
so hold on - do you know the definition of activist?
that is someone who takes vigorous action in support or opposition of a cause
writing a worldwide hit song for a cause or speaking about it on televison isn't an activity?
.
so what about authors who write about causes to affect public opinion - they aren't acitivists?
.
please don't even respond to this because the logic in your last comment was forced my brother ha2ha ha2ha
maybe jane was right and people just like to have at her ha2ha ha2ha
- don't worry jane, i'm gonna be an activist for you up in this thead  ha2ha ha2ha
.
just three more pages and we hit 12 people ! ! !  :D :D ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 16, 2010, 12:58:29 PM
so hold on - do you know the definition of activist?
that is someone who takes vigorous action in support or opposition of a cause
writing a worldwide hit song for a cause or speaking about it on televison isn't an activity?
.
so what about authors who write about causes to affect public opinion - they aren't acitivists?

That's right, they're not activists.

Definition of activism:

The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause.
(http://www.answers.com/topic/activism (http://www.answers.com/topic/activism))

Activists use actions. Singers, poets and writers use words. Of course you can change things with words, but that still doesn't make you an activist.

please don't even respond to this because the logic in your last comment was forced my brother ha2ha ha2ha

I'll respond whenever I want to respond.

maybe jane was right and people just like to have at her ha2ha ha2ha

I know it might not seem like it sometimes, but I actually like Jane a whole lot. She seems like a very warm, friendly and caring person to me. I just happen to disagree with her quite often. But since this is a discussion forum that shouldn't be a problem, right?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: tkitna on April 16, 2010, 03:02:51 PM
I love Jane. Not liking Jane was never a question in this thread. We dont see eye to eye on something,,,,big deal. I think her admiration for John blinds her somewhat and she probably thinks I have some kind of dislike for the guy (I dont) because of the negative stance I take. I dont think either of us are going to change our minds so debating anymore is fruitless.

Peace
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 16, 2010, 10:41:00 PM
Joost, I got my definition from Webster's - but even by the one you posted, look at that picture- - the man took his money and bought a big billboard in times square with a statement against the war. within the very borders of the government engaged in same war - wasn't that a direct confrontational action. a demonstration even? demonstrations are to bring attention to a cause right?

the bed in for peace that got world wide attention? like it or not - that was a demonstration

but if i understand right, john lennon performed at and attended rallies and that helped put him in hot water . . .
what about the john sinclair rally attended by 20,000?

wasn't the reason the fbi had secret files on him because of his anti war activities?

if you look up john lennon on wikipedia, the first sentence is:John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was an English rock musician, singer-songwriter, author, and peace activist . .
 
i don't agree with everything said about lennon, but you said calling him an activist was an insult to real activists who suffered - well . .
he got involved in the antiwar movement, was involved in rallies and demonstrations . . and they tried to deport him for it
according to some people it resulted in his being murdered
why's it have to be a competition of who's a more actively active avtivist?  ha2ha
lennon fit the bill
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: lennonista on April 17, 2010, 05:49:20 AM
I gotta jump in here on the side that John was an activist... although not necessarily that committed of one. I mean, he was pretty committed at the time, but John was famous for getting very heavily into something and then sort of easing off as he moved on to something else. He didn't quite abandon what he had previously embraced, but he just got into new stuff. He was capricious that way.

But his peacenik era actually left a very profound mark... he wrote the iconic Imagine, his Bed-In stunt will forever be in our memories, and we just can't forget Give Peace a Chance. He became a (the?) symbol of the peace movement, which really influenced a lot of people... like me and many, many others of my generation.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 17, 2010, 07:01:59 PM
Dear Tkitna and Joost! To tell you the truth, I`ve been thinking about you these days! Thank you for your kind words!    :)   I think I can agree with what you are saying. I believe the point is that we differ in our methodological approaches to the problem. You think that an activist is someone who goes to the barricades and gives up their lives to the cause, or who has made a government increase the salary or the wages. If that`s the point, then you are right. Lennon didn`t fight in the streets and didn`t push a bill though Congress or Parliament.
But he took part in peace demonstrations, in demonstrations against the war in Vietnam, which is POLITICS, and because of that it is more DANGEROUS. He sang songs, he inspired people, he attracted attention of everybody, and of those in power. And it was in the 60s, just think of it! And he wasn`t a citizen! It is now ok to say that you are against the war in Iraq, but to say it in those times was very risky. He was in the CIA files and the files have been published now and you can see them. Noone gets into the CIA files for nothing, for being innocent, only for a very-very "good" reason. And they found John dangerous, his ACTIVITIES being against the current government policies of the times. His activities were more dangerous than those of any person fighting in the streets.
Besides, Julia Baird, John`s sister writes in her book (and she is a witness! a contemporary of those events): "Give Peace a Chance... this song said it all. We are all composed of the good, the bad and the peacemakers. Let`s give peace a chance. It was and is wonderful, and it has become one of the staples of peace politics. It was sung by half a million protesters at the November Peace March of 1969 at the Washington Monument, led by Pete Seeger. This was the largest anti-war rally to date... Total admiration swept everyone away, and I was no exception." "John was also an idealist. His hero was Gandhi, hence the peaceful protests. And he had the world`s eyes on him, so he was able to make his point - about world peace - very powerfully... At the same time there was a naivety about what John did that was touching. One thing I feel sure of... Mummy would have laughed, hugged him and encouraged him to go on being daring, brave and bold. She would have loved his creativity and his idealism. He brought politics and pop together..."
John made his point very powerfully.
Nyfan! I followed your appeal and did get to typing! Gimme more advice, Nyfan! I also think your arguments are very grounded.
In fact I am sure we all understand each other well and are able to accept each party`s piece of truth! Like Paul sings: We all stand together!...    ;yes    (gotta listen to this song! don`t remember the words well!)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 17, 2010, 11:58:06 PM
number 1) jane, welcome back. my only advice to you would be to post and elongate this thread until it has reached a dozen pages haha

number 2) joost, i really want to apologize for writing 'dont even respond'. i didn't mean it literally, more like an expression, but i know how it came off. sorry man. truthfully i enjoy your posts since i've read this forum

number 3) so it seems this thread is running several tracks
to take it to extremes, we have:
john was a spoiled child from an upper middle class background who painted himself as working class to be cool and seem like more the people's artist
vs
john was as salt of the earth as the next guy and had every birthright to represent lower economic classes in his music


we then move on to:
john was superficial in his political peace phase and it never amounted to anything more than hot air
vs
john was a pivitol agent of social change who's anti war beleifs were so strong he risked all to spread them

Ok, here’s a new spin
I notice through other threads that lennonista and jane are kind of enamored of john lennon in general.
Let’s be honest, one of the main reasons the beatles gained fame was because girls liked them and they were handsome.
John Lennon had a teeny bopper following.
Do people over emphasize john’s greatness because they just simply have a physical crush on him?
--------------------------------------
Example – the week lady diana died the press was flooding with tributes to what a fantastic charitable giving saint this blonde iconic princess was . . and that same week mother theresa passed away and didn’t get a fraction of the attention/praise.
--------------------------------------
So would john’s legacy – his words, his message and even his music- have such a high place if he wasn’t physically handsome?
Admit it female john lennon fans . . isn’t your praise just rationalizing a type of teenage crush?.. no different than a 14 year old going on about how one of the jonas brothers donated money to PETA?

Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: I_Will on April 18, 2010, 01:28:38 AM
So would john’s legacy – his words, his message and even his music- have such a high place if he wasn’t physically handsome?

Not nearly quite to the extent, but I do believe it still would have somewhat.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: lennonista on April 18, 2010, 02:37:53 AM
I notice through other threads that lennonista and jane are kind of enamored of john lennon in general.
Let’s be honest, one of the main reasons the beatles gained fame was because girls liked them and they were handsome.
John Lennon had a teeny bopper following.
Do people over emphasize john’s greatness because they just simply have a physical crush on him?

Okay... is that a serious question or are you just trying to elongate the thread?  ;) Maybe both, so here's my response:

I have been a Lennonista since... well, as long as I can remember... since I was a kid in the '70s. I remember seeing him on the Mike Douglas Show and I thought, "How cool. That's the same smart-ass I saw in A Hard Day's Night." (But I probably didn't use the word "smart-ass." ;) ) I loved John because he seemed like the coolest one, and all of my favorite Beatles songs were John's. (Mom and older sis loved "Let It Be" and "Hey Jude" but I went straight for "Come Together" and "Don't Let Me Down".) John just always made sense to me. Paul was the more "popular" one when I was a kid, but I didn't care.

I stuck with John through thick and thin in the '70s... I even used to defend Yoko. It was hard being a John fan in my era, because for most of my "teeny bopper" years, he was a "househusband." Did I think he was cute? Nah, I never thought about him that way... 'til waaaay later. (Being a mature woman in her 40s now, I look at his pix circa 1965 and think, "Damn, he was beautiful!" But that doesn't cloud my thinking... because I think they ALL looked beautiful!)

Believe it or not, there are lots of women out there who are like me... a man becomes attractive to me only after I dig who he is inside. First of all, I loved John's music... then I loved his message... and as I got to know more about him, I admired his profound intelligence, his quickness, his witty and silly humor, his edginess. He became cute to me only after I knew I loved him.

I am very open-minded when it comes to John... I put things in perspective. I'm not in a personal relationship with him, so I don't give a damn if he was a jealous, irrational narcissist. (Just like I can love Paulie even though I think he's an uptight control-freak buzzkill.) John was also a fascinating person and artist who helped me make sense of the world in my formative, impressionable years.

The people who haven't been bitten by the Lennon bug will never understand... he connected emotionally to a LOT of people. He was a rebel... (don't give me that "he was a millionaire" BS... he never conformed to ANYONE'S idea of what or who he should be... not even Yoko's) and we NEED rebels in our society. Nobody questions things intelligently anymore... no one knows how to push the envelope quite like John did. It's 30 years after his death and we're still talking about his actions, not just his music.

John's spirit was incredible. To paraphrase Ringo, "He would be the first one to jump in the pool, splash around, and be out drying off before other people even stuck their toes in the water." THAT's what I loved about John.

I'll defend John forever, but not blindly. I think it's weird how the pendulum has swung so much that Paul is now viewed as the virtuous one and everybody dumps on John (used to be the other way around, back in the day)... I want to keep BOTH sides in balance. I love what one former Quarry Man said about John: "He was a miserable guy... but I loved him!"

¡Viva la revolución lennonista!  ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 18, 2010, 03:21:08 AM
 ha2ha yeah i am picking at straws to keep the thread going !  thanks for humoring me ;sorry
ok, sondra- do you mean what I said was demeaning to lady diana or to female john lennon fans?
I thought the lady di analogy wasn’t too bad – she was kind of canonized when she died as an ultimate  humanitarian when it could be argued that some of her charity work involved just lending her fame to a cause (like has been said of JL) The greater loss to humanitarianism was probably mother theresa and – yes- her story was kind of lost among the ……. news media frenzy
If lady di was fat or old or ugly or black I really don’t think that the same level of attention would have been there
 
As to what you say about looks helping but substance having to be there – I guess that hits the nail on the head.  I mean . . the substance is what makes people attractive too. I may have a partial point though. Some people arguing about john’s ideals may also be biased towards him due to attraction.
Case in point – you said most ADULTS look deeper, but I’ve read more than once that physical appearance plays a role in who wins the presidential election . . and all the voters are over 18 !! ;D

lennonista – I just like how you write ! that was a good read

i will - thanks for the honest answer !  ;yes

 :D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: lennonista on April 18, 2010, 03:44:26 AM

lennonista – I just like how you write ! that was a good read


lol ~ Thanks for humoring me...
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 18, 2010, 08:18:05 AM
number 2) joost, i really want to apologize for writing 'dont even respond'. i didn't mean it literally, more like an expression, but i know how it came off. sorry man.

No problem. :)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 18, 2010, 08:31:04 PM
number 1) jane, welcome back. my only advice to you would be to post and elongate this thread until it has reached a dozen pages haha

Let’s be honest, one of the main reasons the beatles gained fame was because girls liked them and they were handsome.


I can`t get the magic 12? Why not the horrible 13? Or the sweet 16?  ;D
It`s not just about being handsome. Certainly, in music, pop and rock looks do matter, but in John`s case if he hadn`t been famous at the time of his peace period he wouldn`t have got all the attention he did get from the public and the authorities, and the fans even if had been a 100 times as handsome as he was. He used his position, his fame for a good cause, which is creditable.
Besides, Nyfan, you have forgotten that women love with their ears. It is men who love with their eyes. It is for you that the appearance counts so much, while for us it is mostly desirable. A man should just have pleasant looks, but to us his personality is more important. Well, if he has both then it is great.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 18, 2010, 08:39:38 PM
I loved John because he seemed like the coolest one, and all of my favorite Beatles songs were John's.

Believe it or not, there are lots of women out there who are like me... a man becomes attractive to me only after I dig who he is inside. First of all, I loved John's music... then I loved his message... and as I got to know more about him, I admired his profound intelligence, his quickness, his witty and silly humor, his edginess.

The people who haven't been bitten by the Lennon bug will never understand... he connected emotionally to a LOT of people. He was a rebel... (don't give me that "he was a millionaire" BS... he never conformed to ANYONE'S idea of what or who he should be... not even Yoko's) and we NEED rebels in our society. Nobody questions things intelligently anymore... no one knows how to push the envelope quite like John did. It's 30 years after his death and we're still talking about his actions, not just his music.

John's spirit was incredible. To paraphrase Ringo, "He would be the first one to jump in the pool, splash around, and be out drying off before other people even stuck their toes in the water." THAT's what I loved about John.

I'll defend John forever, but not blindly. I think it's weird how the pendulum has swung so much that Paul is now viewed as the virtuous one and everybody dumps on John (used to be the other way around, back in the day)... I want to keep BOTH sides in balance.


I agree with you! And remember that he was an idealist as Julia writes. I agree with her characteristic too.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 18, 2010, 08:44:21 PM
As did his art which was a soundtrack to so many peoples' lives.

Because John`s songs are very sincere (even if you do not admit that he was sincere, his songs still ARE). I have an acquaintance who says that his songs helped her to survive, to get through a very hard period in her life.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 18, 2010, 09:10:42 PM
It`s not just about being handsome                looks do matter,
 women love with their ears. It is men who love with their eyes, It is for you that appearance counts so much . . .                         
A man should just have pleasant looks, but to us his personality is more important.
Well, if he has both then it is great.
ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha
 ok, what would you know about my ears and eyes lol
but seriously, you're argument would be a whole lot more convincing if we weren't presently surrounded by two dozen threads all 50 pages with titles like - "dreamy photos of the beatles yawning" - lol  ha2ha

i dont really believe the point i made though, you see, i'm a huge beatles fan ;yes
Ok tho, let me be honest and face facts here . . I was just trying to provoke some posting and stretch the thread
The man obviously had an appeal beyond those shallow lines – duh, I know that lol
I mean, he was worshipped and adored by millions. His personality was larger than life and his charisma was otherworldly – it was like he just showed up and hypnotized the whole world like a cult with everything he did
Just look how there are still so many forums/people who idolize this man and his life and his work
He was like a god walking among us humans
(I think I feel the pendulum swinging)  . lol
ANYONE WHO SAYS ONE WORD AGAINST THIS AMAZING MAN NEEDS THEIR HEAD EXAMINED –
.
.
.
.
Mickey dolenz was but a cheap imitation of our inspired savior ! !
(ok, I’m like not even kidding is the sad part lol)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 18, 2010, 09:16:58 PM
well, kinda kidding
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 18, 2010, 09:22:14 PM
Nyfan! What are you saying? It is not an argument, it is a well-known statement: Men love with their eyes, while women love with their ears. Don`t you have the same "proverb" in the USA? Now I wonder!!   ???
Remember some classical literature! This is a generalization, certainly, but every generalization is well-grounded.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 18, 2010, 09:34:56 PM
Nyfan! What are you saying? It is not an argument, it is a well-known statement: Men love with their eyes, while women love with their ears. Don`t you have the same "proverb" in the USA? Now I wonder!!   ???
Remember some classical literature! This is a generalization, certainly, but every generalization is well-grounded.
lol, oh ok- no i never heard that one
anyway, the generalizations spice up the thread . like well-grounded pepper  ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: emmi_luvs_beatles on April 18, 2010, 09:46:06 PM
Believe it or not, there are lots of women out there who are like me... a man becomes attractive to me only after I dig who he is inside.

I completely agree. Honestly, when I first saw a picture of the Beatles (1963), I thought "That one looks 12!" (Paul) and so I thought "There's no way I'm liking them." Hahahahahahah soooo naive.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: JimmyMcCullochFan on April 18, 2010, 09:49:35 PM
I wonder if John would have gotten involved at all if he was not with Yoko?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: lennonista on April 18, 2010, 11:32:02 PM
I mean, he was worshipped and adored by millions. His personality was larger than life and his charisma was otherworldly – it was like he just showed up and hypnotized the whole world like a cult with everything he did
Just look how there are still so many forums/people who idolize this man and his life and his work
He was like a god walking among us humans
(I think I feel the pendulum swinging)  . lol

Now you're making some sense... I can see Aunt Mimi must have given you a good talking-to!  ;)

But we Lennonistas don't need everyone on our side. After all, the thing about being cool is that not everyone gets it...  if they did, then it wouldn't be cool anymore.  8) And we don't need everyone kissing John's very cute and round a$$... just stop tearing him apart and being so damn quick to point out his myriad flaws... I don't see the Let It Be thread deteriorating into a multi-page posting of how Paul was a racist because he called Yoko a "Jap tart" or what a jerk he was because he dumped his girlfriend like the day after she had a miscarriage or... I could go on, but I won't. I think we're getting close to the 12-page target, anyway.

I wonder if John would have gotten involved at all if he was not with Yoko?

Probably not. But he would have done SOMEthing. Like he told Maureen Cleave in the famous "more popular than Jesus" interview: "You see there's something else I'm going to do; something I must do — only I don't know what it is."
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 19, 2010, 12:47:03 AM
Are you aware of the age of those posters though? Hmmmmm??? Hmmm??
.
no sondra, i really don't know who posts over there.
. . . but apparently you are familiar enough with the inside of those threads to tell me who posts in them- ha2ha
 . . hey, what's the wallpaper like over there?  ha2ha (ducks)
.
(yes i kno, you're a moderator and compelled by duty to weather the immaturity of such threads HAHA  ;D ;D)
.
.
ok seriously though, since you're a mod - do you know if all thread pages are the same length? - because this is like the longest 10th page ever  :'(
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 19, 2010, 12:51:57 AM
YIPEE  :D :D
"owr freds go up to eleven" ha2ha
(http://members.cox.net/espressopundit/SpinalTap_Edith_503.jpg) ha2ha ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 19, 2010, 04:48:21 PM
Probably not. But he would have done SOMEthing. Like he told Maureen Cleave in the famous "more popular than Jesus" interview: "You see there's something else I'm going to do; something I must do — only I don't know what it is."

I agree with that. He would have definitely got involved in something, I even think it would have been some kind of war protest by the way... I almost sure!  :)
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Kevin on April 20, 2010, 08:20:47 AM
I agree with that. He would have definitely got involved in something, I even think it would have been some kind of war protest by the way... I almost sure!  :)

Jane - I can hear that turning into a fact in your head as we speak.  :)
He might have got involved in something.

If we're using qoutes, here's poltical bad boy in 1980
PLAYBOY: John, do you really need all those houses around the country?
LENNON: They're good business.

Lennon would have definately got involved in property market speculation that ultimately would contribute to the near collapse of the worldwide economic syastem, bringing poverty, hardship and distress to countless millions. I'm almost sure...    :)

Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 20, 2010, 09:01:58 AM
Slightly OT: Paul McCartney supports Make Poverty History and Adopt-A-Minefield. If John is a peace activist, can we call Paul a peace activist too?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 20, 2010, 11:03:04 AM
It only seems long because reading the posts gets rather tedious. HAHA  ;D ;D  ha2ha
ha2ha  ;D
.
.
I agree with that. He would have definitely got involved in something, I even think it would have been some kind of war protest by the way... I almost sure!  :)
maybe he meant like book writing, drawing or even acting.  :D =  he was young when he said it though so it may mean nothing
.
.
Jane - I can hear that turning into a fact in your head as we speak.  :)
He might have got involved in something.

If we're using qoutes, here's poltical bad boy in 1980
PLAYBOY: John, do you really need all those houses around the country?
LENNON: They're good business.

Lennon would have definately got involved in property market speculation that ultimately would contribute to the near collapse of the worldwide economic syastem, bringing poverty, hardship and distress to countless millions. I'm almost sure...    :)


ha2ha but then he would have been visited by 3 ghosts on xmas eve!  ;D
or maybe he'd be the leading protester against downloading music on the ineternet (?$?)
.
Slightly OT: Paul McCartney supports Make Poverty History and Adopt-A-Minefield. If John is a peace activist, can we call Paul a peace activist too?
i was  thinking that too/ i just wish paul hadnt written that freedom song after 9/11- it's kind of a right wing song . . . but what can you expect, unlike john, paul's background is working class ! ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 20, 2010, 06:04:30 PM
Jane - I can hear that turning into a fact in your head as we speak.  :)
He might have got involved in something.

If we're using qoutes, here's poltical bad boy in 1980
PLAYBOY: John, do you really need all those houses around the country?
LENNON: They're good business.
Lennon would have definately got involved in property market speculation that ultimately would contribute to the near collapse of the worldwide economic syastem, bringing poverty, hardship and distress to countless millions. I'm almost sure...    :


Hi Kevin!
Unlike your supposition, which never realized, mine was a fact. He was a protester against war.  :)
John knew very little about business and financial matters.  :)  :(
Why don`t you react to some other ideas of mine instead of choosing just a fun phrase?   :)  :P
If you want a conversation say something in reaction to my or lennonista`s ideas.


Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 20, 2010, 06:07:08 PM
Slightly OT: Paul McCartney supports Make Poverty History and Adopt-A-Minefield. If John is a peace activist, can we call Paul a peace activist too?

Awwww, that`s what it is! Jealousy! (can hear Billy Joel singing...)
Do you think I mind?   ;D
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 20, 2010, 07:37:08 PM
Awwww, that`s what it is! Jealousy! (can hear Billy Joel singing...)
Do you think I mind?   ;D

It's not jealousy (I don't represent Paul...) and it's certainly not meant to be provocative. It was a 100% serious question.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: JimmyMcCullochFan on April 20, 2010, 07:45:23 PM
Macca has been an activist for a ton of things over the years. Animal rights etc What did John do besides lay in bed for a week?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 20, 2010, 08:29:35 PM
It's not jealousy (I don't represent Paul...) and it's certainly not meant to be provocative. It was a 100% serious question.

Joost! Please, don`t be so serious, friend! Of course, Macca is great!   :)
But... why should we speak about him here where we speak about John? BTW we are speaking about John`s song! So, if somebody remembers Paul all of a sudden it makes one think... - jealousy! they want to prove that Paul is no worse... - BUT actually I don`t mind and agree that Paul is an activist! Though for a bit lesser causes, which are not dangerous for the protester himself and his life like the protest against the Vietnam War was. Is Paul included in the CIA or FBI files? NO. And John was. FACT.
Well, Nyfan, have I done my homework well??  8)  Please, answer!
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 20, 2010, 09:21:52 PM
BTW we are speaking about John`s song!
Originally we were, but the last several pages this has mostly been a discussion about peace activism through music. So I don't see why I wouldn't be allowed to bring Paul into the discussion since we're not really discussing the song anymore, and this was never supposed to be a topic exclusively about John.

So, if somebody remembers Paul all of a sudden it makes one think... - jealousy!
For the second and hopefully last time, that's nonsense. This is not a John vs. Paul popularity contest where I'm on Paul's team.

Though for a bit lesser causes
I disagree. At least Paul has specific causes. John's message was always much too general and simplified to really change anything. If someone says "I want world peace!", my first thought is, "Great, where do you want to start?". John never really answered that question. Paul has campaigned against landmines and for the lowering of the debts of the Third World countries. Now those are actually good places to start. So if you ask me, Paul's thinking as an "activist" is ahead of John's.

which are not dangerous for the protester himself and his life like the protest against the Vietnam War was.
I'm not buying that John's life actually was in danger because of his activism.

Is Paul included in the CIA or FBI files? NO. And John was. FACT.
Yeah, and Michael Jackson was included in the Stasi (East German secret police) files. So what?
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 20, 2010, 09:51:27 PM
Joost! Please, don`t be so serious, friend! Of course, Macca is great!   :)
But... why should we speak about him here where we speak about John? BTW we are speaking about John`s song! So, if somebody remembers Paul all of a sudden it makes one think... - jealousy! they want to prove that Paul is no worse... - BUT actually I don`t mind and agree that Paul is an activist! Though for a bit lesser causes, which are not dangerous for the protester himself and his life like the protest against the Vietnam War was. Is Paul included in the CIA or FBI files? NO. And John was. FACT.
Well,Nyfan, have I done my homework well??  8) Please, answer!

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 ??? what do you mean 'john's song ? as i say in my first reply, everything i like about this song comes from paul  ha2ha
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now, let me direct the crowd's attention to the splashing descending piano slaps which are played before "saving up your money for a rainy day . ."
Can you even believe these are the same hands that play ‘martha my dear’?? – little richard would be be proud! ! !
 ;yes
See, if you take away paul’s fun wild piano , . . his solid drum beat . . his vintage rock bassline . . .  his spot-on harmonies . . . what you’re left with is:

" . . . 99 bottles of john on the wall / 99 bottles of john
If yoko farts consider it art / 98 bottles of john on the wall . ."

ha2ha
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 21, 2010, 11:19:34 AM
 . . . .  :-\ . . umm, hello . . . (tap tap) is this thing on? .. i just said something negative about the great john lennon . . . basically saying he was riding on paul's musical coattails . . . . anyone?? . . . .
hmm
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ok, let me sweeten the pot - john's whole 'peace' thing was just a gimmick to sell more records !
yup - make a few fat dollars off a peace anthem and spend that money on smack and running throuh a bunch of asian women like some demented g.i. on shore leave !!
then it's back to the home front to be the worst father/husband in the entire world . . .
just another day in the life of arch villian john lennon . .

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doesn't anyone have anything twelve pagey to say ?  :'(
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 21, 2010, 08:37:01 PM
Originally we were, but the last several pages this has mostly been a discussion about peace activism through music. So I don't see why I wouldn't be allowed to bring Paul into the discussion since we're not really discussing the song anymore, and this was never supposed to be a topic exclusively about John.

Nobody said you are not allowed to speak. (Though I remember you didn`t allow me to speak when I posted in The Beach Boys - I don`t like them much - you - You are not supposed to speak! - I thought - Oh...) So, certainly do speak, I enjoy reading your posts because they are very profound and well-thought over.
What concerns John and the CIA, it was rather dangerous. You are far from politics, so you may believe it is not. But it is. John got involved in big politics, not in debt-issues or land-mine issues, which are commonly accepted as positive causes to argue for. And even official acting politicians support these ideas. However Paul chose not to speak about the war in Iraq, because this is big politics and this is the direct interference into the foreign policy of the country.
What can be done in this respect, to stop the war? Practically nothing, but a famous person`s voice influences other people`s perceptions, attracts the world`s attention to the problem so that the countrys government could no longer disregard the international community`s opinion on the issue. The protests increased, the demonstrations proliferated and John did contribute to it. Even Julia writes about it (please, read my post about what Julia writes in her book). Nobody is doing the same concerning the war in Iraq. People speak against it, but there`s no action as huge as to make the world fix its eyes on it. That`s what John did at that time. The present war goes on and American and British sons are dying there by the way. What for? For no reason.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Jane on April 21, 2010, 08:38:02 PM
Nyfan, I am disappointed.  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Joost on April 21, 2010, 09:01:41 PM
(Though I remember you didn`t allow me to speak when I posted in The Beach Boys - I don`t like them much - you - You are not supposed to speak! - I thought - Oh...)
I'm really sorry to read that. I seriously can't remember that I ever (consciously) tried to make you feel like your imput wasn't wanted. If I somehow made that impression I sincerely apologize and I can assure you that I never wanted to exclude you from any discussion.

I enjoy reading your posts because they are very profound and well-thought over.
Thank you, I appreciate that.

You are far from politics
How do you know? I can assure you I'm not.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 21, 2010, 09:43:42 PM
Nyfan, I am disappointed.  :'( :'( :'(
well jane, if you'd like to know how i really feel it's as follows -
it was a plan of the devil to remove john lennon .. and bob marley . .from this world to set the stage for 666 incarnate ronald reagan to take office along with his black magic practicing wife and all the evil string pullers including cia honcho/murderous drug dealer george bush the first - and the whole skull and bones carlyle crew.
if an influencial voice like lennon's had been around in the 80's . .   or now for that matter
but even if he wasn't slain something would have happened - he would have been deported, incarcerated, scandaled or something. it really never fails.
paul mccartney's song 'freedom' really p*ssed me off. where's your song for the hundred thousand iraqi civillians who were killed in the fake oil war? what the *^&@% do you really know about 9/11 paul BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO . . where's john when you need him  ???  :-X
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and give peace a chance had nothing to do with all this. it all started when he said "tricky dicky . . . . " in gimme some truth
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: lennonista on April 21, 2010, 10:01:55 PM

doesn't anyone have anything twelve pagey to say ?  :'(

No.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: Bobber on April 22, 2010, 07:22:10 AM
No.

Agreed.
Title: Re: Singles - Ballad of John and Yoko.
Post by: nyfan(41) on April 22, 2010, 10:54:37 AM
Agreed.
;yes ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha ha2ha ;yes