The song isn't meant to preach or convince. This is a self reflection. People always speculated his philosophies from songs and interviews. This was setting it straight; What he believes in doesn't come in the form of a religion or political preference. He believes in himself and that's all he needs.
Everyone deserves a right to their opinion but what a time to say the things he was saying about the song when you could tell this is a memorial service for John Lennon talk about a bad time for him to make a comment like he he did. I love the song I love John Lennon and I love the Beatles you could tell this is a memorial service by his fans. I won't come back to this site
when he said, "i don't believe in elvis, don't believe in beatles" -- he was saying, essentially, that he didn't believe in the PR, in the images built by fame. they weren't real. and he was about his own truth; he was a seeker.
Class consciousness. The only thing that really matters. Black/white/gay/straight etcera. If the working class stick together...........things will change.
If you study philosophy, you may change your mind. When you open your mind to love and belief in oneself without the confines of what the world thinks is best for you, that, is true freedom. To me, (as a former Baptist / Catholic) As I grew and began to become introspective about life and how we are expected to live our own lives being dictated by the mandates of others, it made me realize how religion is the basis of all war, hatred, violence, etc... because the beliefs of people who force themselves on others is the catalyst of true evil. There would be no devil without God. I know you may disagree with me, I felt that way long ago, but with age and the study of my own journey, I made the realization that we create our own choices, we face the consequences of those choices. Church does not make people good people, it's what's inside each of us that makes the goodness, even the bad, and abhorrent. The Bible says "do not judge, lest ye be judged." , But don't you find that so many Christians are filled with judgements and hate others who don't believe what they do and damn souls to a place that no man on Earth has ever been? Logic dictates these thoughts. I believe in peace, love, love of my fellow humans, love of my family, love of one's self, of nature, animals, the beautiful natural beauty of our forests, our sky's, my pets, my friends and try to understand those who think they are unlovable. It's all within you. That's what John meant about this song. All those other things he didn't believe in didn't fulfill his ability to love and live in peace with himself, they were are temporary, but not what gave him honesty and strength. ✌🏼❤️🎶
Danelle Covey, not really a big fan of John Lennon, first time I've heard this song. Your interpretation of its meaning, is what I felt he was trying to convey. I agree with you 100%.
I agree. But I often find myself when replying to youtube comments I need to backspace half of what I have typed because I always seem to bring my own personal perspective or experience into it, in a way almost reinforcing what I have said because I believe it to be "correct" and thus negating the point I was making without even realising it. Plato or some shit.
you write : " religion is the basis of all war, hatre....religion has violence, etc... because the beliefs of people who force themselves on others is the catalyst of true evil. " .....disagree , money (ie: capitalism ) is the root of all evil.... do you really think that a world without religion would still prevent greed . lust , dominance from taking place ? that men of the ages have all been on a quest for "better hunting grounds" religion has of course been a catalyst ...but more as a way to denigrate the rights of others ....an excuse for the evil inherent anyway. you write : "don't you find that so many Christians are filled with judgements and hate others who don't believe what they do and damn souls to a place that no man on Earth has ever been? " As if the judgements make any difference or impact on most people ? what do i care what anyone thinks about me ?Sure it has many examples of persecution - but .c"mon you dont really care?...nor does that judgement affect you in any real way ...and in any case they are not real Christians anyway, so who cares . Lennon was a hypocrite for how he treated his wife and son ...brilliant as he was ....but no responsibility AT ALL was his bag...and thats what the song is about- the mindset of which let him abandon his wife and child A convenient philosophy for him to live by to absolve him of all responsibility . "Do what thou wilt " is actually the philosophy he subscribes to .
When Lennon is saying he doesn't "believe" in all these things, he doesn't mean literally. He means figuratively. All of the things he mentioned are hyped-up, obsessions and idols to people all around the world and history. They are followed and idolised or hated to such an extent that they become more than what they actually are. Lennon thought the way in which people blow these things out of all proportion was bullshit or a fantasy. Lennon, throughout his life, followed an array of philosophies, religions, ideas, and figures and always found that they weren't as real or genuine as what people hyped them up to be. He, therefore, concluded that, ultimately, the only thing that he knows to be true or genuine is himself, his wife, and the love they have together. You can extrapolate from that and apply this to yourself, with Lennon warning people not to get sucked into things to easily and appreciate the basics about your life that are important that aren't bullshit. Him saying that he doesn't believe in The Beatles, he means that what was, to him, just 4 guys in a rock band, to others, was nothing more or less than the saviours of the world. The world went mad about The Beatles with people actually believing them to be prophets or gods. Lennon is trying to be like "Look, guys, we are just a band. And I am just a guy who loves his wife".
He is preaching liberation from religious myths , and other kinds too . In another song he says " There aint no Jesus gonna come from the sky ... " He earned his place among the great poets by being , himself , a prophet . The proof is in the songs . Listen , before you doubt .
You’re just mad because he has a different opinion from the song, it is Not true that God is a concept by which we measure our pain, that doesn’t even make sense.
This is, along with "Mother", one of my favourite Lennon songs. It's very philosophical and sometimes hard to explain but it helps to know what the man was going through at the time. He had just come to terms with his mother's death (which happened when he was a teenager) and that was a major influence on all his relationships for the 10+ years prior to that. His friendship with Paul was reinforced by the fact that Paul had gone through the same thing only a few years earlier and it affected his relationship with Cynthia (his first wife). So in coming to terms with his mother's death he also started to address one other thing that had bothered him for so long ... the worship of idols. He knew that to Yoko and his friends, that he was just John. Not any more special than anyone else ... just John from Liverpool who liked Rock'n'Roll. He had met Elvis and Bob Dylan (Zimmerman) and knew that they were also normal humans with no special powers above what the average person has except maybe an ability to write and perform music. So he questioned other idolatry such as religion and ideology ... knowing how people in the 50s and 60s put Elvis, Dylan and The Beatles on a pedestal and worshipped them, were the religious leaders of the past also put on a similar pedestal .... are we worshipping the person and not hearing the message they were preaching? In the end, he decided that the only person/people he could believe in were him and Yoko ... they were the only people who could actually change his life. Religion and politicians may offer salvation and damnation but the only people who can affect his life are Yoko and himself.
I remember the day John Lennon died. I had just turned 24 a few months before and was looking forward to a great Christmas. I was in my 2nd year of a 13 year relationship. I was living in the home I am still in today. Then The World Died and a newer less Happy world was born.
Reddragon696 I was 9. I vividly remember that day being the first time I'd seen my whole family cry. I cried because I grew up in a musical home and knew, even at 9 what was taken from us by a bad man who was jealous and full of hatred and self-doubt. That man took more love in one selfish act that he will live with for the rest of his days. Especially since John was so kind to him, speaking to him and taking the time to sign an autograph on John's new album. To take that kindness and kill it is truly evil.
John often spoke in riddles. When he says: God is a concept by which we measure our pain., I believe it to mean when we are in pain (physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) we are more likely to believe in God or seek him out.
John Lennon had a lot of pain and loss in his childhood. Both his parents left him, and then just when he was getting to know his mother, she was hit by a car right by his house. I think John turned to being a rock god, drugs, Yogis, religion...All these crutches that let him down in the end, too. I think he just learned that he had to believe in himself if he was ever going to survive in the world.
I remember the day John Lennon was murdered. I sat on my bed for two days and could not move. I sat there weeping and preying for the peace that he wanted so bad. My mother brought food upstairs to me and we hugged each other when she did. I cried harder for John more than I did for my own brother and he was my best friend in the world. I think it was more because of how wonderful this man was and what he was trying to do. God rest John and my brother Bob, they both had nothing but love in there hearts.
This song kind of relates to your emotions toward the death of John and Bob. John hated the fact that people worshiped him at a level different than that of an actual family member. He couldn't understand the impact he had on our lives.
If you like lennon and want to listen to the greatest tribute to him, please react to Elton John's "EMPTY GARDEN". Thanks bro. It will move you almost to tears
That was John, if you wanted the truth, his truth, you have to prepared to hear it. At least he had found his truth, when he was taken by evil. At the end of the day he belonged to himself, Yoku and his two sons only
I used to be a Christian, so this song and “Imagine” made me feel uncomfortable, despite being a Beatlemaniac. Now I fully agree with John, and feel somewhat embarrassed over my past assessment of these songs. I’m still very spiritual, and dislike atheism. I think John was more agnostic. Consciousness always finds a way to survive. Consciousness is not generated by the brain. The brain is more like a radio tuning into different channels. I have so much respect for John speaking his mind like this.
I used to be a Christian too, and I was scared to let myself consider anything but the possibility of our spirits living on after death. Being scared of something, I later realized, doesn't make something less true though. Through science, we can tell exactly what's happening in different parts of the brain. When it's damaged, that can even change your personality, depending on which part of the organ got damaged. Through all the knowledge we've gained about how the brain works, we know very clearly that who we are is generated in the brain and exactly how it works, and when it ceases to function, we are gone. It's all about the brain. Just facts. Scary facts, but still...
@@robertreichle1 I still disagree that consciousness is only generated by the brain. It is a facilitator for consciousness, but it is not the source of consciousness itself. That’s like saying TV and radio channels come from the TV and radio itself. Or that the Internet is being generated by your computer, phone, or tablet. The notion that when we die, we just cease to exist is a mathematical improbability. Consciousness cannot not exist. It always is a constant. In fact, after I gave up Christianity, and after my experiences with psychedelics, I found this the scariest notion to accept, that we always exist no matter what. There’s over 6 or 7 billion people on the planet right now, and billions who existed before us, and billions who will exist after. What makes you so special that when you die, you become nothing, and that your consciousness doesn’t inhabit a new body? And as someone who is living with a family member all my life who has extreme mental illness, I am more than aware of how brain damage can lead to personality changes. I am also aware of stories where people wake up fluently speaking different languages, being fluent with musical instruments and art, and having memories of past lives as a result of brain injuries. Even recalling details of their murders, which are then verified to be the truth. God is a concept, John Lennon was right. But more accurately, God is a Source of energy, and we are all split off from that energy, made to inhabit individual bodies in individual moments and places of the space time continuum, blinded by the survival mechanisms of our myopic egos, and a society that cashes in on our impulses. Atheism never made any logical sense to me, which is why I dove into Christianity headfirst, because that is what was most familiar to me. Eventually, I learned I don’t have to believe in either. Our science is still primitive and undeveloped. We barely know the functions of our own human bodies, and still can’t cure all diseases. We classify most of our DNA as ‘junk’, and are only now slowly beginning to see the road getting paved for quantum computing. When quantum computing replaces conventional computing, we’ll begin to have a far more accurate picture of our reality.
Consciousness IS generated by the brain. If not what? Does the same "thing" you think gives us consciousness also give dogs, cats, birds or any other living breathing thing consciousness? If the answer is only human consciousness is generated by something other than our brains then, congratulations, you are still an evangelical.
@@StopMAGA The same Source that gives all other living things consciousness, yes. And no, the thing is, I don’t have the ego and insecurities to deny that there are bigger things in life that we simply do not know about. Have you ever read anything by Aldous Huxley, the author of “Brave New World”? He wrote a book called “The Doors of Perception”, which was pretty much a highly intellectualized trip report of his experience with mescaline, which is the chemical isolated from peyote, pretty much. Anyway, in it he postulates a concept known as Mind At Large, which is this Source that generates consciousness, while we reinterpret consciousness through our brains acting as receivers. It’s worth noting that Huxley was an agnostic who was a very outspoken critic of organized religion. Atheism just makes no logical sense to me. It is born out of the myopic view of the ego, and completely ignores the mountains of evidence behind unexplained phenomena, some of which I have already listed in my comments. Something no atheist has ever been able to satisfactorily explain away. It takes a brave mind to admit that there are simply things we do not know about. Skepticism is good, but not when it completely closes you off from asking certain questions. Questions are what lead us to new discoveries.
Just to give a little context to this, I'll try to make a long story short: The Beatles had broken up, basically, because they were tired of being The Beatles! They had been together for twelve or thirteen years, John, Paul and George had been playing in a band together since they were teenagers (Ringo joined a few years later as they were starting to gain attention in England); they experienced fame and superstardom; they had 27 number one hit songs and 12 worldwide number one albums within seven years; they had constantly been on tour between 1960 and 1966; they were practically living together on the road, staying in hotel rooms with one another for just about as long; working in the recording studio together all that time--they experienced the fortune, the stress and the pressure that that kind of fame presented at the time. After the stress of The White Album, the tedium of Let It Be and the final crowning achievement of Abbey Road, along with the shared business problems they had started to experience with their own record label, they all wanted to do their own things. Paul and George wanted to work on their own individual music, Ringo wanted to do the same as well as get into acting and/or filmmaking. John was so in love with Yoko Ono and so interested and fascinated with her (and eventually both of their shared endeavors) and her ideas of art and music, etc. After the breakup of The Beatles, John and Yoko not only started making avant garde art, music, films etc. but they also got a new band together, they dove headlong into the anti-war movement. And amidst all this, John even found the time to step back, get into therapy with psychologist Arthur Janov for a brief time and really reflect on his life, what happened and how he viewed things at present. As a result, Lennon made his first album after The Beatles' breakup, called John Lennon Plastic Ono Band, which the song God comes from. There are some other songs that are similar in nature, songs where he confronts his troubled memories of his past, songs where he reflects on his love for Yoko and their goings-on and songs where he frankly stated his own opinions on life and war and peace.
Like everyone, John went through different phases in life. It was difficult time in his life when he wrote/recorded this song. The Beatles just broke up, he was going through drug withdrawal and a painful primal therapy that dealt with releasing his anger over the death of his mother and his father abandoning him as a child. He didn't believe in organized religion but he definitely believed in God, which he said in later interviews and in lyrics of songs like "Help Me to Help Myself". So this was a specific period which came and went. By the way, John Lennon was a big Elvis fan, he sang "Hound Dog" in his last full concert performance and wore a diamond Elvis pin. He paid serious attention to Zimmerman's (Bob Dylan) songs and was a big collector of Beatles records, bootlegs and memorabilia. He may say something negative about The Beatles at times because it was his band and he's allowed to, but he defends them vehemently when anyone else outside the group bashes them.
i really never read comments or comment but i knew this song had to be explained if you will thankyou ...................melissa ,mother should be reacted to........
It's good to put this song (and the album it's off of) in the context of when it was released. The Beatles (especially John) were under lots of pressure from their fans to provide deep answers to life's deep problems, a role that none of the Beatles asked for, nor can anyone live up to. Such pressure drove John and his wife Yoko to seek psychological help in Primal Scream therapy (which was the subject of the great Tears For Fears song "Shout" as well as the name of that band). The resulting album and this song was the artistic result of the therapy, leading John able to be free himself from the pressures that the public placed on him to provide the answers he could not give. The album is a classic, working through deep pain and sorrow, ultimately to come out a freer and more compassionate human being. While acknowledging John's atheism, I would also say this song is also about the need to get rid of the idols in one's own life in order to realize what is true for oneself. Anyway, I salute you for giving this song a listen. John Lennon never sang better than on this song.
The only way to understand this song is to know as much as possibile about John Lennon's life and of course The Beatles's lives, story. Only those who have been into The Beatles's music and history for the longest time can fully appreciate and understand this song.
The song is a classic. @JayveeTV you needed to be a fan of John to know how great he was in his "play on words writing". He didn't have hate for who he mentioned,remember two master pieces,Imagine and Give Peace A Chance. He was a peaceful man.
Don't know if you know this but the last photo shown in the video there's a pic of him signing an autograph for the man standing in the corner of the photo. That man is the one who shot him.
I don’t think you get the concept of the song. He is saying that you should believe in yourself. That’s a good thing, you should only count on yourself and not depend/believe or count on others. I agree with that. At least that’s how I always took it.
John was in therapy with Dr Jovan ( Primal Scream ) and they were talking about faith and God . John the editor just said “ God is a concept to measure our pain “ Dr Javon said he wrapped it up all in one sentence.
Great song! John was always my favorite Beatle. And this song rings true to me because I feel exactly the same way. I only "believe" in me and my wife. And of course in my loving family members. "That's reality."
John....born before his time as they say. I love his honesty and his integrity to stick to what he believes in or doesn't and not easily swayed into the mass thinking of others. You're right Jayvee, everyone has their own opinion on religious doctrines, I'm lucky to be born in Europe where there is no real pressure to think like others and have always been encouraged to think for myself since a child and it is so freeing. Europe is very secular, Bill Burr made me laugh when he said in an interview when he was doing his world tour, he was in Finland and had to change the way he presented his jokes to get a laugh, hardly anyone believes in an afterlife because they're logical thinkers and they kept trying to solve the problem of the joke because of how their brains are wired. So very, very sad the day John Lennon was murdered, I heard it on the radio while I was getting ready for work and rushed upstairs to tell my boyfriend who was from Liverpool, I was in a shocked daze all day long. Liverpool put on a fantastic concert in his memory a few weeks after which we went to and it was wonderful to see so many people there to honour John.
You're "against all of the things he said"??!! So you believe in tarot, Gita, I-Ching, Buddha, magic, Hitler, kings? You hear the first line and you automatically soured on the entirety of the song. "God", whether you like Lennon's perspective or not, IS a man-made concept, and the depth of your BELIEF in "God" is necessarily connected to the quality of your existence and the pain or happiness that you experience in that existence. Your reaction was adolescent, myopic, and reactionary.
This guy is a clueless religious yank. Taking everything too literal. Beautiful song, move on dude, it's not for idiots that can't read between the lines.
You have to empathise with his mind. In short, an absolute tragic loss after loss growing up. In a tough Liverpool city after being bombed in WW2. Followed his dream to be a musician. Then, conquering the world. Changing every culture of the 60’s, for the future. Still in his 20s. Now, imagine how a fraction of that would feel. In the song God, he simply says, fuck all matters but, the ones you love. Every human is entitled to that right. RIP Lennon x
Jovaughn, I just came across this reaction. I really suggest you or anyone else whom doesn't have a good insight into John Lennon to watch The Beatles Anthology. The lives they led during those years of fame took its toll on all of them. They didn't get a chance to grow up the usual way nor be themselves. Personally, I follow similar beliefs to John. I'm spiritual not religious. I believe in me! I don't think reactors should get defensive about artists lyrics, especially in a memorial service. You are young but one day you'll understand better. BTW, his killer, ironically, was the guy with John at the end. John was signing his autograph for him. If only he'd known
He’s saying that all the religions, cults, fads, celebrities, kings, queens, cultural icons, all the noise that fills our brain and distracts us from what’s really important, the family.
If you look into every story trying to find meaning in something you can drive yourself mad, not every story needs a meaning sometimes a story is just a story the same can be said about a song
He was saying you can't use all these religions and celebrities and all the other things he listed to hide behind or to control you. That those things don't make you. That's what makes his closing of the list, "I don't believe in Beatles", so powerful to me. When he says he doesn't believe in these things whether he actually believes they exist or not is irrelevant, I mean obviously people like Hitler and Elvis and The Beatles existed. But why he said that is to say, you can't just type me as a "Beatle" or whatever and expect me to act a certain way, what I do now is because I myself want to do it. Yoga can't fix my problems, the Bible can't fix my problems, tarot cards can't fix my problems etc., only I can, and i'm working on me and Yoko right now.
I remember the night John was shot...19 days before my 20th birthday. Like it was yesterday and the weeks following. New York was in total mourning. For our generation it was like when Kennedy was killed.
I see a lot of people said this is self-expression etc. But comments missed one thing. This was also about The Beatles break up. John said it: ''I don't believe in The Beatles.'' and ''The dream is over.'' Look, The Beatles were REAL BIG! The biggest! Their cultural affect played a big part in a whole generation. So this was like ''alright, get over it. It's over man. It's not The Beatles anymore. I can hold my own. I believe in me.'' John Lennon himself said,''But Beatles was the final thing because it's like I no longer believe in myth, and Beatles is another myth. I don't believe in it. The dream's over. I'm not just talking about The Beatles is over, I'm talking about the generation thing. The dream's over, and I have personally got to get down to so-called reality.''
I think these words take a leading position with one of the big puzzles of the day, which was how would young Americans and westerners, who had taken so strongly to Eastern Philosophy, interpret the new thinking for themselves? I think you'll find Lennon's interpretation is not so much new as it is working on some final summary of the thinking. Rejection of all beliefs is not unusual in Eastern Thought, and this is what he appears to be saying. Buddhism rejects the Buddha, for example, when they say, "If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him." The meaning of that is that "the Buddha" is just an image, and not what it refers to - which is that reality behind it, but not in it; not in any thought or reference to it. Yoga philosophy and practice, which is also quite beyond taking a Hatha Yoga class as we typically see, also applies various approaches to self-destruction - that is what "yogas" are. The goal is "actual self", where this is all that remains after the destruction of any "false self", always referred to as "ego", like a self-concept, to be cleaned up completely. So, in this song, John Lennon states a position on this matter, which I know is the stuff of much contemporary thought, having been there, and having been thinking about these same sorts of things. I think he has his way of putting the actual, as opposed to the imaginary, "just Yoko and me". Also an Eastern message: watch out for the school - these are trappings. See: The Razor's Edge (film), with Bill Murray playing a serious part. He reads the teachings, and then burns the book to keep himself warm. He is all that he needs. Cheers.
This whole album is fabulous listen to a working class hero and mother. I’m probably in that crowd somewhere . I worked a few blocks away in Manhattan. By the way you don’t have to believe in anything he says , that’s not the point of the song . Listen to the rest of the album ,
Billy's gospel-tinged piano, Ringo on drums and Klaus Voorman on bass. Not a criticism of anything or anybody in the lyric, I think. Simply John trying to distance himself from being idolized, as are many of the things mentioned. Amusing that he declares " The dream is over. " He'd be surprised at the continuous love people have for him and his music. BEATLES FOREVER! The best quote from George Harrison? " The Beatles will exist without us. " Amen to that!
He was a troubled soul coming to terms with alot when he wrote this. He was hurting. He had been through alot and he was only just past 30. All he was doing was putting his thoughts down and saying he was stripped right back to just trusting in himself and his wife. How can you not agree with what he was saying about what he believed? Only he knew. He wasn't saying "you shouldn't believe in....".
John Lennon was disappointed of life and tired after discovering the sore side of maturity... I understand how sad is to reach that point that means "all for nothing".... Thas why he says "the Dream is over" I love the song... It is another way of saying nothing else matters any more... Just the things my soul will carry when drift away... That's what is all about...
this guy isn't used to an artist who is speaking from the depths of his soul. with maturity comes wisdom and either judgmental or more open-minded. lennon was speaking from place deeper than most people would dare to go
This is coming at a point on his life where he had kind of run the gamut of views and beliefs and whatnot, and I think hes mainly talking about how he felt about idol worship and finally being comfortable with himself. He never seemed particularly comfortable with being famous. Just my view though.
Man, it's not about you believing in what he believes in. There is context to this song that I don't have the time to explain. Its research you would have to do yourself if interested. That said, your reaction is priceless...lol. Keep on doing what your doing!
Lennon was a very controversial figure and opinions like the ones in this song are part of the reason he was killed so young. His controversiality is also what made him great
He was a philosopher. More at the poetic side. once you figure it out, it will be beautiful. Hope to see more John Lennon reactions. By the way, what was the song at the end? Is that your music? Sounds great.
I'm glad you were honest, and didn't just say "I love it" to crowd-please. I don't really agree with all of this song either. But you have to admire the ballsy-ness of it.
It can't be proven that there's a "God". I realize that's a problem who confuse belief for knowledge. The first is the arrogant belief that one "has" -- "possess" -- truth, instead of humbly seeking it. Beliefs can be wrong, regardless how firmly held. And if one is free to be wrong, one has responsibility to correct oneself.
I remember when I was living in Brooklyn and watching that Monday night football game when I heard the dreadful news...and I and went with a bunch of friends a couple days later to the vigil held at Central Park...the song is off a great album Plastic Ono Band...and don’t take the lyrics so seriously like other reactors do.
The song isn't meant to preach or convince. This is a self reflection. People always speculated his philosophies from songs and interviews. This was setting it straight; What he believes in doesn't come in the form of a religion or political preference. He believes in himself and that's all he needs.
Exactly right!
Thank you for saying this! Perfectly said.
@@nicholasmaxwell9899 Again thank you. Some people just don't get it.
FACTS!
Everyone deserves a right to their opinion but what a time to say the things he was saying about the song when you could tell this is a memorial service for John Lennon talk about a bad time for him to make a comment like he he did. I love the song I love John Lennon and I love the Beatles you could tell this is a memorial service by his fans. I won't come back to this site
when he said, "i don't believe in elvis, don't believe in beatles" -- he was saying, essentially, that he didn't believe in the PR, in the images built by fame. they weren't real. and he was about his own truth; he was a seeker.
Song isn't preaching it's about him discovering HIS Truth!
Allahuakbar
Cool
Well said.
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
Class consciousness. The only thing that really matters. Black/white/gay/straight etcera. If the working class stick together...........things will change.
If you study philosophy, you may change your mind. When you open your mind to love and belief in oneself without the confines of what the world thinks is best for you, that, is true freedom.
To me, (as a former Baptist / Catholic) As I grew and began to become introspective about life and how we are expected to live our own lives being dictated by the mandates of others, it made me realize how religion is the basis of all war, hatred, violence, etc... because the beliefs of people who force themselves on others is the catalyst of true evil.
There would be no devil without God.
I know you may disagree with me, I felt that way long ago, but with age and the study of my own journey, I made the realization that we create our own choices, we face the consequences of those choices. Church does not make people good people, it's what's inside each of us that makes the goodness, even the bad, and abhorrent.
The Bible says "do not judge, lest ye be judged." , But don't you find that so many Christians are filled with judgements and hate others who don't believe what they do and damn souls to a place that no man on Earth has ever been?
Logic dictates these thoughts.
I believe in peace, love, love of my fellow humans, love of my family, love of one's self, of nature, animals, the beautiful natural beauty of our forests, our sky's, my pets, my friends and try to understand those who think they are unlovable.
It's all within you.
That's what John meant about this song. All those other things he didn't believe in didn't fulfill his ability to love and live in peace with himself, they were are temporary, but not what gave him honesty and strength. ✌🏼❤️🎶
He did not believe in any sort of organized beliefs.
Danelle Covey, not really a big fan of John Lennon, first time I've heard this song. Your interpretation of its meaning, is what I felt he was trying to convey. I agree with you 100%.
The truth shall set you free. Love to you Danelle. From Daniel.
I agree. But I often find myself when replying to youtube comments I need to backspace half of what I have typed because I always seem to bring my own personal perspective or experience into it, in a way almost reinforcing what I have said because I believe it to be "correct" and thus negating the point I was making without even realising it.
Plato or some shit.
you write : " religion is the basis of all war, hatre....religion has violence, etc... because the beliefs of people who force themselves on others is the catalyst of true evil. "
.....disagree , money (ie: capitalism ) is the root of all evil....
do you really think that a world without religion would still prevent greed . lust , dominance from taking place ? that men of the ages have all been on a quest for "better hunting grounds" religion has of course been a catalyst ...but more as a way to denigrate the rights of others ....an excuse for the evil inherent anyway.
you write : "don't you find that so many Christians are filled with judgements and hate others who don't believe what they do and damn souls to a place that no man on Earth has ever been? "
As if the judgements make any difference or impact on most people ? what do i care what anyone thinks about me ?Sure it has many examples of persecution - but .c"mon you dont really care?...nor does that judgement affect you in any real way ...and in any case they are not real Christians anyway, so who cares .
Lennon was a hypocrite for how he treated his wife and son ...brilliant as he was ....but no responsibility AT ALL was his bag...and thats what the song is about- the mindset of which let him abandon his wife and child
A convenient philosophy for him to live by to absolve him of all responsibility .
"Do what thou wilt " is actually the philosophy he subscribes to .
When Lennon is saying he doesn't "believe" in all these things, he doesn't mean literally. He means figuratively. All of the things he mentioned are hyped-up, obsessions and idols to people all around the world and history. They are followed and idolised or hated to such an extent that they become more than what they actually are. Lennon thought the way in which people blow these things out of all proportion was bullshit or a fantasy. Lennon, throughout his life, followed an array of philosophies, religions, ideas, and figures and always found that they weren't as real or genuine as what people hyped them up to be. He, therefore, concluded that, ultimately, the only thing that he knows to be true or genuine is himself, his wife, and the love they have together. You can extrapolate from that and apply this to yourself, with Lennon warning people not to get sucked into things to easily and appreciate the basics about your life that are important that aren't bullshit. Him saying that he doesn't believe in The Beatles, he means that what was, to him, just 4 guys in a rock band, to others, was nothing more or less than the saviours of the world. The world went mad about The Beatles with people actually believing them to be prophets or gods. Lennon is trying to be like "Look, guys, we are just a band. And I am just a guy who loves his wife".
Fantastic appraisal that the reviewer really should have understood clearer that Lennon wasn't speaking literally
Well put. Excellent explanation for those who don’t understand the background of John’s life and experiences. Thanks
This was classic John. He had a way with words. Interesting song, i liked it. Songs, Woman. Watchin the Wheels. Mind Games.
Instant Karma
Right on Al , thats one of my favs.
Jealous guy
You missed the whole point of the song!
He is preaching liberation from religious myths , and other kinds too . In another song he says " There aint no Jesus gonna come from the sky ... " He earned his place among the great poets by being , himself , a prophet . The proof is in the songs . Listen , before you doubt .
You’re just mad because he has a different opinion from the song, it is Not true that God is a concept by which we measure our pain, that doesn’t even make sense.
@@MrPretzel6000 not if you're a halfwit.
It means he only has himself and Yoko when all is said and done. He finally found himself and left everything behind in many ways. Genius song.
Apparently you really weren't listening. You said he lived from 1940-1948. He would have been eight years old when he died...
He achieved a lot in those 8 short years.
Listening? Apparently you’re not too bright considering he didn’t listen, he read.
Keep doing Beatles stuff I’ll keep watching
This is, along with "Mother", one of my favourite Lennon songs. It's very philosophical and sometimes hard to explain but it helps to know what the man was going through at the time. He had just come to terms with his mother's death (which happened when he was a teenager) and that was a major influence on all his relationships for the 10+ years prior to that. His friendship with Paul was reinforced by the fact that Paul had gone through the same thing only a few years earlier and it affected his relationship with Cynthia (his first wife). So in coming to terms with his mother's death he also started to address one other thing that had bothered him for so long ... the worship of idols. He knew that to Yoko and his friends, that he was just John. Not any more special than anyone else ... just John from Liverpool who liked Rock'n'Roll. He had met Elvis and Bob Dylan (Zimmerman) and knew that they were also normal humans with no special powers above what the average person has except maybe an ability to write and perform music. So he questioned other idolatry such as religion and ideology ... knowing how people in the 50s and 60s put Elvis, Dylan and The Beatles on a pedestal and worshipped them, were the religious leaders of the past also put on a similar pedestal .... are we worshipping the person and not hearing the message they were preaching?
In the end, he decided that the only person/people he could believe in were him and Yoko ... they were the only people who could actually change his life. Religion and politicians may offer salvation and damnation but the only people who can affect his life are Yoko and himself.
I remember the day John Lennon died. I had just turned 24 a few months before and was looking forward to a great Christmas. I was in my 2nd year of a 13 year relationship. I was living in the home I am still in today. Then The World Died and a newer less Happy world was born.
Reddragon696 I was 9. I vividly remember that day being the first time I'd seen my whole family cry. I cried because I grew up in a musical home and knew, even at 9 what was taken from us by a bad man who was jealous and full of hatred and self-doubt. That man took more love in one selfish act that he will live with for the rest of his days.
Especially since John was so kind to him, speaking to him and taking the time to sign an autograph on John's new album. To take that kindness and kill it is truly evil.
@@CBGB_1977 It's amazing how one senseless act can change so many people's lives.
John often spoke in riddles. When he says: God is a concept by which we measure our pain., I believe it to mean when we are in pain (physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) we are more likely to believe in God or seek him out.
John Lennon had a lot of pain and loss in his childhood. Both his parents left him, and then just when he was getting to know his mother, she was hit by a car right by his house. I think John turned to being a rock god, drugs, Yogis, religion...All these crutches that let him down in the end, too. I think he just learned that he had to believe in himself if he was ever going to survive in the world.
I remember the day John Lennon was murdered. I sat on my bed for two days and could not move. I sat there weeping and preying for the peace that he wanted so bad. My mother brought food upstairs to me and we hugged each other when she did. I cried harder for John more than I did for my own brother and he was my best friend in the world. I think it was more because of how wonderful this man was and what he was trying to do. God rest John and my brother Bob, they both had nothing but love in there hearts.
This song kind of relates to your emotions toward the death of John and Bob. John hated the fact that people worshiped him at a level different than that of an actual family member. He couldn't understand the impact he had on our lives.
That’s pretty jacked up man
The song is about self reflection. If you knew a little bit more about Lennon then you would understand what this song is all about. A great song.
This is the first time I’ll disagree with you
Live for a few decades and come back to it
It’s about perspective
If you like lennon and want to listen to the greatest tribute to him, please react to Elton John's "EMPTY GARDEN". Thanks bro. It will move you almost to tears
He's basically saying that you should believe in yourself
For 50 years I was a staunch catholic - free yourself and be a staunch humanitarian.
There's more wisdom in that song than what appears on the surface.
That was John, if you wanted the truth, his truth, you have to prepared to hear it. At least he had found his truth, when he was taken by evil. At the end of the day he belonged to himself, Yoku and his two sons only
I used to be a Christian, so this song and “Imagine” made me feel uncomfortable, despite being a Beatlemaniac. Now I fully agree with John, and feel somewhat embarrassed over my past assessment of these songs. I’m still very spiritual, and dislike atheism. I think John was more agnostic. Consciousness always finds a way to survive. Consciousness is not generated by the brain. The brain is more like a radio tuning into different channels. I have so much respect for John speaking his mind like this.
I used to be a Christian too, and I was scared to let myself consider anything but the possibility of our spirits living on after death. Being scared of something, I later realized, doesn't make something less true though. Through science, we can tell exactly what's happening in different parts of the brain. When it's damaged, that can even change your personality, depending on which part of the organ got damaged. Through all the knowledge we've gained about how the brain works, we know very clearly that who we are is generated in the brain and exactly how it works, and when it ceases to function, we are gone. It's all about the brain. Just facts. Scary facts, but still...
@@robertreichle1 I still disagree that consciousness is only generated by the brain. It is a facilitator for consciousness, but it is not the source of consciousness itself. That’s like saying TV and radio channels come from the TV and radio itself. Or that the Internet is being generated by your computer, phone, or tablet.
The notion that when we die, we just cease to exist is a mathematical improbability. Consciousness cannot not exist. It always is a constant. In fact, after I gave up Christianity, and after my experiences with psychedelics, I found this the scariest notion to accept, that we always exist no matter what.
There’s over 6 or 7 billion people on the planet right now, and billions who existed before us, and billions who will exist after. What makes you so special that when you die, you become nothing, and that your consciousness doesn’t inhabit a new body?
And as someone who is living with a family member all my life who has extreme mental illness, I am more than aware of how brain damage can lead to personality changes. I am also aware of stories where people wake up fluently speaking different languages, being fluent with musical instruments and art, and having memories of past lives as a result of brain injuries. Even recalling details of their murders, which are then verified to be the truth.
God is a concept, John Lennon was right. But more accurately, God is a Source of energy, and we are all split off from that energy, made to inhabit individual bodies in individual moments and places of the space time continuum, blinded by the survival mechanisms of our myopic egos, and a society that cashes in on our impulses.
Atheism never made any logical sense to me, which is why I dove into Christianity headfirst, because that is what was most familiar to me. Eventually, I learned I don’t have to believe in either.
Our science is still primitive and undeveloped. We barely know the functions of our own human bodies, and still can’t cure all diseases. We classify most of our DNA as ‘junk’, and are only now slowly beginning to see the road getting paved for quantum computing. When quantum computing replaces conventional computing, we’ll begin to have a far more accurate picture of our reality.
Consciousness IS generated by the brain. If not what? Does the same "thing" you think gives us consciousness also give dogs, cats, birds or any other living breathing thing consciousness? If the answer is only human consciousness is generated by something other than our brains then, congratulations, you are still an evangelical.
@@StopMAGA The same Source that gives all other living things consciousness, yes. And no, the thing is, I don’t have the ego and insecurities to deny that there are bigger things in life that we simply do not know about. Have you ever read anything by Aldous Huxley, the author of “Brave New World”? He wrote a book called “The Doors of Perception”, which was pretty much a highly intellectualized trip report of his experience with mescaline, which is the chemical isolated from peyote, pretty much.
Anyway, in it he postulates a concept known as Mind At Large, which is this Source that generates consciousness, while we reinterpret consciousness through our brains acting as receivers.
It’s worth noting that Huxley was an agnostic who was a very outspoken critic of organized religion.
Atheism just makes no logical sense to me. It is born out of the myopic view of the ego, and completely ignores the mountains of evidence behind unexplained phenomena, some of which I have already listed in my comments. Something no atheist has ever been able to satisfactorily explain away.
It takes a brave mind to admit that there are simply things we do not know about. Skepticism is good, but not when it completely closes you off from asking certain questions. Questions are what lead us to new discoveries.
Disliking atheism which is simply a lack of belief in a God is very weird.
Just to give a little context to this, I'll try to make a long story short: The Beatles had broken up, basically, because they were tired of being The Beatles! They had been together for twelve or thirteen years, John, Paul and George had been playing in a band together since they were teenagers (Ringo joined a few years later as they were starting to gain attention in England); they experienced fame and superstardom; they had 27 number one hit songs and 12 worldwide number one albums within seven years; they had constantly been on tour between 1960 and 1966; they were practically living together on the road, staying in hotel rooms with one another for just about as long; working in the recording studio together all that time--they experienced the fortune, the stress and the pressure that that kind of fame presented at the time. After the stress of The White Album, the tedium of Let It Be and the final crowning achievement of Abbey Road, along with the shared business problems they had started to experience with their own record label, they all wanted to do their own things. Paul and George wanted to work on their own individual music, Ringo wanted to do the same as well as get into acting and/or filmmaking. John was so in love with Yoko Ono and so interested and fascinated with her (and eventually both of their shared endeavors) and her ideas of art and music, etc. After the breakup of The Beatles, John and Yoko not only started making avant garde art, music, films etc. but they also got a new band together, they dove headlong into the anti-war movement. And amidst all this, John even found the time to step back, get into therapy with psychologist Arthur Janov for a brief time and really reflect on his life, what happened and how he viewed things at present. As a result, Lennon made his first album after The Beatles' breakup, called John Lennon Plastic Ono Band, which the song God comes from. There are some other songs that are similar in nature, songs where he confronts his troubled memories of his past, songs where he reflects on his love for Yoko and their goings-on and songs where he frankly stated his own opinions on life and war and peace.
5:51 yea he surely lived 8 years
"The Beatles" changed everything. So it was an enormous loss, for countless millions, when he was murdered.
Like everyone, John went through different phases in life. It was difficult time in his life when he wrote/recorded this song. The Beatles just broke up, he was going through drug withdrawal and a painful primal therapy that dealt with releasing his anger over the death of his mother and his father abandoning him as a child. He didn't believe in organized religion but he definitely believed in God, which he said in later interviews and in lyrics of songs like "Help Me to Help Myself". So this was a specific period which came and went.
By the way, John Lennon was a big Elvis fan, he sang "Hound Dog" in his last full concert performance and wore a diamond Elvis pin. He paid serious attention to Zimmerman's (Bob Dylan) songs and was a big collector of Beatles records, bootlegs and memorabilia. He may say something negative about The Beatles at times because it was his band and he's allowed to, but he defends them vehemently when anyone else outside the group bashes them.
i really never read comments or comment but i knew this song had to be explained if you will thankyou ...................melissa ,mother should be reacted to........
R.I.P Beatles
R.I.P leader beatles John Lennon
R.I.P king of rock'n'roll Elvis
I think John meant that you should not depend on a religion to live.Maybe you got it wrong.(sorry for my English,i'm brazillian)
Or, more specifically, a being you have learned to worship.
It's good to put this song (and the album it's off of) in the context of when it was released. The Beatles (especially John) were under lots of pressure from their fans to provide deep answers to life's deep problems, a role that none of the Beatles asked for, nor can anyone live up to. Such pressure drove John and his wife Yoko to seek psychological help in Primal Scream therapy (which was the subject of the great Tears For Fears song "Shout" as well as the name of that band). The resulting album and this song was the artistic result of the therapy, leading John able to be free himself from the pressures that the public placed on him to provide the answers he could not give. The album is a classic, working through deep pain and sorrow, ultimately to come out a freer and more compassionate human being. While acknowledging John's atheism, I would also say this song is also about the need to get rid of the idols in one's own life in order to realize what is true for oneself. Anyway, I salute you for giving this song a listen. John Lennon never sang better than on this song.
The only way to understand this song is to know as much as possibile about John Lennon's life and of course The Beatles's lives, story. Only those who have been into The Beatles's music and history for the longest time can fully appreciate and understand this song.
Exactly. I know of his life from front to back
The song is a classic. @JayveeTV you needed to be a fan of John to know how great he was in his "play on words writing". He didn't have hate for who he mentioned,remember two master pieces,Imagine and Give Peace A Chance. He was a peaceful man.
Don't know if you know this but the last photo shown in the video there's a pic of him signing an autograph for the man standing in the corner of the photo.
That man is the one who shot him.
Mark Chapman. If only John had known
Young people now don't even blink at songs about pimps, slinging coke, and murder...but question the existence of God? They can't deal.
I don’t think you get the concept of the song. He is saying that you should believe in yourself. That’s a good thing, you should only count on yourself and not depend/believe or count on others. I agree with that. At least that’s how I always took it.
If you *Believe* in nothing then you are open to everything!
John was in therapy with Dr Jovan ( Primal Scream ) and they were talking about faith and God . John the editor just said “ God is a concept to measure our pain “ Dr Javon said he wrapped it up all in one sentence.
The Beatles broke up because it wasn't fun anymore.
Great song! John was always my favorite Beatle. And this song rings true to me because I feel exactly the same way. I only "believe" in me and my wife. And of course in my loving family members. "That's reality."
This is a great song
John....born before his time as they say. I love his honesty and his integrity to stick to what he believes in or doesn't and not easily swayed into the mass thinking of others. You're right Jayvee, everyone has their own opinion on religious doctrines, I'm lucky to be born in Europe where there is no real pressure to think like others and have always been encouraged to think for myself since a child and it is so freeing.
Europe is very secular, Bill Burr made me laugh when he said in an interview when he was doing his world tour, he was in Finland and had to change the way he presented his jokes to get a laugh, hardly anyone believes in an afterlife because they're logical thinkers and they kept trying to solve the problem of the joke because of how their brains are wired. So very, very sad the day John Lennon was murdered, I heard it on the radio while I was getting ready for work and rushed upstairs to tell my boyfriend who was from Liverpool, I was in a shocked daze all day long. Liverpool put on a fantastic concert in his memory a few weeks after which we went to and it was wonderful to see so many people there to honour John.
Yoko was an influence in every aspect of John's life
i suggest John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" please-
"I DON'T BELIEVE IN JESUS, I JUST BELIEVE IN ME"
Yoko and me - that's an important addition. He basically saying that the only true religion for him, is love and his family.
Great line.
You're "against all of the things he said"??!! So you believe in tarot, Gita, I-Ching, Buddha, magic, Hitler, kings? You hear the first line and you automatically soured on the entirety of the song. "God", whether you like Lennon's perspective or not, IS a man-made concept, and the depth of your BELIEF in "God" is necessarily connected to the quality of your existence and the pain or happiness that you experience in that existence. Your reaction was adolescent, myopic, and reactionary.
This guy is a clueless religious yank. Taking everything too literal. Beautiful song, move on dude, it's not for idiots that can't read between the lines.
JOHN LENNON WROTE THIS SONG RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK UP OF THE BEATLES AND HE WAS VERY HURT AT TIME...THAT IS WHAT JOHN SAID IN A INTERVIEW.
You have to empathise with his mind. In short, an absolute tragic loss after loss growing up. In a tough Liverpool city after being bombed in WW2. Followed his dream to be a musician. Then, conquering the world. Changing every culture of the 60’s, for the future. Still in his 20s. Now, imagine how a fraction of that would feel. In the song God, he simply says, fuck all matters but, the ones you love. Every human is entitled to that right. RIP Lennon x
How u understand this song also depends on how you interpret the word “believe” when he says it
There is no Invisible Man in the Sky. We die and that, as they say, is that.
Jovaughn, I just came across this reaction. I really suggest you or anyone else whom doesn't have a good insight into John Lennon to watch The Beatles Anthology. The lives they led during those years of fame took its toll on all of them. They didn't get a chance to grow up the usual way nor be themselves. Personally, I follow similar beliefs to John. I'm spiritual not religious. I believe in me! I don't think reactors should get defensive about artists lyrics, especially in a memorial service. You are young but one day you'll understand better. BTW, his killer, ironically, was the guy with John at the end. John was signing his autograph for him. If only he'd known
"I don't believe in Hitler"
"Alright yall. I dont believe in anything he is sayin so far."
He’s saying that all the religions, cults, fads, celebrities, kings, queens, cultural icons, all the noise that fills our brain and distracts us from what’s really important, the family.
If you look into every story trying to find meaning in something you can drive yourself mad, not every story needs a meaning sometimes a story is just a story the same can be said about a song
He didn’t want people idolizing him, like they did. By saying believe in yourself 😔🙏💜
That would make him a hypocrite though...
He was saying you can't use all these religions and celebrities and all the other things he listed to hide behind or to control you. That those things don't make you. That's what makes his closing of the list, "I don't believe in Beatles", so powerful to me. When he says he doesn't believe in these things whether he actually believes they exist or not is irrelevant, I mean obviously people like Hitler and Elvis and The Beatles existed. But why he said that is to say, you can't just type me as a "Beatle" or whatever and expect me to act a certain way, what I do now is because I myself want to do it. Yoga can't fix my problems, the Bible can't fix my problems, tarot cards can't fix my problems etc., only I can, and i'm working on me and Yoko right now.
Is it a bird , a plane , no it’s this song going right over your head ..
When he died people around the world cried for days.
I love Jayvee 💕💕
The Beatles “All You Need Is Love “
I remember the night John was shot...19 days before my 20th birthday. Like it was yesterday and the weeks following. New York was in total mourning. For our generation it was like when Kennedy was killed.
I see a lot of people said this is self-expression etc. But comments missed one thing. This was also about The Beatles break up. John said it: ''I don't believe in The Beatles.'' and ''The dream is over.'' Look, The Beatles were REAL BIG! The biggest! Their cultural affect played a big part in a whole generation. So this was like ''alright, get over it. It's over man. It's not The Beatles anymore. I can hold my own. I believe in me.'' John Lennon himself said,''But Beatles was the final thing because it's like I no longer believe in myth, and Beatles is another myth. I don't believe in it. The dream's over. I'm not just talking about The Beatles is over, I'm talking about the generation thing. The dream's over, and I have personally got to get down to so-called reality.''
He was spot on in his lyrics in saying that we are taught a lot of things that don’t really exist. Especially God.
Wouldn't it be be cool if he followed up with "Help Me To Help Myself"?
Paul Knight - truly a great idea
I think these words take a leading position with one of the big puzzles of the day, which was how would young Americans and westerners, who had taken so strongly to Eastern Philosophy, interpret the new thinking for themselves? I think you'll find Lennon's interpretation is not so much new as it is working on some final summary of the thinking. Rejection of all beliefs is not unusual in Eastern Thought, and this is what he appears to be saying.
Buddhism rejects the Buddha, for example, when they say, "If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him." The meaning of that is that "the Buddha" is just an image, and not what it refers to - which is that reality behind it, but not in it; not in any thought or reference to it. Yoga philosophy and practice, which is also quite beyond taking a Hatha Yoga class as we typically see, also applies various approaches to self-destruction - that is what "yogas" are. The goal is "actual self", where this is all that remains after the destruction of any "false self", always referred to as "ego", like a self-concept, to be cleaned up completely.
So, in this song, John Lennon states a position on this matter, which I know is the stuff of much contemporary thought, having been there, and having been thinking about these same sorts of things. I think he has his way of putting the actual, as opposed to the imaginary, "just Yoko and me". Also an Eastern message: watch out for the school - these are trappings. See: The Razor's Edge (film), with Bill Murray playing a serious part. He reads the teachings, and then burns the book to keep himself warm. He is all that he needs. Cheers.
Wake up people!!!!
This whole album is fabulous listen to a working class hero and mother. I’m probably in that crowd somewhere . I worked a few blocks away in Manhattan. By the way you don’t have to believe in anything he says , that’s not the point of the song . Listen to the rest of the album ,
Billy's gospel-tinged piano, Ringo on drums and Klaus Voorman on bass. Not a criticism of anything or anybody in the lyric, I think. Simply John trying to distance himself from being idolized, as are many of the things mentioned. Amusing that he declares " The dream is over. " He'd be surprised at the continuous love people have for him and his music. BEATLES FOREVER! The best quote from George Harrison? " The Beatles will exist without us. " Amen to that!
It was a very painful period for John . The Beatles basically had just broken up and it was a bad breakup
We need more Beatles and John on this page !!
Paul Gureghian I’m trying everything gets blocked
He was a troubled soul coming to terms with alot when he wrote this. He was hurting. He had been through alot and he was only just past 30. All he was doing was putting his thoughts down and saying he was stripped right back to just trusting in himself and his wife. How can you not agree with what he was saying about what he believed? Only he knew. He wasn't saying "you shouldn't believe in....".
John Lennon was disappointed of life and tired after discovering the sore side of maturity... I understand how sad is to reach that point that means "all for nothing".... Thas why he says "the Dream is over" I love the song... It is another way of saying nothing else matters any more... Just the things my soul will carry when drift away... That's what is all about...
he believes in reality
this guy isn't used to an artist who is speaking from the depths of his soul.
with maturity comes wisdom and either judgmental or more open-minded.
lennon was speaking from place deeper than most people would dare to go
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over
This is coming at a point on his life where he had kind of run the gamut of views and beliefs and whatnot, and I think hes mainly talking about how he felt about idol worship and finally being comfortable with himself. He never seemed particularly comfortable with being famous. Just my view though.
check out across the universe, it’s a beatles song with john lennon singing it, i think it’s a great song.
He believes in “reality “.
This song was written while he was still part of the Beatles. Probably the letter was finished after the split. 1970.
I remember the shock of hearing that he had been murdered. A very sad day for music and for mankind as a whole
His first real solo album Plastic Ono Band!
I like your "not really" reaction right away.....it's really hard to NOT believe in GOD....but to each his own
We all have our own beliefs, and yes each to their own
he had some dark times and never intended to tell other people how to feel
John later said he also could have said God is a concept by which we measure our joy. His mind was very negative at this stage of his life.
He is talking about the literalism of concepts
Man, it's not about you believing in what he believes in. There is context to this song that I don't have the time to explain. Its research you would have to do yourself if interested. That said, your reaction is priceless...lol. Keep on doing what your doing!
You seem unable to enjoy the sentiment behind the song when you hold your faith up as a barrier. It speaks volumes about the insecurity of faith.
I'm sorry bro, did you said 1948?😂
Lennon’s more of a god than anyone else
John Lennon didn't die at 8 5:52
Don't believe in Hitler. So you disagree with that??? So you're pro Hitler??? I doubt that. Don't think you have grasped the meaning of this one.
Lennon was a very controversial figure and opinions like the ones in this song are part of the reason he was killed so young. His controversiality is also what made him great
recommendations: then - "for what it's worth," buffalo springfield; now - "nina cried power," hozier; in between - the rolling stones, "rocks off." :)
This was a complete surprise I’ve never heard this before, I don’t know whether I like it or not. Think I’ll have to listen to it more than once.
Before you do please research more on John's life. There's heaps of documentaries eg The Beatles Anthology
He was a philosopher. More at the poetic side. once you figure it out, it will be beautiful.
Hope to see more John Lennon reactions.
By the way, what was the song at the end? Is that your music? Sounds great.
I'm glad you were honest, and didn't just say "I love it" to crowd-please. I don't really agree with all of this song either. But you have to admire the ballsy-ness of it.
..especially when in 2020 you can get in trouble for saying practically anything!
It can't be proven that there's a "God". I realize that's a problem who confuse belief for knowledge. The first is the arrogant belief that one "has" -- "possess" -- truth, instead of humbly seeking it.
Beliefs can be wrong, regardless how firmly held. And if one is free to be wrong, one has responsibility to correct oneself.
He believes,I believe,in thinking for yourself.
I remember when I was living in Brooklyn and watching that Monday night football game when I heard the dreadful news...and I and went with a bunch of friends a couple days later to the vigil held at Central Park...the song is off a great album Plastic Ono Band...and don’t take the lyrics so seriously like other reactors do.