Great pick. I grew up just a few blocks from where John lived and later died. And it was quite common to see both he and Yoko walking around just like everyone else. I must have seen him at least 20 times or more during the last five years of his life but like most New Yorkers I never wanted to bother him. But one day in 1979 a little boy came running towards me and almost fell down so I quickly bent over to stop his momentum and he ended up in my arms. As I looked up John was standing in front of me and he thanked me profusely. The boy was his son Sean. I was a bit stunned but I held it together and I said “ no problem he’s adorable.” He smiled and thanked me again. I wanted to say so many things to him but I didn’t. I wish I had at least thanked him for the gift of his music. After all The Beatles were the sound track of my life. 🕊❤️🎼
The song pertains to the time from 1975 until 1980 when he gave up his music career after Sean was born. John had another son Julian, which you probably don’t know about, with his first wife Cynthia. Julian is also a musician who you should check out.
yep, John's family with Yoko was important to John. He was once quoted as saying, "Sean was born out of love where as Julian was born out of a whiskey bottle."
Good point. Despite how much I want to like John, I can’t get over the way he disregarded his former wife and his first child. Julian grew up to be such a wonderful guy, despite his fathers indifference to him.
@@davidharvey4433 I love Julian, he’s such a talented musician and photographer. It was because of May Pang that John started to have a relationship with Julian again.
This is my favorite too. It's an ode to being able just to enjoy life. Which he deserved after the insanity of what was The Beatles. He was finally doing it his way.
Can you imagine seeing John and Yoko just taking a walk in Central Park? They did it often, and for the most part, people just respected them and left them alone.
@davidhuggan6315 that's not what their reaction video's are about, and I think it is why they are so popular. I doubt Jay and Amber have time to read every single comment, but you and several others have mentioned John's shortcomings enough here that they are most likely aware of it. ✌️
The whole album Double Fantasy is a masterpiece and his last album. The album was released in November of 🎉1980 ,He died In December and posthumously the Grammy for album of the year in 1982.
@@shyman99 My original comment was simply that John's last album was Milk and Honey, not Double Fantasy. You were the one who mentioned half the album was Yoko, to which I replied that I still liked it. Then you do a "gotcha" moment. I never agreed or called it a masterpiece so go try to pick a fight with someone else, troll. I'm done with you.
An important thing about this song and the Album, is the fact that this was his first album since taking 5 years from everything to stay at home and be with Sean. This song is a lot about that. The album was released on Nov 17 1980, he was killed on Dec 9, 1980. Just a couple weeks later. I bought it the day it was released
@@williammckay9229the date depends on where you were. He died on December 8th in NYC around 11pm but It was already December 9th in the UK, so a lot of people in the UK use 12/9 as his date of death since he was from there. There are news articles about this.
I used to play that song on my little record player as a young girl aged around 8yrs old , over and over again in the 60s. Still love it today. And just as meaningful. ✌️🇬🇧💙
This song was written as a response to all the criticism John recieved for putting his career on hold (from 1975 to 1980) to focus on raising his son Sean.
I was a junior in high school when my English teacher came into the room with a record player. He said he just wanted to listen to his hero that day. This was the morning after John Lennon was killed. So for the entire period we listen to the Beatles and John Lennon. This is one of my favorite songs by him. It is so sad that a song was titled Starting Over and just a few short months he was gone.
"Working Class Hero" is probably his most important individual song, but "Give Peace a Chance", "Mind Games", "#9 Dream" and "Steel and Glass" are all first rate as well. Thanks y'all.
@@dupersuper1938 I was thinking that they had already done, or knew it already. It is his most aspirational songs, from those I know. Timeless. And timely.
@Tessmage_Tessera I actually only made that claim so as it increase its likelihood of being played. Everyone plays and knows Imagine, probably his most important song other than "Happiness is a Warm Gun".
She nailed it. He whiffed. It’s a song for his critics who think he’s missing out being rock royalty when in reality he may be out of sight, out of mind to the public, but in reality he’s cashing in on life!
His murder in 1980 is such a wrenching tragedy. It’s still a profound loss for the entire world. 😢 One can only imagine the music he would have created in the last four decades.
This is always a difficult one for me, it really showed that we were getting John back after an extended absence, then to lose him so soon after, just made it really bittersweet. Like a lot John’s best work it’s just him revealing his inner soul to the whole world with a melody. ✌️
This song always makes me wistful, given this was on regular radio rotation when he was killed. Plus they’re in their apartment at the Dakota in NYC and walking around Central Park which was their backyard and is mine. He was in a good place in his life at the time. *sigh*
Your mention of Beautiful Boy reminded me of a movie you might enjoy. Mr. Holland's Opus is a tribute to the profession of teaching. The main character, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is a big Beatles and John Lennon fan, and Beautiful Boy has its own part in the plot.
This is the contented Lennon, in love with family life and enjoying being a father, looking after Sean, baking bread, and out of the music business. You really ought to delve in the angst of the Plastic Ono band album…the tortured Lennon lamenting his own disturbed childhood. may I recommend that you listen to the track “Mother”….it will rip your heart to shreds and make you cry…so much pain in that song.
I realize that this idea of a movie projector is a little old school for you guys. The wheels of the movie projector showing the home movies ("shadows on the wall") in the video are the wheels that he's watching. Which implies the wheel of life.
Im not sure anyone writes as honestly as John. He isnt even cryptic most of the time. He just says what he thinks. Loved this man and still do. Just miss him and his viewpoints. 😢
Great rection, Jay and Amber! John never spent much time with his first son, Julian while he was growing up. John did make a point not to repeat that with Sean. John's son, Julian followed in his father's footsteps with his own musical career but, after years of being compared to his father, I guess he just took a few steps back. He had some great music in his own style. Here are some of those songs, "Too Late for Goodbyes, Saltwater, I Don't Wanna Know, Say You're Wrong, Valotte, Stand by Me, Sitting on a Pebble, and many more.
he was not always gentle and peaceful, he had a turbulent relationship with his wife and son behind closed doors, he was even in a rage and hit his son because he was eating too slowly !. yeah there are some stories that the kids have spoken up in in later years, he had his faults by all means, but he sure did bring us some good music that is timeless.
Actually what John meant in this song: he had quit making music. He was staying at home, letting Yoko do all the business, and John was a house husband. Taking care of Sean, watching him all day, learning how to cook, just being a homebody. And this was unfathomable to his friends and associates in the music business. One of the very greatest legendary performers of all time ... just quit the biz. Staying home watching the wheels go round and round. "I just had to let it go." But he finally got the bug again and started making music. And good music too. Beautiful Boy, Starting Over, Woman, etc. Then was taken away from us, much too soon. It still hurts.
Once again, another song that takes me back to my junior year of high school. 1980-81 was my favorite year of an insanely fun 3 years of high school. We were all shocked and deeply saddened by the death of John Lennon. He was still making great music all the way to the end of his life. He was certainly one of the biggest figures of the 20th Century beyond a doubt. This was released in 1981, after his tragic passing.
I, too was 16 when John was murdered. The songs on the Double Fantasy album were those of a far more mature John who had finally learned how to be a father. He was a lousy father to his first son, Julian for whom Paul wrote and sang Hey Jude as John had no clue how to be a dad and was divorcing his first wife and mother of Julian, a small child. John used to marvel at Paul's ability to show up and within minutes joining little Julian in silly games out of thin air. John even asked Paul how he does it. Ten years later and after taking a break from music John finally figured it out and, put all the feeling into the songs about life, his second son, his wife into his very best songs of his solo career. But he died without a will which was unforgivably irresponsible so Yoko got everything. She refused for years to give Julian a dime. Eventually Yoko began helping Julian out. The tragedy of John's death was greatly compounded by his incredibly irresponsible never writing a will to provide for his first son. I will always love John but it was Paul who was the ever practical, lover of family including Julian who did it all the responsible and correct way,
November 8th baby here so, close, only month apart! yep. john Lennon, though he had his flaws like we all do, hes always hit special chords within me. if memory serves me right, his song imagine, was released in like september or october, and hit the top charts in November... and he dies in early December of 1980.
that song is so bittersweet and eerie to me. It is beautiful. But I remember when Double Fantasy came out, I listened to it non stop and Watching the Wheels was my favorite. Not long after... well you all know what happened. When I hear this song it brings to mind that horrible, horrible day and the end of a beautiful soul. RIP John Lennon
I think it shows real confidence to create such a simple song. I feel many would want the comfort of over production. 1,000 strings and horns and background singers. But just a tune and a story are all you need
No, you missed John's point about letting it go. . .He's referring to his CAREER. He kind of stopped "playin the game" of show business for a while. Other performers were asking him what he was doing, and "don't you miss the big time?" And he just said that he had to let that part of his life go for a while, and he was happy just watching the wheels go round and round. . .Meaning watching others chase the money and fame while he just enjoyed his life AWAY from all of that. Love this song because it's John's answer to those who thought he was wasting his time. Classic Lennon!!!
I always feel badly for Julian when I think of him having to hear these types of songs and see how John treated his half brother Sean, being the father he never was to him. John did not even include Julian in his will. Julian has always said he has forgiven him, and they sort of mended things in the last couple of years, but for all his talent and good things he did in this world, by all practical measures John was a terrible father to Julian (Julian’s words, not mine) who didn’t deserve how John neglected him.
John reached out to him & they started to get close again, not too long before he was killed. Much like the way John started to get close to his mom then she was killed by an off-duty police officer. John married Cynthia because she got pregnant but probably wouldn't have otherwise. Then The Beatles hit it big & were busy touring, etc. John didn't really grow up & change for the better after he met Yoko, who he really loved. Sean came at a calmer time in his life too.
And Julian has always kept a close relationship to Sean, and ended his feud with Yoko for the sake of his brother, he couldnt be close to his brother and hate his brothers mom. Julian could easily have been resentful toward Sean and has been the total opposite instead.
@@cathyortiz1280I’m not judging. It is what happened. But do you think Julian cares about any of that? He doesn’t. There are tons of videos of him criticizing John for being a bad father to him.
HIs Double Fantasy album was very highly anticipated when it came out because he kinda disappeared from the public for a while. The whole album was so good it made us anticipate of what future albums he'll put out, then it all suddenly stopped so fast, it shocked us all. This song was the thesis of what he went through during his absence, getting himself together. He went off the track for a while and Yoko gave him an ultimatum to change; he did change, and was so happy about it.
Love that casual “Aaahh” he sings just before the last verse. So revealing of his honest opinion. John’s own childhood was so sad and traumatic, it’s sweet that he recorded this to let us know he took time out to be a dad. Please check out “John Sinclair”. It’s his angry activist side with the Elephants Memory Band in full volume.
He lives on forever. He had such a distinctive voice. The best voice of all the Beatles. He was an amazing man and musician. Miss him so much. I will never forget the night of December 8, 1980 I was in my room watching Monday Night Football when Howard Cosell announced the tragic news of Lennon's death. I was 23 then and at that point of my life he and the Beatles and all his solo work had such a big influence on my life then and all the way til today.
I was 15 when John Lennon whot killed. I had just bought the album Double Fantasy. I love this song because I think it how many people feel. When you get older you don't care so much about what people think. He had been so famous that it must have been terrible at times. It seems as thought he had finally come to peace. Another song I love is, "Mind Games".
Yes, John was a stay-at-home dad to his son Sean. He had another son, Julian, who also had a music career for a short time in the 80's. React to "Valotte" or "Too Late For Goodbyes" from him. React to John Lennon' s "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" next. Thanks. 😎
An essential Lennon solo listen is 'Mother', the rawness is off the scale to the point where it's almost painful to listen to but he really tells his story on it. '#9 Dream' is also a really cool song, one of John's personal favourites and well worth a listen
My favorite John Lennon song is Mother. He lets decades of confusion and frustration out . Its a must listen to for anyone wanting to get into the psyche of John .
Of every song that John was connected with, this one has always been my favorite. Even as a teenager I understood that he was singing about how important it is to be there for his family. I also think that he doted on Sean so much because of how little time he had spent with Julian. Then years later, when I became a stay at home dad, I truly understood what he meant about people calling him lazy and crazy.
My favorite post-Beatles Lennon song. Can you imagine how many times he had to hear the question "are the Beatles getting back together?" People mostly would ask it out of love, but for him it had to be weird that most folks just couldn't understand that they had moved on to "real life". And sadly, he was murdered not long after writing this song...by a madman who was a "fan".
@@patticrichton1135 I thought it would be obvious. I didn't want to spell it out, because that would be patronizing, and I'd rather presume the better than the worse. Beatles break up in 1970. Right away, Paul and John are having a friendly war in their albums. Maybe from not knowing how, or unwilling, to let go. Wings happen, Lost Weekend happens, Yoko gets pregnant and John becomes a househusband. But every now and then he slips away to contribute to some Bowie or Jagger project. He's not as over it as he lets on. The album war between Lennon and McCartney cools off, and they become friends again, here and there contributing to some Harrison or Starr project. 1980, Lennon gets "Coming Up" stuck in his head, so he's back in the studio, doing his own project instead of just hanging out on his friends' sessions. Double Fantasy's a hit, and there's gossip about a reunion. John and Paul happened to be sitting on John's couch when Lorne Michaels was on TV offering them cash to reunite on his show. They considered it, but lazied out of it. 1990, they could say it was 20 years ago today that the Beatles went separate ways, but not so separate, really. The timing rhyming with that song they made about themselves sounds like Fate. Who can resist Fate? Especially not the Beatles. 1990 would have been the year. Not "could" or "maybe", 1990 was meant to be the year. And it would have been.
Probably the most honest and blunt view of his life in the days before he died. He had let it all go and had only begun to record again just for the pleasure of it. He was more mellow, less acerbic and not the caustic, angry man he had been before his hiatus to become the "family man." It's my favorite John Lennon song.
This is his answer to the media who said he was washed up when he took a long break from music to raise a family. He replied with another hit by replying to their criticisms. Legend.
There are other music videos of this song and he's chillin' with Yoko. I think it just means he let everything go and is going with the flow of life. He's free
"Merry Go Round" = His busy and hectic life in the Beatles "Watching the Wheels Go Round" = The quiet family life He's not saying that he hated his life in the Beatles but that it was the past and he enjoyed it at the time but now he's grown up and has other priorities in his life like family...and he's enjoying it too
John stopped making music for five years to stay home with his son. He had just released his first album in five years which included this song, when he was shot to death.
43 years later, and this video still makes me cry every time, when I see how happy all 3 of them were in those home movies, and how that was all shattered by a lunatic. I think I may be even sadder now when I think about Yoko and Sean (AND Julian) losing out on so many future happy days together, instead dealing with the sadness of him not being there.
Please react to John Lennon's song "Mother" it's very emotional and raw and if you know about John's childhood, you'll understand it better. He was born during WWII, his father who was away all the time as merchant marine and a mother couldn't handle motherhood so he was raised by his aunt & uncle since he was 4 years old. They tried to discourage his love of music telling him he would never making a living out of it. But his mother did share his love of music and as a teenager they spent time together. When he was 16 she tragically died when she was hit by a car.
When his recording contract ended in 1975, he was not obliged to anyone and wanted to spend the next five years raising his son. And that's what he did. Then in 1980 he had enough songs for an album but Yoko demanded they issue an album together. So half were issued on Double Fantasy and the other half (demos) were released after his death on Milk & Honey.
@@shyman99 I always took it to refer to organized, denominational, sects. He was very spiritual, evident in his music, but didn't like the division, by naming it. It's innate, personal and not a thing to fight wars over. I think that was his meaning...
@@shyman99 Ten years is a very short period of time. I'm now 71, probably far less "radical", though very forward thinking, than I was at 40. He was far less fortunate than I. His life was cut short as he was peacefully living it. He was perfectly imperfect. It's sad that he be judged by a person not walking his steps. Don't know about your age, but those were very troubling times. He expressed his own feelings. Imagine...if we could have had the peace he wished.
@@shyman99 I digress...this is not really a proper forum for this discussion. It's about music. We do have our favorites, he is one of mine. Case closed. Have a good day.
According to an article I read in the Eighties, whenever John Lennon bought an album he would always buy three copies. The first copy he would play, the second one he would keep on the shelf unopened, and the third one he would hide somewhere.
HI GUYS FROM LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 🇬🇧 HOMETOWN OF JOHN LENNON AND JOHN WAS A BIG PART OF MANY PEOPLES LIVES AS HIS SONG WERE SO PERSONAL TO THEM AND ONE OF JOHNS MOST MOVING SONGS 🎵 IS "WORKING CLASS HERO" AND ITS SUCH A POWERFUL SONG. JOHN IS FOREVER IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL AS HE ONE OF OUR OWN AND HE TRULY WAS THE FAVOURITE BEATLE IN OUR CITY AND YOU SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT JULIAN LENNONS SONG " TOO LATE FOR GOODBYES" I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE WEALTH OF JOHNS SONGS AND THAT YOU ARE BOTH GENIUNE FANS NOW.
As hard as it was have this musical Genius (with no filter- Just a raw, fearless, honest guy) leave us so early, videos like this one bring comfort to fans that he was content and happy, truly at peace with his life at this point! He's still so painfully missed, as is George (who also found his peace and happiness). There will never be another John or George...we were certainly Blessed to have them in this world!
I was 23 when he died,and I heard this just shortly after his passing driving alone on a late Saturday night,and I remember tearing up feel that it was such a senseless waste, because you know it was so much that could have been.
This video reminds me of my late brother, who had a resemblance to John, and his young son, Daniel, who was born around the time as Sean. It's uncanny, and this always makes me tear up. Miss my brother and John so much. ❤
He was in the (arguably) biggest band of all time and went thru 7+ years of insane fame and work. And it continued thru the 70's to a lesser degree, so to have stepped away from it looked like it was, well, all the things he described in the song.
First song I heard on the radio right after hearing the news of his death that tragic night back in December 1980. To this day, I can’t hear this song without tearing up. Lennon forever!
As someone else points out - John Lennon had - TWO - families. This song (& video) is both beautiful - & heartbreaking!! John Lennon gave so much love & care to his - 2nd son - Sean (that he had with Yoko - whom he cheated on his 1st wife with). John's ELDEST SON - Julian - was pretty much neglected. He was a pretty hurt & confused boy/young man too, KNOWING how his father focused & showed so much care for the - other son - & not him. Can you imagine Julian seeing this video or always hearing the song "Beautiful Boy" on the radio, knowing your father wrote that for the YOUNGER son - from his father's 2nd marriage, while Julian never got a song or video or attention like that? Despite this, it appears that Julian Lennon has a beautiful soul - & has never taken out his hurt on Sean.
Even more haunting about this song is the fact that it was out after his death. Which gave a new meaning to watching the wheels and no longer riding on the merry go round of the living
Thank you for your reaction to this great Lennon track! If you haven't reacted to his songs "Mother" and "Working Class Hero" yet you should put them on your list!!
Mother is such a sad song. A bit of psychotherapy put to music, if you know anything about his childhood issues. Yet incredibly listenable and a great tune. ❤
John lennon is one of my favorite musicians! He's what I would call musical genius. When it came to lyrics and music and singing. The tragedy of him getting shot in New York City groog. Great response from the public. It was so sad, he will be missed
We lost John right after the release of this album, double fantasy, his best solo work and was probably just the beginning of a resurgence for him. I wonder what he would have done going forward after this if given the chance.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Great pick. I grew up just a few blocks from where John lived and later died. And it was quite common to see both he and Yoko walking around just like everyone else. I must have seen him at least 20 times or more during the last five years of his life but like most New Yorkers I never wanted to bother him. But one day in 1979 a little boy came running towards me and almost fell down so I quickly bent over to stop his momentum and he ended up in my arms. As I looked up John was standing in front of me and he thanked me profusely. The boy was his son Sean. I was a bit stunned but I held it together and I said “ no problem he’s adorable.” He smiled and thanked me again. I wanted to say so many things to him but I didn’t. I wish I had at least thanked him for the gift of his music. After all The Beatles were the sound track of my life. 🕊❤️🎼
That's great story, thanks for sharing it
Guarantee you he appreciated you for just letting him walk on afterwards. You got a memory and he got to just live.
visited NYC last summer. My 1st stop on my full day there was the Dakota building & Strawberry Fields ♥
The song pertains to the time from 1975 until 1980 when he gave up his music career after Sean was born. John had another son Julian, which you probably don’t know about, with his first wife Cynthia. Julian is also a musician who you should check out.
yep, John's family with Yoko was important to John. He was once quoted as saying, "Sean was born out of love where as Julian was born out of a whiskey bottle."
Good point. Despite how much I want to like John, I can’t get over the way he disregarded his former wife and his first child. Julian grew up to be such a wonderful guy, despite his fathers indifference to him.
@@davidharvey4433 I love Julian, he’s such a talented musician and photographer. It was because of May Pang that John started to have a relationship with Julian again.
❤
Yes, definitely should check out Julian Lennon. He sounds so much like John.
This is my favorite John solo song. "There's no problem, only solutions." Is genius. I've lived my life with this attitude and it has served me well.
This is my favorite too. It's an ode to being able just to enjoy life. Which he deserved after the insanity of what was The Beatles. He was finally doing it his way.
Can you imagine seeing John and Yoko just taking a walk in Central Park? They did it often, and for the most part, people just respected them and left them alone.
I always think about Cynthia and Julian
@@davidhuggan6315 me too, but since I can't walk a mile in his shoes, I'm not judging him.
@@leppardification Agreed. I just think Jay and Amber should acknowledge it. And the fact that he's dead.
@@davidhuggan6315same
@davidhuggan6315 that's not what their reaction video's are about, and I think it is why they are so popular. I doubt Jay and Amber have time to read every single comment, but you and several others have mentioned John's shortcomings enough here that they are most likely aware of it. ✌️
The whole album Double Fantasy is a masterpiece and his last album. The album was released in November of 🎉1980 ,He died In December and posthumously the Grammy for album of the year in 1982.
Milk and Honey was actually his last album. He was working on it when he was killed
It was released on 9th October, his 40th birthday
@@shyman99 I had no problem with that statement. I even like Yoko's songs on it.
@@shyman99 My original comment was simply that John's last album was Milk and Honey, not Double Fantasy. You were the one who mentioned half the album was Yoko, to which I replied that I still liked it. Then you do a "gotcha" moment. I never agreed or called it a masterpiece so go try to pick a fight with someone else, troll. I'm done with you.
It was a bit of a PAIN to have to keep lifting the needle and moving it to the next song.@@shyman99
Song by Julian Lennon, he is John’s first son and who the song Hey Jude was written about. The song is Too Late for Goodbyes❤️
I absolutely love that song. When I first saw the video, I was astounded at how much he looked and sounded like John.
You HAVE to listen to this song….he sounds SO like his Dad!!!
The most amazing song by Julian is from just last year. It's called Lucky Ones
@@arizonadaz530 "Valott" is another Julian Lennon song that is amazing.
My favorite of Julian's is "Stick Around"
An important thing about this song and the Album, is the fact that this was his first album since taking 5 years from everything to stay at home and be with Sean. This song is a lot about that. The album was released on Nov 17 1980, he was killed on Dec 9, 1980. Just a couple weeks later. I bought it the day it was released
@@williammckay9229the date depends on where you were. He died on December 8th in NYC around 11pm but It was already December 9th in the UK, so a lot of people in the UK use 12/9 as his date of death since he was from there. There are news articles about this.
I did type it wrong ( My friends Bday is the next day). TY for the correction. I fixed it@@williammckay9229
Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon is a masterpiece that the entire world could definitely benefit from today ✨✌️
Give me some Truth!
It's not much of a song, though. It's more of a march.
I always thought that song was about Pete Best. "All we are saaaaaaaaaying.... is give Pete a chance...."
I used to play that song on my little record player as a young girl aged around 8yrs old , over and over again in the 60s. Still love it today. And just as meaningful. ✌️🇬🇧💙
This song was written as a response to all the criticism John recieved for putting his career on hold (from 1975 to 1980) to focus on raising his son Sean.
Thank you, John Lennon!
-The World
I was a junior in high school when my English teacher came into the room with a record player. He said he just wanted to listen to his hero that day. This was the morning after John Lennon was killed. So for the entire period we listen to the Beatles and John Lennon. This is one of my favorite songs by him. It is so sad that a song was titled Starting Over and just a few short months he was gone.
"Working Class Hero" is probably his most important individual song, but "Give Peace a Chance", "Mind Games", "#9 Dream" and "Steel and Glass" are all first rate as well. Thanks y'all.
Don't forget Imagine.
@@dupersuper1938 I was thinking that they had already done, or knew it already. It is his most aspirational songs, from those I know. Timeless. And timely.
"Crippled Inside" is worth a reaction IMO.
@Tessmage_Tessera I actually only made that claim so as it increase its likelihood of being played. Everyone plays and knows Imagine, probably his most important song other than "Happiness is a Warm Gun".
Working Class Hero. #1 in my book.
She nailed it. He whiffed. It’s a song for his critics who think he’s missing out being rock royalty when in reality he may be out of sight, out of mind to the public, but in reality he’s cashing in on life!
SO MISS HIM!!! So GLAD ya'll enjoy his music!! Have a BLESSED DAY, YA'LL!! HUGS!
Hey Jude. 👋
This song actually came out posthumously, soon after his murder
Y’all.
@@Inequities No, one month before he died.
Lennon was an absolute musical genius, his sense of melody was extraordinary.
Yes, so was Paul and George.
3 genius
"Woman" very emotional...
Definitely a great pick for them to react to! My favorite JL song.
John Lennon Is a legend His words and music are phenomenal
His murder in 1980 is such a wrenching tragedy. It’s still a profound loss for the entire world. 😢
One can only imagine the music he would have created in the last four decades.
This is always a difficult one for me, it really showed that we were getting John back after an extended absence, then to lose him so soon after, just made it really bittersweet. Like a lot John’s best work it’s just him revealing his inner soul to the whole world with a melody. ✌️
My favorite John Lennon song.. I'm retired now and listen to this song every day.
This song always makes me wistful, given this was on regular radio rotation when he was killed. Plus they’re in their apartment at the Dakota in NYC and walking around Central Park which was their backyard and is mine. He was in a good place in his life at the time. *sigh*
I feel deep sadness when I hear this. Still.
Your mention of Beautiful Boy reminded me of a movie you might enjoy. Mr. Holland's Opus is a tribute to the profession of teaching. The main character, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is a big Beatles and John Lennon fan, and Beautiful Boy has its own part in the plot.
Definitely, as teachers themselves plus their connection to music through this channel it would be a perfect fit
@genedoss664 and in the story line, it takes place in part when John was murdered. One of my FAVORITE movies
I've been suggesting Mr Hollands Opus for ages. Amber and Jay will love it!
This is the contented Lennon, in love with family life and enjoying being a father, looking after Sean, baking bread, and out of the music business. You really ought to delve in the angst of the Plastic Ono band album…the tortured Lennon lamenting his own disturbed childhood. may I recommend that you listen to the track “Mother”….it will rip your heart to shreds and make you cry…so much pain in that song.
I cry so hard listening to this. Dear John
I realize that this idea of a movie projector is a little old school for you guys. The wheels of the movie projector showing the home movies ("shadows on the wall") in the video are the wheels that he's watching. Which implies the wheel of life.
Sean was actually born on John's birthday, October 9th, which is why they both wore gold crowns and blew out the candles at the birthday party.
This is about him not recording music for a few years while his son Sean was little. Tragically this is from his brilliant final album 😢
She nailed it! He left the game to be with his family
I bought the album when it came out and was excited about his upcoming tour. Man do I miss him. His music spoke to what it meant to be human.
Im not sure anyone writes as honestly as John. He isnt even cryptic most of the time. He just says what he thinks. Loved this man and still do. Just miss him and his viewpoints. 😢
He writes about his experiences, like George did....Miss them both!!!
Great rection, Jay and Amber! John never spent much time with his first son, Julian while he was growing up. John did make a point not to repeat that with Sean. John's son, Julian followed in his father's footsteps with his own musical career but, after years of being compared to his father, I guess he just took a few steps back. He had some great music in his own style. Here are some of those songs, "Too Late for Goodbyes, Saltwater, I Don't Wanna Know, Say You're Wrong, Valotte, Stand by Me, Sitting on a Pebble, and many more.
Totally agree. Julian loved his Dad but knows his dad left him
Such a gentle, peaceful man.
Such a tragedy the way he was taken from us.
he was not always gentle and peaceful, he had a turbulent relationship with his wife and son behind closed doors, he was even in a rage and hit his son because he was eating too slowly !. yeah there are some stories that the kids have spoken up in in later years, he had his faults by all means, but he sure did bring us some good music that is timeless.
Actually what John meant in this song: he had quit making music. He was staying at home, letting Yoko do all the business, and John was a house husband. Taking care of Sean, watching him all day, learning how to cook, just being a homebody. And this was unfathomable to his friends and associates in the music business. One of the very greatest legendary performers of all time ... just quit the biz. Staying home watching the wheels go round and round. "I just had to let it go." But he finally got the bug again and started making music. And good music too. Beautiful Boy, Starting Over, Woman, etc. Then was taken away from us, much too soon. It still hurts.
Love this song. One of my favorites of a legendary catalog
Once again, another song that takes me back to my junior year of high school. 1980-81 was my favorite year of an insanely fun 3 years of high school. We were all shocked and deeply saddened by the death of John Lennon. He was still making great music all the way to the end of his life. He was certainly one of the biggest figures of the 20th Century beyond a doubt. This was released in 1981, after his tragic passing.
The Machine had him taken Out , he was to popular and waking folks up!!!!!!
I, too was 16 when John was murdered. The songs on the Double Fantasy album were those of a far more mature John who had finally learned how to be a father. He was a lousy father to his first son, Julian for whom Paul wrote and sang Hey Jude as John had no clue how to be a dad and was divorcing his first wife and mother of Julian, a small child. John used to marvel at Paul's ability to show up and within minutes joining little Julian in silly games out of thin air. John even asked Paul how he does it. Ten years later and after taking a break from music John finally figured it out and, put all the feeling into the songs about life, his second son, his wife into his very best songs of his solo career. But he died without a will which was unforgivably irresponsible so Yoko got everything. She refused for years to give Julian a dime. Eventually Yoko began helping Julian out. The tragedy of John's death was greatly compounded by his incredibly irresponsible never writing a will to provide for his first son. I will always love John but it was Paul who was the ever practical, lover of family including Julian who did it all the responsible and correct way,
Released in 1980, 3 weeks before he died.
Instant Karma and Nobody Told me , Are great solo John Lennon songs!
My favorite Beatle, we share birthdays. Just imagine the music that could have still been made. ❤️❤️❤️
November 8th baby here so, close, only month apart! yep. john Lennon, though he had his flaws like we all do, hes always hit special chords within me. if memory serves me right, his song imagine, was released in like september or october, and hit the top charts in November... and he dies in early December of 1980.
that song is so bittersweet and eerie to me. It is beautiful. But I remember when Double Fantasy came out, I listened to it non stop and Watching the Wheels was my favorite. Not long after... well you all know what happened. When I hear this song it brings to mind that horrible, horrible day and the end of a beautiful soul. RIP John Lennon
I think it shows real confidence to create such a simple song. I feel many would want the comfort of over production. 1,000 strings and horns and background singers. But just a tune and a story are all you need
Yes!!! My favorite Lennon song in a vast catalog of greatness! Thanks so much!❤
No, you missed John's point about letting it go. . .He's referring to his CAREER. He kind of stopped "playin the game" of show business for a while. Other performers were asking him what he was doing, and "don't you miss the big time?" And he just said that he had to let that part of his life go for a while, and he was happy just watching the wheels go round and round. . .Meaning watching others chase the money and fame while he just enjoyed his life AWAY from all of that. Love this song because it's John's answer to those who thought he was wasting his time. Classic Lennon!!!
I always feel badly for Julian when I think of him having to hear these types of songs and see how John treated his half brother Sean, being the father he never was to him. John did not even include Julian in his will. Julian has always said he has forgiven him, and they sort of mended things in the last couple of years, but for all his talent and good things he did in this world, by all practical measures John was a terrible father to Julian (Julian’s words, not mine) who didn’t deserve how John neglected him.
John reached out to him & they started to get close again, not too long before he was killed. Much like the way John started to get close to his mom then she was killed by an off-duty police officer. John married Cynthia because she got pregnant but probably wouldn't have otherwise. Then The Beatles hit it big & were busy touring, etc. John didn't really grow up & change for the better after he met Yoko, who he really loved. Sean came at a calmer time in his life too.
Exactly. John was a bad father to his first kid
And Julian has always kept a close relationship to Sean, and ended his feud with Yoko for the sake of his brother, he couldnt be close to his brother and hate his brothers mom. Julian could easily have been resentful toward Sean and has been the total opposite instead.
@@davidhuggan6315 He was in The Beatles who hit big, so he had to tour & work. Even Julian said he understands that now.
@@cathyortiz1280I’m not judging. It is what happened. But do you think Julian cares about any of that? He doesn’t. There are tons of videos of him criticizing John for being a bad father to him.
It was very tough to hear the news on that evening in 1980 that we lost John. I think the best way to remember him is to listen to his music.
HIs Double Fantasy album was very highly anticipated when it came out because he kinda disappeared from the public for a while. The whole album was so good it made us anticipate of what future albums he'll put out, then it all suddenly stopped so fast, it shocked us all. This song was the thesis of what he went through during his absence, getting himself together. He went off the track for a while and Yoko gave him an ultimatum to change; he did change, and was so happy about it.
When ever I hear songs from double fantasy they always seem more mature and well crafted, and sad because they came out after he passed.
Love that casual “Aaahh” he sings just before the last verse. So revealing of his honest opinion. John’s own childhood was so sad and traumatic, it’s sweet that he recorded this to let us know he took time out to be a dad.
Please check out “John Sinclair”.
It’s his angry activist side with the Elephants Memory Band in full volume.
He lives on forever. He had such a distinctive voice. The best voice of all the Beatles. He was an amazing man and musician. Miss him so much. I will never forget the night of December 8, 1980 I was in my room watching Monday Night Football when Howard Cosell announced the tragic news of Lennon's death. I was 23 then and at that point of my life he and the Beatles and all his solo work had such a big influence on my life then and all the way til today.
I was 15 when John Lennon whot killed. I had just bought the album Double Fantasy. I love this song because I think it how many people feel. When you get older you don't care so much about what people think. He had been so famous that it must have been terrible at times. It seems as thought he had finally come to peace. Another song I love is, "Mind Games".
Yes, John was a stay-at-home dad to his son Sean. He had another son, Julian, who also had a music career for a short time in the 80's. React to "Valotte" or "Too Late For Goodbyes" from him. React to John Lennon' s "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" next. Thanks. 😎
Julian’s music career is still going. He’s still putting out music. Has been since 1983.
An essential Lennon solo listen is 'Mother', the rawness is off the scale to the point where it's almost painful to listen to but he really tells his story on it. '#9 Dream' is also a really cool song, one of John's personal favourites and well worth a listen
My favorite John Lennon song is Mother. He lets decades of confusion and frustration out . Its a must listen to for anyone wanting to get into the psyche of John .
my fav john lennon song. Watching the wheels go round and round resonates how my life has been, just goin with the flow.
Of every song that John was connected with, this one has always been my favorite. Even as a teenager I understood that he was singing about how important it is to be there for his family. I also think that he doted on Sean so much because of how little time he had spent with Julian.
Then years later, when I became a stay at home dad, I truly understood what he meant about people calling him lazy and crazy.
My favorite post-Beatles Lennon song. Can you imagine how many times he had to hear the question "are the Beatles getting back together?" People mostly would ask it out of love, but for him it had to be weird that most folks just couldn't understand that they had moved on to "real life". And sadly, he was murdered not long after writing this song...by a madman who was a "fan".
1990 would have been the year.
@@BlackHatCinephile "1990 would have been the year" for WHAT? Not sure what you are referring to.
@@patticrichton1135 I thought it would be obvious. I didn't want to spell it out, because that would be patronizing, and I'd rather presume the better than the worse. Beatles break up in 1970. Right away, Paul and John are having a friendly war in their albums. Maybe from not knowing how, or unwilling, to let go. Wings happen, Lost Weekend happens, Yoko gets pregnant and John becomes a househusband. But every now and then he slips away to contribute to some Bowie or Jagger project. He's not as over it as he lets on. The album war between Lennon and McCartney cools off, and they become friends again, here and there contributing to some Harrison or Starr project. 1980, Lennon gets "Coming Up" stuck in his head, so he's back in the studio, doing his own project instead of just hanging out on his friends' sessions. Double Fantasy's a hit, and there's gossip about a reunion. John and Paul happened to be sitting on John's couch when Lorne Michaels was on TV offering them cash to reunite on his show. They considered it, but lazied out of it. 1990, they could say it was 20 years ago today that the Beatles went separate ways, but not so separate, really. The timing rhyming with that song they made about themselves sounds like Fate. Who can resist Fate? Especially not the Beatles. 1990 would have been the year. Not "could" or "maybe", 1990 was meant to be the year. And it would have been.
Probably the most honest and blunt view of his life in the days before he died. He had let it all go and had only begun to record again just for the pleasure of it. He was more mellow, less acerbic and not the caustic, angry man he had been before his hiatus to become the "family man." It's my favorite John Lennon song.
That one was a bigtime, killer hit. I LOVE John Lennon. Thanks, guys.
KIller hit ... I heard this is the song that got him killed
He's appreciating the finer things in life.
You both absolutely nailed what the songs about. John stepping back and living the life he wanted too, beautiful words and meaning.
This is his answer to the media who said he was washed up when he took a long break from music to raise a family. He replied with another hit by replying to their criticisms. Legend.
God bless him. So glad that he had these moments of family joy and happiness in his all to short life.
3:44 exactly. 🙂
This is one of my favorite John Lennon. songs.
One of the best from the best band ever. ♥️🙏✌️😎
This has been my personal favorite John Lennon song since 1981.
One of my favorite John Lennon songs.
There are other music videos of this song and he's chillin' with Yoko. I think it just means he let everything go and is going with the flow of life. He's free
About time someone reacted to this brilliant song. Love it. Great work guys.
He was finally a happy guy at this time. It was his favorite thing to talk and write songs about.
My favorite line from this song is "I tell them there's no problem, only solutions". In some situations, there is always a solution.
Now you should listen to 'Mother' where he talks about his childhood - a powerful song. -great reaction guys!!
"Merry Go Round" = His busy and hectic life in the Beatles
"Watching the Wheels Go Round" = The quiet family life
He's not saying that he hated his life in the Beatles but that it was the past and he enjoyed it at the time but now he's grown up and has other priorities in his life like family...and he's enjoying it too
John stopped making music for five years to stay home with his son. He had just released his first album in five years which included this song, when he was shot to death.
Seriously looking forward to the day you two discover John Lennon's "Mother". Great recap, by the way.
43 years later, and this video still makes me cry every time, when I see how happy all 3 of them were in those home movies, and how that was all shattered by a lunatic. I think I may be even sadder now when I think about Yoko and Sean (AND Julian) losing out on so many future happy days together, instead dealing with the sadness of him not being there.
I bought this single on 45 when it was released. Still one of my favorite Lennon tunes.
man john always hit crisp on all cylinders FIRE. i love nobody told me and borrowed time alot too
One of my 5 favorite songs by John Lennon. His music was just MAGICAL AND BEAUTIFUL, as simple as that
Thank you. THANK you! Thos is one of my favorite songs by him. So glad you are checking it out.❤
Please react to John Lennon's song "Mother" it's very emotional and raw and if you know about John's childhood, you'll understand it better. He was born during WWII, his father who was away all the time as merchant marine and a mother couldn't handle motherhood so he was raised by his aunt & uncle since he was 4 years old. They tried to discourage his love of music telling him he would never making a living out of it. But his mother did share his love of music and as a teenager they spent time together. When he was 16 she tragically died when she was hit by a car.
Still say you need to check out his son Julian. He had a great song in the 80s called too late for goodbyes. He looks just like john..
From his last album.. he finally found peace of mind....
When his recording contract ended in 1975, he was not obliged to anyone and wanted to spend the next five years raising his son. And that's what he did. Then in 1980 he had enough songs for an album but Yoko demanded they issue an album together. So half were issued on Double Fantasy and the other half (demos) were released after his death on Milk & Honey.
At times, listening to John Lennon is like going to church. We miss him❤
@@shyman99 I always took it to refer to organized, denominational, sects. He was very spiritual, evident in his music, but didn't like the division, by naming it. It's innate, personal and not a thing to fight wars over. I think that was his meaning...
People evolve...some of us have. My "radical" ideas matured as life unfolded. Were you always the person you are today?
@@shyman99 Ten years is a very short period of time. I'm now 71, probably far less "radical", though very forward thinking, than I was at 40. He was far less fortunate than I. His life was cut short as he was peacefully living it. He was perfectly imperfect. It's sad that he be judged by a person not walking his steps. Don't know about your age, but those were very troubling times. He expressed his own feelings. Imagine...if we could have had the peace he wished.
@@shyman99 I digress...this is not really a proper forum for this discussion. It's about music. We do have our favorites, he is one of mine. Case closed. Have a good day.
This is from John Lennons last album "Double Fantasy" I actually bought 2 copies back in 1980, the one I play, and the one I've never opened...
According to an article I read in the Eighties, whenever John Lennon bought an album he would always buy three copies. The first copy he would play, the second one he would keep on the shelf unopened, and the third one he would hide somewhere.
That’s amazing! Thanks.
HI GUYS FROM LIVERPOOL ENGLAND 🇬🇧 HOMETOWN OF JOHN LENNON AND JOHN WAS A BIG PART OF MANY PEOPLES LIVES AS HIS SONG WERE SO PERSONAL TO THEM AND ONE OF JOHNS MOST MOVING SONGS 🎵 IS "WORKING CLASS HERO" AND ITS SUCH A POWERFUL SONG.
JOHN IS FOREVER IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL AS HE ONE OF OUR OWN AND HE TRULY WAS THE FAVOURITE BEATLE IN OUR CITY AND YOU SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT JULIAN LENNONS SONG " TOO LATE FOR GOODBYES" I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE WEALTH OF JOHNS SONGS AND THAT YOU ARE BOTH GENIUNE FANS NOW.
As hard as it was have this musical Genius (with no filter- Just a raw, fearless, honest guy) leave us so early, videos like this one bring comfort to fans that he was content and happy, truly at peace with his life at this point! He's still so painfully missed, as is George (who also found his peace and happiness). There will never be another John or George...we were certainly Blessed to have them in this world!
My favorite John Lennon song...this is when you finally figure out who you are in life and you do what makes you happy!
I was 23 when he died,and I heard this just shortly after his passing driving alone on a late Saturday night,and I remember tearing up feel that it was such a senseless waste, because you know it was so much that could have been.
This video reminds me of my late brother, who had a resemblance to John, and his young son, Daniel, who was born around the time as Sean. It's uncanny, and this always makes me tear up. Miss my brother and John so much. ❤
John Lennon is one of my generation’s greatest poets.
Great reactions y'all. J.T., some Doobies and John Lennon. You got me smiling tonight.🙂 ☮💛🎶
He was in the (arguably) biggest band of all time and went thru 7+ years of insane fame and work. And it continued thru the 70's to a lesser degree, so to have stepped away from it looked like it was, well, all the things he described in the song.
First song I heard on the radio right after hearing the news of his death that tragic night back in December 1980. To this day, I can’t hear this song without tearing up. Lennon forever!
His family life period is very touching...."Beautiful Boy" would bring a tear to a glass eye! Still missed by so many.
One of my favorite Lennon songs.
Really beautiful song. He understood the mistakes he made with Julian and didn't want to repeat them with Sean.
As someone else points out - John Lennon had - TWO - families. This song (& video) is both beautiful - & heartbreaking!!
John Lennon gave so much love & care to his - 2nd son - Sean (that he had with Yoko - whom he cheated on his 1st wife with).
John's ELDEST SON - Julian - was pretty much neglected. He was a pretty hurt & confused boy/young man too, KNOWING how his father focused & showed so much care for the - other son - & not him. Can you imagine Julian seeing this video or always hearing the song "Beautiful Boy" on the radio, knowing your father wrote that for the YOUNGER son - from his father's 2nd marriage, while Julian never got a song or video or attention like that? Despite this, it appears that Julian Lennon has a beautiful soul - & has never taken out his hurt on Sean.
John Lennon wrote a song for Julian Lennon off the White Album called Good Night sung by Ringo
Even more haunting about this song is the fact that it was out after his death. Which gave a new meaning to watching the wheels and no longer riding on the merry go round of the living
Thank you for your reaction to this great Lennon track! If you haven't reacted to his songs "Mother" and "Working Class Hero" yet you should put them on your list!!
Working Class Hero is John at his most raw and real. Stunning lyrics.
-awesome- !
Mother is such a sad song. A bit of psychotherapy put to music, if you know anything about his childhood issues. Yet incredibly listenable and a great tune. ❤
Yes to both!
In Mother John bares his soul.
John lennon is one of my favorite musicians! He's what I would call musical genius. When it came to lyrics and music and singing. The tragedy of him getting shot in New York City groog. Great response from the public. It was so sad, he will be missed
We lost John right after the release of this album, double fantasy, his best solo work and was probably just the beginning of a resurgence for him. I wonder what he would have done going forward after this if given the chance.
POB