John Lennon Birthday Special

1 PLAYLIST OCT. 5 TH 2014 John Lennon Birthday Special 1

2 9AM Ringo Happy Birthday John A/Steve Stills, Billy Preston Chris & Klaus John s 30 th John Lennon I m The Greatest - Anthology 98 John s recording and composition for Ringo who used as the lead track on his Ringo solo album. The Beatles - Help! - Help! (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The Beatles tenth single release for EMI s Parlophone label. Recorded during a three-hour session on April 13, 1965. Written mostly by John with some help from Paul. In 1965 George Harrison was interviewed about the upcoming single, saying it s probably the best single we ve done. Harrison said the group was really pleased with the song, and described it as being more involved than previous Beatles songs. It has a counter melody going on as well as a main melody. In 1980 John Lennon said, The whole Beatle thing was just beyond comprehension. I was eating and drinking like a pig and I was fat as a pig, dissatisfied with myself, and subconsciously I was crying for help. When Help! came out, I was actually crying out for help. I didn't realize it at the time. I just wrote the song because I was commissioned to write it for the movie. But later, I knew I really was crying out for help. So it was my fat Elvis period. You see the movie: he - I - is very fat, very insecure, and he's completely lost himself. Lennon has pointed to 1967 s Strawberry Fields Forever and Help! as his only honest songs with the Beatles. The song was number one in the U.S. for three weeks, and in the UK it spent four weeks at number one. On U.S. album: Help! - Capitol LP 2

3 The Beatles - In My Life - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John with Paul Recorded October 18, 1965 and written primarily by John, who called it his first real major piece of work. Of all the Lennon-McCartney collaborations only two songs have really been disputed by John and Paul themselves -- Eleanor Rigby and In My Life. Both agree that the lyrics are 100% Lennon, but John says Paul helped on the musical bridge, while Paul recalls writing the entire melody on John s Mellotron. The gorgeous piano solo is provided by George Martin. To give his solo a harpsichord sound the producer played the piano at half speed and an octave lower so that when played at regular speed it would be in the correct key for the song. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP 9.12 BREAK 3

4 The Beatles Because - Abbey Road Recorded August 1 st 1969 Written by John after hearing Yoko playing Beethoven s Moonlight Sonata on the piano He then asked her to play the chords backwards and that how Because was written. The 3 part harmony from John, Paul & George was overdubbed 3 separate times.it was both Paul s and George s favorite track on Abbey Road. Lennon 1.00 The Beatles Girl - Rubber Soul Recorded Nov. 11 th 1965 Written about a dream girl that didn t really exist and containing a somewhat suggestive background vocal by Paul & George. John says, it s one of his best Lead vocal John. Lennon.7 McCartney.3 4

5 The Beatles - A Hard Day s Night - A Hard Day s Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John with Paul The Beatles seventh single release for EMI s Parlophone label. The title is a Ringoism, coined by the drummer sometime in 1963 and used by John in his book In His Own Write. With the film nearly completed the last bit of business was to give the film a name. The project was being filmed with the working title Beatlemania. On April 13, 1964 The Beatles met with key personnel from the studio and bounced title ideas. It was felt they d find no better suggestion than Ringo s offhand remark it s been a hard day s night and John volunteered to write the title song that evening. The next morning he brought the song in and taught it to Paul. Paul cleaned up the middle section and the two played it for producer Walter Shenson. Two days later The Beatles would formally record the song. It was a rarity for an outsider to be allowed in the studio or control booth while The Beatles rehearsed and recorded. An exception was made for the director of the A Hard Day s Night film, Richard Lester. Lester was in the control booth and offered many suggestions during the morning while this key song was worked out, much to the dismay of producer George Martin. It was Lester s suggestion that the song open dramatically (as it would open the film), and fade out at the end in a cinematic way. He got his wish. George s striking a G suspended 4th chord on his 12-string Rickenbacker make this record instantly recognizable in its opening two seconds. Released as a single in the UK on July 10, 1964, it went straight to #1. On U.S. album: A Hard Day s Night - United Artists LP John Lennon Hold On - Plastic Ono Band 70 This is an ode to self-help for himself, Yoko and the world in general. It is one of the lighter tracks on the album. 5

6 Quick BREAK Sean also has a birthday coming this week have ya hear the Ghost of the saber tooth tiger album yet hmm John Beautiful Boy Double Fantasy The Beatles - Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles Recorded July 15 th 1968 Another song John called rubbish in Playboy in 1980 I hate when he does that.. Lennon 1.00 The Beatles Lucy In The Sky w/ Diamonds - Sgt. Pepper s Lonely Hearts Club Band Recorded March 1 st 1967 6

7 The title taken from a painting from young Julian Lennon of a school friend of his named Lucy and there were some stars painted in the sky and called it Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Paul wrote the line newspaper taxis. Lead vocal John Lennon.8 / McCartney.2 9.42 BREAK The Beatles I m Only Sleeping Revolver Basic tracks recorded April 27, 1966 A song John wrote about Paul constantly waking him up to get to work on the Revolver LP.Lead vocal John Lennon 1.00 US - Capitol LP Yesterday and Today The Beatles - Rain Hey Jude/Beatles Again / Past Masters 7

8 Recorded: 14/16 April 1966 flip of Paperback Writer Ringo s favorite Beatle track On the evening of April 14 th 1966, John Lennon very soaked with tea put on his reel to reel tape of that days work backwards and of course listened for about 2 minutes before realizing it was indeed backwards this is the how he got the idea for the finish shed product we know and love. The Beatles- Tomorrow Never Knows Revolver Recorded April 6 th 1966 Originally titles Mark I. Was based on Timothy Leary and Richard Alperts s The Psychedelic Experience, which was THEIR interpretation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Each Beatle worked at home on creating strange sounds to add to the mix. Then they were added at different speeds sometime backwards Paul got arranging credit. Lead vocal John Lennon 1.00 Rare mix on 1 st pressing UK Mono The Beatles - I'm So Tired - The Beatles Recorded Oct. 8 th 1968 Written in India when John couldn t sleep, tired from all that meditating during the day. One of John s personal favorites. Lennon 1.00 8

9 John Lennon Meat City Mind Games 1973 The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever Magical Mystery Tour Recorded Nov/ Dec. 1966 Written in Spain while John was filming How I Won The War Strawberry Fields was actually a Salvation Army home in the neighborhood where Lennon grew up. John used to go to parties there and it always brought back happy memories to John. One of the only two HONEST songs that John says he wrote for the Beatles the other? (HELP!) Lead vocal John Lennon 1.00 The Backwards world of Mr. John Winston Ono Lennon Spanning those wonderful years 1966 to 1974 *NEWS w/ Jackie 9

10 10.12 BREAK The Beatles - Revolution Single/ Hey Jude / Past Masters Recorded: 9/10/11/12 July 1968 flip of Hey Jude John really wanted this to be the first Apple single but it was tough to beat out Hey Jude but it still made for one of the best singles in pop music history. 10

11 The Beatles - Hey Bulldog - Yellow Submarine Recorded 11th February 1968 John said, it s a good sounding record that means nothing. Newly remixed for the Yellow Submarine Soundtrack expanded version. Lead vocal Lennon Lennon..95.05 QUIZ Long tones attached!~ HERE By the end of 1975 Which Beatle had released the most solo LP s and how many was it? A Beatle and a number John /11 800-955-KLOS 11

12 29/11/68 LP Apple SAPCOR 2 Unfinished Music No.1 - Two Virgins 9/05/69 LP Apple ZAPPLE 01 Unfinished Music No.2 - Life With The Lions 7/11/69 LP Apple SAPCOR 11 The Wedding Album 12/12/69 LP Apple CORE 2001 Live Peace in Toronto 1969 11/12/70 LP Apple PCS 7124 John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band 8/10/71 LP Apple PAS 10004 Imagine 15/09/72 LP Apple PCSP 716 Some Time in New York City 16/11/73 LP Apple PCS 7165 Mind Games 4/10/74 LP Apple PCTC 253 Walls and Bridges 21/02/75 LP Apple PCS 7169 Rock 'n' Roll 24/10/75 LP Apple PCS 7173 Shaved Fish If you win You will feel FINE The Beatles - I Feel Fine- A Collection Of Oldies (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The Beatles eighth single release for EMI s Parlophone label. Recorded in nine takes on October 18, 1964. Written entirely by John Lennon. He based the guitar riff on Bobby Parker s obscure R&B record Watch Your Step. The recording marked the first occasion in which guitar feedback had been deliberately incorporated into a pop song. The sound was achieved by Paul plucking a single bass string and John getting amplifier feedback from his guitar. Issued in the U.S. on November 23, 1964, and in U.K. four days later. Not included on the Beatles For Sale LP, which was released on December 4, 1964 in the UK. On U.S. albums: Beatles 65 - Capitol LP UK: Non-album single (A-side) On UK album: A Collection of Beatles Oldies - Parlophone LP (1966) 12

13 John Instant Karma Single `70 John's third solo single. On January 27th 1970 John wrote, recorded, and mixed "Instant Karma" with Phil Spector producing. John Lennon Give Peace A Chance This is arguably John s most quoted statement in either song or spoken form. The track was recorded on 4-track in the Lennon s hotel room by Les Studios Andre Perry with a variety of friends and admirers including Tommy Smothers and Timothy Leary, among others. It reached Number 2 in the charts. John Lennon Power To The People This song was written following an interview with Tariq Ali, editor of the propagandist UK Magazine Red Mole. The track urged the downtrodden to rise up against their oppressors. This is considered one of the better songs of John & Phil s production career as it leapt off the radio was successful with sales. WINNER HERE 10.42 BREAK George It s Johnnies Birthday - ATMP 13

14 The Beatles - The Ballad Of John And Yoko Past Masters Recorded April 14, 1969 by John 7 Paul only. Released as a single in UK April 11, 1969 And in the USA May 5 th 1969. Released less than a month after Get Back (John needed an A- Side) First STEREO single in the UK. Banned by the BBC and some US stations as well. It was actually recorded during the beginning of the Abbey Road sessions The Beatles - Happiness Is a Warm Gun - The Beatles Recorded Sept. 23 rd 1968 John taking the title from an article on the cover of the American Gun Magazine (which he never read) which said Happiness Is A Warm Gun In Your Hand Lennon 1.00 John Jealous Guy Imagine `71 QUICK BREAK HERE 14

15 The Beatles - Dizzy Miss Lizzy - Help!(Williams) Lead vocal: John Recorded specifically for the American market at the urgent request of Capitol Records executives, who needed two songs to fill out their upcoming Beatles VI album. Of course, Capitol had four songs in its possession it could have included ( From Me To You, Misery, There s A Place and the German-language version of She Loves You, had all yet to appear on an LP in America), but they went to the Beatles and asked for something new ASAP. With no new material ready to go the band pulled two Larry Williams songs from their pre-fame club repertoire, Bad Boy and Dizzy Miss Lizzy, that could be recorded in one day and then the tapes would be air-freighted to Capitol Records in Los Angeles. Dizzy Miss Lizzy was added as the album closer on the UK Help! LP when several songs earmarked for the project fell through ( That Means A Lot and Wait ) and they decided against including the two most recent B-sides. On U.S. album: Beatles VI - Capitol LP The Beatles - Twist And Shout Please Please Me (Medley-Russell) Lead vocal: John The last song recorded during the marathon session on February 11, 1963. Two takes were completed before Lennon s voice gave out. The released version is the first take. Originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in May 1962, The Beatles performed it regularly in their live act between 1962 and 1965. Its inclusion in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller s Day Off sent the song up the Billboard singles chart 22 years after its initial U.S. release. On U.S. albums: Introducing The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP The Early Beatles - Capitol LP I Call Your Name (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Composed by John Lennon and originally given to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas to use as the b-side of another Lennon song (credited to Lennon-McCartney), Bad to Me. Both songs had been recorded at Abbey Road by Kramer and band on June 27, 1963, with Paul McCartney in attendance. The Beatles version was recorded in seven takes on March 1, 1964. On U.S. album: Something New - Capitol LP 15

16 U.K.: Non-album track (EP song) The Beatles - You Can t Do That - A Hard Day s Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The song was originally intended to be the A-side of the Beatles' sixth UK single, until McCartney came up with Can't Buy Me Love. By 1964 Lennon and McCartney were writing together less frequently, and the quality of Can't Buy Me Love spurred Lennon on to write the majority of the A Hard Day's Night album. The guitar solo was performed by Lennon - the first such occurrence on a Beatles release. The song was finished in nine takes, only four of which were complete. It featured George Harrison's first prominent use of his new Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, given to him while in New York for The Ed Sullivan Show. You Can't Do That was filmed as part of the concert sequence in the A Hard Day's Night film, but it didn't make the final cut. The b-side of Can t Buy Me Love in the UK and U.S. On U.S. album: The Beatles Second Album Capitol LP 11.10 BREAK John Lennon Imagine Imagine sessions 71 John s most famous anthem, and one of the most memorable songs of all time, this was to be considered John s Yesterday. It was inspired by Yoko s poem Cloud Piece from 1963. It continues to have massive radio play to this very day and was infamously censored (and retracted) by Clear Channel following the 9/11 attacks. This was John s dream no religion, no wars, no possessions his utopian ideal. Love Me Do single/ Quiz question George Martin said it was the day the world changed. What day was he referring to.? We want the Month day and year 16

17 Tim Piper LIVE HERE The Beatles - Yes It Is - Single (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John, Paul and George Recorded over five hours on February 16, 1965, the rhythm track of Yes It Is was completed in 14 takes. John, Paul and George then spent three hours recording the vocals live, the best version being laid on top of Take 14 as an overdub. Starting in 1965 this was the new way they would record. Previously, every edit piece or overdub would have been numbered. Now they just recorded until they got it right and placed that on top of a numbered take, the best rhythm track. Written primarily by John Lennon. John: That's me trying a rewrite of This Boy, but it didn't work. Yes It Is is notable for its lush harmonies and George Harrison s 12-string Rickenbacker played through a foot-controlled volume pedal, what is now known as a wah-wah pedal. The B-side of the Ticket To Ride single, issued April 9, 1965 in the UK and April 19, 1965 in the U.S. Capitol Records printed From the United Artists release Eight Arms To Hold You on both sides of the single. The wrong film title and this song was not included in the film. On U.S. album: Beatles VI - Capitol LP UK: Non-album single (B-side) 11.40 BREAK John - # 9 Dream Walls & Bridges 1974 Tim Piper Oh Yoko Imagine `71 Long Lost John 17

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