Born in Liverpool, Lennon became involved in the skiffle craze as a teenager. In 1956, he formed The Quarrymen, which evolved into the Beatles in 1960. Sometimes called "the smart Beatle", Lennon initially was the group's de facto leader, a role he gradually ceded to McCartney. Through his songwriting in the Beatles, he embraced myriad musical influences, initially writing and co-writing rock and pop-oriented hit songs in the band's early years, then later incorporating experimental elements into his compositions in the latter half of the Beatles' career as his songs became known for their increasing innovation. Lennon soon expanded his work into other media by participating in numerous films, including How I Won the War, and authoring In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works, both collections of nonsense writings and line drawings. Starting with "All You Need Is Love", his songs were adopted as anthems by the anti-war movement and the larger counterculture of the 1960s. In 1969, he started the Plastic Ono Band with his second wife, multimedia artist Yoko Ono, held the two-week-long anti-war demonstration Bed-ins for Peace and left the Beatles to embark on a solo career.
Between 1968 and 1972, Lennon and Ono collaborated on many works, including a trilogy of avant-garde albums, several more films, his solo debut John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and the international top-10 singles "Give Peace a Chance", "Instant Karma!", "Imagine", and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". Moving to New York City in 1971, his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a three-year deportation attempt by the Nixon administration. Lennon and Ono separated from 1973 to 1975, during which time he produced Harry Nilsson's album Pussy Cats. He also had chart-topping collaborations with Elton John ("Whatever Gets You thru the Night") and David Bowie ("Fame"). Following a five-year hiatus, Lennon returned to music in 1980 with the Ono collaboration Double Fantasy. He was murdered by a Beatles fan, Mark David Chapman, three weeks after the album's release.
As a performer, writer or co-writer, Lennon had 25 number-one singles in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Double Fantasy, his best-selling album, won the 1981 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. That year, he won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2002, Lennon was voted eighth in a BBC history poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth-greatest singer and 38th greatest artist of all time. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (in 1997) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice, as a member of the Beatles in 1988 and as a solo artist in 1994).
Studio albums
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Some Time in New York City (with Yoko Ono, 1972)
Mind Games (1973)
Walls and Bridges (1974)
Rock 'n' Roll (1975)
Double Fantasy (with Yoko Ono, 1980)
Milk and Honey (Posthumous with Yoko Ono, 1984)
Experimental studio albums with Yoko Ono
Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (1968)
Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (1969)
Wedding Album (1969)
Beautifull Boy
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Out on the ocean sailing away
I can hardly wait to see you come of age
But I guess, we'll both just have to be patient
'Cause it's a long way to go, a hard row to hoe
Yes, it's a long way to go but in the meantime
Before you cross the street
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Darling, darling, darling
Darling Sean
Good night Sean
See you in the morning
Right again
The lyrics to John Lennon's song "Beautiful Boy" are a heartfelt message from a father to his son. In the first verse, the father is comforting his son, telling him that there is nothing to fear because the "monster" is gone and that he is there to protect him. It's a universal message that any parent can relate to, wanting to protect their child from harm and fear.
The refrain of the song repeats the phrase "Beautiful boy" which is Lennon's way of telling his son that he sees him as a beautiful and precious being. The second verse shows Lennon's hopes for his son's future, expressing his excitement to see him grow up and his willingness to be patient and watch him develop into a young man. The fatherly advice of taking his hand when crossing the street is a reminder for his son to always be aware of his surroundings and the dangers that may await him.
The bridge of the song brings the universal message home, saying that life can take unexpected turns which is why it's important to cherish those you love because you never know what will happen. In the end, the song is a message of love and hope that any parent would want to express to their child.
Line by Line Meaning
Close your eyes
Relax and calm down, everything's going to be alright.
Have no fear
You don't have to be scared because I'm here for you and I'll protect you.
The monster's gone
Whatever was scaring you or troubling you, it's not there anymore, so you can be at peace.
He's on the run and your daddy's here
Your father is here for you, and he won't let anything bad happen to you.
Before you go to sleep
Just before you fall asleep, spend a moment thinking happy thoughts or saying a little prayer.
Say a little prayer
Take a moment to express gratitude or ask for guidance and protection.
Every day in every way
Consistently practice positivity and things will gradually get better.
It's getting better and better
Things are improving and will continue to do so if you keep a positive mindset.
Out on the ocean sailing away
I'm far away from you, but I can't wait to see you grow up.
I can hardly wait to see you come of age
I'm excited to see you mature and become the amazing person you're destined to be.
But I guess, we'll both just have to be patient
We can't rush the future, so we'll have to be patient and wait for it to unfold.
'Cause it's a long way to go, a hard row to hoe
We have a tough journey ahead of us, but we'll get through it together.
Yes, it's a long way to go but in the meantime
Although we have a long way to go, we should still enjoy every moment of the present.
Before you cross the street
Whenever you're about to do something potentially dangerous or risky, don't forget to be cautious and seek guidance.
Take my hand
I'll always be here to guide and protect you, so never hesitate to ask for my help.
Life is what happens to you
While you're making plans, unexpected things will happen, and that's just a part of life.
While you're busy making other plans
Even when you have plans and goals, other things may come up and change your course.
Darling Sean
A term of endearment for his son.
Good night Sean
A way of saying goodnight to his son.
See you in the morning
He'll be there in the morning to start a new day together.
Right again
An affirmation of their bond and the love that they share.
Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kenneth Adam
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
Close your eyes, have no fear
The monster's gone, he's on the run
And your daddy's here
[Chorus]
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
[Verse 2]
Before you go to sleep, say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
[Chorus]
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
[Bridge]
Out on the ocean, sailing away
I can hardly wait to see you come of age
But I guess we'll both just have to be patient
Because it's a long way to go, a hard row to hoe
Yes, it's a long way to go, but in the meantime...
[Verse 3]
Before you cross the street, take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans
[Chorus]
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
[Outro]
Darling, darling, darling
Darling Sean
Goodnight Sean
See you in the morning
Bright and early
mπράιαν
Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Out on the ocean
Sailing away
I can hardly wait
To see you come of age
But I guess we'll both just have to be patient
'Cause it's a long way to go
A hard row to hoe
Yes it's a long way to go
But in the meantime
Before you cross the street
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Darling, darling, darling
Darling Sean
Good night, Sean
See you in the morning
Ben De Silva Jr
I was living in Bermuda when John and Sean were there in Aug. of 80.. John walked out of a restaurant in the Botanical Gardens and saw a flower called....
Double Fantasy??
All of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey was written while he was in Bermuda..
My parents broke up when I was 7 and my Dad went back to Bermuda.. He made as many visits to the states as he could even with having another family..
We had great summer vacations there..
My dad was a very generous man, always picked up the check, and loved treating everybody.
After I moved back to Florida he visited often..
He passed at the ripe old age of 90. A very happy positive man..
I first heard Beautiful Boy at a memorial service for John in Bermuda..
Very beautiful, but sadly he was already gone..
We miss you John..
TheRichardq999
This song was played at my sons funeral. He was my beautiful boy. He was only 13 months I miss you terribly 💔
Machine Gun
❤️❤️❤️
Odyssey and Echo Company
So sorry for your loss
Zuri
Iam so sorry for your loss
Activepoot
That's sad 😔
Victoria DeVille
I'm so sorry for ur loss. 💔
Jenny Schroeder
This song was played at my beautiful boy's funeral recently. He was a victim of senseless gun violence on the streets of Chicago. There's a hole where my heart used to be. It has to stop. Until we meet again beautiful boy. I love you and I'm with you always. 💙💔
louise callaghan
I totally know what your going through and how your feeling I lost my son in October by him just banging his head in the bathroom from a fall it was a devastating brain bleed I also played this at his funeral my beautiful blue eyed boy I love you forever think of you every day and miss you like crazy but your at peace now and I’m a better place xxxx
Angela Fitzpatrick
Very sorry
Tammy Bogdan
I am so sorry for your loss. as a mother I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you must feel. my heart is with you ❤