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)
Dialogue
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just two average people strolling through the park
The lyrics to John Lennon's song "Dialogue" depict a simple scene of two individuals taking a leisurely walk in the park. As the opening lines suggest, it is a familiarity shared by many, where two average people find themselves in each other's company, engaging in a casual conversation. The setting of the park signifies a space of calm and tranquility, a place where individuals can connect and share their thoughts.
However, the lyrics of "Dialogue" go beyond capturing this mundane encounter. Lennon uses this ordinary scenario as a metaphor for broader societal issues. The song takes on a more profound meaning by addressing the divisions and misunderstandings that exist between people. Lennon examines the barriers that hinder open communication and lead to conflicts in various aspects of life, be it personal relationships, politics, or even ideals.
Through the lyrics, Lennon highlights the importance of dialogue, emphasizing that it is through respectful conversation and understanding that harmony can be achieved. The song serves as a reminder that even in the most ordinary situations, there is an opportunity for meaningful exchange, which can bridge gaps and bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, here we are again
Once more, we find ourselves in this familiar situation
Just two average people strolling through the park
Simply two ordinary individuals casually walking in the park
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
guitail 1
Should have shown the part where he invited him in and gave him something to eat. Very kind.
Arne Saknussemm
@Michelle Hopkins showing decency to the cameras and showing decency behind closed doors are two separate things. Lennon knew how to play the showbiz game.
Michelle Hopkins
Too bad he couldn’t show that much decency to his own son.
Gordon Morris
@Silas Marner That guy needs to be found and interviewed ! heehee
Arne Saknussemm
@David Beckey No he wasn’t. He wasn’t even American.
Silas Marner
True, but I've seen it and I think this bit is the most informative 'cause Lennon can get on the guy's level yet clearly express his own down-to-earth views on life. I think , I hope, it helped this guy get a tiny sliver of perspective on it all. It was nice of Lennon to even entertain the guy's presence. Obviously he can't do that every day but even sorta if for the cameras it gives him a chance to sorta take the whole myth down a notch, in a good way!
Kim Huckaby
I love how John handled this with kindness and understanding.
Ghost
@Mogadon 1 Have you read Fenton Bresler's book, The murder of John Lennon ? fantastic read
Marco De Pellegrin
He was a very clever man.
NewAgain
Yeah that, but also a firm reality check. We shouldn’t coddle ppl as if they’re made of glass.