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)
Revolution
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out?
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
You say you've got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you'll have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You'd better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright? [Repeat: x6]
In John Lennon's "Revolution," Lennon speaks out against the idea of violent revolution and destruction in the quest for change. Lennon addresses those who believe that change is necessary and claims that he also wants change, but not at the cost of violence and destruction. He references the idea that change can come through evolution, rather than destruction, as opposed to what some revolutionaries believe. He also comments on the suggestions of a real solution and contribution, saying that they're doing what they can but have limits. Lennon ends up lamenting people who go too far with their involvement in revolution by carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, representing blind following of a particular cause or individual. The song ends with Lennon declaring that everything will be alright, reiterating the theme of non-violence, and a peaceful view of revolution as a gradual process.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you want a revolution
You express a desire for a revolution.
Well, you know
You understand that this is a common sentiment shared by many people.
We all want to change the world
As human beings, we all desire to make changes in the world.
You tell me that it's evolution
You believe that this revolution will come about through gradual, natural change.
Well, you know
Again, you are aware that many people feel this way.
We all want to change the world
As previously stated, we all desire to make changes in the world.
But when you talk about destruction
However, if your revolution involves destruction and violence...
Don't you know that you can count me out?
... please be aware that I do not support or condone such methods.
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Despite our differences in opinion, everything will ultimately be okay. It's important to remain optimistic.
You say you've got a real solution
You claim to have a concrete solution to the problems we face.
Well, you know
Once again, you understand that many people are seeking solutions.
We'd all love to see the plan
We would all appreciate seeing a detailed, viable plan for change.
You ask me for a contribution
You request that I contribute to your cause.
Well, you know
Again, you understand that we are all doing what we can to help.
We are doing what we can
As previously stated, we are all making efforts towards change in our own ways.
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
However, if your ultimate goal is to benefit those who possess hateful beliefs...
All I can tell is, brother, you'll have to wait
... unfortunately, I cannot support such a plan and will have to opt out.
You say you'll change the constitution
You express a desire to amend or completely overhaul the governing documents of our society.
Well, you know
Once again, you are aware that many people seek systemic change.
We all want to change your head
However, rather than changing the constitution, perhaps we should focus on changing individual attitudes and perspectives.
You tell me it's the institution
You argue that the root of the problem is the institutions and systems within our society.
Well, you know
As before, you understand that this is a commonly held belief.
You'd better free your mind instead
However, it would be more productive to encourage individuals to adopt a more open-minded and accepting outlook.
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
If the way you choose to spread your message is by using imagery or propaganda of an authoritarian figure...
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow
... it is highly unlikely that your ideas will be well-received or embraced.
Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Once again, despite our differences and obstacles, everything will eventually work out for the best.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
George found the fuzz box, Metal was made
@AmericanGothic1313
Link Wray fuzzed before.
@andrewross1275
Tony Iommi turned fuzz to metal
@terrybartak7811
+leokimvideo Johns Epiphone Casino using the tailpiece Gibson p90 pickup and a 22 watt Fender Deluxe amplifier dimed. No fuzz box.
@whotendsthefire7234
+Captain Andrew no Hendrix made the sound.evrybody else just followed....
@NickS-lz5vk
+Robert Dominguez In this song, yes... George did use the fuzz box back in 65/66 for the song Think for yourself.
@jaysutcliff
0:00 watching by myself
1:53 parents walk in
@cleanfrog3702
Floridarulz best comment I’ve ever seen on a Beatles vid lmao
@mairead1174
Omg 😂😂
@mathara.s841
Come Together isolated vocal is way more than that