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)
Satire 1
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, "Lordy, lordy, lordy, take this makeup offa me"
It's bad enough on the beach
But it's worse in the sea
Because I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Because I'm lookin' for my ma
I said, "Ma, take these guns away from me"
I got so thin now, they're draggin' me down to my knees
Oh yeah, man, do you Mr. Jones?
Town
Now I've been here so long, I almost forgot my name
I said, "Lord I been here so long I almost forgot my name"
But as long as I keep touring
I'll always be in the game, fame, brain, shame and fame and game, fame, fame
In John Lennon's satirical song Satire 1, the lyrics reveal a larger commentary on society's obsession with appearance and violence. The singer pleads with the Lord to take the makeup off of him, symbolizing the societal pressure to project a flawless exterior, even when it is uncomfortable or impractical. The line "It's bad enough on the beach, but it's worse in the sea" speaks to the impossible standards society places on individuals to maintain their appearance, even in situations where it is not possible or reasonable.
The singer then shifts to a plea to their mother to take away the guns, a clear commentary on the issue of gun violence in society. The line "I got so thin now, they're draggin' me down to my knees" further emphasizes the weight and burden of carrying a weapon, both physically and emotionally. The reference to "Mr. Jones" may also be a nod to society's pressure to keep up with the Joneses, or maintain a certain image to be accepted.
The final lines of the song touch on the theme of fame and its fleeting nature. The singer claims to have been in Town for so long, they have almost forgotten their name. However, they feel as long as they keep touring, they will always be in the game of fame. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the fickle nature of fame, and the pressure individuals face to maintain relevance in the public eye.
Overall, Satire 1 delves into the societal pressures and anxieties individuals face, from appearance to violence to fame, and highlights the absurdity of these expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, take this makeup of off of me
Dear God, please remove this facade or charade that I'm putting on
I said, "Lordy, lordy, lordy, take this makeup offa me"
I am expressing my desperate plea to God to help me shed this inauthentic exterior
It's bad enough on the beach
It's already difficult to maintain this act in front of people, even in casual settings
But it's worse in the sea
It's even more challenging to keep up the act when I'm alone - even more so when I'm surrounded by the vast unknown
Because I'm knockin' on heaven's door
I feel like my time is running out and I am nearing the end of my road
Because I'm lookin' for my ma
I am searching for guidance and comfort, similar to how one would turn to their mother for aid
I said, "Ma, take these guns away from me"
I am asking for help to rid myself of dangerous weapons that I acknowledge are weighing me down
I got so thin now, they're draggin' me down to my knees
I have become weak and vulnerable due to my inner struggles, and it's taking a toll on my physical well-being
Oh yeah, man, do you Mr. Jones?
I'm questioning the status quo and wondering if others are experiencing similar challenges to mine
Now I've been here so long, I almost forgot my name
I've been in this industry for so long that I've lost touch with who I truly am
I said, "Lord I been here so long I almost forgot my name"
Reiterating how long I've been in the industry and how it has taken a toll on my identity
But as long as I keep touring
Despite the challenges, I will continue my work and keep traveling for the sake of the game or entertainment industry
I'll always be in the game, fame, brain, shame and fame and game, fame, fame
Even if it results in losing parts of myself, I am willing to continue for the sake of staying relevant and successful in this industry
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel Escovedo
Hahaha! Very cool!