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)
Slippin
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin', been told long time ago,
I been told, baby, you been bold, I won't be your fool no more.
Oh, big conniver, nothing but a jiver, done got hip to your jive,
Oh, big conniver, nothing but a jiver, done got hip to your jive,
Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin', won't be your fool no more.
Oh Malinda, she's a solid sender, you know you better surrender,
Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin', won't be your fool no more.
The lyrics to John Lennon's "Slippin' and Slidin'" convey a clear message of frustration and determination. In the first verse, Lennon sings about how he has been warned about his lover's deceitful ways, and how he will no longer be fooled by her actions. The repetition of "slippin' and slidin', peepin' and hidin'" serves to emphasize the actions that are driving Lennon's decision to break free from the relationship.
Throughout the song, Lennon uses phrases and imagery that suggest that his lover is not to be trusted. The line "Oh, big conniver, nothing but a jiver" portrays her as manipulative and dishonest, while "Oh Malinda, she's a solid sender, you know you better surrender" suggests that there is another woman whom Lennon sees as more trustworthy and dependable.
The overall tone of the song is one of defiance and self-respect, as Lennon declares that he will no longer be taken for a fool. The repetition of the "slippin' and slidin'" refrain serves to emphasize this point and drive home the message that he has had enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin', been told long time ago,
I've been sneaking around and trying to hide, but someone warned me a long time ago that I can't keep doing this.
I been told, baby, you been bold, I won't be your fool no more.
I've heard that you've been acting bold and deceitful, but I won't let you fool me anymore.
Oh, big conniver, nothing but a jiver, done got hip to your jive,
You are a major deceiver and liar, but I've become aware of your lies and schemes and I won't fall for them anymore.
Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin', won't be your fool no more.
I won't tolerate your sneaky and dishonest behavior anymore, I won't let you deceive me any longer.
Oh Malinda, she's a solid sender, you know you better surrender,
You should give up and admit defeat because Malinda is an impressive and powerful force to be reckoned with.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Albert Collins, Edurin Bogage, James Smith, Richard Penniman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@imeretian9446
I love how John dropped a classic rock n roll banger right in the middle of disco craze. What a legend
@kye3849
You're you're right on the ball bro I've got all about the disco craze
@ClaudioLaureano936
It was really cool, but, actually, he did it for contractual obligation
@imeretian9446
@Claudio That's true, but he sure did pour all his soul into it!
@steveconn
It was part of a lawsuit settlement when he was found guilty of ripping off a Chuck Berry song You Can't Catch Me for Come Together. He had to record a bunch of classics owned by the record company.
@robroufla
It was meant to come out in 1973 but Spector went away with the tapes. So that was before Disco.
@grahamcox662
One of the greatest rock n roll voices of all time.
@murphymoe753
Who knows what we missed
@tomacosta85
Thee Voice.. His phrasing and pitch is simply incredible.
@ashburn47
Agree 100%. What a great rock voice. Miss you John