Several of their later albums were released under the name The Plastic Ono Band, and often featured other musicians such as Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, and Alan White. The Plastic Ono Band's first album, Live Peace in Toronto 1969, was recorded during the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival. The first half of their performance consisted of rock standards, and during the second half, Ono took the microphone and along with the band performed what may be one of the first expressions of the avant garde during a rock concert. The set ended with music that consisted mainly of feedback, while Ono screamed and sang.
Their fifth album together, Some Time in New York City, released in 1972, is fiercely motivated by political issues the couple found themselves confronted with upon moving to New York City in September, 1971. The album was highly controversial but is generally seen as the beginning of Ono's emergence as a songwriter with "Sisters O Sisters", "Born In A Prison", and "We're All Water"
With the birth of their son Sean in 1975, Lennon put his career on hold to raise the boy and rekindle his relationship with his older son Julian. In the summer of 1980, both Lennon and Ono felt ready to resume to work and began composing. They made the decision to release their impending songs together on the same album. Subtitled "A Heart Play", Double Fantasy would be a collection of songs whereby John and Yoko would be singing to each other.
Released in 1984, Milk and Honey is notable for being Lennon's first posthumous release of music, having been recorded in the last months of his life during and following the sessions for Double Fantasy. Though Lennon's death caused a temporary shelving of the project, Ono was later capable of returning to complete it.
Don't Be Scared
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't be scared
Don't be scared to love
Better to love than never love at all
Don't be scared
Don't be shy
Don't be shy
You may lose the chance to tell
Don't be shy
When your hearts are lit
Drop your survival kit
Then you never have to
Run or split
Sun in the east
Moon in the west
This boat's moving slow
There's no land in sight at all
Away we go
Don't be scared
Don't be scared
Don't be scared to love
It's better to love than never love at all
Don't be scared
The song "Don't Be Scared" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is a love song that encourages people not to be afraid of loving and expressing their emotions. The opening lines of the song, "Don't be scared, don't be scared, don't be scared to love," set the tone for the rest of the song. The repeated line emphasizes the message that regardless of the fear of rejection or heartbreak, it is better to take the chance on love and experience it, rather than never have loved at all.
The song also encourages honesty and openness in relationships with the lines, "Don't be shy, don't be shy, don't be shy to tell, you may lose the chance to tell, don't be shy." This suggests that if one doesn't express their feelings or intentions, they may risk losing the opportunity to have their love reciprocated. The last verse brings a change of scenery with references to the sun and moon and a boat moving slowly with no land in sight, perhaps representing a metaphorical journey towards love, with each line ending reassuringly that there is no need to be scared, and love is worth the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be scared
There's no need to be afraid
Don't be scared
Again, no need to be afraid
Don't be scared to love
Love freely, without fear
Better to love than never love at all
It's preferable to experience love than not at all
Don't be scared
Once again, no need to be afraid
Don't be shy
Don't be timid or hesitant
Don't be shy
Reiterating, don't be timid or hesitant
Don't be shy to tell
Speak up about your feelings
You may lose the chance to tell
It's possible to miss out on expressing oneself
Don't be shy
One more time, don't be timid or hesitant
When your hearts are lit
When your souls are illuminated
Drop your survival kit
Discard the things that weigh you down
Then you never have to
You'll be free to move forward without restricitions
Run or split
Flee or leave abruptly
Sun in the east
The sun rises in the east
Moon in the west
The moon sets in the west
This boat's moving slow
The journey is long and difficult
There's no land in sight at all
The way ahead is uncertain
Away we go
Nevertheless, we must move forward
Don't be scared
Once more, there's no need to be afraid
Don't be scared
Finally, remember not to be afraid
Don't be scared to love
The song ends with a restatement of its initial theme: Love without fear
It's better to love than never love at all
An important message that summarizes the song's overall theme
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind