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.
Help Me To Help Myself
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the angel of destruction keeps on houndin' me all around
But I know in my heart
The leaves are shining in the sun
That we never really parted
Oh no, oh, help me, lord
Oh, help me, lord
Please, help me, lord, yeah, yeah
Help me to help myself
They say the lord helps those who helps themselves
So I'm asking this question in the hope that you'll be kind
'Cause I know deep inside
The leaves are shining in the sun
I was never satisfied
Oh no, oh, help me, lord
Please, help me, lord, yeah, yeah
Help me to help myself
Help me to help myself
The song "Help Me To Help Myself" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is a plea for help. Lennon is struggling to settle down, and he feels like he is being followed by an angel of destruction. Despite this, he knows in his heart that he and the person he is singing to "never really parted." He asks for help from the Lord, hoping that if he helps himself, he will be aided. He references the saying that "the Lord helps those who helps themselves," and admits that he was never satisfied.
However, the lyrics also have a deeper meaning. Lennon and Ono were both involved in various spiritual practices, and the reference to the Lord implies a spiritual longing. They believed that individuals had the power to transform themselves and the world, and this song is a call to action. The repetition of the line "help me to help myself" reinforces this idea, as it implies that it is up to the individual to take action and create change.
Overall, "Help Me To Help Myself" is a powerful song about personal transformation and the power of the individual to effect change. It is a reminder that although we may feel like we are being followed by an angel of destruction, we have the power to rise above it and make a positive impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I tried so hard to settle down
I exerted so much effort to find stability in my life
But the angel of destruction keeps on houndin' me all around
However, an ominous force seems to constantly disrupt my progress
But I know in my heart
Despite that, I have a strong belief
The leaves are shining in the sun
That the beauty of nature is still present
That we never really parted
And that we haven't truly said goodbye
Oh no, oh, help me, lord
Oh no, I implore you, God
Please, help me, lord, yeah, yeah
Please, grant me your assistance
Help me to help myself
Help me become self-sufficient
They say the lord helps those who helps themselves
People say that God aids those who take initiative
So I'm asking this question in the hope that you'll be kind
Thus, I'm pleading with the Almighty in the expectation of mercy
'Cause I know deep inside
Since I am aware within myself
I was never satisfied
That I have never truly been content
Oh no, oh, help me, lord
Oh no, I beseech you, God
Please, help me, lord, yeah, yeah
Please, aid me, God
Help me to help myself
Assist me in becoming self-reliant
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOHN LENNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThomasWilliamMusic
I woke up singing this rarely heard beautifully prophetic John Lennon Dakota Demo. Love how he uses the "yeah yeah yeah" line, there at the end. Harkening back to his early Beatles days. And since I've never seen the Lyrics actually transcribed correctly, I decided to do it myself, enjoy...flo-
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Help Me To Help Myself
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Well, I tried so hard to stay alive
But the angel of destruction
Keeps on houndin' me all around
But I know in my heart
That we never realy parted...oh no
They say the Lord helps those who helps themselves
So I'm asking this question
In the hope that you'll be kind
'Cause I know deep inside
I was never satisfied
Oh no, Lord, help me
Lord, help me now
Please help me Lord yea yeah yeah
Help me to help myself,
Help me to help myself
CRANK IT!!!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2tjWoY0IttY
@michelbilodeau3256
John was singing very prophetic lyrics.
@iwasjohnlennon
yep he was, is still am. it sucks
@rodolfopomalaya9695
Lennon nunca le había escrito nada a Dios y a una nada de morir hace esta joyita. Genio total y absoluto. Qué desgarradora canción.
@danb1391
Except for the song “God” 😉
@luchoalzu4408
Es una canción de la época de The Beatles, que no llegaron a grabar, y quedó dando vueltas hasta que la decidió grabar.
@sean2kk8
In the description the lyrics read "Well, I tried so hard to settle down" but the actually lyrics are "Well, I tried so hard to stay alive", just thought I'd let you know :)
@wakingtheworld
I noticed that too... Prophetic or what?
@ChristopherH1985
right, Lennon's spirit is still inspiring people today
@Skylarking010Digital
You can kill the man but you can never kill the music and the message. It transcends borders, religions and laws.
@SundaeExpress
OK, Grasshopper