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.
I'm Stepping Out
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who just has to get out of the house, he's been looking
After, you know, the kids from day to day, he's been
Washing the dishes, screwing around and watching
Sesame Street and he's going crazy
Woke up this morning blues around my head
No need to ask the reason why
Blew my worries to the sky
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
If it don't feel right you don't have to do it
Just leave a message on the phone and tell them to screw it
After all is said and done you can't go pleasin' everyone
So screw it
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
Baby's sleeping the cats have all been blessed
Ain't nothing doing on TV (summer reruns)
Put on my space suit I got to look my best
I'm going out to do the city
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
I'm stepping out
Gotta gotta gotta get out
I'm just stepping out babe
Just for a while
Ain't been out for days
Gotta do it tonight
Gimme a break, gimme a break
I gotta get out
I'll be in before one (or two)
The lyrics of John Lennon & Yoko Ono's song "I'm Stepping Out" tell the story of a "househusband" who has been taking care of the kids, washing dishes, and watching Sesame Street all day. He wakes up one morning feeling blue and goes to the kitchen to light a cigarette and blow his worries away. The song then shifts to the chorus where he declares that he is stepping out and won't be pleasing everyone. The bridge goes on to suggest that he is putting on his space suit to look his best and heading out to do the city. The song ends with the househusband pleading for a break and promising to be home before one or two.
The narrative of the song paints a picture of a man who has been trapped inside the home, taking care of the domestic duties, and experiencing the monotony and boredom that can come with it. His desire to step out and explore the city suggests a longing for something more exciting and fulfilling in his life. The chorus encourages listeners to follow their own desires, even if it means going against the expectations and demands of others.
Line by Line Meaning
This here's a story about the househusband, you know
This song is about a man who takes care of the home and children, but needs a break
Woke up this morning blues around my head
The man wakes up feeling down and unhappy
No need to ask the reason why
There is no clear reason why he feels this way
Went to my kitchen and lit a cigarette
He goes to the kitchen to smoke and try to feel better
Blew my worries to the sky
He hopes that smoking will make his worries go away
If it don't feel right you don't have to do it
It's important to trust your instincts and not do things that don't feel right
Just leave a message on the phone and tell them to screw it
If something doesn't feel right, it's okay to say no and not worry about what others think
After all is said and done you can't go pleasin' everyone
You can't make everyone happy and it's important to take care of yourself
So screw it
Don't worry about what others think or say, do what feels right for you
Baby's sleeping the cats have all been blessed
The baby is asleep and the man has taken care of his responsibilities at home
Ain't nothing doing on TV (summer reruns)
There's nothing good to watch on TV, especially during the summer when many shows are on reruns
Put on my space suit I got to look my best
He wants to dress up and look good when he goes out
I'm going out to do the city
He's going out to enjoy himself and explore the city
Gotta gotta gotta get out
He feels a strong need to leave the house and do something fun
I'm just stepping out babe
He's only going out for a short time
Just for a while
He's not planning to be out for long
Ain't been out for days
He hasn't gone out in several days
Gotta do it tonight
He feels like he needs to go out tonight
Gimme a break, gimme a break
He wants a break from his responsibilities at home
I gotta get out
He feels a strong need to leave the house
I'll be in before one (or two)
He plans to come back home before 1 or 2 AM
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN WINSTON LENNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind