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.
O'Sanity
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lyrics
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Psychotic builds a castle
And neurotic lives in it
I don't know what to do with my sanity
When the world's at the verge of calamity
O'sanity, O'sanity
What am I to do with you
But you're always standing behind me like a devil in hell
O'sanity, o'sanity
Why don't you let me go
Let go, let go, cut it out!
The lyrics to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's song O'Sanity explore the concept of sanity in a world that seems on the verge of calamity. The opening lines suggest that in a world gone mad, it may be more reasonable to embrace one's insanity rather than cling to an illusion of normalcy. Lennon and Ono then seem to suggest that there are two distinct forms of madness: psychosis, which is outwardly aggressive and assertive, and neurosis, which is inward-turning and self-doubting. The lyrics seem to suggest that both forms of madness are equally difficult to manage, and that there may be no easy answers when it comes to dealing with one's own mental health.
Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "O'sanity" feels like a cry of frustration or desperation. It's almost as if Lennon and Ono are pleading with their own demons to leave them alone, to let them find some measure of peace amid the chaos of the world around them. The closing lines, "let go, let go, cut it out!" are a direct address to a perceived antagonist, but it's not entirely clear whether Lennon and Ono are addressing their own mental demons, or the societal forces that seem to be pushing them towards the brink of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
It's only sane to be insane
Being considered insane in a crazy world is actually a sane reaction.
Psychotic builds a castle
Those with extreme mental illnesses may create their own world to live in.
And neurotic lives in it
The less extreme may still dwell in these created worlds due to their own unstable mental state.
I don't know what to do with my sanity
In a world where chaos is the norm, one may struggle with what to do with their own mental stability.
When the world's at the verge of calamity
Amidst a state of constant chaos, the world may always seem like it's on the edge of collapse.
O'sanity, O'sanity
Addressing the concept of sanity itself.
What am I to do with you
Feeling unsure about how to handle their own mental state.
Drink up, shoot up, anything you please
Desperate attempts to cope with their own sanity through self-destructive means.
But you're always standing behind me like a devil in hell
Despite attempts to escape their mental state, it seems to always follow them like a haunting presence.
Why don't you let me go
Wishing to be released from the burden of maintaining their sanity in a world that seems crazy.
Let go, let go, cut it out!
Desire to be free from the weight of their own stable mentality and embrace the chaos.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO, JOHN LENNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
thefabulousthomasj
Love this song. But it ends too soon!!!
JoeyDno3 JoeyDno3
You should buy the 12" extended version, that really goes on ....... and on ..........and on..........and on ......and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . Be safe take care of each other 💝.
Shepcat
I think it's funny that this is a song written by Yoko Ono but it has a picture with Yoko and John
Gloria Miranda
Linda YOKO
SILLYBILLY BILLYSILLY
Satanic.