His first appearance on record was on Ono's album Season of Glass (1981), reciting a story that his father used to tell him. At the age of 9, he performed the song "It's Alright" on the Yoko Ono tribute album Every Man Has A Woman (1984). In 1988 Sean was featured in the cast of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. He has recalled working with Jackson as a positive experience. Later in life, his initial efforts as a serious musician came as collaborations: he appeared on Lenny Kravitz's album Mama Said (1991) and formed backing-band IMA for his mother's album Rising (1995).
In 1997 Lennon (along with fellow IMA member Timo Ellis) joined New York-based Japanese duo Cibo Matto (Miho Hatori & Yuka Honda) for their second EP, Super Relax. Through his association with Cibo Matto, he was approached by the Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch, who expressed an interest in his music. Lennon's debut solo album, Into the Sun, was released in 1998 on the Beastie Boys' record label, Grand Royal Records. Regarding Grand Royal, Sean has said, "I think I found the only label on the planet who doesn't care who my parents are and what my name is. It's a good feeling to know that I wouldn't have gotten the offer if they wouldn't have liked my songs. That's pretty rare in the music business!". Into the Sun was produced by fellow Cibo Matto member and then girlfriend, Yuka Honda, who Sean claimed was his inspiration for the album. A music video for "Home", a single from the album, was directed by Spike Jonze and enjoyed extended airplay on MTV. Cibo Matto played as Sean's backing band on Into The Sun and joined him during the closing scene in the "Home" music video.
In 1999, Sean's EP Half Horse, Half Musician was released featuring new tracks such as "Heart & Lung" and "Happiness" as well as remixes of songs from Into The Sun. Later in the year, Cibo Matto released their second album Stereo Type A. To the dismay of many Cibo Matto fans Stereo Type A was to be their final album and the group has since disbanded. The Millennium saw Sean briefly stepping into the world of Hip Hop, contributing vocals to Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Handsome Boy Modeling School (in which he performed a duet on "Sunshine" with musician Josh Haden). In 2001, Sean performed "This Boy" and "Across The Universe" live with Rufus Wainwright and Moby for Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music. In the following years Sean stayed out of the spotlight (aside from gaining minor media attention when he dated Elizabeth Jagger). However he collaborated with various bands and artists either as a session musician or as a producer.
After Grand Royal Records' demise in 2001, Sean signed with Capitol Records, yet no solo material surfaced until early February 2006, when "Dead Meat" was released as the first single from his new album, Friendly Fire. A promotional trailer for the CD/DVD package of Friendly Fire was leaked online in early 2006. The trailer featured scenes from the film version of the album, a DVD of music videos comprised into a film. In actuality, the videos were screen tests for Coin Locker Babies, another project on which Lennon is working, and rather than waste film, he decided to create a cinematic counterpart to his new album. Friendly Fire went on to be released in October, 2006. Though mixed reviews (however mostly positive) came from the music press, the album was highly praised by fans and many [attribution needed] consider it to be Sean's strongest work to date. The night the album was released, Lennon made his first major television appearance since 2001, performing "Dead Meat" live on the Late Show with David Letterman. Lennon has since appeared on The Sharon Osbourne Show (UK) and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Aside from his solo music, 2006 also saw Lennon collaborating with Jordan Galland and his band Dopo Yume for their album The Secret Show as well as The Strokes guitar player Albert Hammond, Jr. on his debut solo album Yours to Keep. Since 2006, Sean has been touring extensively in promotion of Friendly Fire and while in France remixed his song "Parachute" in collaboration with French artist -M-. The remix is entitled "L'éclipse".
Albums
(1998) Into the Sun
(2006) Friendly Fire
EPs
(1999) Half Horse, Half Musician
Singles
(1998) "Home"
(1999) "Queue (Radio Mix)"
(2006) "Dead Meat"
Producer
(1999) Sean Lennon, Half Horse Half Musician
(2001) Valentine Original Soundtrack
(2005) Esthero, Wikked Lil' Grrrls
(2006) Sean Lennon, Friendly Fire
(2007) Irina Lazareanu, Some Place Along the Way
Actor
(1988) Moonwalker
(2006) Friendly Fire
(2008) (in production) Coin Locker Babies
Writer
(2005) Smile For The Camera
(2006) Friendly Fire
(2008) (in production) Coin Locker Babies
5
Sean Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't act like I should do
But I don't
I don't care what they say
When I have you
In the song "5/8", Sean Lennon explores the theme of individuality and how it can sometimes be misunderstood by others. Through the lyrics, he expresses his disregard for the opinions of those who try to dictate how he should behave or act. He acknowledges that he may not conform to what is expected of him by society, but he finds solace and confidence in being himself, especially when he has someone who loves and supports him unconditionally. The song is a reminder to listeners that being true to oneself is important, even if it means going against the norms and expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
People always tell me
I often receive criticism from others
I don't act like I should do
I do not conform to societal expectations of behavior
But I don't
However, I do not change my ways
I don't care what they say
Their opinions do not phase me
When I have you
Because I have you in my life,
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alsyville
People criticising Sean need to just remember one thing: Sean is enjoying his life, he loves his dad, and loves music, whether it's his own composition or his father's. It's nice seeing Sean perform.
@virginiaviola5097
If anyone has the right to sing John’s songs, that person has to be his son. John sang this straight from the heart, it was his story, and nobody can tell a person’s story better than the person whose story it is to tell, but Sean did credit to his Dad’s song.
@virginiaviola5097
@Jerry Parker he does some great stuff solo, and with the Lennon Claypool Delirium tho. Their live cover of King Crimson’s Court of the Crimson King is by far the best version ever, even better than King Crimson. I think it is a tough act for anyone to cover Lennon, even his own kids, because it draws unnecessary comparisons. As a musician in his own right, Sean is very good.
@richparkinson9647
Every Day is a Holiday With You is one of my absolute favorite songs of all time. I love Sean if only for this song (aside from his own solo work).
@Randomguy-cd3cs
@@virginiaviola5097 yeah dead meat is very underratted for me
@eddyvideostar
Dear Alwyn Ash: Classic comment. Well done.
@kitrichardson2165
One of my favorite John Lennon solo songs. I think his son does it justice.
@TheHeavensFellen
its Sean's favorite album of his dad's solo work
@johnliv3897
I like Seans version better.
@davidbarlow431
It's always been hard for either of John's lads to get the credit they deserve - they both sound so much like dad, look like dad, and creatively they are like dad. It's bloody unfair on both of them, they are what they are as artists in their own right and not just plagiarising dad. Whatever magic genes John had, his boys inherited them complete and intact.