The John Lennon/Yoko Ono Double Fantasy Box Set
"Our life together is so precious together, we have grown--we have grown." These were the first words we heard John Lennon intimate on his classic album, Double Fantasy, released November 17th, 1980, after a pretty long hiatus from commercial recording as a solo artist. Taken from the song "Starting Over," these lyrics were written, with love, for his wife--the eternally controversial and inspiring Yoko Ono--though they also were appropriate for both old and new fans who felt quite close to the pop icon due to his backlog of profound musical work and years of championing various political or social causes. Even without lyrics, "Starting Over" told the story of beginnings, using a fifties-inspired musical backing track that communicated as much innocence as its words. In a sense, Lennon and Ono really were staring over with their new, romantic, tell-all of a concept album, it debuting on a brand new label (Geffen Records) with a fresh way of having captured their recording process (Jack Douglas' engineering the LP as two separate projects while treating it as a whole). Joy replaced burnout in Lennon's voice. Ono never sounded better.
Regardless of it being a Lennon/Ono affair, Double Fantasy would have been an impressive work for most other artists since it dared to ignore pop music trends of the late seventies and early eighties in order to--in more ways than one--properly get the record straight. It featured some of Lennon's most personal, original songs, though he went nowhere near his dark "Mother" and the like for inspiration. This time out, Lennon proved that he not only "got" what love was about, but also that he embraced the maturity that emotion nurtured. This was most obvious in the lullaby to his young child, Sean, "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)," that is easily one of the sweetest songs ever written by a father to his son this side of Paul Simon's "St. Judy's Comet." Think of how many times over the years friends, relatives or New Age enthusiasts have over-quoted the line, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans," and that's probably the amount of times more you could hear this song and not grow cynical about it's message or honesty. And while Lennon was penning some of the most earnest and simple works of his life, Ono was doing the same.
On Double Fantasy, Yoko Ono's tracks, whether you love 'em or hate 'em, found her on solid songwriting ground. Her new wave romps such as "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss" and "Give Me Something"--both complete with trademark experimental howls and perfectly-timed, musical caterwaulings--were fun, puzzle-pieces that mostly alternated sequentially with Lennon's recordings. Aesthetically, this approach functioned as a "he said/she said," commenting on Lennon/Ono drama ("Give Me Something"/"I'm Losing You"), home life ("Watching The Wheels"/"I'm Your Angel"), and mostly, their genuine love for and commitment to each other ("Woman,"/"Beautiful Boys"). By the last song, "Hard Times Are Over," it was clear that this couple's relationship always did have the strength to survive over a decade of controversy, Nixon's attempts at deportation, Lennon's very public drunken binges with his pal, the late Harry Nilsson, religious groups' fury from the suggestion that souls might be better served without their control or corruption, and, in general, just too much celebrity. Their strength as a unit was audibly apparent throughout the seamless vocal blend on Ono's "Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him," a recording that took devotion and turned it into an anthem. Overall, one could think of Double Fanatasy as the story of a middle-aged couple growing old together, enjoying each other's company and living happily ever after. By the album's waltzing last track, "Hard Times Are Over," one might even picture that "Starting Over" pony-tailed/slicked-back pair, forty years later, embracing in dance, with an old-timey "The End" scripting across the screen. Well, that's another fantasy, anyway.
But sadly, "The End" came too quickly thanks to Mark David Chapman, though, for a brief time, Lennon and Ono's double fantasy of a happy, familial life off Central Park West in New York City's Dakota apartments was quite fantastic. The challenges that Lennon and Ono's relationship survived is the stuff that American Dreams are made of--if that includes anti-war demonstrations, bed-ins, primal screaming, being accused of breaking up the Beatles, and other awful tabloid teardowns. Not surprisingly, it was songs like "Imagine," "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)," "Power To The People," "Whatever Gets You Through The Night," "Mind Games," etc., that have stayed lively in the culture over most monster hits by the other solo Beatles. John Lennon's spontaneous wit, working class sensibilities and overall brilliance made him the most interesting ex-Beatle, and his works continue to inspire new college-age fans generation after generation, probably due to his recordings' sheer audacity to challenge, not coddle. And it could be said that Double Fantasy, beyond the simple love poem it was, from another perspective, was an audio documentary of both a special period in musical history, and a relationship that withstood unbelievable eccentricities and much more than a lifetime's worth of challenges.
One last thought. It's said that Lennon lost his life coming home from a session for "Walking On Thin Ice," an Ono recording that her husband believed was a tremendous track and a potential single. Among Lennon's Double Fantasy recordings were tracks that never made the project like "I'm Stepping Out," "Nobody Told Me," "Borrowed Time," "(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess" and the lovely "Grow Old With Me" that were released on Milk And Honey, a posthumous follow-up to Double Fantasy , also with Yoko Ono sharing the billing and creativity. In existence, there is video and film footage of the period, and there have been radio interviews, alternate takes (such as the slightly different "Losing You" recorded with Cheap Trick that featured a Rick Nielsen guitar solo), edits and remixes that have been released. And there's Ono's poignant album, 1981's Season Of Glass, her first recorded work post Lennon's death, plus, possibly a little more unreleased material. As a whole, maybe in the box set format (while there is still such a product being marketed by the music industry), this could serve as a testament to Lennon and Ono's last works together, a true statement of the time. The set could be supplemented with photography by Bob Gruen, Allan Tannenbaum, Paul Goresh, Nishi F. Saimaru, Lilo Raymond, and Shinoyama, and additional drawings, conceptual art and liner notes by the couple as well as Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon, and those most involved during the period. On this strange anniversary, it seems that it's a moment to suggest something positive such as celebrating the project that framed his family life so dearly as opposed to again revisiting nothing but the tragic details of his death.
Follow Mike Ragogna on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ragz2008
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I appreciate your magnanimous comments regarding Yoko. The chant of "kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss me love, just one kiss, kiss will do" has provided me with many "fun" moments. I don't know if the impact was what she intended but I'm not sure that matters. She had balls.
Thanks, and regarding Yoko, I think her assertiveness is what scared her detractors, maybe even more than a dislike of the music.
Although I appreciate any, and all positive commentary on the brilliance of John Lennon, any, even casual comparison of Lennons, ground breaking, stratospheric musical output, to the often tepid, lyrically challenged Paul Simon, is an odious one at best. I also realize fully that Lennons Imagine, has been canonized by millions, and one hopes, for the songs message of peace, as musically, it is a relatively minor work in the staggering Lennon oeuvre. Listen raptly to a copy of his first post Beatles solo work and revel in the stunning originality of this CD in its entirety. As an ever growing, ever experimenting composer, as witnessed by his seemingly, endlessly brilliant work with the Beatles, and much of what seemed to be pure Lennon, was in fact pure Lennon, regardless of the Lennon, McCartney song writing credit. Listen again to the utter originality of his work on the Beatles White Album. Mind Games indeed! Let us all, good intentioned as we may be, resist the temptation to diminish John Lennon, this once in a lifetime musical titan, particularly in this current cultural desert of dullards, dimwits, and hacks. Only the towering Dylan remains!
When i was a kid my musical tastes were narrowly defined. As I grew older my ears opened to a wide range of music. Its called growth.
Dismissing Paul Simon shows that you are either a kid who don't know know better or your ears are stunted.
Lennon would smack you for dissing Paul Simon!
...yeah, with so many inferior songwriters that could have been used for comparison, Paul Simon wasn't the best, though I do understand how a Lennon fan would feel his writing is better. But I do stand by "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" and "St. Judy's Comet" being two of the sweetest songs a father can write for his son.
I strongly disagree with your Paul Simon comment, but of course that's your right to feel that way. Simon is a master of subtlety as opposed to Lennon who was more in your face when he communicated. Different strokes for different folks, two geniuses with different approaches (them, not us!). ;)
I agree Mike. Dissin' Paul Simon is the poster's right, but (in my humble opinion) shows a lack of the ability to recognize true genius.
Paul (the other Paul) is one of the greats!
I've been answering the other posts like this one, and I forgot to thank you for this wonderful reminder of, and tribute to, "Double Fantasy."
The record that we Lennon fans had been waiting for, and loved so much.
The record that breaks our hearts everytime we listen to it.
Thanks again, Mike.
Box sets are all very nice, but today I can make my own digital box set on my iPod.
I often wonder what John would have on his iPod. Probably the same r&r classics he had on the Wurlitzer in the Dakota.
Rest in Love & Peace John.
Sure, one can make their own playlist, but for more meat on those bones, I personally feel you need the tactile relationship of the pages, photos and design of a physical carrier that pays as much tribute to the artist as possible. Wiki combined with photo sites is a poor substitute for a focused, more caring and historical, respectful approach to the presentation.
December 8 is my birthday a bittersweet time. I've been relistening to Lennon's RocknRoll album and its just amazing what a great rocknroller he was, such great interpretations. Should be required listening for todays retro rockers. Double Fantasy is very pure. To leave us with that album was certainly a gift. If he lived, he could still be doing solo tours like Dylan still does. He would certainly be an elder spokesman on world events, He wouldn't have held back on the two Iraq wars and given Bush a serve. He would have loved to have seen Obama as President. He would probably be just as ascerbic as he was in his short life.
Absolutely, man! I bet that from Reagan to the last Bush there would have been a lot of heartburn in that white house from Lennon's confronting them on virtually everything had he been alive.
You failed to mention that the Lennons were sued for copyright infringement for one tune on "Double Fantasy" and further that the Lennons paid damages to the copyright holder -- the song at issue was a song Yoko claimed she penned. Hero worship is okay as long as you include all the facts.
"My Sweet Lord" is a rip of "He's So Fine," which was unintentional on Harrison's part, but it happened nevertheless. Sometimes, it doesn't mean that the writer consciously was doing the lift, though I guess the "lifter" probably should be held responsible once the parallel is discovered.
I have always loved the Double Fantasy album because John and Yoko shared their life together in such a personal way. When John was killed, my husband and I both cried. 7 years later to the day our first child was born. He turned 21 yesterday. The joy of him in our life has helped us on Dec. 8 every year. The world lost a great prophet and courageous person on that day. What a tragedy.
I remember many people felt a personal loss when Lennon passed, more than most expected.
One of the things I noticed among the comments here is the idea that Lennon never equaled his work with the Beatles. a lot of times, artists make their mark in their 20s or early 30s. Think Orson Welles making Citizen Kane at 24, Dali's move into surrealism. Most of the time, people such as these either spend the rest of their years trying to top what they've done, or, for lack of a better expression, just roll with it.
I think Lennon is in the latter category. Particularly telling are his first post-Beatles album and Double Fantasy. Plastic Ono Band was released at a time when a lot fo the music was becoming more production-savvy or, um, pretentious. Think pre-disco Bee Gees for the first, Yes for the second. Plastic Ono Band was about as stripped down and basic as you could get. Almost every song was a raw nerve. Not the same guy that wrote "A Day in the Life"
As for Doulbe Fantasy, although not the ground breaking stuff of, say, Sgt. Peppers, it was a man (and woman) reflecting on the joys and frustrations of family life. It seemed to me that Lennon had put his past behind him and was happy just writing songs.
As for the possibilty of a Reunion, my gag at the time "Free as a Bird" was released was that, if you listened closely, that whirring sound you heard was Lennon rolling over in his grave.
Realistically, a Beatles reunion wouldn't have brought back the spirit of what that group was originally about or revive their unique creative spark. It would have been more about nostalgia than anything else, possibly reducing the Beatles to the level of a reformed oldies act if it didn't gel properly. I don't think anyone would have wanted that...
Lennon said it best, although I can't quote him directly, he said something like "you have the records, enjoy them"
If John Lennon had never been a Beatle his solo work would have never been released because no record company in existence at that time would have signed him to a contract and we sure as hell would have never heard of Yoko Ono. Just another case of over analysis of what was very mediocre self indulgent pap. "Imagine there's no Beatles no Yoko Ono too".
...um....
Our friend Canuck is coming mighty close to quoting Mark David Chapman, there, isn't he?
From wikipedia:
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was received with high critical praise upon release. Critic Greil Marcus remarked, "John's singing in the last verse of 'God' may be the finest in all of rock."[4] In early 1971, the album reached #11 in the UK and went to #6 in the US, spending eighteen weeks in the top 100.[4]
In 2000 Q magazine placed John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band at number 62 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever.[5] In 1987, it was ranked #4 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 best albums of the period 1967-1987,[6] and in 2003, it was placed at #22 in their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[7]
and:
Upon release in September and October 1971, Imagine was warmly regarded by critics and promptly went to #1 worldwide and became an enduring seller, with the title track reaching #3 in the U.S. and #1 in the UK following Lennon's death. In 2000, Yoko Ono supervised the remixing of Imagine for its remastered reissue.
In 2003, Imagine was placed at #76 in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
Guess you had to be there.
It's impossible to do aything other than sopeculate, but if there were no Beatles, few record companies would have been interested in him as a solo artist. Plastic Ono Band was just too raw for anyone other than an ex-Beatle to have a hit with it.
Funny thing about genius.
Einstein's theory of general relativity was monumental in it's time, but many of it's predictions awaited future generations to discover and confirm. Fortunately, that didn't stop enlightened people from recognizing and celebrating his discovery in their present day.
Maybe you had to be there but...
Just last week one of Einstein's last unconfirmed predictions was proved dealing with gravity lenses and far away galaxies. General relativity and Einstein rule, from the 1900s to infinity! In popular culture, no big whoop.
I was there with "Imagine," in 1971, and I'm here in the future celebrating a new Lennon release of old tunes that ring true. Maybe the excitement has waned, but the genius lives on.
I've enjoying "being there" for both, big whoop or not. :)
I think both Double Fantasy and its successor Milk and Honey contain enough hints of the Lennon greatness reappearing and becoming even more powerful in a matter of time. Losing You, Woman, Beatiful Boy,and Nobody Told Me are great Lennon songs. Yoko stopped screaming and as she and John both knew- Walking on Thin Ice was her masterpiece. John loved the fact that she had apparently already influenced quite a few people- B-52's, Bjork, a lot of New Wave music. The Lennon-McCartney friendly rivalry would have continued, and we'd all be the better for it.
Nice, especially the part about Bjork and the B-52s!
Mike, it's David W -- great piece. Email me so we can catch up
Thanks for the kind words man, it's an honor!
M
I'm tired of Yoko bashing too. I've been a big fan of her for years and heard so much Yoko trash talk. Her music brings me lots of joy and I'm just glad that I found it when I did.
Check out Bare Naked Ladies early recording "Be my Yoko Ono" off the album Gordon. Truer words were never said.
...and Dar Williams' "I'll Never Be Your Yoko Ono" that is actually flattering to the performer while messing a tad with her stereotype.
Double Fantasy is a wonderful, very memorable recording. I remember when it was released. My punk influenced friends were of the opinion that "Yoko's stuff is hip. It's edgy." Most of them thought John had become "too much like the Bee Gees." "It's too poppy for my tastes", etc.
I thought both of their contributions were superb. It's a great collection of songs, blending the personal with the universal.
Also, there are some people who have close to an unhinged hatred of Yoko Ono. What is that about, anyway? Maybe they're projecting something? How do you hate someone so intensely who is A) Not a politician and B) You've never met?
And how can people say "I loved John but I hate Yoko."? Is John permitted to love who he chooses? Was John an idiot of some sort? Or was he just hypnotized by this woman?
A lot of the bizarre and bitter hatred against Yoko also has a touch of misogyny and racism to it. You Yoko haters need to look in the mirror and ask why you do speak about this woman as if she were George W. Bush. I'm tired of hearing this type of slander against a woman who did nothing except love John Lennon.
I think you're right about the possible reasons behind the bitterness and anger towards Yoko being beyond the music. Her contributions on Double Fantasy are actually more accessible than anything she recorded prior to the album. Personally, it's not my favorite material, I'll admit it. But it's quite musical and valid in context, and it's that context her detractors mainly ignore...
Every time I step into an elevator and hear the bell I can't help but say "our life, together, is so precious, together, we have grown, ooh we have groooooown........" The beginning of Starting Over. I'm going to listen to it now.
Sweeeet! Well, maybe not the elevator part since that has a muzak implication. By the way, those bells also start "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)." Just sayin'!
word!
I believe those bells also started "Mother."
....to paraphrase lloyd bentsen , " i know john lennon's music, a lot of john lennon's music has been a comforting freind of mine...John Lennon is no Brian Wilson"...I heard the news that day ---oh boy--- at 10:40 am broadcast a radio in a detroit drug store on woodward avenue..it was a cold day and the clouds were unusually dark....people were gasping for air when they heard the news.... several men and women were breaking down on the spot in tears...
I was a New Yorker briefly living in Tampa at the time, and it affected everyone there too. It was shocking for a generation that pictured the Beatles being around forever, plus Lennon had just revived his musical career. I was quoted in the Tampa Tribune with some lame comment I wish I could update with something more heartfelt these 18 years later....
I was a sixteen-year-old high school student in Marietta, GA. I heard when I got to school that day. It was like the world went quiet. Everyone was in shock I think. It was an unbelievably subdued day all over campus. In music class, we didn't play, we just talked about him.
...wow, sorry, I meant 28 years later!
There is no doubt, Lennon was a musical genius. I have wondered whether he would have participated in a Beatles re-union, as Paul, George and Ringo did in the mid 1990's. Lennon seemed to be the one who distanced himself the most from the Beatles, minimizing their work. Harrison withdrew into his own world after they broke up; he was quite detached. But, he did get together, now and then, with the others, even though he had his issues with Paul. I believe Lennon was so consumed with Yoko, getting all his needs met through her, or, at least thought he did, that he would not have joined the others.
Yeah, and it's that devotion to Yoko that seems to be at the heart of a lot of the post-Beatles Lennon catalog. And though his music was genius, it was only part of the John Lennon story. Double Fantasy mostly focuses on that personal side, making it another important chapter of the bigger story.
After the musical insult to McCartney, "How do you Sleep?", on the Imagine album, its difficult to see how Paul could ever have worked with him again.
On the other hand, these guys were like brothers. Brothers fight, say and do messed-up things, forgive each other and move on in a lot cases!
Yet they jammed together when Lennon was with May Pang, almost made an unannounced visit to SNL... who knows what would have happened?
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
