Just after 10.30pm on 8th December 1980 John Lennon was shot dead outside the New York apartment he shared with Yoko Ono and their son Sean. The life of one of the most significant figures of twentieth century popular music was cut tragically short at the age of forty. Twenty five years later Lennon’s star burns as brightly as ever. He remains one of the most influential musicians of all time, both with the Beatles and as a solo artist. On the anniversary of his death, here are my top ten Lennon tracks. Songs that sum up a legend.

Twist And Shout

The last track on the Beatles debut album, ‘Twist And Shout’ is the first great Lennon rocker. Recorded in one take towards the end of the Please Please Me sessions it was, at the time, the most exhilarating and exciting track recorded in a British studio. This was the moment British rock ‘n’ roll began to hold its own against the Americans.

Help!

At the height of Beatlemania Lennon was already becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his fame. In what he would later describe as his ‘fat Elvis period’ he composed and recorded this brutally honest confession of his deteriorating mental state. It was a cry for help from a man who appeared to have the world at his feet.

Rain

Hidden away as the flipside to ‘Paperback Writer’, ’Rain’ is a sublime slice of sixties psychedelia. Inspired by Lennon’s first forays into the altered state of LSD experimentation, it paved the way for ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, ‘I Am The Walrus’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Whilst filming How I Won The War in Spain Lennon would compose his masterpiece. The perfect slice of mid sixties Britpop, this paean to Liverpool sees Lennon exploring the dark interior of his mind and coming to terms with his own self doubt. A majestic record.

I Am The Walrus

Dark stream of consciousness psychedelia with Lennon at his creative peak. Supposedly inspired by a letter from a pupil at his former school in Liverpool, ‘I Am The Walrus’ explores the dark side of the LSD experience. It was even banned by the BBC.

Don’t Let Me Down

One of Lennon’s first odes to Yoko, ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ is a heartrending plea from a man at a major crossroads in his life. Released as the B side to ‘Get Back’, this marks Lennon’s last great artistic contribution to the Beatles.

Cold Turkey

Playing with the Plastic Ono Band, Lennon released ‘Cold Turkey’, a gut wrenching account of his heroin withdrawal. Brutally honest, it makes for painful listening.

God

The standout track from Lennon’s first post Beatles release sees him denounce every major world religion and his former band. It marks the end of the sixties hippie idealism. The dream was over.

Imagine

Still regarded by many as the ultimate Lennon track, ‘Imagine’ remains a magnificent universal anthem for peace. It’s a pity Madonna had to cover it though.

Woman

A beautiful love song taken from John & Yoko’s 1980 comeback album ‘Double Fantasy’. It proved that despite spending five years away from the music industry Lennon could still cut it as a songwriter.

Lennon’s contribution to popular music was immense. He will be forever missed.

Posted by Tobias Rogers on 05-12-2005 12:00