the controversial John Lennon

[brazilianfighter]

first of all, I'll have to excuse me for my poor english
how do u guys feel about Lennon
not saying in musical terms (i love him, he's a true hero to me)
but was he a leftist? a working class hero?
i'm proposing this thread cause there's a lot of controversial about his politc statement
for example: is "revolution" a counter revolutionary song or it only critcizes the stalinist and maoist ways?

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Welcome to Che-lives, comrade! :)
Where are you from? I'm from Sao Paulo.
Glad to have more Brazilians on the board. :)

In respect to your question, yes, I think John is a leftist. The song ''Revolution'' does, however, condemn revolution, so I don't believe that he's a revolutionary, but a leftist nonetheless. Judging from the lyriocs of "Imagine", I'd say he's deffinitely a leftist. He probably never looked into it very deeply, otherwise he would eventualy discover that the ideas presented in the song are only achievable with revolution.
He is a great songwriter and artist!

[brazilianfighter]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27 2003, 06:15 PM
Where are you from? I'm from Sao Paulo.

thanx for replying man
eu sou de porto alegre e curso História na UFRGS

[toastedmonkey]

Lennon was a leftist, he was, in his own way, a working class hero.
He was also a Revolutionary, but he was a pacifist.

He was a socialist, and he belived in revolution without blood loss.

Edit: Cant spell :(

[che's long lost daughter]

John Lennon is one of the greatest man of all time...I just love his lyrics. He is also a leftist I guess though he never took being one seriously. And I think the song "Revolution" is sarcasm....

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

And I think the song "Revolution" is sarcasm....

When you think about it....
it could be him mocking others.
Because some of the lines are just plain silly.

You say you want a revolution....
....All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright Alright

[Maynard]

It is common knowledge that John's political views got more radical after the Beatles disbanded.
I don't know for sure whether he was a socialist, I haven't seen any evidence for that. I know he took up many "Leftist" causes throughout his career. I would defiantly say he was a leftist but whether he was a socialist is debatable.
He said he would not support a revolution unless there was a "plan' when he released revolution. The single was released the way Paul wanted it to be, while on the album it was the way John wanted it to be and on the album the lyrics change too "When you talk about destruction, Don't you know you can count me in" while out was being said at the same time, because he said he was not sure at the time. His beliefs were still formulating.
He also called the song "Working Class Hero" a song for the revolution.

There is also a "Lennon ParK' in Havana with a statue of him :)

[toastedmonkey]

Heres the staue of john in Lennon Park, Cuba

[ComradeRobertRiley]

I never knew there was a statue of JL in cuba, thats brilliant.

Also I think the reason JL was more radical after the beatles (I love the beatles music) was because Sir Paul McCartney is a cappie bastard lol

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

didn't John Lennon refuse some award the British Government was awarding him? Muchlike the current situation, where a Rastafarian (cant remember his name) was given an award from the Blair Administration, but he refused it because of the hundreds of years of slavery the British have done to his forefathers, and also for Blair backing the War in Iraq...

I like John Lennon, he's cool. I read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger, apparently, the book he was reading at the time of his assassination. Pretty good book nonetheless.

[ComradeRobertRiley]

yeah blair is an arsehole

[toastedmonkey]

He accepted it at first, but later sent it back.

Its becoming common place for celebs to refuse awards from the queen.

[ComradeRobertRiley]

I hate the Queen and monarchy, waste of money they are

[Crypticchronoclasm]

Knowledge 6 6 6 wrote


read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger, apparently, the book he was reading at the time of his assassination. Pretty good book nonetheless.

Actually this was the book being read by Mark Chapman the man who assasinated Lennon. He belived he was Holden Caulfield and the book was telling him to kill Lennon

John was a great man and his music will live on forever he was a leftist who made contributions to the workers revolutionary party he had the power to make millions listen to his words which is one of the reasons I think he was removed from regans side

[Zorio]

John Lennon is one of the best musicians as well as people of all time in my opinion.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2003, 11:36 PM
John Lennon is one of the best musicians as well as people of all time in my opinion.
seconded :)

[Hate Is Art]

Maccers is my favourite Beatle just for his really unique voice and I don't really like much of John's solo stuff, it's just not on par with anything the Beatles ever did.

[celtopunk]

Originally posted by [email protected] 31 2003, 05:32 PM
He accepted it at first, but later sent it back.

Its becoming common place for celebs to refuse awards from the queen.
Not nearly common enough!

Here's a song written about Bob Geldof by Blood or Whiskey, obviously it could apply to many others who would accept such a dubious honor.

Your Majesty
You came from DunLaoghaire town where the ferry waits to go
Where the wind blows so cold but not so gently off the sea
You came from DunLaoghaire town to the centre of the world
Where you changed the hearts of everyone so easily

Then you crossed the Irish sea to see London and beyond
Where your star it rose and rose until you shone so bright
Then you crossed the Irish sea and you saved a million lives
But you let the ones who caused it all make you their knight

All you had to do, all you had to do was say
All you had to do, all you had to do was say
Your Majesty, your Majesty shove your OBE
Your Majesty, your Majesty shove your OBE
Your Majesty, your Majesty shove your OBE
Shove your OBE your Majesty

Every band with half a note likes to play that rebel card
They like to act so hip and radical but then
Every band with half a note loves to whine about the rich
But you'll still seek their approval in the end

Is it true that all success has the power to corrupt us
Or does everyone become what they've despised
Is it true that all success makes you feel so insecure
That you need to line up and be patronised
© 2001 Blood or Whiskey, all rights reserved.

[Hate Is Art]

I think the beastie boys should get some honours from the Queen! :huh:

[ComradeRobertRiley]

A working class hero is something to be


working class hero by John Lennon is one of the best songs ever written

[synthesis]

Somebody said to me, "But the Beatles were antimaterialistic." That's a huge myth. John and I literally used to sit down and say "Now, let's write a swimming pool."
- Paul McCartney

Hmm...

Anyways, John Lennon, in my opinion, is the quintessential artist.

[ComradeRobertRiley]

Have you heared John Lennons song called "God" ??

Thats a great song, lennon is really anti-religion

[Hate Is Art]

Are you sure? John Lennon allways struck me as a religious pacifist?
Could please post the lyrics to that song, if you have them that is?

[ComradeRobertRiley]

God


John Lennon

God - JOHN LENNON - Plastic Ono Band (1970)

GOD


© 1971 Lennon Music


Chords used:


EADGBE


C: 335553


G: 355433


G/F#: 235553


Em: 779987


Em7: 779787


D: 557775



Intro: G Em C D



G G/F# Em


God is a concept


Em7 C D G


by which we measure our pain


G/F# Em Em7 C D


I'll say it again


G


God is a concept by which we measure our pain yeah


G/F# C G G/F#


pain yeah




Em G C D


I don't believe in magic


I don't believe in I Ching


I don't believe in Bible


I don't believe in Tarot


I don't believe in Hitler


I don't believe in Jesus


I don't believe in Kennedy


I don't believe in Buddha


I don't believe in Mantra


I don't believe in Gita


I don't believe in Yoga


I don't believe in Kings


I don't believe in Elvis


I don't believe in Zimmerman


Em G C [tacet]


I don't believe in Beatles



G G/F#


I just believe in me


Em C D


Yoko and me


And that's reality



G G/F# Em


The dream is over


Em7 C D


What can I say


G G/F# Em


The dream is over


Em7 C D


Yesterday


C D


I was the dreamweaver


G G/F# Em Em7


But now I'm reborn


C D


I was the walrus


G G/F# Em Em7


But now I'm John


C D


And so dear friends


G G/F# Em Em7


You'll just have to carry on


C G


The dream is over