Every John Lennon Album Ranked Worst to Best

[@robshank1983]

‘Beautiful boy’ has a special place in my heart. It’s the song I chose for them to play at my sons funeral. He passed away February 6th 2014 from brain cancer. He was 6 years old and my first born. This was the first time I heard any part of that song since then. Now I’m in bed in a pool of tears listening to the full song. This whole video was awesome man. Great job

[@nicoleshan6410]

I had no business crying today but here I am... He lives in you.

[@thesapphireone]

May your son have a peaceful afterlife, and I hope you’re doing okay, have you talked to your family about this?

[@callumhalloran1782]

Hope you are feeling better and may he rip ✌

[@quiricomazarin476]

I hope you pray to him Rob.

[@xyu9173]

May your beautiful rest in peace 🙏🏻

[@gb7995]

I think John truly loved I Saw Her Standing There. I've heard so many bootlegs and studio sessions where he breaks into the rhythm part on guitar out of nowhere.

[@quaid667]

I do picture them playing in the Cavern when i hear that song.

[@dirtyrat6493]

Someday there will be the 6 hour Ringo video 😂

[@TrekBeatTK]

I hope so. I recently finished a listen through of the entire solo Beatles catalog and Ringo has some solid stuff. Time Takes Time, Vertical Man, and even Beaucoups of Blues are very listenable albums.

[@bradleyrussell8798]

Elliot ...I am 1 of MANY who wait for the Ringo video ...keep up the GREAT work!!!

[@amyh9512]

Get back is 6hrs of ringo

[@assininecomment1630]

"Very listenable"....? That doesn't exactly encourage me to delve into that collection, @@TrekBeatTK. My reticence was reinforced recently, when I saw the clip of George explaining how to resolve a melodic progression - and this was quite late in the band's time together! How had he _not_ picked that up, in nearly a decade he'd already been playing and writing, and with bandmates like _these_ guys..?! 😬🤯

[@TrekBeatTK]

@@assininecomment1630 His bad albums are bad. But he has maybe five really good efforts. Something like Beaucoups of Blues would depend on how much you dig that country sound.

[@happyjohn8580]

It's Ironic that the last song he ever performed live is the opener to the album that started his career that's literally poetry man

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Thanks for pointing that out. Full circle!

[@ZiggyStardust-yy1zd]

It’s like poetry sort of, it rhymes -George Lucas

[@danculbert6349]

​@@ZiggyStardust-yy1zdtyygg⁸hddjc

[@alfredomissen69]

I dont think you understand the meaning of the words literally and poetry

[@ozharms]

The thing with John’s solo work is: when it’s good, it’s REEEEEEALLY good. When it’s bad, hoooooo boy.

[@MOLLOYALLOY]

Nahhhh.... it's never THAT bad. Unless you're counting the experimental albums. It's either REEEEEALLY good or just okay.

[@ozharms]

@@MOLLOYALLOY I was indeed counting the experimental albums.

[@WhaleManMan]

3:45 Unfinished Music 1 Two Virgins 6:50 Unfinished Music 2 Life with the Lions 9:07 Wedding Album 10:43 Sometime in New York City 21:50 Rock n Roll 26:21 Milk and Honey 33:28 Mind Games 40:02 Walls and Bridges 50:13 Double Fantasy 1:05:55 Imagine 1:20:36 John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

[@ManCarryingThing]

So excited for this! Your ranking Paul Mcartney albums video is one of my favorite video essays of all time

[@mac5565]

Hey, fancy seeing you here!

[@hernerwerzog9700]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one!

[@EmileFeik]

i mean it's great but it's a ranked list, not an essay

[@calculoopy]

Omg! I've been watching a lot of your videos recently

[@ElliotRobertsVideos]

Hey thanks man! Hope you get to interview Paul one day! ;)

[@nateds7326]

John Lennon, really truly, doesn't strike me as a bad person or someone worth "cancelling". He seems alot closer to what you said, a man with serious demons who made awful mistakes who needed more time to work his life out. Time he never got. I mean if Elton John died before went to rehab he would've died a lovesick coke addict with serious anger management problems who threw away his only freind. I appreciate that tact you brought to the topic.

[@mutantfruit9993]

I think he struggled with mental illness which was extremely misunderstood at the time

[@westerling8436]

Wife beater

[@disappointmentpotato9408]

well apparently I have some research to do about Elton John now

[@sweptinblack]

It's hard for me to take it in as a younger person, but some of John's work is so personal and such a dark subject matter, that had to be alien in those years. Especially from one of the most famous artists on the planet.

[@sackydzNG]

Another example is David Bowie. Had he died during his Thin White Duke days (something that very well could’ve happened considering how bad his cocaine addiction was), he would’ve died as a nazi junkie.

[@simonbernau3705]

I really love your videos for being so sincere about topics that others just barely touch on or tell the same story for the 1000th time. You really shine a different light on some parts of John‘s or Paul‘s discography that I never though so deeply about. Thanks for putting in all the work with these videos.

[@cesarmadero05]

Playlist: ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 00:01 *Introduction:* I'm going to be talking about John Lennon 00:43 *Outline* 02:06 *Ad:* Flowkey ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 03:45 Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins *(1968)* ■ 06:48 Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions *(1969)* ■ 09:06 Wedding Album *(1969)* •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 10:44 Sometime in New York City *(1972)* 12:01 Woman is the N..... of the World 14:16 Sisters O' Sisters 14:53 Attica State 15:13 Born in a Prison 15:47 New York City 16:23 Sunday Bloody Sunday 17:04 The Luck of the Irish 17:22 John Sinclair 17:43 Angela 17:52 We're all Water 18:12 Cold Turkey *(live)* 19:18 Don't Worry Kyoko *(live)* 19:54 Well (Baby, Please Don't Go) *(jam)* 20:41 Scumbag *(jam)* 20:50 Aü *(jam)* •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 21:50 Rock n' Roll *(1975)* * Tracks * 22:46 Be Bop A-Lula [Gene Vincent] 23:00 Stand By Me [Ben E. King] 23:26 Rip It Up!/Ready Teddy [Little Richard] 23:34 You Can't Catch Me [Chuck Berry] 23:44 Ain't That A Shame [Fats Domino] 24:05 Do You Want to Dance? 24:23 Sweet Little Sixteen 24:35 Slippin' and Slidin" 24:44 Peggy Sue 24:54 Bring It on Home to me / Send Me Some Loving 25:13 Bonny Maroney 25:19 Ya Ya! 25:30 Just Because 25:38 Outtakes □ 25:47 Thoughts about the album •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 26:21 Milk and Honey (1983) * Tracks * 27:09 I'm Steppin' Out 27:31 Sleepless Night 27:53 I Don't Wanna Face It 28:24 Don't Be Scared 28:34 Nobody Told Me 29:12 Oh, Sanity 29:25 Borrowed Time 30:01 Your Hands 30:17 Forgive Me (My Little Flower Princess) 30:41 Let Me Count The Ways 31:15 Grow Old With Me 32:19 You're The One □ 32:53 Rating the album ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 33:26 Pause: I'm Bloody Tired and I Need A Snack ■ 33:36 Mind Games (1973) * Tracks * 35:03 Mind Games 35:26 Tight A$ 35:40 Aisumasen (I'm Sorry) 36:08 One Day (At A Time) 36:26 Bring On Lucie (Freeda People) 37:15 Nutopian International Anthem 37:22 Intuition 37:35 Out The Blue 38:23 Only People 38:39 I Know (I Know) 38:43 You Are Here 39:12 Meat City □ 39:29 Words about the album •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 40:02 Walls and Bridges (1975) * Tracks * 41:26 Going Down On Love 41:55 Whatever Gets You Through the Night 42:35 Profile: Elton John 43:07 Thanksgiving 1974 44:11 Old Dirt Road 44:23 What You Got 45:00 Bless You 45:29 Scared 46:22 Dream #9 46:49 Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) 47:00 Steel And Glass 47:32 Beef Jerky 47:54 Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out) 48:49 Ya Ya □ 49:21 Words about the album ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 50:12 Pause: New Day, Let's Do This ■ 50:22 Double Fantasy (1980) 54:18 (Just Like) Starting Over 55:08 Kiss, Kiss, Kiss 55:46 Cleanup Time 56:30 Give Me Something 56:44 I'm Losing You 57:25 I'm Moving On 57:47 Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) 59:40 Watching the Wheels 1:00:35 Yes, I'm Your Angel 1:01:22 Woman 1:02:12 Beautiful Boys 1:02:52 Dear Yoko 1:03:20 Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him 1:03:32 Hard Times Are Over □ 1:03:50 Critical Reception ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1:05:54 Two albums ■ 1:06:18 Imagine (1971) 1:06:59 Imagine 1:09:15 Crippled Inside 1:10:14 Jealous Guy 1:13:41 It's So Hard 1:14:03 I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier (Mama) 1:14:29 Gimme Some Truth 1:15:14 Oh My Love 1:15:35 How Do You Sleep? 1:18:39 How? 1:19:31 Oh, Yoko □ 1:20:04 About the album •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ 1:20:36 John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band (1970) * Tracks * 1:22:20 Mother 1:23:15 Hold On 1:23:41 I Found Out 1:24:00 Working Class Hero 1:24:34 Isolation 1:25:02 Remember 1:25:37 Love 1:25:58 Well, Well, Well 1:26:31 Look At Me 1:27:05 God 1:27:52 My Mummy's Dead 1:28:12 Final words about the album 1:29:39 End of the List •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1:29:57 Two quick album breakdowns 1:30:04 Live Peace in Toronto (1969) 1:30:44 John Lennon Live In New York City (1986) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1:31:22 Compilations •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1:32:14 Words about Lennon 1:33:15 Credits

[@LiterallyCanada666]

Elliot should put this in the description!

[@Lamo679.]

Wow

[@thethederkid65sad75]

Thank you sooooooo much

[@maddiemae73]

W O W YOU ARE AMAZING

[@KevyNova]

THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@canucklehead444]

Elliot I’m absolutely taken aback emotionally at how you approached the topic of John Lennons history of abuse with such grace, nobility and self awareness, while giving ample context into how Johns life fed into this behaviour. Your emphatic storytelling cannot go unnoticed along with your extensive research and thorough critique. Bravo. I’ll be subscribing to the Patreon immediately!

[@ElliotRobertsVideos]

Thank you, Dennis!

[@danielebowman]

I like he approached it. But I think there's a little projection, that the deaths John experienced fed his violent parts as a little bit to much justification. Though I'm sure Lennon believed this himself, but these Freudian takes on behaviour are a little bit discredited these days. Though it's important Lennon was remorseful.

[@josephparish7203]

The thing about Lennon, and I was 18 in 1980 so it was an incredibly horrific and shocking thing since he was my favourite Beatle and I spent 5 years waiting for him to put out a new album only to have my hopes come crashing down, plus subsequent years of bitterness and cynicism, was his honesty. He was an imperfect human being with lots of issues which he never sugar coated. But he was honest about it. That's why we loved him so much!

[@bev9708]

Well said!!!

[@ArmandoRuben]

Forgiveness is becoming more of a fairy tale, if anything John is the only one who has been forgiven by todays standards because he died, which is the next best thing than making people disappear through cancellation. There will never be another artist as praised in spite of his past mistakes as Lennon because things are just getting further away from redemption as an Avenue for human beings. You can even take pause and think about what that means and the horror it may manifest inside. But it’s too late. It will take a catastrophe for this to reverse.

[@connor4wilson]

Really really loved how you got into his history of abuse and the troubled, messy vision of who John Lennon is. He was a complicated guy and I think the approachability of his biggest hits lead many to boil him down to only the defining traits, an idealistic hippie who was shitty to his first kid. But he and his music were obviously so much more than that.

[@imanolvides3185]

43:06 the crowd cheering for john gave me goosebumps 🔥

[@GeorgeChipo]

I'm never gonna forget when I was 7 years old, still learning English at the time and heard that part when John sings "I just believe... in me" A stunning and unforgettable moment in my life. I've probably heard that song about thousand times since, the feeling is exactly the same every time.

[@henrydangelo4943]

im a big beatles fan but ngl that's my favorite musical moment from any of their discographies (including beatles songs) to me. That album is truly unique in how intimate honest and bare John was with everything... the way he grandly condemns and denounces so many things people have associated with john (beatles, politics, religion, etc.), he basically frees himself. the way the music completely stops, before it comes back in with that falling piano... the world completely stops and for the first time in his musical career, I think we see john as john. that entire final verse is so sad to me. when he says "What can I say" it always makes me sad because in some ways its a concession: he already denounced himself as being a god/idol. he's saying as direct as he ever has, don't just listen to me blindly. and he doesnt ever cover it up with any egoism--he concedes he has nothing more to say, no bold proclamation or lifestyle to portray. so sad in a way but profoundly beautiful and mature.

[@VolvagiasBlaze]

Mother is such an emotionally wrenching track. I've never heard anyone let out their love, frustration, resentment and wanting for someone like in that track. it's my favorite song that John ever wrote

[@dranelemakol]

It's like a song written by the joker

[@regolithia]

@@dranelemakol 💀💀💀

[@mikem3779]

I feel like that song was the foundation for everything Kurt Cobain ever did

[@windscriesmary]

that, jealous guy, and my mummy’s dead always make my cry like a baby

[@dondamon4669]

Kurt cobain

[@trekkiejunk]

The best thing about modern technology is that you can take all the 1980 Lennon tracks from Double Fantasy and Milk & Honey, and make a perfect final Lennon album. 12 tracks, 43 minutes, and rearranged to create a wonderful flow. My version begins with "Starting Over" and ends with "Watching the Wheels." I love it as a perfect coda to his career.

[@Multijoe84]

Isn’t it 13 tracks ?

[@trekkiejunk]

@@Multijoe84 -- Maybe. My tracks originate from the 2000 remixed tracks that Yoko released from the 1980 sessions. Perhaps she omitted one of the original Milk and Honey tracks that was only a demo? I didn't look it up, but my comp only has 12 tracks.

[@maxmckercher626]

As someone who lost there mother when I was young. I found John’s songs such as Julia, mother and my mummy’s dead so personal and emotional. He brought light to the darkness and helped millions of children who have lost their mothers. Thank you John.

[@themangoman9315]

His mother was the hole in Lennon's heart he spent his life trying to fill

[@24-karat-plonker]

I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that you're doing well🌻

[@michaelfrazia4569]

paul losing his mom young too was a real binding point between the 2

[@mrsbluesky8415]

I lost my mom when I was in my 50s and it still hurt like hell. John was still so young and needed her. Very sad.

[@MrByebyelove]

I never understood the sentiment behind that one. I mean,,,lol. Aren't ALL mummies dead by definition ..??

[@hernerwerzog9700]

A little note to Imagine, in quite a few live performances, after the "no possessions" line, John sang "I wonder if WE can". This I think would have made it clearer to many people that it's not about him saying "I'm perfect, be like me". As you said, it just about "Imagine".

[@beatlecristian]

It’s still communist garbage. Worst song he ever wrote.

[@kevinstreeter6943]

"We" is in the official lyric.

[@denniswinters3096]

A thing about Oh Yoko that I always find quite touching is the fade out of him playing the mouth organ. It evokes the fact that when he was about seven his Aunt Mimi bought him one, which he played on the bus all the way home ! When you hear that fade-out, it's like he's seven again, playing his heart out on the bus ride home.

[@Kat-ju3yi]

Elliot, you’ve truly outdone yourself here. There are so many things I love about your videos in general, but this one really makes those things shine. Your delivery is approachable, yet well-informed/researched. You can truly feel your passion towards the subjects in how you really absorb music, process it, then articulate all you feel in such a thoughtful and respectful manner. I actually laugh out loud with your incredibly enjoyable yet subtle sense of humor. Your editing is engaging and entertaining (especially the samples you choose). Your discourse on “Crippled Inside” in particular had me cracking up. You do such an incredible job relating John’s music to today’s generations and showing how timeless his music truly is. Your deeper acknowledgment of the true messages were conveyed in a way that wasn’t tacky or cringey, but instead were thought-provoking. Your videos always inspires me to listen to discographies or even just an album in it’s entirety. You truly have a gift to be able to do all of this while still seeming like the ultimate conversationalist over a pint is something I really admire. I’m 30 and rarely find anyone my age that I can share my passion for my favorite band with. You make me feel much less weird or out of place. Thank you!

[@GibsonDelGiudice]

Not sure if you've ever compared the two, but Frank Zappa released his mix of the Fillmore East show on his 1992 live album *Playground Psychotics*, and it's worth listening to for completist purposes if nothing else. You get to hear a lot more of the band, and Zappa's vocalists "Flo & Eddie," than in John and Yoko's mix. (He was reportedly kinda peeved since John and Yoko took a jam based in large part on his song "King Kong," gave it the title "Jam Rag," and assigned themselves songwriting credit and publishing, which, per his account, led to a lot of irate calls to Allan Klein. He tried to clear that mess up with Yoko after John died and she more or less brushed him off because she was in the middle of suing Capitol with the other Fabs, but he eventually released his edit.)

[@marcocardia3960]

@Miles Castoro here it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/e53RZH1sd92KhJI One of my favourite interviews

[@spzm3x]

Im on Zappas side if im being honest! It was disrespectful at the fact that Lennon published King Kong as “Jam Rag” with out any credit

[@marcocardia3960]

@@spzm3x yeah I agree the best scenario I can imagine is that John thought it was a jam so he didn't give credit to Zappa but then why didn't he gave credit to all persons that were there? That is one the most bafeling thing John ever did to me

[@_fesh]

Worth mentioning that a remixed ver. of Zappa's edit of the performance can be found on the recently released "The Mothers 1971" boxset. Mix isn't terribly different bar the fact that you can actually hear John's rhythm guitar now, which is nice (You can also hear the Mothers cover "I Want To Hold Your Hand" as the final track on the boxset - that is, right before you hear Zappa being pushed into an orchestra pit by an audience member and nearly dying). Specifically worth mentioning though is the Zappa edit of 'Scumbag'. It's much better. Eddie starts improvising lines in-between each time "Scumbag" is sung (I:E: "gonna put all my possessions in a SCUMBAG!) but for reasons unknown, his vocals were edited out on Lennon's album (very poorly too - since it was a live show you can rather clearly hear his backing vocals echo throughout each of the other microphones lmao). Rumour has it that they were edited out because he improvised a line about putting Yoko in a 'scumbag' but it could be apocryphal idk. Also - one last thing worth mentioning: On Zappa's album, "Aü" is renamed to "A Small Eternity with Yoko Ono" which is honestly just fucking hilarious.

[@RogueReplicant]

@@marcocardia3960 Wow, what did John Lenin do to you? Did he also steal one of your songs? 🤔

[@rockisheaven]

One of the great what-ifs in rock music: what kind of music would John have made in the 80s, and how would he have responded to trends like new wave and hair metal? A truly excellent video, Elliot-I’m about to revisit Paul’s solo work in preparation for seeing him live next month, but this has ensured I’ll be going back to John right after!

[@dovemakes]

Fantastic as always!! I've always loved that clip of John talking about Paul "an old estranged fiance of mine." So sweet that he chose to sing his buddy's song during his last performance. I am SO excited to see Paul on tour this coming Monday (my first time seeing a Beatle live!), and learned yesterday that they have used the isolated vocals and video of the rooftop performance as part of the show, so that Paul can be on stage singing with John again. From what I've seen it seems like he does I've Got a Feeling, and possibly one other track. I already know I'm going to cry.

[@PedroAmA]

Now the tour is over and Glasto was a success

[@PerfectFaro]

This is absolutely the BEST overview of John Lennon's solo work that I have ever seen. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@stormycatproductions5227]

Lennon has been one of my favorite artists of all time. His solo stuff has always been some of the most emotional and powerful of all time. So many of the songs have really helped me with some tough things that have happened in my life. Like the song How? how can you go on when life is so hard but you can go on "life can be long but you got to be so strong". His songs often just are really calming and put me in a good mood. Thank you for making this I love Lennon and I really liked the video. Lennon is one of my idols. Can't wait to see that Harrison ranking!

[@RantingThespian]

I think How? is one of his most overlooked masterpieces. I adore that song, yet I never hear anyone ever mention it.

[@stormycatproductions5227]

Totally its really helped me especially during the pandemic

[@rikkousa]

Totally agree. There are songs in lennons catalog that may not be masterpieces in a traditional sense or based on their importance, yet to me Solitude, Strangers Room, Grow Old with Me, MInd Games (acoustic ), Real Love, Jealous Guy, How etc. all are amazing to me and I am unable to listen to any of them one only once-I must listen to them on repeat….

[@bestofmusicradio-mauritius9563]

You nailed it!

[@Nina5144]

For me it’s George - he did good without shouting about it and embarrassing himself. George is the most popular and favourite Beatle. Here goes John moaning about white men opposing his crude and silly songs.

[@DreamsongsProductions]

I'm a massive Beatles fan so I really enjoyed your two videos of John and Paul's solo rankings. Very professionally done and very informative. I think it's time for you to now get a gig on TV or a rock magazine. Until you get your big break keep doing what you're doing, you have a talent for this. You did great!

[@PrinceVegita1]

The bit about Beautiful Boy and Paul was heartbreaking. I can't imagine what he must have felt like losing John.

[@ilabelle1]

Plastic Ono Band and Blood on the Tracks are two of my favourite albums of all time. Two albums filled with pain and beauty. Artists baring their souls in a beautiful way. I have the recent Plastic Ono Band box. For such a sparse album the box is entirely revelatory. Just hearing John’s isolated vocal for Mother. ‘Nuff said. Just incredible.

[@martinciriello5889]

Simply fantastic. It never ceases to amaze me how passionate, yet elegant your analysis comes across. I got choked up so many times watching this, you nailed right on the head in the outro describing it as a work of love, cause it REALLY shows. Thank you so much for this wonderful journey through the music and life of the man that, like so many others, changed my life. Your videos, just like the fab four said in '67, are getting better all the time! Cheers Elliot, you wonderful man, can't wait for the next one!

[@STSGuitar16]

No matter how many times I think about it, it still blows my mind to think that John Lennon was literally shot dead in cold blood. A Beatle was straight up murdered. So wild, man. That situation is probably one of the most shocking ways for anyone to leave this earth, let alone one of the greatest musical minds ever. And to think about the many tiny, miniscule events in that day that could have prevented it from happening altogether....things like maybe taking a bit longer to get out of bed, taking a bit longer to eat a meal, or deciding to just stay home that night altogether....so many things that could have easily kept him from being in that place at that time on that day. Instead, one disturbed man deprived the world of more Lennon; more Beatles. Such a senseless tragedy that is easily one of the darkest moments in the history of music.

[@LeoTheLeo_official]

Saddest part, John had finally gotten his life together too🥺 Had even booked studio time with Paul for 1981💔

[@STSGuitar16]

@@LeoTheLeo_official pretty crazy stuff

[@princeali1786]

NO HE DIDNT- YOKO WOULD NEVER HAVE ALLOWED THAT. ACTUALLY, JOHN WAS GOING TO GET A BAND TOGETHER AND TOUR PLAYING HIS NEW DOUNLE FANTASY SONGS ALONG WITH WHAT HE WROTE AND PLAYED ON MILK AND HONEY. DONT ADD STUFF THAT ISNT TRUE.

[@STSGuitar16]

@ hey bud, your caps lock is on. But he didn’t do what? What are you even talking about?

[@CGR0620]

When they needed him most, he returned. I’m also going to see Paul in May for the first time and I can’t wait I’m super excited.

[@MrKeychange]

The piano on Watching the Wheels and Starting Over (as well as all the other keyboard & piano tracks) is someone I've worked with a ton, George Small. It's really beautiful work and he rarely gets credit. He really loved John and yes, he and Paul absolutely planned to get together in 81. I know that from three separate people who'd know.

[@charliestoops8815]

Nice. More modern rock needs piano, just look at what The Beatles, The Beach Boys could do with the beautiful instrument.

[@MrKeychange]

@@charliestoops8815 Absolutely agree!

[@natalyamartirosyan]

god every time I read that they were going to get together I can not hold back my tears. John was taken too early.

[@MrKeychange]

@@natalyamartirosyan The more I got to know people who knew him, the sadder it felt. This guy was really empathetic and kind to people.

[@AllofJudea]

@@charliestoops8815 radiohead uses a lot of piano to great effect

[@anotherangle3dvisuals608]

In all seriousness I would watch all 1.5 hours a second time if there were a version of this in chronological order. This was such a great deep dive into the last decade of his life, so much I didn't know. Now I'd love to see it all again in order :) Great video mate, well presented, beautifully thought out and constantly educational.

[@funkybunko]

Walls & Bridges is and will always be my personal favorite Lennon album. Just a perfect blend of fun and somber.

[@charliestoops8815]

Not my favorite, but I enjoy it more than Double Fantasy. It’s one of his best.

[@violinmke]

Number 9 dream was a stunning standout of that album for me.

[@mojo-hand4539]

Even though i've been a Beatles fan pretty much my entire life - i basically never listen to John Lennon's solo work. I find it too raw, too political, too personal, too enmeshed with Yoko. In fact, i don't even know why i watched your video - but i'm glad i did. I was on the verge of tears at several points. Thank you for putting his body of work into context, and inspiring me to go back and revisit some of his (and Yoko's) work.

[@jonbohn3854]

Ringo's drums on "I Found Out" are everything. Love that track, love that album

[@diegorivec]

Stunning work and video Elliot The care, it shows! It's hard task to go over so many records and all songs while not sounding repetitive , and being able to highlight each album in context of his life with many great and thoughtful remarks, bravo Wanted to share my favourite lyric of all his work, right at the end of God (one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard!) "I was the Walrus.... now I'm John" So simple yet tells so much, and with those chords and arrangement and voice... it's moving ever time!

[@itsmefrisco]

Just discovered your channel and love it. Great nuanced take on the troubling personal issues surrounding John’s legacy and his music. Keep up the good work!

[@sowphya]

This was brilliant, Elliot! Your passion is really visible throughout this video, not just for John Lennon, but for music in general. You really pulled me in and kept me in my chair all the way through. I can't wait to see what you touch on in the future!

[@smithjedediah]

There's no rational way to rate Plastic Ono Band (Lennon's) as anything below his greatest achievement as a solo artist. It remains singular in a multitude of ways. Also kudos for acknowledging the greatness of Yoko Ono as an artist without shying away from some of her more egregious artistic habits and techniques. Well friggin' done.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

Here’s a quick hot take: I think that Jealous Guy is John’s best song not only in Imagine, but of his whole solo career.

[@ramoniboy]

One of his best for sure…. Definitely the best of Imagine

[@PicklePyro]

Absolutely

[@dfladd8383]

It’s an incredible song.

[@evanwright9016]

I actually prefer Donny Hathaway's version. Another legend whose life ended so tragically and in the same year.

[@jackistvanffy7000]

Agreed.

[@RICHARDALLNEW]

alright, i don't usually comment on any videos at all because i almost never feel the need to do so, but with this video i don't know there's just something so special about the way you write, edit and everything else in your videos that's just so cool, it feels like absolutely premium content and i just can't describe how much i enjoy this and all your videos. thank for the content and keep going

[@ellamcdonald4073]

such a brilliant list, you make these videos with so much love and care and its so nice to hear more backstory to lennons life throught. i am BEYOND keen for Georges video 👀👀

[@rowdybodine8585]

I had a John Lennon party the night before he was killed. Everybody brought their favorite songs. We were so full of John's spirit, then the next day he was gone. I thought my life ended that day. I'm still here, I don't listen to John's music (except for Meat City) because it's just too painful. I miss John Lennon and Frank Zappa every day. Thanks, Elliot, you made reminiscing easier.

[@sopyleecrypt6899]

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) is also one of my favourite Lennon songs. Thank you for your thoughtful insights into Lennon’s music. Excellent video.

[@DigitaIJustice]

I found your channel from the video on Paul’s albums and I love you’re continuing this style! Your musical and historical take is so appropriated.

[@beckcole-picton852]

Can't wait to watch all of this. Although I prefer Paul's solo stuff, John's work is equally as interesting. Your video ranking Paul's solo albums was possibly one of my favourite videos on youtube.

[@Kelvinack]

Seriously? You can say that Paul had the best solo? You heard of Wings? Oh God

[@ewest14]

@@Kelvinack Why do you have to be so toxic? Yes many people prefer Paul's solo work, me included. Paul's solo work with Wings is very good and I have a feeling you haven't given it a real chance.

[@xxyyzz9791]

@@Kelvinack Paul had the best solo career BY FAR. Even George's solo stuff is better than John.

[@Kelvinack]

@@xxyyzz9791 If you consider the years John was alive no way Paul was better, Wings was the typical commercial 70s band that has nothing to say, but if you dig shallow music then keep on doing that

[@Kelvinack]

@@xxyyzz9791 You should've said: Even George's solo stuff was better than Paul's

[@MsMulb]

Loved this, your ending made me shed a tear or two. I'm mostly a McCartney obsessive but I love a lot of Lennon's stuff (generally Plastic Ono band/Imagine and Double Fantasy at the top). Might go and listen to some of the others now!

[@vladdrakul7851]

The best of the rest IMHO is 'Walls and Bridges'. Definitely give that one a try.

[@ziggybaker3446]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially as someone who is rather new to the Beatles (I know, I know) and hasn't yet really explored John's solo stuff. It's given me a good idea of what to expect, and what to maybe just.... skip over entirely. Thanks for the incredible work put into this!

[@davidglasspool4921]

I was in the same boat. I’m 37 now but started listening to the Beatles about two years ago. I went through all of their albums and each one of their individual solo albums. Before that, I knew some of their songs but was definitely not very familiar with the music. Good luck in your journey listening to their stuff. You won’t regret it.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

I got into them heavy in high-school in the 90s....I loved their solo stuff in the 70s and 80s because wings was huge, and John and george had some hits...I was 6 in 1980 when John was shot...I grew up in New york city so he was killed about 10 minutes from my apartment...it was the first time I heard of a large tragedy ...i sometimes wish I never got into them so I can have the joy of it all over again....luckily there is just so much between the beatles and their solo stuff that I have never got sick of them ..I love lots of bands, artists, and genres.....ive just come to the conclusion that there is no other band with the sheer amount of quality songs between the beatles and solo albums.....hope you get as much our of their music that I did

[@davidglasspool4921]

I would recommend even listening to the stuff that you might want to skip. You may still dislike it but it might grow on you. I’m a huge fan of George Harrison‘s catalog. I recommend, all things must Pass, George Harrison, 33 and 1/3, cloud nine and brainwashed. living in a material world is also a really good one as well as, somewhere in England. That last one gets a lot of flack but there’s some good tunes on it.

[@ziggybaker3446]

@@davidglasspool4921 I mean I'll check some of it out but I don't care to hear an entire song of silence, or just constant out of tune wailing lol. I've already listened to a lot of George's albums and I really enjoyed 33 1/3.

[@Fuzcapp]

One of the keys to the tongue-in-cheek "love peck" from John regarding Paul, when John introduced 'I Saw Her Standing There' on stage with Elton, is in the song Steel and Glass ... definitely about Allen Klein. It's clear that Lennon had discovered that Paul was right about Klein and is John's backhanded way of saying, 'I made a mistake with How Do You Sleep.' And the use of the Let Me Roll It riff is derived from Yer Blues on the Double White album. It's a riff that John and Paul seem to be fighting over.

[@Danjoker.]

Nowadays everyone chooses George as their favorite Beatle, but John will be always be my favorite Beatle.

[@ms.antithesis]

Mines still Paul. I don't think John was a bad person but he was a bit of a prick in the early 70s

[@flamingpi2245]

Paul just has more to like It’s a treasure trove

[@linknowhereman]

@@ms.antithesis personally I think John was a prick for most of the 60s and very early 70s

[@ms.antithesis]

@@linknowhereman nah I liked him more in the 60s, I feel its when the heroine started that his personality got..fucked..

[@Kat-ju3yi]

Elliot actually reminded me that I’d been sleeping on McCartney. Harrison was always my favorite growing up, but after seeing McCartney live and being reminded of his innovative and more transcending qualities… I have changed my stance.

[@murmursmeglos]

I still think Lennon's Beatles songs are the greatest anyone has ever composed, they're just so creative, daring and fun (with help from the dynamic of the group). I'm jealous someone could even come up with that stuff. His solo career I think demonstrates a struggle he has always had, whether he's making music for himself or for an audience. It was quite easy at the start and during Beatlemania, especially with Paul who is all about playing to an audience. He nailed it with Imagine, playing for himself and gaining that commercial appeal, but I think towards the end of the Beatles he started to resent having to 'play to an audience' (especially after the reaction to Yoko), to the point in 1975 he had the option to carry on or stop and chose to run a mile. His solo albums come across as someone who is not quite sure why they are making music or who it is for, but the highs are really high. My first taste was buying the Lennon Legend compilation and I can't think of many artists who have a better one.

[@inaucio]

I'd like to thank you for kind of changing my views on John Lennon as a person. Since I was 13 years old, in 2018, I loved the Beatles' music. Onde day, in my english course (I'm brazilian), I was supposed to write a paragraph about some famous person of my choice. I chose Lennon and said some pretty basic stuff ("he was a musician...he was on The Beatles...", etc) and I mentioned that he was "a pacifist". When my teacher readed the paragraph, she asked me if I was a fan of Lennon's work and I said "oh no, I only like The Beatles' music, but Lennon surely seemed like a cool guy". She told me that he was not a pacifist, that he used to spank his girlfriends and that he was very arrogant. I gues I was so ashamed of writing about someone who I didn't really knew (again, I only liked him because of The Beatles) that since then, whenever people said "oh, Inaucio is a big fan of John Lennon" I would always respond with "oh no, I enjoy his work as a beatle, but I am not a fan of him as a person". After watching the Get Back documentary, then seing your video on it, then seeing this video of you ranking John's albums, I guess I can finally say that, yeah, Lennon looks like a cool dude. Surely what he did to Cynthia in that one occasion is injustifiable, but the way my teacher (and some people online) talked about the guy's anger and violence made it seem to me like he was the devil in disguise. It was a surprise to me hearing John trying to "cancel" himself and even heating Cynthia's own words on the subject. I obviously disagree on Lennon in very ways, specially his political and religious views, but it seems that he was an honest man who was trying to grow as a person and do his best in the world. It truly is a shame that his life was taken away from him in such a young age. Thaks Elliot, keep up with this great content and cheers from Brazil.

[@liamr194]

Dont allow the revisionists who have their own personal agenda to colour your view of anything. It says a lot that moralists aren't willing to forgive him but his ex wife and son, who are the only people whose views matter, did. A flawed person lived his life under the public gaze and made mistakes. Unlike others in the group - who also made mistakes - John wasn't as interested in playing the game. If moralists had their way, there would be no creativity, no activism, no change and no growth in the world. It would be a self-congratulatory loop of moral grandstanding.

[@danielebowman]

@@liamr194 That's a bit revisionist in itself, Lennon was a life long women beater and absolutely savage to his 1st wife and horrible to his 1st child. Yes he had his good points, and preached peace, but you can understand that one of his big character points wasn't "Oh he was complicated" but He was a self-absorbed hypocrite" without being particularly moralistic. Lennon was a smart, popular, witty and talented guy. But he wasn't nice to either of his wives and horrible to many of his friends.

[@liamr194]

@@danielebowman there's a lot of subjective bombastic use of adjectives there. "Savage to his first wife", within the context of you accusing him of being a life long woman beater - when he's on record raising his hand to one woman, on one occasion - is gross exaggeration. John has periods of treating Julian very good, when he was around, the " horrible" behaviour (not an adjective I'd use, but he certainly wasn't a good Father) came under the auspices of time spent with Yoko - who has admitted banning him from seeing Julian, making John change the Will to exclude Julian and then, after his Father died, tried to force him to buy his own items connected to John back from the estate. Many of the worst elements of John's relationship with Julian came under the stewardship of Yoko Ono. Yoko has never criticised John so I'm unsure how you can claim he wasn't nice to her, unless you know something we don't. The "horrible to his friends" is also subjective, although again I don't dispute he did some really crappy things - particularly directed at Paul - after the split. Worth remembering that Paul, though, wrote songs sneering at John too. And George was arguably more cutting and cruel, living in a material world is especially cruel on Paul. John admitted being a hitter, but there's only one verifiable example of it. So it's utterly unfair and borderline slander to claim he was "a woman beater". Cynthia also forgave John and spoke of her love for him after his death, as did Julian. Moral revisionism.

[@danielebowman]

@@liamr194 That's some revisionism. Most people who are cruel tot heir kids aren't abusive 100% of the time. And you claim others are provided moral revisionism here.

[@christopherhanley4807]

Like any other pacifist, Lennon thought he was pacifist.

[@eddiespike]

Absolutely loved this! Thanks for taking the time to make it. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and your impressions really helped me to explore, challenge and solidify my own. It also served as a healthy reminder that there are actually other people out there who love, admire, over analyse, constructively criticise, debate, theorise and ultimately stand in awe of,...the greatest band there ever was and most likely ever will be...The Beatles.

[@thebigfletch1885]

can’t wait for ranking george’s albums, really want some of his songs like all those years ago to have some light shone on them

[@numberonepun4126]

I am so glad I watched this, i've never heard of the song "How" until this and , not to turn this into me, but it's perfectly described how I've felt for the last 20 years of my life. To see someone as brilliant as John also dealing and expressing these feelings is really mind blowing to me. THANK YOU!!!

[@julias.6658]

OH MY GOD A CHRIS FLEMING REFERENCE Top quality stuff. I love how you bring young and old generations together through these videos, not treating us youngsters like we’re somehow lesser for not being “there, maaaan” like a lot of older Beatles fans do. I also commend your respect for Yoko. I agree that her screams are painful to listen to, but like you I think she’s not completely devoid of talent. If only she’d just toned down the caterwauling a litle bit…

[@michaelferreri1256]

I have to give you a lot of credit. This was a very fair, accurate and entertaining assessment of John Lennon's solo work. I found myself agreeing with on just about everything including the comparison of the portion of "Just Like Starting Over" with the Beach Boy's "Don't Worry Baby" (most of my friends thought I was crazy when I pointed that out). You were particularly kind when discussing the "Two Virgins, Wedding Album and Somewhere in New York City" efforts. You did an exceptional job and you are to be commended. Now it's on to your Paul McCartney analysis. Well done mate!

[@flaredrake8058]

Woke up, fell out of bed wondering if there would be a new Elliot Roberts video today. Pleasantly surprised! Today is a good day.

[@matthewmckibben]

Every time I’m like “it’s been a while since an Elliot Roberts video,” you go and release an amazing video like this. Well done. My ranking is basically the same with the top 2 albums flipped. Also, I listened to McCartney’s entire discography last year after your video. Might need to do that again with Lennon.

[@jamie1234562]

The amount of effort you've put in to going through these albums track by track is astonishing! So much more than just a simple worst to best list!

[@curiousgeorge7073]

I just found this channel, and I must say Elliot's review of Lennon provides a gut wrenchingly intimate, intelligent, and loving insight into John's music, his psychology, and the impact he had on the world. I hope this "documentary of sorts" won some kind of award, because it was beyond excellent.

[@normalguy4548]

Yes. I loved the Paul McCartney video and was hoping you would do John and George. I can’t wait to watch this video and for when you upload the George video. These videos are great for people who don’t know where to start with an Artists discography (like me)

[@farmbrough]

There's a lot I don't agree with on here (not least the ranking of the albums), but what I really appreciate is the fairness with which you've treated Yoko.

[@LiquidDemonsVIDS]

Excellent work, Elliot. Your love of The Beatles shines through the whole video. I too am a later generation Beatles fan and hold them in such high regard. I agree with you ranking JL/POB as his best album. It's really a killer. So raw. God gets me every time I hear it. Thanks again for a great walk down memory lane.

[@ewndr7940]

You did a fantastic job on your reviews on John's solo records. The far best I ever watched. Very profound and I like the personal feelings you show on some songs. Was a real pleasure till the last second. Thanks!

[@gregbocadella02]

Great list and thank you for bringing attention to Lennon’s solo career, which I feel is often overlooked due to how short it was. I’m glad you like Double Fantasy; it still seems to split fans but I find it to be a bittersweet conclusion to the stuff released in his life. It’s endlessly upsetting that he was killed when it seemed he finally felt content and reinvigorated. I listen to “Just Like Starting Over” and “Woman” all the time. We’ll never know how a 1980s Beatles reunion would’ve played out, but I fear it would’ve leaned too heavily into the tacky ‘80s trends that Harrison and McCartney fell into. I’m happy with Abbey Road being their last true collaboration, arguably their creative peak as well.

[@bonnielennnox]

another thoughtful & engaging video! so excited for an exploration of George's solo work :)

[@izzytepe]

"john lennon was trying to cancel john lennon" is such a great and true line

[@briane1116]

Walls & Bridges is absolutely my favorite John solo record and it’s great to hear it discussed in such detail. It usually gets glossed over or even unfairly criticized. But it’s John completely free; something we didn’t get much of during those solo years. It feels honest.

[@serpentinegallery]

1:22:50 I've actually never listened to this song or album, but that "Daddy come home" snippet just hit me hard. I love your videos, by the way; your passion is so infectious.

[@windscriesmary]

john’s music is something that feels so personal to me. i’ve heard time and time again that he was presumptuous and a hypocrite preaching about peace when he was a violent man himself, but i think it’s more complicated than that. like you pointed out, he felt so embarrassed by his past behavior, and wanted to be better and search for peace within himself. he was so angry throughout his life for good reason considering what he went through. but i imagine that gets exhausting after awhile, carrying that baggage around. he was incredibly honest in his writing which i will always have a strong appreciation for.

[@laurena9563]

Plastic Ono Band is such a visceral album- I remember hearing it at thirteen and not even meaning to cry, but just crying at the sheer pain evident throughout. John's Rock 'n' Roll album isn't life-changing, but it's definitely fun to play at parties/ for a pick-me-up- Slippin' and Slidin' is great. A fun listen if anyone's in the mood for straight shoot rock and roll. 🖤

[@Mia-rf1pu]

I love how the 2 minutes silence is one of the top 3 songs from the 2nd experimental album 😭😭

[@si-bo4gi]

Hi Elliot If you want to go more deeper into Mccartney/Lennon relationship you must see all volumes of "Understanding Lennon/Mccartney" The videos are from breathless345 and they are just gorgeous Totally recomended.

[@fromthepmparchivesandbeyond]

Greetings Elliot! Thank you for your fantastic work and insights on both Lennon’s and McCartney’s post Beatle albums.

[@jumpingthestylus263]

Walls & Bridges will always be my personal favourite! Such a fun, fantastic album and I never get bored of it.

[@jpetersgoyanks]

58:17 this is achingly beautiful to see all the love Paul had for John. It’s very clear why they got together, Paul had the love John needed.

[@michaelmcdonald8877]

When I was in a fraternity at Penn State in the late 70s and early 80s, I was the frat 's music guy since I had a great stereo system that I got when I was in the service. Yoko's "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss" was one of the most requested songs (along with the B-52's "Rock Lobster"). Good times!!!!

[@deanthomason6987]

Hi Elliot. I watched your Paul McCartney album review Visio which I loved. The review of John's albums is something else entirely. You have just nailed what John's albums mean to long term 56 yo Beatles fans like me and brought back the emotions of Dec 8 1980. Thanks for you wonderful insites. I think you nailed it.

[@macca9269]

Aaahh thank you so much for this!! Thanks for not only reviewing the albums and songs, but also giving little backstories to what was happening around that time, and his and Yoko’s relationship, and stuff with Paul; and for addressing the whole “John was abusive” thing and how silly it is that people are trying to cancel him when he died before he could fully defend himself. Love this!!!

[@Jethrofinger]

Glad to see there’s someone else out there that appreciates Yoko’s music. Her albums are pretty cool too. I’m tired of people attacking her. While I can’t defend every decision she’s made, I personally think she’s a badass.

[@molsen1132]

Absolutely agree. Especially Approximately Infinite Universe and Fly are fantastic. If you haven't heard the artist Anika's cover of Yang Yang definitely check it out, its actually what led me to dig into Yoko's solo releases.

[@chapter2unit4]

Why? is an incredible jam

[@mrsbluesky8415]

If she had left the screaming bits out we might’ve been more open to hearing the other stuff. As it was, I didn’t want to venture further but now can appreciate her other music.

[@SpiderPotterFan]

I Know I Know is actually quite sweet, being a song seemingly dedicated to Paul, basically saying "we are good, man". I can't help but love it

[@Chris-gp5yq]

Fantastic video Elliot! So much effort, this stuff is a Beatles nerds obsession. Love your channel. Just wanted to point out that Angel Baby and To Know Her actually surfaced earlier on John's 'Menlove Avenue' compilation which came out in 1986. This was well before the 2004 reissue/remaster of Rock N Roll.

[@davidletts83]

Milk and honey is so underrated imo. Double fantasy is my #2 pick and milk might be my #3. If rather than sharing the album with yoko one album was released with just his tracks from those sessions it would be of one the greatest albums of all time and easily surpass his debut for that #1 slot.

[@jesumlopez]

Dude when you busted out that Thundercat I had to make sure!! Respect brother! Your videos are very well done, awesome to know you can shred too!!

[@MiniflickATC]

The day Elliot does a Beatles Album ranking ow boy

[@pieterfranke]

Another great countdown video, loved the mccartney one also! Can’t wait for George’s version.

[@lanelannan7565]

I love these videos. I loved the Paul one, and going through John's songs was a treat. I am definitely looking forward to the George one, also maybe we could get a Ringo, Beatles or maybe even a Beach Boys one (love the Love and Mercy video btw) :)

[@curtandoscar]

Wow. Loved every minute of this long video. Excellent deep dive from start to finish. Can't imagine the amount of work and time you put into this! Thank you. Will continue to be a patreon supporter.

[@balongisland3065]

To Elliot: As a lifelong Beatle and John Lennon fan, I greatly enjoyed this analysis. Thanks for all your work, including the visuals. Agree wholeheartedly with your rating of Plastic Ono Band and Imagine as No. 1 and 2. And it's OK, you can give them both a 10 instead of a 9 1/2! If they don't rate a 10, I don't know what would (except for maybe All Things Must Pass, which is my favorite all-time album). Thanks again!

[@Paula-nh1sd]

I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER OF YOUR LENGTHY VIDEOS! Just yesterday I was thinking when would you upload your next video… here it is Such a good quality, I love your content… Thank you. You make this young beatles fan’s life much more enjoyable Already waiting for the next one

[@jamesb.9155]

Thank you so much for doing this! You really got it right about John Lennon being one of the world's greatest artist and best lyricist of them all. He gave the world and The Beatles his All, that changed the world. Just around the corner on Feb 18, is Yoko's 90th Birthday. Think of that. John was taken from us so so early . . .

[@woijg]

“I Know” I hear as a John apology song to Paul, “love you more than yesterday”, with the opening style akin to “I’ve got a feeling” and reference to “getting better”

[@AlexDeLarge1]

I really love the Ultimate Mixes from the Gimme Some Truth collection. They sound amazing. Happy Xmas (War is Over) really shines with the new mix, like the whole orchestra has been unfolded.

[@rogert.drolet-videosouveni2433]

Excellent portrait of John, his life, his work and his influence. Really good analysis. Bravo!

[@ErikGT]

This is something I have looked forward to!

[@wolfgangblack8035]

Loved all three of your Beatle's albums rankings. My rankings on all 3 would closely match yours. Thanks for these!

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

You just can't beat the raw emotion of Plastic Ono Band. If it doesn't give the need to cry or rage at some point you are dead inside. Aside from that, it has a lot of very catchy songs despite their intensity, and it's got Ringo on drums for crying out loud!

[@JamsandTea]

Been binging your videos to get through my shift and let me just say, excellent job man. These are such fantastic blends of analysis, history, and careful, tactful thought distilled into very entertaining videos. I enjoy these more than most documentaries I’ve seen on the Beatles, it’s just nice to have a personal edge in these that also clearly has a scholarly spin to it.