Gimme Some Truth (live vocal out-take)

Get IMAGINE (The Ultimate Collection) at Amazon → bit.ly/JL-UM-Am
Watch '1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything' on Apple TV+ → bit.ly/1971tytmce
⬇⬇⬇ABOUT GIMME SOME TRUTH⬇⬇⬇
John: Side Two (of the Imagine album) starts with “Give Me Some Truth” which is one I started a year or two back - probably in India. We wrote a lot there. It was an old lick that I had around a long time but I again changed the lyrics. I like the track because it sounds good but it didn’t get much attention, so it’s a personal track that I like the sound of. The guitars are good and the voice sounds nice and, you know, and it says whatever it says. George does a sharp solo with his steel finger (he’s not to proud of it - but I like it).
It’s about politicians, newspaper men and all the hypocrites of the world. And male chauvinists, it’s about them too. I think that music reflects the state that the society is in. There is nothing to hide. Not really. I mean, we all like to shit in private and we certainly have things we prefer to do in private, privately. But in general what is there to hide? I mean, what is the big secret?
I think it’s like this whole game of the press. When the whole drug thing came out about the Beatles, what actually happened was the press cornered Paul one day with the TV cameras and all the press and asked him, “have you taken LSD?” And he said “yes”. And they said, “don’t you think that you have a responsibility to society?” And he said, “yes I do, and so do you, so please don’t publish this or print it.” And they had it on every newscast that night with him saying, “please dont publish it.” Now what the hypocrisy of the press is like, what I was saying about the News Of The World is they’re always going on about other people’s responsibilities and pop stars selling sex to people when they’re the ones keeping the whole mill rolling. They have as much responsibility as us so called ‘stars’ and that was a prime example.
There was a famous picture of me in one of the Beatle Books and it said, ‘No phoney politician is ever going to get through to me.” That still stands, although I dabbled in so called “politics” in the late 60’s and 70’s. More out of guilt for being rich and guilty, thinking that maybe perhaps love and peace isn’t enough, that to have to go and get shot or something, or get punched in the face, to prove I’m one of the people.
I think our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. And I think that’s what I sussed when I was 16 and 12, way down the line. But I expressed it differently all through my life. I think we’re being run by maniacs for maniacal ends. If anybody can put on paper what our government and the American government etcetera and the Russian, Chinese - what they are actually trying to do, and what they think they’re doing, I’d be very pleased to know what they think they’re doing. I think they’re all insane but I’m liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That’s what’s insane about it.
Somebody comes along with a good piece of truth and instead of the truth being looked at, they look at the person that brought it. It’s like when the bad news comes, they shoot the messenger. When the good news comes, they worship the messenger and they don’t listen to the message - whether it be Christianity, Mohammadism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Marxism, Maoism, everything. It’s always about the person and never about what they said.
My function in society is to be an artist. The artist’s function is to be as true to himself (and therefore the people he communicates with through his art) as he can, and survive. Art is a functional part of society. If you don’t have artists, you don’t have society. We’re not some kind of decadent strip show that appears on the side. We’re as important as prime ministers or policemen.
Register to Vote. If you register to vote, it doesn’t mean you have to vote. At least you have it. And then if there’s somebody around that you can believe in, you’ve got that vote. But if you don’t register and it comes, and you wanna do something, you’ve missed it. Because there’s one inch in which we breathe differently between the two parties. And everybody’s saying they’re all the same. They are all the same, but there’s one inch in which they let you breathe.
John Lennon: Electric guitars
and vocals
George Harrison: Lead electric slide guitar
Nicky Hopkins: Electric piano
John Tout: Steinway Upright Piano
Klaus Voormann: Bass
Alan White: Drums
Rod Lynton & Andy Davis: Acoustic guitars
Produced by John & Yoko and Phil Spector
Engineers: Phil McDonald and Eddie Klein, Ascot Sound Studios
Recorded 25 May 1971
Master Vocal and slide guitar solo recorded 28 May 1971
Find out more: johnlennon.com

[@mrspaolina1]

John had a great voice. A song that's more relevant than ever. I miss John. He was a beautiful soul

[@tjcint]

@Leila, he was the most beautiful soul .. there has never been anyone like him and there never will be ....

[@CartersRemasters]

It was more relevant in watergate, post watergate America, I’m not saying it is not relevant, but to claim more relevant then ever is ridiculous.

[@tjcint]

@@CartersRemasters Not true. Conditions in America have deteriorated markedly.

[@natashka8880]

We need him today, more than ever.

[@tjcint]

@@natashka8880 I agree.

[@kevanbrown7620]

Love this. Lennon really angry and spitting out lines directed at politicians, warmongers and liars. Go Johnny Go.

[@ellisharmon6912]

Great slide solo from George!

[@andykindon2172]

George was absolutely killing it during these sessions

[@pibonacoblancasuarez8252]

That's not George this is John Lennon 🤬

[@pibonacoblancasuarez8252]

George is the guy with the moustache

[@andykindon2172]

@@pibonacoblancasuarez8252 The slide guitar solo is George Harrison 😊. He played on several tracks on the imagine album.

[@marymcclunglaw5342]

Sweet mention! ❤️❤️❤️

[@oinotnamac]

John Lennon & George Harrison... perfect match!

[@DhruvMalikk]

So saddening that there were so many legendary songs that he would have written or were in his head that we missed out on.

[@chezzachezza7325]

@@puppytacos3769 so agree but that Why give that evil Rat basterd a name IT KILLED JOHN

[@alonsoquirosgranados7568]

@@chezzachezza7325 that's true that escoria only wanted fame so please do not name that shit of human

[@sammcivor1885]

His last album had wonderful songs like Woman, Beautiful Boy and Just Like Starting over That scumbag chapman robbed us of so much great music

[@alonsoquirosgranados7568]

@@drivefarawayy indeed bro!

[@alonsoquirosgranados7568]

@@drivefarawayy it did bro don't know why

[@prikov1]

That guitar solo is just so addictive...I can listen to it 100 times a day and never get tired of it.

[@matildah7374]

ME TOO 👍👍👍

[@janaparoubkova5895]

​@@matildah7374Přidávám se 😁✌️

[@garycastellitto2785]

Guitar solo is George Harrison.

[@2JorgeBeat]

George Harrison on slide guitar.

[@charlotteholmes3056]

I am from Brazil, and I just was two years old when John Lennon passed away, but I feel that I have known him all my life. I call it the power of music!!! Lennon was (is) the great genius of his generation!!! 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@Anderson19699]

Excelente comentário!

[@pedrobrazil1222]

Penso o mesmo Charlotte. John Lennon Forever

[@kristen8101]

I was two as well when he died. Sometimes I think how sad it is that I only shared the Earth with him for just two years before he was brutally taken away.

[@ulyssesparado2743]

That guttural voice of John...is legendary rock and roll inflection.......no one can! missing john!...and George's slide guitar....pure hypnosis!

[@sivlee8909]

If only John wasn't assassinated, he would certainly see how far his music came from the 1960s to 2021 - 61 years so far.

[@connoroleary591]

I NEVER thought I'd be one to say this on social media, but the tears are running down my face 😢

[@shairahnatalieh7774]

the song is as relevant as ever

[@hippydippy]

A lot more the past 4 years. lol

[@Lydiavandenmeerendonk55Youtube]

@@hippydippy Who are you??

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Isn't it just

[@barbedbeggar5520]

It was much more corrupt back then

[@Lydiavandenmeerendonk55Youtube]

@@barbedbeggar5520 your not okay nothing corrupt look what you White, but not to my youtube Chanel.

[@mehreentasnim7129]

John's voice is absolute bliss

[@Dmplivemail]

He lived, he wrote, he sang and that should be enough. Everybody must die someday, there's no guarantee that we will live till 80 yo. Instead of focusing on the death part of his life, i choose to appreciate the fact that he lived and made great music.

[@dare2share207]

Thank you! Your post made me cry in a 'good' way.

[@6strings5904]

Great slide work from George!!!

[@jayzhead]

"Live Out-Take", omg. I do a lot of work as a recording engineer, and this complete, uninterrupted live outtake is better than 99.8% of final takes by people recording nowadays - takes that are painstakingly compiled, literally phrase by phrase, from countless takes recorded in ideal conditions with unlimited interruptions, do overs, punch-ins and post recording autotune fixes. And here you have John walking up to the mic and belting out a better take complete, and then probably goes on to record an even better one on the next go.

[@dallajohnsonalvarez4598]

John lennos también hacia eso, en el mismo documental de este disco se le ve eligiendo partes de distintas tomas para las canciones

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Don't we all need a little more truth. Lennon's songs are timeless, which is what genius is all about.

[@paolina28]

Gimme Some Truth's lyrics are more relevant than ever. One of my favorites ever. I love John and I miss him so much. Forever in my heart❤️

[@rakemara98]

This man, right there, is the closest thing to perfection that’d ever existed.

[@Chthonian101]

This song just hits all the right notes, gives me goosebumps, it gets better the more you listen to it, what a beautiful melody!

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

There are "cancel culture" people who want to call John out on his abusive and angry behavior during his younger years, but John has always admitted he was a flawed human being, and he regretted much of his nasty side in many Beatle and Post-Beatle interviews. He was trying to atone for his actions by becoming a peace activist, not hiding them. There is a marked difference. His words are all out there, and thankfully for us all, they are more relevant than ever.

[@allright6578]

Great comment. I'd also say that almost all things about John Lennon is exaggerated. For an example, his relationship with Cynthia, everyone when trying to killing John Lennon's reputation or show his "dark side" talks about it. So let's get started. People use to argue that he beat up his wife. And that's true, it's a terrible thing. But he apologized to her 1 mln times. But one thing those people don't know, is she forgave him in an interview. I know, it doesn't take away the fact he did it. But he admitted that, and he made what he said he would do, which is he would never touch her again. The end. He improved at this point. I don't think people should hate him for that since Cynthia herself said about it, and forgave him. In short, water under the bridge.

[@halloweenjack95]

I really wish more people would actually be as open minded about it as you. Its okey to criticise what john has done in the past. But it's dumb to cancel him. At least try to see the "whole picture".

[@allright6578]

@@halloweenjack95 Exactly, criticise is different of hating or canceling

[@chezzachezza7325]

@@allright6578 stop using the word BUT there’s no excuse to beat a women ! zero excuse women and children suffer at the hands of men stop ✋ making excuses he was a singers in a bad ... ( a legendary Band ) they made music didn’t cure the sick and have you heard how Lennon talked about sick deaf blind kids

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

@@halloweenjack95 There's definitely a lot of "selective criticism" out there. And against those who aren't here to defend themselves.

[@AtomSubs]

I miss you John, You were wonderful There will never be another genius like you

[@frankhornby6873]

Just one other genius you seem to have forgotten......SIR PAUL McCARTNEY......✌🏻

[@AtomSubs]

@@frankhornby6873 Paul really is a genius, he's the best after Lennon

[@pibonacoblancasuarez8252]

@@AtomSubs Lennon is the best, then David Bowie, then Lou Reed and then McCartney

[@pibonacoblancasuarez8252]

@@frankhornby6873 number one is Lennon forever, then David, then Lou and finally paul

[@dare2share207]

@@frankhornby6873 Well, Paul McCartney happens to still be alive, thank God! I really doubt that McCartney was forgotten by the one who posted above you.

[@user-un5uw4os6y]

This song of John becomes my favorite.I am 53 year old now and started to become addicted listening to the BEATLES when I was just 10 years old.This is just the first time hearing this song...I LOVE IT!

[@bigsidable]

Got tears in my eyes. John was a Social Rebel. What he sung about. Truth.

[@findingnino]

All Johns songs are GREAT!!!

[@guitarZonerocks]

that's the truth

[@shobhitbose1962]

Genius at work

[@ericacope7984]

Raw lennon brilliant miss this guy so much

[@bluesriot2]

powerful words , amazing music , a desert island tune , john you were a force of nature , not sure why you left us so young , of course there is the official story , but who knows anymore what to believe

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Over 41 years later, I still can’t fully accept that he’s gone. What an amazing song and an amazing talent.

[@bigjoy7794]

yup. me too.

[@LoyalOpposition]

The greatest rapper ever. Also funnier than 99% of comedians.

[@jsanti725_Offl]

The great John , this one is a master piece... RIP bro..🙏👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@manfredodelauro]

Wow, he is great, man! He really is...

[@solitaryjewel307]

holy shit that voice- 😍😍

[@devjitpatra1647]

Watching this video makes me feel like I'm watching him live in the studio.

[@bonzo7268]

You were watching him live in the studio.

[@rohit5857]

Even though I was born in late 90s, but the day I started listening to The Beatles, I have been listening to them and John every day and they always gonna be my favorite band and I loved my time when visited Liverpool city and I am glad they have preserved everything connected to them.❤

[@diegoignaciogalvezflores8193]

Everything about John Lennon is automatically beautiful

[@gustavojosuegarciaflores872]

almost everything about john is good except his wife

[@rummzeiss]

Just like his relationship with Julian

[@JimmyBergman7]

He is probably in hell now.

[@mrspaolina1]

@@JimmyBergman7 What a stupid comment

[@fredgien]

@@JimmyBergman7 Why would you think that? John was a flawed person, just as nearly all of us. But with his talent he gave the world his music and for me that’s enough for a place in heaven!

[@adrianburn7178]

So great to see this, fifty years later.

[@erikswed]

John Lennon, We miss him Peace & Love from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@mod6028]

A masterpiece!!

[@abbeyroad3657]

Wow, man, you look like his son, Julian

[@lucasaguiar4142]

I'm 32 years old and i'm never tired to listen to this beautiful Song!!!!!🤘🤘🤘

[@julianocastor549]

Ouço desde 1993

[@evukelectricvehicles]

Jeez - it's far, far more than just "beautiful", amigo!! It's a beautiful song about the filthy people who lead us and mis-lead us towards Armageddon. There's nothing beautiful about that ugly prospect. Lennon lived and died trying to warn us and wake up the world. Paul G

[@MIKE5336]

John is a legend ❤️

[@natashka8880]

OMG. He is so great here and this song is as relevant as ever. The world needs him so much. Cannot get enough of this tune, his voice, all of it. Can you imagine what he'd be doing/singing/protesting today? He'd make a difference, as always.

[@johnparton2209]

Out of all brilliant songs that John recorded this is my number 1, 50 years old and still sounds great

[@stevebiesiada6338]

John Lennon Forever, My Favorite, a genius, I Miss Him, Steve

[@alishawasthi8837]

We all miss him 🥺

[@jessicacosiguitar]

Genius!! We miss you John ❤️

[@danielmelo7146]

"Absolutely extraordinary!"

[@AP-zv3gg]

This is Gold!

[@Andrew-tx9jy]

With George on the guitar it is a Beatles song in all but name, nice to see that they could still get along.

[@DamienHortonMusic]

We are sadly still waiting for that truth. RIP John - You were a huge inspiration for me and millions more...

[@jimperfectjim]

42 years gone today. R.I.P. to a legend.

[@IWannatalkpodcast]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mmwoody5]

This is a truly phenomenal piece of rock n roll

[@russellsharpley7926]

And these vocals are live!! all you AGT, BGT, Pop idol and Voice singers listen to this and learn.. you will be listening to a musical genius …

[@stevewuertz3598]

Now, more than ever, Just Gimme Some Truth.

[@TurtleManOfficial]

He and his music and legacy are more significant and valuable every year that passes. This is extremely rare and difficult to find in any artist. A unique gem for human race.

[@johnny_yjdeng9384]

Until now, I can't found another Band can compare with Beatles, at lease in pop and commercial.

[@thehunter3387]

Beatles is rock n roll band not pop

[@julianciahaconsulting8663]

absolutely brilliant vocals

[@dmgallen]

Breathtaking. He could really belt out the words!

[@saschaschumann4231]

It is like Happy Xmas (War is over)... Another song of his which will last forever.

[@xrpvegas5407]

Absolutely fascinating to watch him live

[@tageschance5501]

I understand you deeply from inside, John! Working class hero is something to be!!!❤️love you 🌸

[@judithgoulding8046]

He had the ingenius way to get a point across so brilliantly in lyrics. Always powerful and always with meaning.

[@oscarbrody762]

Hello Judith, how are you doing today?

[@p.ot.at.o2317]

We need more people like him 😔🤞

[@kangalic]

what a voice!!!! Best singer of the Beatles!!

[@herbmaaster]

wish this man was still around yet he would be so weary of the world as it is today

[@travisthornton1792]

ICONIC

[@coleenrudolph5807]

This was great watching this. And the message is still strong today. ❤️🙏🏻🎤🎼

[@nancyrobinson9448]

Yeah, today!

[@Biancabenoist]

I Remember Love John!

[@claudiogonzalez4027]

Great John!!! What voice!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@oscarbrody762]

Hello Claudio, how are you doing today?

[@user-mq5yn2ck9h]

World is full of fools! Love you John

[@bloome12free]

I’ve always admired John’s musical genius as well as his insight into the worlds movement. I’m blessed to have been raised in the 60’s when The Beatles first arrived on the music scene. They will always be my number one musical love

[@stevewilliams5130]

Brilliance 😁

[@LeavesThatAreGreen2024]

John you are the truth.

[@michaelbarrett6310]

Absolute legend sadly missed by generations

[@alyelinxd4816]

simply magnificent

[@johnmccann8319]

Brilliant John!!!💚

[@stefaniagiustini269]

Buongiorno John, questa è la sesta volta che stamani ascolto questo brani. Mi da la carica stavo ballando. Un bacio dalla tua fan

[@thomasizzo3191]

How blessed I (we) were to have had him in the 20th century. His music will live on for generations long after we have gone to our afterlife. So tragic such a wonderful soul had to leave this life so violently.

[@veronicaruiz9415]

Desde Argentina siempre haciendo el aguanté al genio de la música aunque no esté su música y su espíritu sigue vivo con todos nosotro sus fans 👏✌😍

[@lytvande]

Fantastic this clip!

[@yougotredonyou5584]

So many years on. Yet he still remains just as relevant, poignant and timeless. Easily the coolest guy to have ever lived. They broke the mould when they made this one.

[@cwilson6990]

John his Music will Always be with us ❤️ A Legend True Genious Loved his Voice the Best of all Beatles God bless him 🙏❤️

[@littlemissblackdress7587]

I can appreciate the greatness of all of them, too bad you can't.

[@creamsaroyan7358]

Get it Johnny!♥️🎶😃

[@Fishhead217]

Pure genius!

[@bobbievasco6915]

U r never going to be forgotten love u remembered watching the football game that was on when you were shot.....I didn't believe it was just a kid but loved Monday night football 💙❤😉♥😀💕

[@RosarioNahu]

one of the magic things about Lennon is how quintessentially Lennon he could be; this song would be so boring if it were played by any other singer. However John had a way to convey such a wide range of emotions in his songs, his singing was just incredible. Another song like this is Mind Games, just the same chorus over and over, but Lennon just makes it work somehow.

[@mitchmcturtle6890]

Mind games is a great song regardless of who’s singing it

[@RosarioNahu]

@@mitchmcturtle6890 well I dont mean only his voice. His arrangements and melody where very catchy.

[@IWannatalkpodcast]

The greatest of all the greats

[@peachogonzalez9669]

Truth is timeless, isn't that what makes us stronger. It's how you mix it with, when words hurt they are usually true 😂😂😂😂

[@thebassplayerclara]

what a legend!!

[@rosamercedesvalderrama3410]

Beautiful soul, beautiful man. Lennon 4ever!!!!

[@markdavis1611]

Hi Rosa

[@leenab1328]

If one fails to work towards truth he misses the purpose of living ❤❤ Sir John Lennon ❤❤

[@markdavis1611]

Hi Leena

[@igsigsolutions5248]

What if it's just "John Lennon"?. No "titles" would do. Just the name.

[@mariocamarillo2294]

Beautiful at it's best

[@carlosperez-mananet8063]

Absolutely touched by this song and john lennon performance

[@jamesb.9155]

I love the beautiful passionate feeling quality of many of John's works, like this one!

[@reuvenzadik2443]

Many people Praise or even know only the usual "Imagine" but he made lot of great and deep songs..This is one of these..Not only a great musician but a unique genius..Miss u John..

[@darlenewadkins3755]

He was the best miss him

[@geraldhills41]

Still true today !

[@marchandelman5176]

OMG This is just so apropos. Like it was written for now!

[@tiedyemanatee9291]

Fuckin POWERHOUSE performance. Legend!!!

[@juliefarrell3957]

So much love ❤️

[@thebassplayerclara]

Legendary Lyrics

[@MinaCaputo]

One of the most relevant songs ever written. More relevant than ever.