Incredibly brave | First time hearing JOHN LENNON - GOD REACTION

[@bufordteejustice1119]

"God is a concept by which we measure our pain." What a line. Just poetry.

[@ejb5034]

What truth!

[@johnwedgbury6817]

That line is as great and insightful as anything dylan put down.

[@lhcarter]

That’s not what God is, if it were John would have been a believer. Because he had plenty of pain.

[@richardhayter9206]

Absolutely, sums up religion and why many people need it in a single perfectly formed line. Another great line comes at the end "I just believe in me. Yoko and me. And thats reality."

[@bkfw000]

I believe Plastic Ono Band is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. I have been listening to it for decades and it never fails to overwhelm.

[@mattshaw6180]

"I was the Walrus, but now I'm John." That last verse still takes my breath away, fifty years later. It was a good-bye. Thanks for going here, Harri.

[@TheSchuyler75]

in Glass Onion he says Paul was the Walrus which confuses me

[@dannygriffith6185]

@@TheSchuyler75 ...Glass Onion lyrics were just throw away lines, meant to confuse the critics. He was the man in the walrus suit...so "God" is reality. He WAS the walrus, now he's John.

[@papercup2517]

@@TheSchuyler75 Just another line tossed out for the conspiracy theorists - of whom there were many - who loved to speculate about whether or not Paul was really dead and had been replaced by an (extraordinarily musically talented actor and eerily similar looking) imposter. A student hoax got them all searching for 'clues' in lyrics and an album covers. Some continue with this ridiculous pursuit to this day. John was just yanking their chain!

[@monkmchorning]

It was just a song. Don't believe in it.

[@Philtration]

He was peeling away every thing or person he admired, hated or was indifferent to throughout his life trying to get down to just John.

[@hollyandtheev6519]

The most honest, raw, brave song by any popular musician ever. And the vocal performance is absolutely incredible. A genius.

[@andythrush3341]

Very intense song. John is opening his soul to the world here. Simple song with great lyrics.

[@richardgratton7557]

Just from a music standpoint this is a great song. The piano is excellent. Then you add the lyrics and the way he sings it, the echo on the voice. Then the buildup of the « I don’t believe » part, then the silence after he says « Beatles »…and ends it with « The dream is over ». Powerful song.😥 The genius of John Lennon.🥰

[@davidclarke9783]

John was Half Irish he was very extravert when it came to his beliefs and wore his heart on his sleeve,, the Irish have a love affair with words and John knew it. R.I.P.

[@eviekelpie1]

The day I first heard this song at a very young age, especially, "I just believe in me"... I said to myself, Yes, that's exactly how I feel. It was such a powerful moment. Thank you John. Love you forever♥️

[@lawrencesmith6536]

the last verse still chokes me up, 50 years later

[@rodneygriffin7666]

I still miss John Lennon. I was only 15 when he was murdered. He was my hero. 😓.

[@nomchompsky2883]

I was 14... and i remember when i heard it. my mother was visiting a friend and i hung out in the car, listening to the radio when they interrupted to say he'd been murdered. i loved the Beatles and even then i could tell he and i were kindred spirits compared to the rest of the beatles...

[@lindakinninger5500]

The Zimmerman he doesn’t believe in is Bob Dylan.. his real last name is Zimmerman..this whole album is some of his best solo work… Isolation is great. There is also a video of John and Yoko’s son,Sean, singing Isolation for John’s birthday last year. It’s really interesting to listen to both

[@sharonpate5481]

Johnny Depp has a cover of “Isolation” that’s pretty cool ☮️♥️😎

[@melaniesmith2917]

Love how unconventional the song is. Very brave, raw and honest. And his vocals, as always, are so beautiful. When he says.."I once was the Walrus, but now I'm John.." it breaks your heart. A song of goodbyes...

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Even today I’m sick of hearing of politicians talking about god. It’s also a lesson in our celebrity-obsessed society to be our own heroes.

[@BlandBandit]

The dream is over is in reference to the idealism of the 60's

[@debbiechang5781]

John was brutally honest in this song. It’s raw and powerful and just painfully honest. I’m disturbed by its message because sometimes it’s easier to hide and this song removes all of my hiding places. I love him for the truth. I want to cling to “the dream”! The world, in its current state, makes it pretty difficult. Thanks for this Harri. ❤️✌️🌺✌️

[@riccardoriva6183]

Why "honest"?

[@monkmchorning]

It lays bare John's unvarnished feelings. It is only about John's feelings.

[@nickaquila6031]

When Lennon said "The Dream is Over, & So Dear Friends you just have to carry on " That was basically saying that The Beatles are No More as well as telling the fans to get over it and move on

[@Louis19566]

Right after 'I don't believe in Elvis', he said 'I dont believe in Zimmerman' (meaning Bob Dylan). After that he said 'I don't believe in Beatles'.

[@AP-gb3eh]

The Dream is Over breaks my heart every time, always has. Then he was murdered and it broke me in a new way ☮️

[@lynnettegoodson414]

Ya had to be there. He was branded a Communist, an Atheist, a drug addict, the FBI had an open file on him. They tried to deport him. All because he spoke the truth. He was looking for the truth. Beautiful soul. His story makes me so sad. He traveled such a long, painful road. People loved him. Didn't realize his pain, just wanted more from him. And when he finally found peace and love in his life......gunned down like a dog in the street. Bless you, Johnny. Rest in Peace.

[@270yis7]

I feel that ten years later, "(Just Like) Starting Over" was a partial repudiation of this song. I believe that shortly before he died, John made peace with his past and was more open to embracing his Beatles past.

[@stickaround7990]

Indeed, the song had a nostalgic feel or sound to it, I felt there was some subconscious Beatles sound to that song. especially when he sings the lyrics "its been so long since we took the time" which is quite McCartney sounding.

[@davidstenton4365]

*Harri* obviously based on prior commented videos and of course the one on your reaction to Working Class Hero, I am SOOO pleased you reacted to this.! It's John's way of letting the world know where he was at when it was made.! The unique thing is at one point and time he believed each of the religions or people mentioned.! Having tried *EVERYTHING FROM THE OUTSIDE* he finally realised it's about knowing ones self, knowing YOU create the change in YOU.! Thank You my friend for this one *MOST ESPECIALLY* David .....

[@hw343434]

Boom, this is what John was really living and talking about right here

[@stephenbarrass7496]

Great again pal, I am actually not familiar with this song, but think it was as deep as John has gone. Still hoping for his "Cold Turkey" Heroin addiction withdrawal portrayal

[@rogerlunde8668]

Greil Marcus said:" Lennons vocal on the end of God is the best in Rock ever."

[@PeterBuwen]

The song was released on his first solo album in 1970. I think when he sings "the dream is over" this is mainly a sign of resignation after the bad 'divorce' of the Beatles. I am not so sure he would have repeated these words five or ten years later. But I could be wrong.

[@anthonytermini3267]

John was simple, he was one of us Love you John ...

[@emander8340]

One of my favorite ever songs by anyone, ever. What a song! Please consider the Imagine documentary, you'll love it pal. Thanks for doing this one. Any Bowie would be really cool too

[@stephanielane1821]

I feel John was very vulnerable, and was from a young age. He was hitting back at life, coz he did actually love Elvis, he said as a young man he wanted to be like Elvis. So what he said he didn't believe in was just him hitting back at life. God bless John, God bless the Beatles, and God bless you 💖

[@Jonni1027]

Oh Harri, that’s one crazy system they’ve set up for you reactors! So when you want to appeal when they block one of your videos you have to wait 30 days?! Well thank you for doing whatever needs to be done in order to provide us with your very fun reactions!☺️❤️

[@dalem8332]

Another excellent VERY honest song from John. ♥️🎼🎵🎶🇨🇦

[@kenchristie9214]

John referred to this song as the " I Don't Believe Song" in his very last interview.

[@altar964]

A unique and unrepeatable LP. A truly absolute masterpiece. Never heard anything more profound and sincere.

[@RicoBurghFan]

More like he was saying goodbye to the Beatles, but yes definitely prescient.

[@BabbleBebble]

Now, any song at that time was like a write himself on his own diary open for all listeners...

[@jameskennedy721]

The song has even more impact now , with John Lennon a victim of violence . Not everyone even remembers the details .

[@TheSchuyler75]

Still heartbroken we lost this beautiful soul way too early 🙏🦋🌈🌞🌻💜

[@alfredoramirez1022]

More lennon pls...im losing you..power to the people...stand by me..

[@rockblock138]

Thank you for finally getting around to this track, Harri! This is one my favorite Lennon songs, if not my absolute favorite. "God" by John Lennon is practically an open letter to Beatles fans as well as an ardent proclamation of his emancipation from all the fanaticism. Over the span of John's career up until that point, so many aspects of his life had been deified and became the standard by which he measured his losses. So he essentially equated God as a pedestrian myth that is seemingly revered most when a person is in dire need, meanwhile taken for granted in moments of joy. He then lists off ideas, institutions, practices, and people who have been held up quite high at some point or another. In this song he's effectively stripping himself of all that weight and expressing his immense relief. He invites everyone to move on from the dream of Beatlemania and just let him be John for the sake of himself and his wife Yoko.

[@walterpanovs]

Ringo on drums and Billy Preston on grand piano. (1970)

[@spicy321]

And Klaus Voorman on bass. The stark instrumentation let's John's message come right through.

[@walterpanovs]

Yes, John's old German art school friend also played with George and Ringo on their solo albums and developed a reputation as a great session player for a number of major artists through the '70s. (His ominous bass riff opening Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" is a standout among his contributions to hit records.)

[@timstrobel7828]

What you got... Definitely a John rocker. Off the Walls and Bridges album. Thanks Harri.❤👊

[@newcastlerabbit]

The dream is over, fantastic lyric.

[@jeffpickell2313]

I love your smile at the end. Real is real.

[@livesalone]

Harri, it was like him saying goodbye... when he died they played this and I completely lost it. The words, "The dream is over" hit like a punch in the stomach. It felt like our dreams of peace and love and freedom died with him and we had no hope of being able to carry on without him. Maybe if he had died of cancer or some kind of slow death from a progressive illness we could have been a bit prepared but his deliberate, violent death just destroyed our dream. Fourty- four years later and I still tear up when I hear his songs. Thanks for doing this song, it still means a lot..

[@blackjuju5154]

To think that the line-up of this song is; John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, and Klaus Voormann (a friend from Germany). Then produced by Phil Spector. Incredible.

[@oldsensei8350]

There us no other way yo say it this guy was such a genious so talented and brilliant whether you agreed with him or not........

[@sharonpate5481]

John stirred up a lot of controversy when he said in an interview that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. The thing is, I was a teenage girl and I think he was right! That’s how much we loved the Beatles!! ☮️♥️😎

[@Xcris_crosX]

He was right. We were always talking about the Beatles, our favorite performance, how adorably silly they were, their newest song, who was cuter, etc... Jesus was mentioned on Sunday mornings

[@peterklutinoty244]

Wow....I never thought of it that way (saying GOODBYE in 1970) and I'm a HUGE Beatle fan! Thank you, Hari (Krisna).

[@hustonpiner4283]

This song brought tears to my eyes when I first heard in 1970, and again ten years later.

[@lgeyser1]

Still to this day, every time I hear it.

[@cha0tr0pic]

John's singing is so fucking incredible in this... it's such a rock voice, but so utterly tender & exposed & raw. Genuinely spinetingling.. what a voice

[@hungfao]

This song and the entire album manifested from a lot grievances John had at the time. He'd been locked into a band that he originally wanted to leave in 1966 and a mythical image that persists even until today. The song makes it clear that he is no longer a Beatle and that there is no more Beatles. He was pretty harsh but eventually softened his stance in later years. Still, a completely fascinating album.

[@hw343434]

Thanks for reacting to this epic song Harri! Please react to “#9 Dream”-musically, melodically and production wise the best John Lennon song in my opinion, based on a dream he had

[@rogerlunde8668]

One of Rock-music gratest albums!

[@comedyriff5231]

Even though Lennon is considered a big genius, I don´t think we understand how brilliant he was. He was on another level, so ahead of his time.

[@nenushka]

In 1966 John made the statement that "the Beatles are more popular than Jesus" and he was forced to apologize for the sake of the business. But he felt that he betrayed himself. This time in 1970 he couldn't care less what people would think.

[@davidclarke9783]

Even today The Lads from Liverpool are fresh and loved by millions around the World John Lennon was the only real outspoken Writer of my generation he was the King of counter coulter in the UK & Ireland..

[@glass2467]

the bravest, most honest, and, and, and.

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

Great reaction Harri. I’ve always love this song and the whole album.😀👍❤️✌️🌼

[@bkswanson2461]

Powerful and Profound, I love this song Words hold such insight, thank you John You're still so missed always and forever!! ♡♡♡

[@roberth6009]

"The dream is over", I believe refers to Beatlemania, and the group of four working together. I practically grew up with them in my ears. So upon hearing of their separation was just stunning. Though I must say, there were rumors that the breakup was circulating. One other thing. They were so prolific. Even almost as soon as they broke up. There new individual pieces of music appeared. And so an album from Paul. An album from George. An album from John. An album from Ringo. It turned out quite pleasant. It would have been nice to have had them together once more after years of separation. Two of the members may have played together from time to time. And that was as close as you will get, live. Praise the Lord, we have their recordings. That we live in an era where recordings can happen. Timeless music for the ages.

[@edwardkennelly677]

We go to God when we hurt and forget about him when we feel good. But John never knew that God is no concept. He is the only reason we exist. What we do with our lives is up to us. God gives us the freedom to choose

[@User_gin_927untileternity]

That was typical John Lennon in the raw! I have to try to figure out how to join. I don't use Paypal. Will turn the problem over to my son, the masterful geek squad~Thanks, Gin :)

[@MrLittlelud4]

By then it had subsided , this reminds me of 'Mother'.

[@lipby]

Liberating yourself from the shackles of primitive belief systems is spiritual growth

[@vashna3799]

Lennon believed in reality, as we all should.

[@anthonys.2365]

Gimme Some Truth, How Do You Sleep, Sunday Bloody Sunday, You are Here, I Know (I Know), Going Down on Love…there are so many!

[@nomchompsky2883]

the song was a goodbye to the millions of beatles fans who hoped upon hope they might one day reunite.

[@malkamusik]

The band U2 wrote a response to this song befittingly titled God Part II. Definitely worth a listen.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Wow

[@southernwanderer7912]

This is one of my favorite John Lennon songs. He was mad at everything and everyone during this time, especially Paul. He no longer believed in some things he actually loved in the past, including Elvis. In an early interview, John said every Beatle wanted to be Elvis. This is what I call John's anger period. Around this time, he also did a lengthy "Rolling Stone" interview that was turned into a book, which I have. He was a very angry man in that interview. You should really listen to Lennon's "Cold Turkey." It's a revealing song about quitting his heroine addiction, cold turkey.

[@mikefetterman6782]

He got the point across enough to most that this is a song about just focusing on the things in YOUR life. You are your own personal savior, only family and friends are important, and to make the most of the present instead of the past or a possible heavenly future some other time.

[@mikefetterman6782]

This song and ISOLATION are my two favorite Lennon songs lately.

[@VoluntaryistJapan]

Your comment about Yoko, lol, perfect. I think he found someone who he felt truly accepted him for him, in her, as well.

[@VoluntaryistJapan]

But the main guy - the only guy to believe in - is ourselves. That is the connection to "God."

[@jeffreykennedy1266]

Yes, your reaction to ‘Cold Turkey’ would be interesting… 😁

[@jvs333]

After hearing this song when it first came out I was a young 17 yr old I became a lifelong atheist. Still am thank you John

[@futurereflections4097]

Atheism is cringe. John wasn’t an atheist. He was spiritual, just didn’t subscribe to any religion.

[@meliora99]

@@futurereflections4097 He seems to be either atheist or deist. No atheism is not cringe, it's literally the neutral position

[@jasontouvi858]

John, The Beatles, and the world needed to get over The Beatles' breakup. He says, "I don't believe in Elvis, I don't believe in Zimmerman (i.e. Bob Dylan), I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me." Lennon knew he was in the same caliber as Elvis and Bob...The two people who had the fame he did. What a song and emotive push to tell his truth.

[@SebGeddy]

The best song from his first solo outfit, the whole album is raw and honest, as was the man himself who had balls for sure (pardon my french 🤣). Plenty of great songs in it: Mother, Isolation, Working Class Hero, Well Well Well...

[@victoria2050nin]

The Plastic Ono Band album is very intense....It makes me cry, especially the song Mother....

[@oliveramilicevic1669]

For some, this is Lennon's first album - the best album. I suggest the following songs from that album : Mother, I Found Out, Isolation, Remember, Love.

[@fredhall6525]

"Mother" is a remarkable song.

[@paulvaultguy]

The World was SHOCKED when the Beatles broke up, and there was widespread speculation and hope they would get back together in the time after. This song ended a lot of that speculation, the fans had to confront it.

[@hogarth2011]

What he was saying what a lot of us were thinking and it's only those that didn't want to believe what was saying was true, though they knew that it was true hated the song

[@TedLenn0n]

I recommend Grow Old With Me from his Milk and Honey album, and Beautiful Boy from Double Fantasy. By 1980 he was singing God Bless our love, and say a little prayer.

[@HassanRadwan133]

Love John Lennon ❤️ He was knocking down all the things we take as idols - including the Beatles. But if I were to try to see into John's mind when he wrote these words I would say he was expressing his hurt. His angst. A comment on the shallowness of life. He actually loved Elvis btw as a youngster. He also admired Dylan (Zimmerman) and flirted with many of the spiritual paths he mentions. But ultimately he was left unsatisfied and sceptical. He saw so many of these things turned into a circus. Used and manipulated. Fake and manufactured. Which alienated him. He was looking for something real. Ok enough of my ramblings lol

[@TheMakersRage]

Can you imagine Paul writing a song as incisive, honest, and piercing as this...

[@bowilcoxson1872]

This is such an amazing album

[@tlucas9798]

Have you considered listening to Julian Lennon “to late for goodbye” or “valotte “❤️❤️

[@wsjustice]

An incredibly romantic song. John is basically laying it all out and saying I'm just a dude and I love my wife and family. There's nothing else.

[@coocoocachooglin]

One thought I had about this song, is that when they were asked what their song means, the Beatles said - and I paraphrase something along the lines of - we just write words that go to music, they mean nothing and they mean whatever you want them to mean. So, I wonder about this song, if was really has all the philosophical attributes that people ascribe to it and John, or - if it was just a collection of words to music - kind of a muse - like John.

[@camillajonsson6819]

Thank you for your patience with the copy right issues regarding Beatles and their solo stuff but LOVE your reactions and thanks for being open minded. React to John Lennon. "How"

[@ericagreen8526]

The message is "I'm going to do me"

[@jamesdrynan]

I think this song was John's declaration of self- importance. His litany of people and organizations distanced himself from the belief systems of others. He finally saw the supreme truth to be believing in yourself. Although he declared, " The dream is over, " I think he would be amused to find that his legacy has lasted sixty years. Ringo on drums, Preston on piano.

[@Louis19566]

'The dream is over' means 'There will no more Beatles ever'

[@rjaraneta913]

He wrote and sang this in 1970 during the period he was going through primal therapy and just months after The Beatles officially broke up. A lot of people think this is what Lennon's beliefs were until the end of his life, but this was only how he was during that period of time. He loved Elvis, he performed "Hound Dog" at his Madison Square Garden concert in 1972. and there are pictures of John wearing an Elvis broach made of diamonds taken in 1975. Zimmerman is Bob Dylan's real last name, Dylan and Lennon had a friendly rivalry and mutual admiration of each other. John was a notorious collector of Beatles bootleg album and memorabilia throughout the 70's. He can bash them because it was his band, but don't anyone else dare say anything against them or they'll experience his wrath. As for God, he has said in various interviews during the 70's and up to his last interviews in 1980 that he believes in God or a higher power but not in organized religion. The lyrics to his demo recording of "Help Me to Help Myself from the late 70's is an example of that.

[@gesundheit602]

Harri if you have never seen the Imagine documentary, check it out. It really showed another side to him and how he matured.

[@cbseE9212]

And now friends , you just have to carry on always makes me sad, although it was about Beatles end but it makes me think of John's death. :(

[@rosecordova3597]

Listen to the Double Fantasy album. It's the final chapter of his life and he came to peace with himself.

[@Rickynyc69]

Greetings Harri, can you kindly react to John Lennon's Oh My Love. Thanks in advance..

[@brianfisher6165]

he meant "me and Yoko"✌

[@TheCosmicGenius]

I have a song you might appeciate, 'Garden Party', by Rick Nelson. In it he references John Lennon & concert they both participated in.

[@steve55sogood16]

His "backlash" came in the southern U.S., when he said, in 1966 (sarcastically) that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus!

[@cathyortiz1280]

Cold Turkey, about his painful withdrawal from heroin would be a good follow-up. He really did have someone lock him in a room to go "Cold Turkey." Brutally honest & painful but that's the point. John & all the rest told others not to do drugs as they learned "the hard way." Luckily, they all got off them. Ringo never did much except pot. Oh, Ringo's "No, No" song is really cute & funny. It was a hit too.

[@monkmchorning]

I relate to John's sense of defiance. He reminds us that belief is a choice and our choices are ours alone. His journey to learn this was apparently long and painful. But pain is not to be feared or avoided. I appreciate the irony that his most blasphemous song uses a gospel cadence.

[@jameskinchen2148]

This was 10 years before he died.

[@dlbeal]

I still have this album from all these years ago and it is my favorite Lennon album.

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks was hoping you would do this after insant karma.

[@HarriBestReactions]

I read your mind Shane! 😀

[@shanenolan8252]

@@HarriBestReactions you did spooky

[@akahina]

I don't remember any backlash from this song back then. Please review Isolation. Made for covid.