John Lennon Albums Ranked From Worst to Best

[@darrellwhitman2484]

My List : 8. Sometime In New York City 7. Rock 'n' Roll 6. Milk And Honey 5. Mind Games 4. Double Fantasy 3. Walls And Bridges 2. Imagine 1. Plastic Ono Band

[@jimboedmonds]

John Lennon was one of my few heroes. To me, like Ali and a few others of his time and few since, he laid it out there. His honesty and intelligence and willingness to put himself on the line was something. I remember being so excited to having him come out of five year retirement and rushing to the store to get Double Fantasy on its first day of release. I remember my Dad sadly telling me the morning after his killing that he was gone. I was stunned and felt something important had been taken away forever. And I still miss him to this day. Like my Dad, who is another hero, he was born and raised in working class England where he and his mates challenged their “place” preordained for their “station in life”. For Americans, it’s hard to understand that lack of social mobility or opportunity. It was so different there. My dad came at on his own at age 17 to escape it and Lennon chose America and NYC because he felt he was respected as an artist, and not just as a “lad who did well”. Well, he has always had my respect and deep love. His solo work is uneven and spotty at times, brilliant and equal to any of his Beatles work at others. What is true through most of it (ignore the oldies album) is its honesty. If you watch his interviews on KZbin, it’s strange to hear someone like him. Naturally curious, observant, self aware, intelligent, wise and so honest. This is a great video and good review that made me go thru his catalog again and rekindle the warm feelings of a great artist and better man. Thanks for doing it. A working class hero, indeed.

[@rodo333]

My favorite by far is John Lennon / Plastic Ono band, mainly for personal reasons. On Xmas Eve 1970 I bought it and played it over and over because it spoke directly to my heart, as nothing ever had before. It was in some sense the greatest liberating force in my life.

[@wonder6789]

Same here. Nothing has affected my life like that album.

[@michaeldy3157]

1970,was. Idiotic politically

[@jwardbass4452]

I can’t imagine hearing it when it first came out. I think it’s incredible from start to finish but I was born long after it was released.

[@jasondalton-earls9972]

I love the song I Found Out. The extended raw versions are my favourite. Yep a great album indeed!~

[@dylanseveymusic]

Jason and Kramzer’s reactions to Joe’s POB placement have absolutely made my year.

[@Twotontessie]

I love the fact the guy just comes out and basically says, yeah, way overrated. Refreshing. And I love it but it’s overhyped. Love “Isolation.” I Found Out” and “Remember” are cool. The stripped down approach was neat. A classic for sure.

[@mattbrownsvideothing]

POB is 100% his greatest album. It's an absolute revelation from top to bottom--his bravest artistic statement by a mile. Imagine is a great, but for me there's nothing on it that POB didn't do a bit better. Jason is spot on here. It's one of THE great rock and roll records of all time. And the way it's an artist fearlessly and brutally dismantling his own mythology is just unparalleled. But, in general, I agree with what you three have landed on.

[@curly_wyn]

Eh, I like Imagine better.

[@thereunionparty]

If you take the Yoko songs out of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey, wouldn't that make a great John Lennon album? Call it Double Honey. And Yoko could have her own album too. Call it Milk and Fantasy.

[@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy]

It's not so much Yoko's actual songs that irritate me as it is her very childlike-sounding voice.

[@stevefleming8742]

@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy yoko was a talented creative artist but a terrible singer and pretentious with it.

[@Twotontessie]

Or she could have made a deal with Spinal Tap to use the apt title "Shit Sandwich."

[@johnr8095]

I actually think that that would make a killer album. Milk and honey isn’t as good as double fantasy, but it sticks to John doing pop songs and he is really good at that. The weak elements of both albums is yoko ono.

[@es330]

Nice one.

[@familybettencourt7650]

8. Sometime in New York city 7. Rock'n roll 6. Milk and honey 5. Mind games 4. Walls and bridges 3. Imagine 2. Plastic Ono band 1. Double fantasy Just the JOHN LENNON SONGS ARE ENOUGH FOR MY #1

[@Lamus13]

Jason, that was an incredible review of Plastic Ono Band. That might have been the first time I ever got goose bumps from a record review. My favorite thing about John’s solo stuff is the bluntness and emotional transparency of the lyrics. You captured that perfectly in your review.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Wow, thanks.

[@sitvisjes]

It's Plastic Ono Band for me, so real and raw. But Imagine is a close second. To me, the best Beatle solo albums really are the albums just after the break up.

[@AlmightyBruce]

8: Rock ‘n’ Roll - 2.5 7: Sometime in New York City - 2.5 6: Milk and Honey - 3 5: Mind Games - 4 4: Double Fantasy - 4 3: Walls and Bridges - 4.5 2: Imagine - 4.5 1: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - 5

[@179rich]

"Mind Games" the song makes me feel high without the drugs.

[@erniefernandez1927]

So True! #9 Dream also has that same kind of effect on me.

[@dondamon4669]

How can that happen? Have you done drugs? If so you will know it can’t happen without and if haven’t then don’t coz you feel good anyway!

[@peterthomsen4960]

I love all Lennons records from 1970-80. They are all no. 1.

[@TheThaggs]

Being a lifelong John Lennon fan, since 2/9/64, it's really interesting to hear him reviewed by such young guys. Jason your Plastic Ono Band review was perfect.

[@toquecentralmusic9212]

1. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 3. Double Fantasy 4. Mind Games 5. Walls and Bridges 6. Milk and Honey 7. Rock 'N' Roll 8. Some Time in New York City

[@PabloReyesVelasco]

8- Rock 'n Roll 7- Some time in New York City 6- Milk and Honey 5- Imagine 4- Walls and Bridges 3- Mind Games 2- Double Fantasy 1- John Lennon Plastic Ono Band (I like Yoko) Thanks for the video!

[@rubicon-oh9km]

You like Yoko? (said no one ever)

[@monkee5th]

Plastic Ono Band is my number one album of John Lennon’s. It’s John’s most pure stripped down soul exposed and raw. You can feel his pain in this album. It’s the only John Lennon Album I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping a single song. A lot of his other albums have lots of songs I couldn’t care any less to listen to. Over my many years of being a Beatles fan and John Lennon fan this is my go to album. If I had only two albums of music to listen to the rest of my life it would be 1) Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon and 2) Animals Pink Floyd. In my opinion the two best albums ever written.

[@palacerevolution2000]

It amde go back and listen to 'Imagine' all the way through. "How?" - what a song

[@Kirbyisdagoat]

Plastic Ono Band is so good man, it starts off so strong and ends amazingly, the middle does kinda disappoint

[@RomarBoswijk]

I think Rock 'n' Roll can use some more appreciation in this comment section. "Rock 'n' Roll" is an amazing rock & roll album. Something John Lennon mastered throughout his life! I'm thankful he made an album where he represented this genre to the max. Also the way it is mixed... the slap delay is just wonderful. Do not even begin about the sax section, crazy tight$$. The whole album feels like a smooth running motor engine.

[@celticbird2398]

Great lists, guys. RIP John, wish he was still here 8. Rock 'n' Roll 7. Some Time in New York 6. Milk and Honey 5. Walls and Bridges 4. Mind Games 3. Double Fantasy 2. Imagine 1. Plastic Ono Band

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I think this list is exactly my list. John's 7 Double Fantasy songs are basically better than everything else he did outside of those first two albums and should be reason enough to land at the number 3 position.

[@TrancetasticWilza]

Let's all take a moment to appreciate how beautiful Johns song 'Love' is.................. 😁

[@Instantkarmazk]

1. Plastic Ono Band ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2. Imagine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3. Walls and Bridges ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4. Double Fantasy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5. Mind Games ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6. Rock n Roll ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 7. Milk and Honey ⭐️⭐️ 8. Some time in New York City ⭐️ From Serbia with love 🍓

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I tend to avoid any debates about 'who's the best solo Beatle' on the grounds that Lennon only got to record a handful of albums before his death. No-one knows what great music, or what utter crap, he might have put out post '81. Good work as ever guys.

[@tonybates7870]

I always think that Lennon may have done a similar thing to Johnny Cash when he teamed up with Rick Rubin. Something like that could have had some great results, particularly as JL was a better writer than Cash and may have turned out a few genuinely inspired originals, spurred on by a younger, imaginative producer. It's a bloody shame we never got the chance to find out, and all because of a worthless nutcase.

[@fabianvaldivia1874]

01) Plastic Ono Band 02) Double Fantasy 03) Imagine 04) Mind Games 05) Walls & Bridges 06) Rock & Roll 07) Milk & Honey 08) Some Time In New York City

[@kylelooper2156]

I love John Lennon. I love what he represented in the 70's and 80's. I love that Nixon was afraid of him. When Yoko wasn't screeching like a tone-deaf banshee (not often enough), I don't mind her so much. She ruins the song Bungalow Bill for me, for example, but I like her on Double Fantasy and Happy Christmas (War Is Over).

[@Madferit91]

Hot take: Yoko Ono's songs in Double Fantasy are bangers which alongside John's obvious bangers makes that album my second favorite only behind Imagine.

[@toonhkuitjes6382]

Love the way you talk about music, guys! 8. Rock and roll - same with me, none of these improve on the originals and Lennon's voice on this actually annoys me a little 7. Milk and honey - too much Yoko 6. Sometime in New York City - a bit messy as an album though quite like it. Quite daring politically. 5. Double Fantasy - some classics 4. Mind games - all 4 of these are classics from hereon in 3. Walls and bridges - love the sound 2. Imagine - brilliant album 1. Plastic Ono Band - solid top 100 album

[@belpack8989]

POB is probably the most personal album ever made

[@andrewfraser4376]

Blue by Joni Mitchell as good.

[@tom-ht3ju]

Loving this vid guys! Can't wait for you to rank Macca's albums!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thanks. I ranked McCartney by myself before Joe and Kram joined the channel if you’re interested in checking that out, but we will eventually redo the list with all 3 of us, and include McCartney III!

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

1. Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 3. Walls and Bridges 4. Mind Games 5. Double Fantasy 6. Milk and Honey 7. Some Time in NYC 8. Rock 'n Roll The top 2 are pretty much interchangeable... depends on what mood I'm in. I slightly prefer John's solo work to Paul's solo work, although they were both fantastic. I love All Things Must Pass and the Traveling Wiburys but the rest of George's solo discography doesn't do much for me.

[@mikerem9997]

Right why can't most see George has no empire clothes on After All things Must past .. which I think is just an OK album. Georges best work was If I needed Someone, I need you, Don't bother me, here comes the sun, while my guitar gently weeps .. but that song is my least fav not that anyone cares. And I think you nailed the order of John's but I might put Double Fantasy lower .. slick and don't like the production much less the songs.

[@hw343434]

“Living in the Material World” is a great album by George

[@stevemcgill355]

One of your best shows! John Lennon was a cultural giant. His murder reverberates with me even today. I liked how this episode hints at how difficult it is ranking albums & artists. I'm going to have to revisit some of the later records. The thing with deciding #1 is "Plastic Ono Band" is a monolith of uninhibited artistic expression but a bit of a downer. "Imagine" is less of an "achievement" but a considerably more enjoyable listen.

[@johnwilliams4658]

Great video again. Love all three varied takes on Lennon. It is a shame the critics went against him, much like they did to McCartney over his first few records earlier in the decade, especially the amazing Ram. Music critics have a lot to answer for. Thanks. Mind Games and Walls are both well worth hearing and damn the critics. Even the first half of Some Time in NYC is much better than its reputation suggests.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The critics are the woooorst. - Joe

[@maryfromabluest8]

Although the thing that inspired Lennon to get back in the game was hearing Rock Lobster by the B52s. John Lennon thought it sounded like Yoko’s stuff.

[@oppothumbs1]

Yeah the worst of the B-52s. Roam is a much better record.

[@kirkstreckfus8844]

Great rankings! I’d place Plastic Ono Band at number 1 by far and would rank Double Fantasy much lower. Would love to see you guys rank Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Captain Beefheart, Queen, and Faith No More.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

My ranking: 1. Imagine (nothing really to add about what you all said about it) 2. Plastic Ono Band (I’m kind of with Joe that this doesn’t click with me as much as it should - it just feels a bit *too* simplified for my personal taste, but “Love” and “Isolation” are among my favorites of his, so I can’t put it at less than #2) 3. Double Fantasy (I think the Yoko songs are a bit underrated on this one) 4. Walls And Bridges 5. Rock And Roll 6. Mind Games 7. Milk And Honey 8. Some Time In New York City (I’ve only heard this once though, so it could rise) Yeah, 1971 was just the most loaded year in history. I’m finishing up ranking my top 15 for 1976 now, and if Imagine had come out that year it could potentially be a top 5 album for me or at least close, yet for 1971 I think I had it as my 17th favorite. Crazy.

[@connoromalley4004]

I think my favorites are the 3 album stretch from Mind Games to Rock n' Roll, with Walls and Bridges taking the top spot.

[@catsofsherman1316]

1. Plastic Ono Band 2. Mind Games 3. Imagine 4. Double Fantasy 5. Walls and Bridges

[@amandahuginkiss4063]

These videos are getting so damn good. Once again, I don’t know if it is deliberate on your part, but each time I have made a comment and suggestion on here that you get more in-depth and analytical, you get more in-depth and analytical. Either way, I love these videos.

[@jamesjeffers4390]

I'm a George guy through and through. He's my favorite musician of all time. He just writes the music of my DNA. Also, All Things Must Pass is the best solo album of the Beatles. That being said, John Lennon had the best solo career out of all of them, in my opinion. This man never wrote a bad song, never put out a bad album. But Plastic Ono Band is such a special little slice of grunge/sad song writer pie. The depth of emotion in that album is worth anyone listening to if they're going through it. Imagine, Double Fantasy, Mind Games. It's all so fucking groovy

[@Dex619]

Most of my favorite Beatle songs are Lennon songs from With…, Hard Days Night, Revolver, and Rubber Soul. I don’t know what it is about his solo stuff but the only Lennon song I have on my playlist is I’m Losin’ You. I keep going back to his solo stuff but it never gets any better for me. I pretty much feel the same way about all Beatle solo albums.

[@CrunchyFrog47]

8. Rock n Roll (legal obligation album from the "Come Together"/"You Can't Catch Me" settlement. Sounds like an obligation album to me) 7. Some Time in NYC (y'all nailed why) 6. Milk & Honey (his songs great, hers ok. Don't think it sounds inspired as DF) 5. Mind Games 4. Walls & Bridges (those two are pretty much interchangeable slot wise... The best songs are on Mind Games, but as a whole my mind drifts on the lesser known songs. Wall's high doesn't get as good as Games', but I find myself grooving from track to track. As a whole, I'll edge W&B) 3 Double Fantasy (John tracks excellent, Yoko's are probably her best [though check our Approximate Infinite Universe, great Yoko album where she focused on making a traditional Lp] what works for me most about this is that it feels like the whole album are live notes to each other. The back and forth track listing Makes that point stronger) 2) Imagine (y'all nailed it. Definitely the better produced and more pop savvy of the first two. But...) 1) Plastic Ono Band - ( This album is a raw nerve that demands to be listened. I don't think any of the other Beatles put themselves out there as much as John did on this album. And if the production were cleaner, it would have ruined the pure emotion of the delivery. Hands down my favorite Beatle solo record and I consider myself a Paul guy)

[@dannycheesums]

Hey guys I really like your channel. I’d like to offer up the idea of you guys doing this for Scott Walker’s discography. It’s so varied that it would be interesting to hear your takes and rankings ✌️

[@andrewfraser4376]

Great suggestion

[@TheAnarchitek]

John was the key member of the Beatles, in the beginning, the guy who motivated the others, to do the work necessary to become the superstars they were, and have been, ever since. However, he wasn't particularly prolific, after the Beatles broke up, and he released some pretty tepid albums. It had looked like he was gonna set the world on fire, but he soon fell back on his laurels. John Lennon was the principal writer on 60 of the bands 217 songs. Afterward, in his solo career, he only wrote 40 listenable songs. He also contributed to Harry Nilsson's last LP, and gave David Bowie's Young Americans its ear appeal. He very probably would have replicated that success, had his life not been cut short by an idiot. I wrote the following piece a couple years ago, exploring the "balance" between Lennon and McCartney: *Paul V John: Who was more creative?* Each man contributed significantly to the band's success. Lennon-McCartney was a great partnership, until Yesterday, when Paul was the only Beatle on a #1 single for, well, "the Beatles". John started his daily dose of acid around the same time, and continued it until Yoko (when he took up heroin). Paul did acid, too, as Hello, Goodbye demonstrates, and Penny Lane illustrated in it's word-picture depiction of daily life in Liverpool in Paul and John's youth. Psychedelics emphasize the linkages between, well, everything. However, based on their post-Beatles output, 1970-1980, it's clear Paul had the chops, and kept producing great rock 'n' roll afterward. Between the break-up, in Spring 1970, and John's death, in December, 1980: *Paul released:* 10 LPs 35 singles (7-#1s, 10 other Top Ten hits, including a #2, 2-#3S, AND 2-#5s) while *John released* 7 LPs 12 singles (2-#1s, 3 Top Ten hits, 2 of them #3, Instant Karma! and Imagine -- yes, he was robbed) All chart positions based on US sales. John recorded two great albums, his 2nd, 1970's John Lennon Plastic Ono Band (there had been a previous POB album, Live in Toronto, released in late 1969), and his last-before-he-died, 1980's Starting Over, although, to be fair, SO is only a half-album. Taken with the half-album on the posthumous release, Milk and Honey, one could assemble a full LP, even though songs like I Don't Wanna Face It and (Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess are little more than improved-demos (and tripe, at that!). He didn't want to chase the fame machine, anymore, and he wasn't motivated by music, the way he had been. Based on output and chart success, Paul walks away from John, without breaking a sweat. It does appear that John brought out the best in Paul, and that effect lingered for 7 years. Paul helped John bring out the things inside him he couldn't reach, for whatever reason, a problem very evident in John's later work, Paul's influence fading some over the years, but very probably resurfacing in SO and MaH. It is frustrating to think of the songs John might have created, except for an idiot with a gun. He might have reversed the '80s (if he could have dropped Yoko from the records, unlikely at best), to produce stellar work based on insights his LSD use had opened him to, releasing him from his demons. "Life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans", John Lennon. John's Primal Scream first solo album, John Lennon Plastic Ono Band, was towering, a product of the rage he'd bottled up over the previous decade. Paul's McCartney. was like a series of demos, in contrast to the polish John exhibited, that first year. Lennon's third LP, Imagine, was laden with angry sputum directed at Paul, after John had pretty much thumbed his nose at the Beatles for 18 months before McCartney called it quits. Ringo quit, came back, then George left, and had to be coaxed back, and finally Paul said, "The hell with it!" In the 1970 release of the Let It Be film, and the later Peter Jackson assembly of the same sources, Get Back, show this friction. The episode in Let It Be clearly shows the tension between Paul and George. Frankly, I've always agreed with Paul's position. I base my opinion on having spent eight months on the road with the same four guys. There were days we barely avoided ripping each others' throats out! Still, Paul's decision to call it quits was mostly due to John's insistence on using Allen Klein to renegotiate their contracts with EMI, and its labels. Klein did the Beatles (and the Stones) no favors with his bombastic style. John Lennon was a powerful artist, whose Help! Nowhere Man, Revolution, Instant Karma!, Imagine, and Whatever Gets You Through the Night are generational songs, powerful statements that attract new listeners all the time, but he treated Paul shabbily. It isn't surprising, because of the claustrophobic conditions the Beatles were subjected to, from 1962 on. Nothing I've said detracts from John Lennon's stature as a titan of rock 'n' roll. Many, many artists did no better, during the same period. Bob Dylan's backstory is blood-curdling, during the same decade. Paul McCartney was a generational talent, spinning out songs that soon became ear-worms, as if there was nothing to it. The partnership improved both men's skills sets, and I am reasonably certain neither man would have reached the heights they scaled as a team. Something in the charisma the four Beatles projected opened the doors necessary for their first chance. The band not only took advantage of that opening, they did their best, every time, single, or album, with the able assistance of George Martin.

[@MIchaelMiii]

Great video, great channel. Its a shame you dont more subscribers.

[@david.leikam]

Rock ‘n’ Roll was a business contractual sort of release for the company that owned the publishing rights.

[@wesleyorser4451]

I will forever be curious what the 80s would have held for Lennon's career. Whereas most 60s and 70s artists reached their low point by that decade, it seemed that Lennon already went through his 5-year hiatus/"down" period in the late 70s and was just at the beginning of a huge creative comeback. He gave off the impression it was the start of a new creative era, and I truly believe we were robbed of some future great songs.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Definitely. He clearly had some great songs in him and it would have been interesting to see what he would have done with 80s production. - Joe

[@joachimschreiner7964]

Yoko hat 0 Talent. Kann nicht singen, nicht spielen und ihre "Kunst" taugt auch nichts!

[@hw343434]

“Free as a Bird”, “Now and Then”, “Real Love” would have been released by John in the 80s 🔥⚡️

[@ttmilbr]

I'm going with Jason's list. POB is definitely my fave, totally understand when things just don't "click" sometimes though. For me it's anything that was on the radio when I was in 6th grade.

[@billbez7465]

The best solo rock album of all time; no contest. Songs are cathartic, honest, and superb. I bought this in LP, 8-track, and CD.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Which one?

[@billbez7465]

POB (album prior to Imagine)

[@stefano.b65stef77]

Hi, i like coming back to your old videos since it might have changed something in my list, I'm more john lennon oriented than last year, did a lot of listening of his albums, i came to the conclusion that he is indeed my favourite Beatle, my top 5 right now would be as follow : 1) Plastic ono Band ( i would include it even in my top 20 albums ever) 2) Walls and Bridges 3) Imagine 4) Mind Games 5) Double Fantasy

[@maryfromabluest8]

Back when we had vinyl only, Double Fantasy sucked worse because it was cumbersome to skip over the Yoko songs.

[@wesmuntz8797]

8. Rock n Roll 7. Milk and Honey 6. Double Fantasy 5. Sometime in NYC 4. Walls and Bridges 3. Plastic Ono Band 2. Mind Games 1. Imagine

[@jensontagg]

01 Plastic Ono Band 02 Walls And Bridges 03 Imagine 04 Mind Games 05 Rock and Roll 06 Double Fantasy 07 Milk and Honey 08 Sometime In New York City

[@jussitarponen1919]

I like your program. This one it is very simple. Lennon´s albums Plastic Ono Band and Imagine were equal to the Beatles albums, I like also his tracks in Double Fantasy.

[@albarton7189]

1. Imagine 2. Plastic Ono Band 3. Walls and Bridges 4. Mind Games 5. Double Fantasy 6. Milk and Honey 7. Rock ‘n’ Roll 8. Some Time in New York City

[@BazStrickland]

Thanks again boyz. I’m a big Beatles fan. Wings fan. I’ve just had to sit thru a stereophonics ad. Wtf? I am blissfully unaware of John Lennon albums bar as Kramzer said the big songs so I will make time to go and listen. I think during his hits I was into other stuff so just ignored it. I will go and have a dig. I really appreciate the time you out into these. And I am become oddly fascinated with your respective domestic interiors. Keep it up boyz

[@BazStrickland]

Started to listening to Imagine stopped and put on plastic Ono band.....still playing it.....

[@llewellynGS1]

Has anyone else noticed that the acoustic guitar riff at the beginning of “I know I know” on Mind Games is very similar to “ive got a feeling”?

[@threestringsomg]

Best catchphrase of your channel guys so far....and the award goes to..... Kramzer.....with..... "I like that a good bit!"😄🏆 Have a feeling I will accidentally use it one day....

[@stevelawlor5456]

My top 8: 8. Mind games 7. Double fantasy 6. Rock 'n' roll 5. Sometime in New York City 4. Walls and Bridges 3. Milk and Honey 2. Plastic Ono Band 1. Imagine. Thanks for the video. Interesting to hear everyone's views. Had just subscribed to your channel now.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thanks!

[@kevinmcardle4087]

1. Plastic ono band 2. Imagine 3. Walls and bridges 4. Mind games 5. Double fantasy 6. Milk and honey 7. Some time in New York City 8. Rock and roll 9. Wedding album 10. Two virgins 11. Life with the lions (especially "two minutes silence") Former beatles: 1. John solo 2. Wings 3. George solo 4. Paul solo 5. Wilburys 6. Ringo solo

[@joncumber2020]

He sadly never put out the definitive album most of us wanted. ‘Plastic Ono’ still had some of the old Beatles craft on it but the projects all fell away after that and it’s likely Yoko would have co-partnered all other albums to come.

[@cubed63s18]

Every John song is amazing

[@dice1296]

errr...no

[@cubed63s18]

@@dice1296 you can’t see that I disliked your reply but I did

[@redgreen82]

John wanted Double Fantasy to be one side John and the other Yoko, but Yoko insisted their songs alternate because otherwise no one would listen to her side.

[@HaFannyHa]

I remember back in 1980 when the initial reviews of 'Double Fantasy' came out, most of them thought that many of Yoko's songs were stronger than John's. John was thought to be over-sentimental. As I've replayed the album over these 40 years, I think that it has mainly aged pretty well. The over-sentimental stuff by both partners is still hard to take, but you mustn't take the view that it should have only been a Lennon album. The idea was always of a dialogue between John and Yoko, an account of their relationship at the time. Yoko's 'I'm Moving On' and 'Give Me Something' hold up brilliantly, as do John's 'I'm Losing You' and 'Watching the Wheels'. Oh, by the way, Yoko had nothing to do with the 'Rock'n'Roll' album. John was in L.A. with Phil Spector and Yoko was working on her own in NYC. If you would only open your ears and listen to Yoko's catalogue, you may be surprised to hear some beautiful and eclectic music. If your prejudice keeps you cosy, then no one can help.

[@johnr8095]

I actually like double fantasy second to Imagine in terms of songrwiting. At least John’s half. Yoko’s songs do bring the album down a bit so i can't rate the album as highly as it should be. But John's songs are some of the best he came up with as a solo artist. John Lennon was actually a great pop song writer. But I think, over time he stripped down his sound and moved away from his pop sensibilities. And he could get very raw, but it was sometimes at the Expense of his musicality. on Double fantasy he simply did away with the rawness and went back to his pop roots and it sounds so good. I especially love the song woman and it’s hooks. Totally sappy, but harmonies are so good. Everysong he contributes is a pop gem. Imagine beats it though as it has the perfect mix of pop and also Lennon’s venom. Pus, no actual Yoko songs. I like the first album but I do think it’s hard to listen to a bunch of times as it’s so stripped down. Also, I wish they had added Cold Turkey to the end of the album. But I like Lennon doing pop more than him screaming. And when John Lennon gets political he can be a bit pedantic. so my ranking would be: 1) Imagine 2) Plastic Ono Band (more for its place in history than becaues I love to listen to it) 3) Double Fantasy. But if Double Fantasy was a full John Lennon album (ie it also added stuff from Milk and Honey and not just demos, but fully fleshed out songs) it would easily be the best Lennon album. or at least on par with Imagine.

[@joeyruss3933]

Apparently the reasons he made the covers album was to avoid getting sued for him using a line in a song (I think Come Together?). So that context is the interesting

[@zackamania6534]

Yes. From Chuck Berry’s management

[@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy]

Yes, the opening line of "Come Together" ('Here come ol' flattop...') was lifted from Chuck Berry's song "You Can't Catch Me."

[@hazydavo]

Great job guys, enjoyed that. Some more albums to check out 😓 LOL

[@donb9860]

My ranking would go this way, but I would only re-listen to top 3 most of the way (skip Ono songs): 8. Some Time in NYC 7. Rock 'N' Roll 6. Mind Games 5. Walls and Bridges 4. Milk and Honey 3. Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 1. Double Fantasy

[@russellbrown5065]

I'd love to hear your take on "Approximately Infinite Universe".

[@stefano.b65stef77]

I like your videos a lot, I was looking for a van morrison albums ranked by you guys , have you already done it? as far as John Lennon is concerned i like it but preferred wit the Beatles

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Haven’t done Van yet. Definitely a future pick though. - Joe

[@anthonybernard3689]

Jason, you mentioned the production on Double Fantasy......have you heard the stripped down version?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I haven’t actually. I need to check that out.

[@BryanWhite-zr5mq]

really love yokos songs on the studio sides of sometime in nyc, also loved her and really don't care if i get negetive replies

[@pete3105]

Some of his albums would probably get a higher rating if it wasn't for the presence of Yoko Ono. 8. Some Time in New York City (1972) ★★½ 7. Rock 'n' Roll (1975) ★★★ 6. Milk and Honey (1984) ★★★ 5. Double Fantasy (1980) ★★★½ 4. Mind Games (1973) ★★★★ 3. Walls and Bridges (1974) ★★★★ 2. Imagine (1971) ★★★★ 1. John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band (1970) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

Imagine is 5 and walls and bridges is 4

[@AndI0td763]

@@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerekWhat would you recommend as a first album listening experience for John?

[@burcubiricik1838]

​@@AndI0td763imagine or plastic ono band

[@briancox8518]

Working class hero is a masterpiece I actually really like his solo material but the late 60s experimental albums are terrible

[@manalive256]

1. Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 3. Walls & Bridges 4. Mind Games 5.Double Fantasy 6. Rock 'N' Roll 7. Sometime In New York City 8. Milk & Honey

[@josephdevlin7528]

What a great discussion on Lennon's solo work. Plastic Ono Band is my favorite.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thanks, Joseph. Great name by the way. - Joe

[@josephdevlin7528]

@@TastesLikeMusic Hi Joe. I am also known as Joe to my friends. By the way I loved you flying the flag for Abba as great song writers on a previous clip. I have just subscribed.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Gotta do my part. Appreciate the subscription. Don’t be a stranger to the ol’ comment section. - Joe

[@josephdevlin7528]

@@TastesLikeMusic I won't be a stranger. Looking forward to the next reviews. Thanks.

[@johnpownall7720]

Your videos are wonderful. Agree with everything said here about John Lennon. His voice is the best in rock (for me). Hard to pick a favourite solo album of his, but it oscillates between the first two. That said, I love Walls and Bridges. Number 9 Dream may be my favourite piece of pure melody by a solo Beatle - pipping My Sweet Lord and Maybe I'm Amazed. It's also incredibly sad to think of what the world lost, and what might have been.

[@hw343434]

Same here, “#9 Dream” best solo Beatle melody

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

Can't rank Milk & Honey since it was posthumous (John's tracks were unfinished, and Yoko's were recorded well after John died). But here's my 7 JL Albums ranked: 7) Sometime in New York City, 6) Rock-and-Roll, 5) Double Fantasy, 4) Imagine, 3) Mind Games, 2) Plastic Ono Band, 1) Walls & Bridges

[@MikeVernonProd]

Great video! Love hearing different takes on these albums. Will you rank Tom Petty’s discography?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Some day!

[@mortenriisberg]

Dear Joe (no quotes around your name this time) 😉 Sorry if my first, now deleted, comment was a bit harsh. I personally just had the impression you were looking away from the project as you were checking your screen with notes, sorry about that, I honestly had the impression you were looking at something else. I actually appreciate the idea of your group of 3 giving your opinions coming from different angles of appreciations. The danger is though, as I was pointing out a bit, that as you are 3 taking your turn basically talking about the same 11 discs or how many, it could be a bit more brief and specific. The different points of views on the discs are interesting and it gives the spectator a possibility to either be more curious about the music or, as I like Lennon, hear about what other people think about the albums that I prefer compared to the others. There's a danger of filling words and repetition in the comments in to not make it too long before getting on to the next album, anyway, it's just my opinion. I'll check out your future videos, as I mentioned, I find the idea of multiple commentators interesting. Discussing taste is always tricky as it's hopefully individual, so it's good with inputs from other music fans. Cheers! 👍

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thanks Morten, I do welcome critiques. It’s a work in progress. Some people want more discussion, some less. A lot of the time I forget my notes and just ramble on about whatever. - Joe

[@furaco77]

1. Imagine 2. Plastic Ono Band 3. Double Fantasy 4. Mind Games 5. Rock 'n Roll 6. Walls and Bridges 7. Milk and Honey 8. Sometime in New York City

[@stevefleming8742]

1. Imagine (classic perfect album) 2. Double fantasy ( John's songs are class influence from the bee gees clearly I ignore most of yoko) 3. Plastic ono band (absolutely raw) 4. Walls and bridges (warm strong songs) 5.mind games (hit and miss) 6. Sometime in New York ( so bad it's good car crash album) 7. Rock and roll (ok covers) 8. Milk and honey ( not a real album )

[@zuni1919]

Joe, you killed me this run...lol

[@Twotontessie]

Great call by top left guy. Put the songwriting aside - the world’s greatest rock singer in his prime. And thank God these young guys are going deep into this. Important!!

[@fourseasons4105]

1. Walls and bridges 2. Imagine 3. Double fantasy 4. Mind games 5. Plastic Ono band 6. Milk and honey 7. Rock N' roll 8. Some time in New York City

[@alexconway4950]

Kramzer I think you nailed it with the Imagine/Bridge Over comparison..

[@ryankramzer1256]

Thanks!

[@mrs.featherbottom5901]

Eyyy what a pleasant video to find

[@kevtruth]

I Found Out - off Plastic Ono Band

[@katoness]

The freaks on the phone won't leave me alone.

[@nielsbie8922]

1. Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 3. Walls And Bridges 4. Double Fantasy 5. Sometime in Ny 6. Mind Games 7. Rock and Roll 8. Milk and Honey

[@threestringsomg]

Ah crazy I know but I've only listened to Double Fantasy and Lennon's best of....which is fantastic....so my no.1 is the best of...its fab....lol....ive been shabby when it comes to all the Beatles solo albums though....All Things Must Pass had biggest impact on me....

[@BeatlesEddieV]

1. Plastic Ono Band, no contest 2. Walls & Bridges 3. Imagine 4. Double Fantasy 5. Mind Games 6. Sometimes in NYC 7. Milk and Honey 8 Rock and Roll

[@lionelraoul]

Completely agree with Joe on the Yoko issue.

[@joellehtonen1812]

Here's an idea: rank all the solo albums from the ex-Beatles. Is Plastic Ono Band better than All Things Must Pass? Band on the Run or Living in a Material World? Will any Ringo album break into top 10? Let there be controversy!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We may do this after we do them all individually. -Jason

[@ryban1001]

Walls and Bridges Imagine John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band Double Fantasy Mind Games Some Time in New York City Rock n Roll Milk and Honey (Only because it is unfinished. Has some great Lennon tracks.)

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Agreed - Walls and Bridges is my absolute favourite John Lennon album. I’d elevate Milk and Honey higher, if only because Nobody Told Me is probably my favourite JL single. It’s a real pity he wasn’t able to make more music - I’d have been interested to hear how or even if he adopted 80s studio technology.

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

PLASTIC ONO BAND is a perfect album.

[@t_albino]

I'd say Elephants Memory were a great backing band for Lennon and Yoko on STINYC - sadly songwriting is not up to the mark and the songs don't stick, but man I love the groove and anger on Sunday Bloody Sunday

[@neutralamity]

Posting this before watching: 8. Some Time in New York City - never liked it 7. Rock and Roll - some covers are fine, but i didn't really need a cover album from john lennon 6. Milk and Honey - too much yoko, not as strong as double fantasy 5. Mind Games - it's alright, but it sounds too similar to imagine/plastic ono band/new york city 4. Double Fantasy - too much yoko, but john's songs are great 3. Walls and Bridges - has some really great songs 2. Plastic Ono Band - a classic album, lots of cool songs 1. Imagine - not a single bad song

[@CongaLineMonkey]

I really like a couple of tracks on Imagine, but I've never been crazy about the album on the whole. I would be extremely surprised if my list looks like anyone else's. 8: Sometime in New York City 7: Plastic Ono Band 6: Imagine 5: Double Fantasy 4: Milk and Honey 3: Rock 'n' Roll 2: Mind Games 1: Walls and Bridges

[@mrs.featherbottom5901]

I really like you guys. If you could do some small improvements it would really elevate the content. Basic things like: get good mics (sm57s are good), maybe some light editing, and also releasing the stuff as a podcast as well. Also, if yo want to, maybe having one of you guys as more of a permanent host would be good. When noone is sure of who is supposed to take the wheel, things can get a little free-wheelin which could be sort of annoying for everyone. If someone is the host, you know that that person will move on to the next topic, and create the atmosphere for the others to riff and be their best selves. one last thing: specific discussion poits for the comments. In this video, a natural one would be Plastic Onon Band vs Imagine - who was right? what are the strengths and weaknesses of the albums? and also a pressing question - how would these songs have sounded if the Beatles performed them? And is that even an interesting question? All the best to you!

[@wonder6789]

48:11 "Lennon is probably in my top 25 singers now"... (Who on Earth are the twenty-four others????) May I suggest you guys do a '25 Singers Rated From Worst to Best' video?

[@hw343434]

Lennon #1 Rock singer as far as I’m concerned, never heard anyone convey more emotion and deliver a Message better with his voice

[@wonder6789]

@@hw343434 Amen

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

@@hw343434 pop or melodic. Not rock.

[@hw343434]

@@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek All of the above

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

Re: Kram's comment on John's singing - I actually think his best singing was on the first five Beatles albums (and their contemporaneous singles). Truly! Paul once described John as "our Elvis," and I just think his ability to sing that early stuff was so riveting and amazing. In my opinion, based on that material alone (and I wouldn't rank any of those early *albums* very highly among the Beatles discography aside from A Hard Day's Night, but John is why they do measure up to some extent), he's the best white male singer of all-time. I think his later singing is also fantastic, but I think that the Rock and Roll album is so crushingly disappointing for the very reason that... he just doesn't have the unfettered ability to *do* that stuff anymore (maybe he felt too self-conscious about it?), and it was already a loss to the world.

[@oppothumbs1]

You are correct sir though i hate Elvis' singing (except for Maries the name of his latest flame) usually but John had a great voice. On one song he hums .. All I got to do .. just a beautiful song. Later he got to nasally. Hard Days Night.. John has the perfect rock and roll voice. He wrote the great Bealtes songs. Paul's voice is nice but you know nice as in the girls dig it more than guys and he is better looking (yes looks matter) though John looks good until the late 60s and Paul continue to look fine. Anyone you are right.. he has one of the best voices but sometime after going solo he lost it. Jealous Guy is a good song but Bryan Ferry sings it better. Nobody could sing I am the Walrus better.

[@kylelooper2156]

Lennon's vocal on Day in the Life may be one of the single greatest vocal performances in rock history.

[@hw343434]

Yes John on “A Day in the Life” is as great as it gets

[@hw343434]

Bryan Ferry did a great cover. But don’t even tell me his version of “Jealous Guy” has as much emotion as John Lennon. John plays and lives the part like an artist, sounding vulnerable and weak on purpose with his voice. Ferry merely sings the song.