John Lennon, Watching The Wheels - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@LeeKennison]

A great Lennon song. I really enjoyed your reaction. Love how you noticed the Lennon irony, humor and sarcasm. To me, and as you also noted, this reflects his having achieved a sense of happiness and contentment in his life. He didn't have anything else he needed to prove to the world, he had already been an integral part of the band that forever impacted and changed the world in the 60s. I hope you also get to some of the excellent songs from the other Beatles solo careers soon. You have heard a few Lennon ones, but you really haven't heard much from the others, except for the Christmas song Paul did. I enjoyed your harp play along with your little improvisations, along with all your commentary. Great reaction!

[@williequiroga3868]

she knew him!

[@randy-i1h]

John ends it with a soulful blues voice out of nowhere, such a jazzy statement. Love his vocal coloring.

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

This is my favorite song by John, I've quoted this song in conversation quite a few times over the years. RIP John

[@Mark_McC]

This song makes me cry. He’d just been buried when this hit big. It was just so sad. 😭

[@DJ-bj8ku]

He was cremated but I get it.

[@mikemcf33]

SAME. I hear this and I want to cry. I still cannot believe what happened to John

[@DJ-bj8ku]

@@mikemcf33 Same here. I remember that night. We were robbed. The one musician I so closely identified with and wanted to grow old with.

[@mikemcf33]

@@DJ-bj8ku I remember that night so well. It was eerie. I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Philadelphia with my college buds. It was a great show and we were all on an emotional high afterwards. The parking lot was packed so we decided just to hang out and have a beer and wait for the crowd to disburse. It was a warm night for December. We cracked our beers open, standing in the lot when my buddy turned on the radio. We heard the news. I was in shock. We were all numb. A few nights later I went to the vigil in Central Park. I've returned a few times to Central Park on the anniversary. I refuse to speak the name of the person responsible.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

@@mikemcf33 We live parallel lives. I bought Double Fantasy when it came out and was excited about his return, I was watching the Patriots with my Dad. When Cosell announced it, I was in shock, hoping he had gotten it wrong. I’ve been depressed about it ever since.

[@leninaular4858]

Once again!, great musical analysis... To me, John Lennon was an extraordinary human being with deep feelings of love for all the people around the world. I'd like to recommend you his song "mind games",a beautiful piece of conscience. Thank you very much one more time

[@DannyD714]

yesterday would have been lennon's 84th birthday if it hadn't been for that monster who took him from the world. this song shows he was being very introspective ,was content with his home life away from stardom, but he had a lot of wonderful music still left in him. loved your embellishment on the harp!

[@kflive1]

and guns are still not banned in murrica

[@jackiewilliams4854]

@@kflive1Because we all know criminals obey bans. You can kill a person many different ways. It’s not the implement that kills, it’s the person using it. I think most people would choose to live in a weapon free, violence free utopia but it’s obvious that will never happen. Hypothetically, if you were to ban guns how exactly would a law abiding person defend themselves and their family from the criminal element that would laugh at a ban? Fact= Most shootings happen in gun free zones. Sad but true!

[@OroborusFMA]

Every just passes off Chapman as a nut but he was a RELIGIOUS nut, downright proto-MAGA.

[@jnagarya519]

Gorgeous song and performance. THIS is John!

[@babylonian.captivity]

"I really love to watch them roll!" That's as John as it gets.

[@michavandam]

@@babylonian.captivity Why? Do you think he's sarcastic there? Or am I missing an English pun?

[@BrianLarkin-q5v]

Awesome to hear Amy jammin' on the harp 😊. Great song, great artist.

[@Cbcw76]

Absolutely wonderful to hear her jam along.

[@babyfacemichael1]

I love this song so much it hurts, just brilliant lyrics , this and `beautiful boy`, Lennon`s genius is his simplicity.

[@G.M.1944]

Yeah, it gives me chills, too.

[@dougsusie2319]

I absolutely LOVE this song. At age 40, he still had it. His voice was still incredible and he was still a very hip guy. Enjoyed you playing the harp along with this one, that was cool. Peace ❤

[@KMM406]

Amy, I am amazed at your ability to take even the simplest song, analyze and dissect it, until it seems like you have done an extensive musical autopsy. I am not sure what one would actually name what you do, but it is the mark of genius! You are a remarkable lady! I thoroughly enjoy your mini-seminars! Bravo!

[@MichaelJohnson-ti4kc]

To me this was Lennon giving all of us a happy ending. One last happy feeling. Rest in peace John.

[@John_Locke_108]

Such a beautiful song and message.

[@stevenboettcher4796]

It is one of my favorite Lennon songs, but sometimes it’s a bit hard to listen to because his life was cut short. Who knows where his music would have gone if he had lived. I was only 11 years old when he died. I didn’t even know who he was the day before, but I cried with every one else. It still brings a tear to my eyes. Happy Birthday John. You should listen to Beautiful Boy someday. It was Paul’s favorite Lennon songs.

[@PFNel]

I've always seen this one as a distant cousin to "I'm Only Sleeping".

[@SpaceCattttt]

And the piano riff is like a sped-up, funkier version of the piano riff in "Imagine".

[@thomassharmer7127]

Fame is the downside of success. John was clearly glad to be out of the limelight of celebrity and controversy, and yet the impulse to write songs and the need to get them heard was still strong. I'm glad he did, and that his life and career ended on an upbeat note.

[@jasonicnyc]

Yea getting shit and killed so young is super upbeat

[@howardozo]

The song is wonderful, lyrics and vocals are brilliant.

[@thomasoa]

This song always make me cry, because it was so soon after his death. I was a toddler in the 60s, put to sleep listening to Revolver, and he was just coming out of his sleep, and this song was so relaxd and lacking the anger we knew from John, like he had rreached some contentment.

[@Alexander..........]

I love your reaction to this song and others... just love it

[@WilliamKinsey-dx2dn]

Bitter sweet moment 🥺 But what a beautiful song!

[@zainlevett3731]

Lovely reaction as always. My second favourite song of he's. Working class hero. My favourite

[@williamsmith9026]

I hardly have time for youtube but, I love when you play the harp along with songs

[@PeterTrot]

Love the lyrics as well, "no problems only solutions", he was a smart guy. One of the videos to this song have his wife and kids playing in it. He looks very happy and content with life, love and children, had success and is financially comfortable.

[@geriwings]

lovely !!!! i´m waiting for Paul solo work and with Wings McCartney is the Mozart of these times , just the best of the best( for me)

[@anthonygriffin9275]

#9 Dream is amazing as well, such a surrealistic dreamy song!!!

[@williamthelast1]

John has always wrote or composed huge melodies !! Thank you dear Angel.

[@babylonian.captivity]

I love your accompaniment! It sounds beautiful. Lovely counterpoint.

[@docvega5465]

As always you do a great job interpreting with that cute expressive quality of yours.

[@dougsusie2319]

Yesterday October 9th, was John's Birthday. He would have been 84. I first saw John with The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show on 2/9/64 at almost age 7. I've been a Beatles but ever since. Greatest and most influential band in history to this day and it ain't even close. For me since 1964 it's like Paul's song from the "Let It Be", it's been a " Long And Winding Road" and such a wonderful journey for me "In My Life". HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!!! 🎉🎉 Peace❤❤❤

[@0okamino]

It really is a lovely expression of contentment, accompanied by the insistent assertion that the hustle of those former ways just had to be let go, and for the better, despite whatever hubbub is coming from others. Of course, as is often enough the case with John Lennon, it’s a song with a smirk to it.

[@juliemarcos2240]

One of the greatest evolutions of a man. The Plastic Ono Band song album is one to explore to really understand John's journey into personhood. I would check that one out in order. The first song, Mother, is absolutely beautiful and sad, and expressive of John's personal demons. Also, the pain in the way he sings at the end of that song. Brilliant. Cobain definitely listened to that song, I'm sure. Grundge cannot exist without this album.

[@youngbloodk]

Watching the Wheels is my favorite Lennon solo song.

[@lynby6231]

It manages to be both whimsical and laid back at the same time, superb atmosphere and expression

[@WilliamKinsey-dx2dn]

Beautiful song 🥹 That totally sums up Lennon's philosophy about life!

[@CoolCoyote]

great voice great song, thx for doing it.

[@vetstadiumastroturf5756]

still miss you John

[@babylonian.captivity]

We do.

[@javiervelasco3921]

"What would John have done beyond this point?" Well, exactly, that's what's so painful about how he was stolen from this world 💔 This is also my favorite Lennon song: "there's no problem, only solutions" best line ever. Also, legendary Tony Levin on the bass.

[@ChrisFreund-rt8rf]

I could see him re-emerging in the early 90’s with the grunge movement.

[@rexdiamond]

Very insightful imagining children's toys and a playground and a children's song. Lennon had taken 5 years off from making music, clubing and the music industry to raise his son. His fellow rockers would ask him to play or go out with them and were baffled by his becoming so domesticated. This song is his answer rthem.

[@Rael_486]

He's saying hello to his audience after being away for a few years. Saying I'm fine, how've you been. It's going to be OK. 😊

[@DC-lw4fg]

His purest vocal performance. Beautiful.

[@shupakiko]

Oh i love this song, hope you enjoy it too :) Edit : Glad you did, it's an important song to me, not only sounds good but i got a lot from it mentally thanks to the lyrics. Helped me learn to accept myself the way i am, carefree, relaxed and positive, despite some calling me crazy and shaking their heads. "There's no problem, only solutions" : i love this approach for almost everything. We often get stuck on the negative, drowning in problem and misery for no good reason, instead of immediately looking for solutions which we would find easily. People tend to overdramatize, Lennon's passive but content point of view is refreshing and somewhat necessary. Thank you for the video !

[@stevemercer6976]

I always took "watching shadows on the wall" as a reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

[@avlisk]

He had just spent the last 5 years, retired, raising his son who was only 5 in 1980. So, the Wheels on the Bus could very well have been a song he sang to Sean, and explain the playground idea too. Speaking of Sean, on this same record is Beautiful Boy.

[@ryban1001]

Wheels on the Bus! That’s a brilliant connection. Lennon had a 5-year-old at the time and, according to his 1980 interviews, spent many days watching Sesame Street.

[@davidrauh8118]

It helps to take into consideration that when his contract with Apple ran out in 1975, he took the next five years off to help raise his son Sean. He felt free with no obligations to anyone but his family. Your next song should be Beautiful Boy. A song about his son and interesting that he rhymes Sean with the word ocean.

[@TheyCallMeMr.Fahrenheit]

I thought Apple was THEIR label......

[@BlindGordie]

I like this (the original from 1980) and the Chris Cornell cover from 2020 equally with their own charms. I agree with a previous comment, that Beautiful Boy should be next and if not, soon.

[@richardkint6531]

Actually their Apple label filed bankruptcy so each of the Beatles pursued new contracts.

[@gettingkilt]

A dissenting opinion. Beautiful Boy is indeed about John's love for Sean, but it's not a very interesting song. It would never make a playlist of mine. For a good "wow look at my beautiful young baby" song from that era, I'd try Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely"

[@BlindGordie]

@@gettingkilt it may not be all that interesting, but it's simple. However, you do make a good point with your choice which may have inspired the song.

[@PitchWheel]

I've always seen this as a funny, nice and simple song, you opened my eyes and showed me the masterpiece that's inside. Thank you ❤

[@QuoVadis88]

I bought that album the same day, earlier in the day. I was on my second listen when I heard the terrible news. I couldn't listen anymore. It took a year before I could listen to it again. I quit my job. I enrolled in University. Took Philosophy looking for the meaning of life. I didn't find it after a Bachelor's Degree. So I went for a Master's Degree. Got it. Still not satisfied. So I saw a movie. Woody Allen's, Hannah And Her Sisters. The Woody Allen character was looking for meaning in life and he saw a Marx Brothers movie about the absurdity of life. It is possible to enjoy the absurdity of life without looking for anything else. Another movie I saw was, Three Days of the Condor. The Max Von Sydow character, an assassin, did not look for truth or beauty, only the precision of his own work. And that gave him some degree of satisfaction. I used to listen to music with my right hemisphere, emotion. I learned how to listen to music with my left hemisphere, logic. I play guitar and sing. Enough time has elapsed between hearing Double Fantasy and now. If I do a song by John Lennon now, audience members might get emotional hearing it. The precision of nailing a part gives me satisfaction. I do not know if I can go back to listening to music the way I did before. There is a lot of scar tissue there. Seeing the movie Amadeus, scarred me, seeing Mozart die a horrible death at 35. Living a horrible life to be immortal, it's a hard sell. Watching the Wheels was the realization of that, ironically, for John, who only had a few years to relax after surrendering his nervous system to the Beatle Juggernaut.

[@comedyriff5231]

In 1975, Lennon had just emerged from an 18-month separation from Yoko Ono. During that time, he lived in Los Angeles, indulging in a wild, party-filled period famously known as his "Lost Weekend." Eventually, they reunited, and 9 months later, their son Sean was born. This marked Lennon’s second child, but unlike with his first son Julian, with whom he had been largely absent due to the chaos of his career, he was determined to be present for Sean. In an interview just before stepping back from the spotlight, Lennon explained that he wouldn’t continue making music just for the sake of it. He wasn’t interested in coasting on "craftsmanship" alone-he wanted to have something meaningful to say. Feeling creatively drained and longing to dedicate himself to family life, he made the bold decision to retire and become a full-time "house husband," focusing on raising Sean. Five years later, in the summer of 1980, while sailing to Bermuda, Lennon was caught in a fierce storm. Surviving that experience ignited a fresh wave of inspiration. During this time, he began writing again, creating what became known as the "Bermuda Tapes." Many of these songs would later appear on Double Fantasy, his final album. During his five active solo years before retiring, Lennon composed some iconic songs, including Imagine, Jealous Guy, Happy Christmas (War Is Over), Woman, God, #9 Dream, Beautiful Boy, and Mind Games. While these are well-known, there are also hidden gems like Oh My Love, Aisumasen, Old Dirt Road, Bless You, and Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out) that deserve more attention. I think Plastic Ono Band is an album that every artist should experience. It's one of the greatest albums in pop history-rarely has such raw honesty been captured in music. It stands as a fantastic example of pure artistic expression.

[@JohnnyJohnny-f5o]

I always took the "wheels" as like the clockwork of life's machinery. He's sitting back, watching life work and move, trying to figure it out.

[@megankinsey6190]

It's one of my favourite songs ❤

[@Rob-eo5ql]

This was on Double Fantasy. Released on November 17, 1980. He died 3 weeks later.

[@FelippeBorges]

Yes, but it was released as a single 1 year later

[@tomgould3475]

This is a song about contentment. Holding on to the merry -go- round of life and being blown by the whims of what people expect from you can't bring satisfaction in life. One has to learn to let go. Contentment is a natural result of letting go.

[@anthonygriffin9275]

What a great album!!! It’s so sad that he’s gone. Who knows what could have been.😊

[@mitchellbatchelor1594]

My favorite Lennon song. His ability for personal insight is all over this composition.

[@anthonygriffin9275]

Listen to “Woman” from Double Fantasy. Another classic!

[@Rick_Alden]

I bet the other Beatles would love this!

[@ruypapaleobianchini395]

Música linda do gênio 👏👏👏👏👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇧🇷.

[@jamesmonahanmusic]

It is truly wonderful that you have made this beautiful video and that so many people have gotten to enjoy it. Just think 🤔, John Lenon is in Heaven. ❤

[@stevencohen3925]

The harp works so well with this song!!

[@MatthewFelgate-r4u]

I bought double fantasy on vinyl age 17, listened to it all day because it was summer holiday in South Arica, was a big Lennon fan, and the news came though that day he'd been killed. Still feel it 44 years later.

[@manic65cvn]

I think this is my favourite Lennon song.

[@Steve-gx9ot]

Lennon just did his thing and was confident and comfortable with his life. Pretty much tried to control what he could and rolled with the punches. Very intelligent and creative

[@coreywiley3981]

I'm only Sleeping sort of has a similar theme I think, not the music but the lyrics. I remember when John Lennon died in 1980, when I was four. My mother lit a candle and was telling me about John Lennon and I remember this song being played on the radio durring the days around his death. One of my favorite songs by him.

[@markmilner842]

The bass was played by the great Tony Levin (who has also played with Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and King Crimson, among many others). He’s one of the best bass players ever.

[@hippydippy]

The "play ground" is always what I felt during the chorus. It's like kids on a spinning on an old merry-go-round you'd have to push to spin. Very child like visions.

[@R_SENAL]

Sadly he didn't get to watch those wheels for much longer after writing this. So often it seems when people have cracked the code to happiness, to living in the moment, their final moment arrives. I love this song, it is one of my favorite post-Beatles songs. Across the Universe is still my favorite written by him. I also like the song God which for me has a similar message to Wheels.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

Maybe when you crack the code to happiness you’ve learned what we were sent here to learn, and you’re allowed to graduate to the next level of being. It’s an unnecessarily brutal way to leave, but there isn’t an easy way that I know of. No one here gets out alive.

[@R_SENAL]

@@lathedauphinot6820 Similar thought to that helped me get through my mother's death when I was still a kid. Maybe she'd learned and taught all she needed to.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

@@R_SENAL Or all she could. From what I can tell, people who are taken early seem to have a sense they have a lot to do in a little time, but your parents are supposed to raise you, and in return you protect and finally bury them. Maybe she learned what she was here to learn and taught what she could, but if she was promoted and sent on while you were still vulnerable, how were you supposed to understand that, and how were you supposed to learn? You kept your part of the bargain but had to figure out the rest. I can't imagine going through that. If you did that, you can do anything, and you seem to have come through it with peace and wisdom. If so, that's great. Kids suffer the most.

[@R_SENAL]

@lathedauphinot6820 sometimes I think a harder path teaches you lessons you might otherwise have skipped, or missed. I miss my mom, but I like to think she'd be proud of how I turned out. Thank you for your words, and Happy Xmas/Holidays.

[@SAMMYKO1]

I still think it’s one of the greatest song ever, and the acoustic guitar demo is awesome too.

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

John Lennon, #9 Dream and Mind Games. Your playing along with and harmonizing was lovely, graceful. I could just "image" John referencing Joni Mitchell's The Circle Game. An undeniable folk anthem.

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

if you feel like getting emotional, listen to the song "Beautiful Boy" from the same album

[@69Mucci]

My all-time favorite Lennon song.

[@manlioyllades]

The bass player on this track is the amazing Tony Levin. That might explain the prominence in the mix.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

I wish I had had the chance to grow old with him. He sang about what it meant to be human.

[@FABIO_MARTINSS]

I clearly remember December 1980, the Double fantasy album had come out, the radio was playing heavily "Woman" and "Watching the weels. Then John was murdered. I love this song and the slightly melancholic chorus when it goes through a section of minor chords. ...

[@wallacerose8663]

Love your work! Thank you for this channel. Some songs I would like to see (if you haven't already done them): Handle with Care - Traveling Wilburys All Things Must Pass - George Harrison Saltwater - Julian Lennon

[@CasioGreg]

In the late 80s early 90s there was a radio music documentary called The ) Lost Lennon Tapes... Hosted by Elliot Mintz. You can find them all, and in the hours of these episodes has some clips of the Double Fantasy sessions. By John's own words, Watching The Wheels is like I am The Walrus, Mind Games and Imagine. "Because he's watching the wheels he's not actually driving the damn truck" (direct quote Lennon).

[@harrypalma8821]

Along with Just Like Starting Over, what a goodbye. Unbelievable that they were under appreciated until his death.

[@jdenino6022]

John Lennon wrote such interesting songs. I also liked his song "One Day At A Time" which was also covered nicely by Elton John.

[@Mp50000]

i have to say i am loving Virgin Rock..this woman is on point. good fun

[@davidrauh8118]

I'd like to mention that after John's self imposed sabbatical, he had written enough songs for a full album. But Yoko came up with the idea to do the album together, where each of them get half of the songs on Double Fantasy. Well, John's other songs remained as demos, never finished, and finally appeared on Milk And Honey the follow up album.

[@scottmayo7545]

The saddest song on planet earth is "Mother" by Lennon. It's a beautiful song but so so sad.

[@stefanosg1432]

One of my favourites.

[@babylonian.captivity]

Yes, good point about "the wheels on the bus go round and round," John channeling childhood there. A reiteration of "When I was younger, so much younger than today..."

[@ggmiethe]

Fun Fact. Lennon was on a tv talk show. Beforehand he was signing autographs with the studio audience. Another guest, who had been such a busy man, had never heard of Lennon, and he noticed this man signing at a very brisk pace. This man was Warren Farrell, the “Godfather of the Men’s Movement”. After the show Lennon and Farrell were chatting. Lennon said that he was so busy all the time. Farrell said that you have enough money - why not take a break and be there for your new son? Lines like “watching shadows on the wall” were Lennon’s fun playing with his child. Finally John was able to be a dad, something he regretted as he was not available for his first son, Julian.

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

This and "Woman" have to be my favorite post-Beatles Lennon songs. Never was a fan of him personally, but I like this side of him.

[@michaelwelsh7362]

This was my favorite John Lennon song after he left the Beatles, has a kind of Dylan feel to it🎶🎶🎶

[@vincenzogandolfo5561]

When John sings "I really love to watch them roll" the music is the same of the famous Procol Harum song "A whiter shade of pale"

[@hellooutsiders6865]

I can't wait for you to hear Real Love

[@Jaxy451]

Yes, well - we would all like to know what else John Lennon would have done.

[@greenbeech3055]

This song was Lennon's answer to people were bothering him about what he was doing, when are you putting out a new album, etc.

[@brettt.9464]

Love the bouncy bass guitar on this one.

[@debjorgo]

This is my favorite John Lennon solo song. It is up there with his best songs in the Beatles.

[@babylonian.captivity]

It''s a continuation of "please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away..." and "you may say I'm a dreamer..." John always returns to this dreamy sleeping contemplative mode.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Jack Douglas co-produced this with Lennon. When the Beatles exploded onto the music scene in Liverpool in the early 1960s, Jack dropped out of college and stowed away on a freighter from NY to Liverpool. When they arrived at Liverpool, customs found him and detained him for weeks. His story got out, making headlines in Liverpool newspapers and he became a local legend around Liverpool. The Legend of Jack Douglas. Nearly 20 years later, Jack, now one of top music producers in the industry (he produced Aerosmith’s biggest albums). Lennon asked him to produce his new album (after his infamous 5-year hiatus to raise his son). During the recording of Double Fantasy, Jack was telling the story to someone in the studio about being a stowaway, the freighter, landing in Liverpool. Lennon, looked up, surprised, “THAT WAS YOU???”

[@1rwjwith]

I love your Harp playing along😄

[@johnmiddleton6574]

John and you jamming yeah

[@anthonygriffin9275]

The pressure of being a Beatle must have been enormous! Once a Beatle, always a Beatle but I think John finally did “ let it go”!!!

[@garycameron8167]

So - I just went off to make dinner while listening to this, humming along to the bit of John's song with the strings - and suddenly found myself humming George Harrison's similar string passage from "When We Was Fab" from a couple of years later! Thinking about it, in both cases the strings somehow sound "Beatle-ish" (George Martin-ish?) though I can't exactly say how. I had to listen again a couple of times to be sure.

[@dcmtrader]

Good for him, he lived his life in the time he had left.

[@dannyholmes2801]

Terrific production by Jack Douglas!

[@tommywallberg]

I really enjoyed your comments 👍

[@OzTwanger]

The best version of this is the acoustic demo