Reacting to John Lennon's GOD, MY MUMMY'S DEAD, LOVE, REMEMBER & PLASTIC ONO BAND SIDE II

Part I: Side I:
• First Listen to JOHN L...
HI I LOVE YOU!
Before you say something about the chopping of the songs, just know I tried my hardest to fit as much as possible into the video, this is as much as youtube would allow with all the copyright restrictions (trust me I've already gotten myself into a bit of trouble already). Now you may proceed, just remember that I love you.
Now onto this album...
WOWOWOWOWOW! What a total absolute raw emotional experience, I can't even believe it still. At the moment, the song "God" is definitely still on my mind and I am currently sobbing.
Also, happy March 2. For some reason March 2 has been a big day in past years for me so I guess it still feels like a momentous occasion in some way.

[@walterpanovs]

"God" is an absolutely breathtaking masterpiece and one of the most honest/personal songs by a major musical artist. Beautiful and haunting. The follow-up album, "Imagine," is similar thematically to "Plastic Ono Band" but more slickly and richly produced with a more commercial sound, but still quite powerful.

[@samsowden]

not as raw, thankfully. plastic ono is amazing, but another serving of that would have been too much.

[@tjcint]

@Walter Panovs, I agree with your comment about 'God' .. I don't know if I have ever heard a song with such majesty ...

[@71hammyman]

Always been my favourite song, every emotion.

[@rollingstoneworks3183]

In 1987, when I was 13, MTV ran a special on the seventh anniversary of John Lennon’s murder. I didn’t know who John Lennon was, and asked my mother. She said he was a Beatle, and someone had shot him. I didn’t know what a Beatle was, but it shocked me that someone would kill a musician. I dived deep into the Beatles and John in particular for that point on. I got to this album as a particularly vulnerable 14 year old. John’s pure honesty and introspection hit me hard, Look At Me and God especially. It’s always been a special, secret treasure of mine, something very necessary. Hope you felt that. John had a very distinctive voice, both his singing voice and his ability to communicate deep and simple concepts through language. The only other artists I personally put on that level are Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Cheers…

[@staceykeeley4219]

Very well said!

[@carmelovillena6174]

me too

[@Billinois78]

I have no doubt, John would appreciate that you don't simply agree with every single thing he says, but that you challenge your current beliefs and to question and think. He was very much a believer in that and was never a fan of people simply going along and nodding their heads in agreement with him or the crowd. He had great appreciation for open-minded conversation and introspection, as well as love and humor.

[@elvisleeboy]

He often didn't agree with himself five minutes later.

[@Billinois78]

@@elvisleeboy This is true.

[@CrystalShannon4]

John seems to be quite the complex individual, talented yet troubled musician and a wonderful thinker. Every time I think he and I are worlds different, I realize that none of us are actually too different from one another!

[@darensweeney5925]

@@CrystalShannon4 i think John would say where you are is less important than where you are going.)))) peace.

[@braudabo]

@@CrystalShannon4 John Lennon was a lot. Like no one before in the rock/pop business. Music genius, misogynist, cynic, wimp, macho, prankster, drug addict, peace campaigner, father, house husband, murder victim. The list is definitely not complete. But whether he believed 1970 in the band or not, his greatest identity for posterity is "Beatle". Incidentally, his solo work leading up to this album is extremely relevant and defines him profoundly. His experimental/collage albums with Yoko Ono, while heavy stuff and not particularly good, show a change in his personality. His first, also commercially successful singles in 1969/1970 "Give peace a chance" (rarely more relevant than now in 2022...), "Cold turkey" and "Instant Karma" have an even more remarkable status.

[@analogblues]

This music is amongst the most profound I've heard in my life. Never have I heard an artist willing to bear their soul this way. John sets the gold standard for honest expression in music. It's fearless. I can't imagine sharing your darkest feelings and pain with the whole world as John did here (and keep in mind John was one of the most famous people on the planet at the time of this release.) But his courage allowed me to not feel alone as a person going through tough times when I first heard it at 18. Just want to thank you, Crystal, for putting a spotlight on this album and giving your incredible reaction and insights to it.

[@michaelfishman3976]

“I don’t believe in Beatles.” Remember, this is not long after the very acrimonious split of The Beatles. At this time, there was a lot of fallout between John and Paul. George still sessioned with John a bit, and Ringo was on this album. But John felt a very strong need to distance himself from “Beatles” and to declare that he was no longer that guy; he was now just John Lennon. The people he names in that list were, for the most part, past idols of his. Elvis, of course, he and the other Beatles were huge fans. Zimmerman, in case you don’t know, is Bob Dylan (real name Robert Zimmerman). Dylan was the one who convinced John to start taking his lyrics more seriously, and John convinced Dylan to be more musically ambitious (before that, his music was just an acoustic guitar and harmonica). Dylan also introduced John to marijuana, and that forever changed his life. So it wasn’t just Beatles, it was a select list of people he idolized in the past.

[@Holywell88]

The 5th of November is Bonfire Night in Britain. Children are taught a rhyme which begins “Remember Remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder, Treason and Plot”

[@stevea6307]

"Remember the fifth of November" is a reference to Guy Fawkes who was part of a plot to blow up the houses of Parliament in 1605. The plot's failure is celebrated every Nov. 5 in the U.K. with bonfires.

[@elvisleeboy]

I think in at least some cases, the plot is celebrated, not necessarily the failure of it.

[@dannygriffith6185]

And ...the conspiracy theorists say this was also the date in 1966 that Paul McCartney met his untimely death in a car accident.

[@PeckiePeck]

I love how that song is about selling out your own principles as you get older and remembering them with a kind of nostalgia. He seems to think people who do this have failed and are lying to themselves because it's just easier. When he says "don't feel sorry," I think he's being the voice in those people's heads that tell them it's okay they sold out. It's an extremely ironic song. The lyrics are just brilliant.

[@tobydeveson]

The beauty about this album is its consistency - the sound is stripped back, bare, vulnerable and dry, no matter what the style of the song. And as for 'God' you also need to put it in a historical context. The Beatles and their generation were kids, worshipping Elvis and other Rock n Roll gods, emerging from the post war depression years, they grew up in the public eye at the centre of a hurricane that was the music industry, beatlemania, hope, mind altering drugs, 'new' religions, world peace - the hippies were going to change the world, conquer the establishment with love and music and make the world a better place. These young rebels - still in their mid 20s - were changing everything. Sgt Pepper brought colour and hope to the world. And at the centre of it all was a young John Lennon, conflicted and hurting and changing. He launched head first into everything. Drugs, the Maharishi, Love, Peace, Hope, he took the weight and the world onto his shoulders and put his all into all the things listed in 'God'. And in return the weight and expectations of all his millions of fans were on his shoulders. Then the world changed. The dreaded establishment started winning. Vietnam, Nixon, friends and fellow musicians started dying, the innocence of dope and acid turned into heroin and mental illness, hippie festivals got taken over by Hells Angels and the Beatles broke up. And perhaps worst of all for John, the world hated and were unbelievably racist and horrible about the woman he loved. So in God, not only is he exploring his own shadows and fears and hurt, he is facing up to all the dreams and hopes and heroes being not enough to fix him. The only person he can turn to and rely on is himself. And the fans didn't like that., they wanted the John they knew and loved back. He had to abandon his beloved Elvis, Bob Dylan, Tarot etc. All he had was himself. Not the dreams, not the walrus costumes, not the fancy music production of the Beatles...just him, him and Yoko and the bare, stripped back music. And he was sorry if the fans didn't like it, But he had to do it....It is such a beautiful album.

[@damonhines8187]

Beautifully elucidated, mate, thank you.

[@glass2467]

Great reaction! Welcome to the initiated. So many won't even listen to this album, but to me it's possibly the most powerfully honest and psychologically telling albums, or artistic statements ever. For you to have been open to it, and moved by it deserves congratulations!

[@AnthonyMinsky]

Nice review Crystal!!! I can’t even think of the last time a young person like yourself reacted or even listened to this John Lennon album. I’ve always loved it so much, and feel like no one, except from that era, appreciate it, or even know it! Led Zeppelin, Beatles solo careers, Pink Floyd, how can you not be the best music reactor to watch on the internet?!! I look forward to every video.

[@stevea6307]

"I don't believe in Zimmerman" refers to Dylan's original name.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Ohhh!! Thanks Steve! I had no idea and just had to look it up now: Robert Allen Zimmerman - quite a leap to get to Bob Dylan!

[@PeterBuwen]

Yes it does. It was the time when John was dissapointed of Dylan because he had changed his way of protesting against the establishment in Lennons opinion.

[@dano41]

@@CrystalShannon4 I believe he took the name from Dylan Thomas.

[@NehemiahRyan]

This album and RAM are my two favorite Beatles solo albums. They both feel a lot like the White Album to me. Great reaction Crystal! Sending love your way ♥️

[@Billinois78]

On "God" - definitely my favorite from side 2 - John sings "I was the dreamer...", but then on the next album, "Imagine", the title song includes the line "You might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". He was just like the rest of us. As soon as we think we've figured out where we stand, the ground moves under us and we adjust our stance.

[@glassmaxtool]

You are so genuine and heartfelt in your analysis, it's like you are providing a therapy session with your analysis. It's one of your talent gifts. Your ability to really communicate musical education with charm, warmth, and personality. Thank you for this.

[@paulknight9998]

"Love" might be the best definition that I have ever heard of what love actually is - Love is "real", "feeling", "touch", "reaching", "free" and "living" - Love is wanting, asking for and needing those things. "Love is knowing we can be" - The insight that togetherness as opposed to separateness is within the realms of possibility of human existence. Simple and profound at the same time. Brilliant man.

[@petehealy9819]

I was fumbling my way through college when this came out. I loved the Beatles and John Lennon's lyrical yet sometimes brutal honesty, and so this album hit me hard. The "dreams" of the 60s did in fact feel gutted, the war in Vietnam was as bad as ever, the stink of exhaustion filled the air. This album rang even truer because of that. And, as always, your insights into the musical choices Lennon made to intensify what he wanted to say are brilliant. Keep on!

[@craigalden9416]

Well done Crystal…. Plastic Ono is my favourite John Lennon album….the absolute raw emotion of this album is fantastic and the beautiful simplicity of his slower songs … just about leave you in tears…👍.

[@michaelt6218]

So powerful and touching. I'm quite impressed, Crystal, that you were able to keep your emotions in check while listening -- because I can't say the same for myself. When John sings "the dream is over" I break down in tears even though I've heard the song so many times over so many years. 😢

[@analogblues]

Same here, Michael. Those lyrics - and the way John sings them - just kill me. "I just believe in me" is so heartbreaking and beautiful. I don't want him to feel that way, and yet I get it.

[@fredkrissman6527]

More than a mere reaction, Crystal's analysis is SO deep here. This Lennon debut solo lp has been my very fav "Beatles" album, either pre- and post-breakup, which is saying a lot. Part of it has to do with its linkages to the insights of Primal Therapy, both for what John clearly got out of the method, and what I was myself going through at that time, at 18 yrs of age... Yet this vid still added new layers of appreciation to an already beloved work of art, so thanx so much Crystal!

[@jnagarya519]

And recall the line from "Mother": "I couldn't walk, and I tried to run."

[@anthonys.2365]

5th November is Bonfire Night in England remembering Guy Fawkes plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, thus the explosion. Look at Me…another example of John’s lyrical genius. Never afraid to show his vulnerability, and always open, even if it resulted in public negativity My Mummy’s Dead was recorded earlier on a portable tape recorder from my understanding John used a slapback echo effect on his vocals as he disliked the sound of his voice I will give you something to think about…when you get to Double Fantasy, pay attention to how the album begins. There will be a familiarity

[@bobmessier5215]

This was one of John's best albums. Raw and emotional. I liked every song on this record.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

"The dream is over, what can I say" was essentially a direct message to all Beatles fans as well as anyone who worked with them that it is over. It was due to the endless and relentless questioning if/when they are going to get back together. Johns take was if you want to reminisce just listen to all the previous albums but the Beatles thing is not in the cards to happen again.

[@theycallhimwoods]

5th of November is Guy Fawkes Night - Guy Fawkes (/fɔːks/; 13 April 1570 - 31 January 1606),[a] also known as Guido Fawkes while fighting for the Spanish, was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who was involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 - Guy Fawkes Night ceebrations in Northern Ireland in the late 60s and early 70s frequently resulted in flare ups of "the Troubles" between Protestants and Catholics.

[@theycallhimwoods]

note: that even though Liverpool is in England, it is a city which had alot of Irish in it (Lennon, McCartney & Starkey are all Irish surnames; Harrison is a surname commonly derived from Northern England or Scotland)

[@mibeatleman6767]

The 5th of November reference on "Remember" is a reference to Guy Fawkes who blew up Parliament on November 5, 1605 in London. He is also the reason we call males, 'guys'. The movie, V for Vendetta, the male star wore the Guy Fawkes mask in the movie. Love your videos

[@steveosborne3714]

Actually, Guy Fawkes didn't.... though, he tried to. This fact should give you a whole other angle on why Lennon included the sound of an explosion at the end.

[@Holywell88]

He didn’t blow up parliament, he was caught underneath with barrels of gunpowder before they could be ignited

[@mischatal]

“ remember remember the 5th of November.” An English nursery rhyme which John would have learnt as a child.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Guy Fawkes ATTEMPTED to blow up the King and the government, he was caught before he had the chance.

[@zedxxx9]

I don't remember if you made note of it on the Side 1 video, or not... but Ringo Starr was the drummer on this album. That's half the Beatles! And the next one will also have some George Harrison.

[@davidschecter5247]

No need to apologize for anything! You really offered a lot of insight into this listening. I always come away from your videos with a new and different appreciation of these albums I thought I knew so well.

[@heavenishere2071]

At the end of the song, Lennon sings the lines "Remember, remember / The Fifth of November", followed by the sound of an explosion. The words are from the English nursery rhyme "Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November", and refer to Guy Fawkes Night, a British public holiday that is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires

[@zacharyspencer8321]

It goes a little deeper than that: The Guy Fawkes holiday commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Observed in the UK every year on November 5, Guy Fawkes Day commemorates a failed assassination attempt from over 400 years ago. The plot was to protest the severe religious persecution of Catholics by the monarchy. Fawkes and his co-conspirators were hanged, drawn, and quartered in London.

[@1953jazzman]

Your ability to tackle one of the most emotionally direct AND complicated albums ever made with such keen perception - all on what is essentially a first listen - is incredibly impressive! I think it will impress you more and more as you revisit it in years to come! Just so you know, Ringo is on the drum kit here - lots of masterful work on his part!

[@paulbrookes5365]

As they say, the more bitter the artist, the better the art. One of the best albums ever, period imho. Was a time when i literally couldn't listen to this, great interpretation as ever.

[@robertbutler4672]

Hi Crystal! Has there ever been a greater love song to love than Love? It really is a wonderful modern lullaby...you could easily sing it to a small child. Another fine reaction, as always.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Thank you so much dear friend Robert!!! And to answer your question, I believe as car as love songs go, Love has to be at the very top, if not, somewhere in 1st-4th place! It provides great insights and beauty!

[@KariKauree]

Grow Old With Me (I prefer the version without strings) is up there as well

[@KimSenior]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3vWioGkqpmro6M my version of Love.

[@KimSenior]

@@CrystalShannon4 My version of Love. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3vWioGkqpmro6M

[@penfold7455]

That vocal effect in "Look At Me" is indeed a double tracking of his voice. Throughout both his time in the Beatles and his solo era,Lennon always loved to double track. And he was REALLY great at matching the second track with the first one; hence that neat effect you heard.

[@NigelT57]

He loved double tracking because he openly admitted that he hated the sound of his voice on its own. This is why the early songs tend to be him and Paul singing together in harmony.

[@hw343434]

@@NigelT57 he was also incredibly accurate with his pitch and double tracking and that gave the vocals even more power

[@dafmor]

5th of November is a reference to the 1605 "Gunpowder Plot" - when group of English Roman Catholics attempted to blow up Parliament and King James I, his queen, and his eldest son.

[@Deebhoy]

Plastic Ono Band is an incredible album and my favourite post Beatles album, but it is a tough listen. Few artists achieve that level of painful honesty. The production and arrangements are top quality with Klaus Voorman on bass and Ringo's incredible drumming. This was peak solo Lennon. Good review Crystal.

[@tombeyerlein3813]

This is a perfect record album. There aren't many, but this is one of them.

[@dano41]

Thank you for your reaction - insightful and thought provoking as always. Not only is this my favorite of any of the Beatles post Beatles albums, it is still one of my favorite albums period. I was thinking about one of your comments about Love. I’ve always thought that when he says “love is wanting to be loved” and “love is needing to be loved” there is a double meaning. There is the one that you seemed to question (rightly so, I think) that needing or wanting to be loved is what love is, but could also mean that love itself is an entity that needs and wants love. Sort of like Stevie Wonder’s song “Love’s in Need of Love Today”.

[@hw343434]

exactly. "Love is living"

[@huwpugh1]

Superb Crystal. Thank you.

[@jeremyb5640]

Nice review, Crystal. Powerful is definitely the word when it comes to this album. Devastating too in its honesty and directness. The instrumentation matches that mood in its sparseness, completely stripped down to primarily drums, bass, guitar and piano. John and Yoko spent time before this album undertaking controversial primal scream therapy in which they were encouraged to regress to childhood and confront moments in their lives that caused them pain - in John's case his separation from his parents and his mother's tragic death (and then to literally scream that emotion out). That raw emotion is writ large throughout Plastic Ono Band. Then John was dealing with the breakup of the Beatles, his voice cracking as he tells us 'the dream is over'. The sixties were at an end. It's not always an easy listen, but this is one of the most searing confessional albums in rock history.

[@AlBarzUK]

Thank you for this share, Crystal. You are a far better listener than I ever was, and I was better than most others who heard these tracks back then. I love you, your appreciation (in the true sense of the word) and your understanding that this was John with his skin ripped open displaying his traumatic search for reality after years of being an integral fraction of a monumental movement. X

[@gregoryfilms9405]

The template for Kurt Cobain (especially Well, Well, Well) and for Roger Waters to write The Wall. A stunning piece of art.

[@jnagarya519]

"Remember": Lennon's first musical hero was Elvis. "The Beatles" later met him. Lennon said: "Don't look too close at your heroes. They all have clay feet." He, of course, included himself.

[@kingbuckyduck5669]

“I quote John Lennon, ‘I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me.’ Good point there. After all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus and I’d still have to bum rides of off people.” - Ferris Bueller

[@steve55sogood16]

"Gimme Some Truth" from "Imagine", is a great one by John!

[@rodneygriffin7666]

This is the most personal album by John Lennon. It is still heartbreakingly amazing. The dream is over.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

I was only 15 years old when we lost him. It broke my heart. He was my hero...😭. 1980 and beyond meant the end of the sixties and seventies. Tomorrow would get more useless. I am 56.

[@johnpress]

Crystal, I have always loved your reviews. But, (this is a compliment), I think you're getting better at it. You said 'vulnerable.' 'Intimate,' and 'honest,' are the words I'd use to describe this LP. That's why I love it and John's other solo work so much. It's real. THANKS!! JP

[@IDLERACER]

🧔 For the record, Phil Spector was working on this album and "All Things Must Pass" almost simultaneously (they were released within a week of each other). Klaus Voormann plays bass, Ringo plays drums and John & Phil handle all the guitars and pianos...with one exception. "God" features Billy Preston on piano. Spector pulled him in from the "All Things Must Pass" sessions going on down the hall because he sensed that this was the one track on the LP that required a REAL piano player and not just somebody pounding out chords in a hamfisted manner.

[@eljohndoe6109]

Less is More, and in this case very powerful. ringo, klaus, and john. God is a Concept by which we measure our pain, is a very true statement.

[@squirtkobain7405]

Thank you Crystal! For reacting to side 2. Please don't forget mccartney and ringo

[@robbielux8353]

I love your reaction…this is a very interesting yet important album. I’m glad you loved it.

[@phillipfitton8364]

Love your new format, keep it up

[@bobworrell9827]

Again,another excellent review on a master songwriter.you made a lonely night full of joy.your review on led zeppelin was an artful study.i have all these albums and when the songs are full of meaningful and poetic lyrics the review may write itself. The first led zeppelin album is different. It is raw emotion. You laid it out bare,showed us the workings inside,and sewed it up for us to enjoy anew. I ,like others, have heard it 100s of times but now we will hear it with greater joy thanks to you.

[@beholdmessiah6526]

Great review of a classic and thought provoking and emotional LP by the most direct and emotional singer ever.

[@shemanic1]

there is so much raw passion in this album from John. It has a prized place in my collection of vinyl.

[@hungfao]

IMO, the best solo album by any of the former band. It's John venting. A reality check to Beatle fans. A complete artistic statement that in the hands of a lesser talent would have been a failure. Entirely remarkable and difficult to categorize. It doesn't seem to have aged a bit. As far back as 'Help!', John was expressing his unhappiness with the whole Beatle-mania / fame thing. He started the band and would get the band all hyped-up with a chant where they were going to the 'toppermost of the poppermost. He wanted to be bigger than Elvis and he got what he wished for. It wasn't what he expected. Fans were constantly expecting him to be the stereotype they saw in 'Hard Day's Night'. The band was surrounded by a world that went insane. Paul seemed to get energy from it. John and George did not. Ringo varies. So, when the band went for a well-deserved vacation after releasing 'Revolver', John was looking for a way out but couldn't figure out how to do it. So on and so on. Despite my awe, it isn't my favorite solo from the boys. It's not exactly a 'feel good' album, after all. John moved on to the delightful 'Imagine' album next which he said was POB II with 'sugar coating' (aka full production values) 5th of November = Guy Fawkes Day. It was a sort of half-joke lyric.

[@BruceColon-BSides]

He had so much surplus creativity coming out of the breakup. This and Imagine are stripped-back, soul-bearing masterpieces. Timeless honesty and genius.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

Good evening, Crystal, and everyone! You did it again, my friend. I LOVE the new format and your analysis and breakdowns of these tracks was superb. I don’t want to repeat what others have said so eloquently today so here are some personal thoughts; “Remember”-the opening four-note riff (C-F-C-A) was used a year earlier on an outtake of “Something” by The Beatles. I believe it’s Take 37 of the song and it ends with them jamming to this riff. Fun fact: November 5th is the date in 1955 when Marty McFly went back in time in “Back To The Future”. “Love”-LOVELY. For all the criticism Yoko Ono gets, can we please give her credit for inspiring John to write such beautiful songs? And she helped him write some, too. This one gets to me, too. “Well Well Well”-Punk rock before it was cool. This track is so punk. I LOVE the slapback echo on this and throughput the album. And, Ringo’s drumming is PHENOMENAL. “Look At Me”-sounds like a hybrid of “I’m So Tired” and “Julia”. Love it. The lyrics are so simple yet terribly effective. “God”-Billy freaking Preston on piano. Amazing. But the highlight is Ringo. Listen closely and you’ll notice he plays a completely different drum fill on each verse. The first time I listened to this it made me very sad. It still does today, but I see this song and album now as a snapshot of John and Yoko at the time. I think that’s what songs are, musical snapshots and journal entries on who we were and where we were at that time. We can look back on them later and reminisce on the state we were in at the time. Such a great song. “My Mummy’s Dead”-its short, but this track haunts me. So so sad and painful to listen to it. It sounds like it’s coming out of a transistor radio, but it’s very moving. Crystal, I can’t wait to see what’s next. In the meantime there were some songs from this period that were singles but didn’t appear on the album: “Cold Turkey”, “Give Peace A Chance”, and “Instant Karma”. I would LOVE to see you review those, but even if you don’t I hope you get to listen to them in your free time. You will love them! 😊🤗❤️🙏

[@mitchmitchell80]

Love you Crystal, you are awesome! Always enjoy your'analysis and feelings. Especially Beatles stuff!!

[@CrystalShannon4]

Love you Mitch!!! You are so awesome for being here with me! I absolutely am having the time of my life listening to such amazing music

[@charlesbunch8383]

Great breakdown. I've been waiting for this from you. Love is my favorite from the whole album. Look at Me sounds to me like it could have been on the White Album. It's a very emotional album.

[@charlesbunch8383]

One of the things I love most about John is that he bared his soul to the world.

[@gettinhungrig8806]

@@charlesbunch8383 And his bum

[@charlesbunch8383]

@@gettinhungrig8806 haha good one.

[@alezaba]

You’re so bright. I always thought Love had such simplistic lyrics, but you got deep into the meaning

[@CrystalShannon4]

Haha thank you alezaba!! I think that’s another benefit of doing these videos. In all honesty, I believe if I would’ve just heard these songs on my own and with no intention of breaking it down, it wouldn’t have even dawned on me to look further into the meaning and it would have just stayed at surface level. Due to these videos, I am forcing myself out of my own usual programming and jumping into the deep end and taking on a perspective I had previously left alone!

[@alezaba]

@@CrystalShannon4 You always bring some new light to records I’ve been listening to for 30 years. It might be just a detail, like the sequence of the songs. You pointed out that after the pain and the isolation of Mother, Hold on John brings relief and hope. I never saw it that way, but I agree with you and think now these two songs were put in that order with that intention. Thanks for your work

[@duncanpearce7499]

Please do Paul McCartneys ram

[@CrystalShannon4]

Hey Duncan!!! I’m happy to say that Ram is absolutely coming up soon!!

[@PeterBuwen]

'Ram' is surely the better album in comparism to 'McCartney' but maybe 'Mc Cartney' is the more important in a way - especially for McCartney himself personally I guess.

[@duncanpearce7499]

@@CrystalShannon4 check out pearl jam ten aswell, one of the best albums of the 90s if not ever!!!

[@duncanpearce7499]

by the way , love your reactions, as a musician good to hear your break downs@@CrystalShannon4

[@Kieop]

@@CrystalShannon4 McCartney is the better comparison to Plastic Ono Band. I feel you should've started with McCartney since it was the album that announced the break up of The Beatles. It is also sparse like Plastic Ono Band. Ram is better compared with Imagine. I think it's important (at least at first) to start with the first solo albums to get a sense of where each ex-Beatle was post-Beatles.

[@johnyarusso4953]

I learned how to play the drums from this album. Ringo simple but so perfect. Your review brightened up my day and took me back to 1970. Thank you 😊

[@raindancer80]

It's a very good record, 'God' is a song that caused a bit of rancour and was possibly the most direct on record dig at the Beatles break-up that any of them did. John was very angry about how things had gone down when he was recording this. If you have the chance to listen to or read extracts from his big Rolling Stone interview with Jann Wenner at about the same time, his bitterness about it was loud and clear. Yet, if we fast forward only 4 years there are interviews where he says "all my wounds are healed". Therefore, 'God' is a fascinating song and lyric, but it is also a time capsule. It is of its moment, and that moment passed by fairly quickly. Also, it exposed philosophical or spiritual fissures between himself and George, who would comment much later that he couldn't understand the song and didn't like what he perceived to be a rejection of spirituality, turning God into a concept, and stating all of the things you don't believe in. Anyway, that's a lot longer than I intended. Perhaps someone will read it one day!

[@hw343434]

I dont believe in Beatles means he doesnt beieve in the (fake) "MYTH" behind the Beatles. its not so literal

[@robk.6591]

Numero Quatro squad! Look At Me reminds me a lot of The Beatles Julia. Both are deeply reflective with mostly just John and his guitar playing a chord with a pedal point. Plus I like the way he follows the aggressive Well, Well, Well with the slower Look At Me. It reminds me of Long, Long, Long following Helter Skelter on the White Album. Great breakdown of side 2, Crystal!

[@CrystalShannon4]

Hey there Rob!!!! IM SO BEYOND GLAD THAT YOU SAID THIS! I was being driven mad!!! I knew Look At Me was most familiar- yes yes yes! I can completely hear it now “Looooook at meeee” --> “Juuuuuuuulia” And just the general tone set in Look At Me is so fitting with the White Album, it would slip right in so easily beyond a shadow of a doubt!

[@CrystalShannon4]

I’m proud that the Numero Quattro squad stands so strong! Thank you for being you!!!

[@craigoconnor6662]

I think this new listening format is the way to go.

[@tdgallagher218]

I've always enjoyed the harmonies on the song Remember (And don't you worry.....And don't feel sorry) bcuz it sounds so much like John and Paul singing together. That just illustrates the beauty of the vocals the Beatles had - there was a certain part of the vocal register where they were able to blend perfectly and sound indistinguishable from one aother. They complimented each other in so many ways.

[@douglasobrien8023]

Love watching your take on the Beatles as a group and as solo artists. "A beautiful song that makes me feel like I got punched"... Classic Lennon.

[@scottschienmann8461]

His vocals at the end of God are the most sublime in Rock and Roll. Thanks Crystal. You're the best

[@Uuuuutuuuube]

Another insightful review by the best “reactor” on KZbin. Great job!

[@CrystalShannon4]

You are far too kind Rick! Thank you for being here with me! I appreciate you very much.

[@tjcint]

Crystal, you are so emotionally sensitive .. beautifully so .. you are so good with words .. they flow from you effortlessly with a perfection .. you are so natural, charming, touching, engaging .. I could say so much more ...

[@amymills2413]

The contrast between Paul and John helped make the Beatle albums so good. The plastic Ono band is a very good album even if it's somewhat sad

[@anthonyhaun1990]

So good

[@CrystalShannon4]

This album is such a blessing!!

[@ChAnSBuDrOOO]

Wonderfull!!!! wonderfullll!!! fantastic

[@darensweeney5925]

In Love, that sus chord towards the end of the intro makes the entire song. So glad he played it as an arpeggio.

[@paulsullivan1650]

In "God", John wasn't trying to say that he didn't truly believe in all the things he said, he was just trying to say that all the things he always thought were so important in his life like Bob Dylan, Yoga, Kennedy, Jesus & the Beatles in the end aren't as important as he & Yoko were. And he was absolutely right. It's just like me. I love watching Tom Brady play, music, the Red Sox, playing my guitar, my friends & especialy teaching martial arts. But when my wife was still with us, it was really her & I that truly mattered... I loved your review of the album. Thank you very much. By the way, you have an amazing voice!!!

[@sterioapple]

The 5th of November is Guy Fawkes Day.

[@hongfang2508]

I was in the midst of a painful journey from fundamental Christianity to atheism when I discovered this album. It helped to hear someone else say what I was thinking.

[@tdgallagher218]

Keep in mind, the song God is not about being an atheist. Lennon is by no means putting down anybody: God, Jesus, Buddha, Elvis, etc. This is meant to express what he believed at that particular stage of his life. No one else meant anything to him anymore.

[@tdgallagher218]

I'm sure someone has mentioned this already, but November 5th is Guy Fawkes day in England. In fact, the children in the UK are taught to memorize that exact line: 'remember, remember the 5th of November.'

[@staceykeeley4219]

We call it Bonfire Night. Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot...

[@debjorgo]

One of the last songs John wrote was called Grow Old with Me. He uses the line "God bless our love", so apparently he softened up a little on the "God is a concept" bit.

[@CrystalShannon4]

Ooohh I can’t wait until I get to Grow Old with Me! I love how John was so open to honoring his beliefs and how they could change from time to time instead of backing just one way of thinking to establish an identity! I think in one way or another my beliefs change hourly!

[@debjorgo]

@@CrystalShannon4 Grow Old with Me was on Milk and Honey, released posthumously in 1984. A lot of good stuff on that album!

[@hongfang2508]

God is my favorite John Lennon song. When John said 'I don't believe in Beatles', I think he was referring to the idea that people lived their lives through the Beatles (yea, they were that big at the time). No, we can't live our lives through anything according to John. Rely on ourselves. The dream is over is a reference to the Beatles breakup and he says to Beatles fans, 'You just have to carry on". This album came out immediately after the Beatles broke up, so John is speaking in real time when it comes to Beatles.

[@TheEWFX29]

Yes you can't believe in something than isn't going to be there for you. You have to believe in yourself and what is real. All those images are of Gods or higher powers that people use to soothe their pain. His God was Elvis. So he is denouncing in himself what others thought of him and the Beatles. Its good to go through the images he demystifies. Its far reaching and all encompassing. A true classic.

[@hongfang2508]

@@TheEWFX29 And 'I don;t believe in Zimmerman' is a reference to Bob Dylan, Zimmerman being his birth name.

[@TheEWFX29]

@@hongfang2508 Yes. The voice of the generation. He is also demystifying the 60s. The dream is over.

[@LeChaunce]

The effect on "Look At Me" is the Artificial Double Tracking technique pioneered by EMI engineer Ken Townsend for Revolver. Wikipedia explains it fairly concisely: "[...] Townsend came up with a system using tape delay, after similar principles already in place for echoes applied via tape during a song mixdown. In essence, Townsend's system added a second tape recorder to the regular setup. When mixing a song, its vocal track was routed from the recording head of the multitrack tape, which was before the playback head, and fed to the record head of the second tape recorder. An oscillator was used to vary the speed of the second machine, providing more or less delay depending on how fast or slow the second machine was run relative to the first. This signal was then routed from the playback head of the second machine to a separate fader on the mixer. This allowed the delayed vocal to be combined with the normal vocal, creating the double-tracked effect."

[@davidrauh8118]

Look At Me reminds me of his song Julia. At least musically, or even parts of Dear Prudence. The simplicity is grand. And John always was the Walrus. He just used that lyric about Paul because it rhymed. Paul wore the Hippo mask in Magical Mystery Tour.

[@ewest14]

Being the Walrus means absolutely nothing

[@hw343434]

@@ewest14 it means "I am the Walrus" which symbolizes the whole psychedelic surrealist Beatles Pepper/Mystery Tour Era. John Lennon WAS that guy who created that, now he's going the opposite direction with this album; realism, minimalism, simplicity, no big production, just his truth in this part of his journey

[@adrianodonnell9903]

5th November is celebrated in the UK as Guy Fawkes Day (Bonfire Night) - traditionally bu building fires and setting off fireworks. On 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliaments using gunpowder (explosives). Back in the 1950s, 60s and 70s 5th November was a big deal in the UK. Every child knew the nursery rhyme "Remember, remember, the 5th November".

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Still, check out McCartney. His first solo record also in 1970 to see what all four Beatles experienced after the break up. Very interesting. McCartney is a fine album and deals with his own perspective after the end of one of the most influential bands of all time. Enjoy your journey.

[@damonhines8187]

Even just dropping in and out as I have done on this journey you've undertaken, particularly through the Beatles and after, is going to tear me to pieces and leave them gently on my futon, facing my screens - you x2 - my laptop and the TV where I watch whatever. I'm 65, and was born in London, England. I think at a young age, I/we encountered some Pearlies ( street musicians in basic black but elaborately decorated costume -q.v., and give a listen to Steve Winwood/Traffic 'Pearly Queen' - the version that holds a special place for me is from 'Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert') and they inspired me to pretend to play on the street in front of our house in Crawley, Sussex, where we moved when I was one, holding a toy steam shovel (excavator with a long articulated arm with a big scooper). Loved music, we spent Sunday afternoons listening to my Dad's jazz collection, in 1962 the Beatles arrived on the scene, and in the public consciousness. Lennon was "IT" for me. Seeing, hearing 'Twist and Shout' in fall '63 clinched it. In the late 90s I did it subbing in for my boss, the woman who ran an after-school rock band program that my kids were in, and she invited me to join. Anyway, we play it, a bunch of young girls, not my regulars, and one asked me at the end, "How'd'you do that?!" and her friend looked at her very matter-of-factly, says, "He yells". Exactly...volume. More or less. Modulations of all kinds. Glad I stopped by, artic u l8r.

[@garretteulett8600]

The "Remember the 5th of November" part is a reference to the British holiday of Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night. A night where they set off fireworks and sing "Remember, remember, the 5th of November" to remember the failed gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes.

[@glenn171]

One of the best things about an album by a Beatle or Beatles is watching Crystal's reaction. 💪

[@DeathToTheDictators]

Love the new 'listen through first' format, Crystal! And the 5th of November was the day Guy Fawkes tried to blow up British parliament.

[@glynroberts5047]

The 5th of November line is a reference to the famous Gunpowder plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament whilst it was in session in 1605 by a group of conspirators including Robert Catesby, Thomas winter, and Guy (Guido) Fawkes. It is a celebration in England in which fireworks are set of as a reminder of the plot. The later of the two has the (Dis)honour of having the night named after them so the explosion is a direct reference to that

[@rodneygriffin7666]

All Things Must Pass John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band McCartney All Great!! Ringo would take over the airways after that, for a while. All good stuff.

[@dimsylsodium1]

I always thought that this album might have been called "Just One Word" with all the song titles being a single word/concept. When it comes to creating a John Lennon playlist, it's fun to combine all his one word titles together from "Help" to "Woman". I also allow myself "Sexy Sadie" since it was originally entitled "Marharishi".

[@fernandoesparza3347]

A very powerful album indeed, this album by John paved the way for other artists to create similar albums even to this day For me the stand out tracks were "Working Class Hero", "Love", and "God" plus the bookending of "Mother" and "My Mummy's Dead" is pure genius, and tho "Mother" was John's choice for the single ("Love" was crying out to be the single and to be orchestrated properly), it seems John wanted this album to stand on its own artistic merit breaking new ground, musical ground that didn't exist before, as a member of the Beatles he couldn't have made this album, likewise Paul couldn't have done "McCartney," George couldn't have done "All Things Must Pass"and Ringo couldn't have indulged in either "Sentimental Journey" or "Beaucoups Of Blues" After all, John wanted all of "Abbey Road" to be rock-'n'-roll and Paul wanted to make a classical orchestral rock suite, so yeah eventually their musical journey together took different wonderful solo directions On a sidenote, in at least two occasions in two different cities during my lifetime, whenever the record stores would play this album, when "Well Well Well" was playing it suddenly became too loud and too much for them and was either turned down or another album was played, go figure lol Great job Crystal keep it going as you see fit 🎶🎶🎶🌹🌹🌹💖💖💖🕯️🕯️🕯️🙏🙏🙏🙆🙆🙆

[@Talisman09]

good stuff Crystal!

[@MichaelThomas-dd9yd]

Crystal, it's been mentioned here before, but if you want to hear an album with the same amount of emotional intensity, check out Laura Nyro's album New York Tendaberry. It's sparse like Plastic, but more piano based. You're gonna to fall in love with her.

[@jamesduggan7200]

Oh yes, Nyro is very very good.

[@KariKauree]

Love your reactions and analysis, as always :) There's an MTV Classic Albums documentary about this album, it's on KZbin. It really is an overlooked classic (overshadowed by the commercial success of the following album, Imagine). The screaming parts of 'Well, Well, Well' sound like Nirvana two decades before Nirvana. I love the bare-bones honesty of the whole album. Ringo's drumming and Klaus's bass are fantastic.

[@ronaldtdump2156]

Crystal - The effect you were wondering about in 'Look At Me' was probably the double tracked vocal. This could be done electronically (artificially doubling a single voice) or manually (the singer actually sings the song twice). The clue here that he actually sang it twice is his: "OK?"/"Yes, thank you" two voice exchange at the beginning of the track. BTW if you want to hear pretty much the polar opposite to this album, check out McCartney's 'Ram' album (which was the next Beatles solo album released after Lennon's POB album). While Lennon's album was lyrically/emotionally complex/deep, but musically very simple, Ram is pretty much the opposite - musically complex. while lyrically it's pretty light, goofy, even throwaway at times. Oh, also Ringo's first (non-album) single 'It Don't Come Easy' b/w 'Early 1970' is worth your time - the A-side is really good, and the B-Side is Ringo's take on his relationship with each of the other 3 newly ex-Beatles. Each one gets a dedicated verse (which musically parodies the style of each member's first solo album - John's verse even has Ringo shouting "COOKIES"). George Harrison plays on both tracks (and ghost co-wrote the A-Side with Ringo, Ringo gets sole writing credit, but has said in later interviews that it was really a co-write with George). Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5S6lmp_bcqisLM

[@joeparish4989]

The 5th of November refers to Guy Faulkes Day which is a day in English history, early 1600's I think, where Guy Faulkes tried to blow up the English Parliament building in Westminster. Every 5th of November in England, it is traditional to have a big bonfire for the Guy.

[@An_Cat_Dubh]

The 5th of November is Guy Fawkes Day in England. On that day in 1605, Guy Fawkes and other Catholics attempted to blow up the English Parliament (didn't succeed though).

[@NickTwohig]

In my top 10 of all time. Found a first pressing at a flea market! Spot on re: controlled chaos and absolutely raw feeling.

[@NickTwohig]

I also love that Ringo is on drums here.

[@briankennedy1192]

Good to see young lady. Had the same affect on me as a 14 year old in high school in 79.

[@percivalsongs2420]

Crystal, enjoying you videos so much! It would be great if you could contrast the post-Beatles work with their Beatles period. Is it what you expected? Can't wait for Ram.

[@dr.winstonoboogie7302]

16:21 and here is the raw and rough John.