Mother (John Lennon song)

Last updated

"Mother"
Mother john lennon.PNG
US picture sleeve
Single by John Lennon
from the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
B-side "Why" (Yoko Ono)
Released28 December 1970 (US only)
RecordedSeptember–October 1970
Genre Rock
Length5:34 (album version)
3:53 (single edit)
Songwriter(s) John Lennon
Producer(s) Phil Spector, John Lennon and Yoko Ono
John Lennon singles chronology
"Instant Karma!"
(1970)		"Mother"
(1970)		"Power to the People"
(1971)

"Mother" is a song by the English musician John Lennon, first released on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band . An edited version of the song was issued as a single in the United States on Apple Records, on 28 December 1970. [1] The single edit runs 1:41 shorter than the album due to removing the tolling bells that start the song and a quicker fade-out. The B-side features "Why" by Yoko Ono. The song peaked in the United States at number 19 on the Cashbox Top 100 [2] and number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100. [2] In Canada the song reached number 12. [3]

Contents

Conception

The lyrics of "Mother" address both of Lennon's parents, each of whom abandoned him in his childhood. [4] His father, Alf, left the family when Lennon was an infant. [4] His mother, Julia, did not live with her son, although they had a good relationship; she was killed in a car accident on 15 July 1958 by an off-duty policeman named Eric Clague when Lennon was 17. [4] In one of his last concerts, Lennon stated that the song was not just about his parents, but was rather "about 99% of the parents, alive or half dead". [5] [ page needed ]

"Mother" opens the album, starting with a funeral bell tolling slowly, four times. The song ends with Lennon repeating the phrase "Mama don't go, daddy come home", each time increasing in intensity until he screams the line as the song fades out. [6]

Lennon was inspired to write the song after undergoing primal therapy with Arthur Janov, originally at his home at Tittenhurst Park and then at the Primal Institute, California, where he remained for four months. Lennon, who eventually derided Janov, initially described the therapy as "something more important to me than The Beatles". [7] [ page needed ]

Although Lennon said that "Mother" was the song that "seemed to catch in my head," he had doubts about its commercial appeal and he considered issuing "Love" as a single instead. [8] In November 1982, a remixed version of "Love" was released as a single to help promote The John Lennon Collection LP. [9]

An early version of "Mother" performed on an electric guitar by Lennon can be heard on the John Lennon Anthology box set. [10]

The unused take 91 of the song was featured in the final scene and credits of the 2009 John Lennon biographical film, Nowhere Boy . [11]

A live version of the song was released Live in New York City from his 30 August 1972 concert at Madison Square Garden.

Reception

Cash Box said of the single version that "spare production work and a powerful melancholy vocal give the [song] its disturbing brilliance." [12] Record World said that the "mix of psychology and Spectorsound is depressing and dynamic at once." [13] Billboard called it a "slow rock emotion ballad" with a "compelling, biting lyric line." [14]

Stereogum contributors Timothy and Elizabeth Bracy rated it as Lennon's 4th best solo song, saying that "Over a martial beat and insistent piano riff, the question rises inextricably: if we can be abandoned by those who made us, who in the hell can we trust? The screaming, unanswered fade out makes the answer only too clear." [15] Far Out critic Joe Taysom described it as "one of the most moving creations that the late musician ever concocted," saying that Lennon "lays himself emotionally bare and finally deals with the abandonment issues that scarred him from childhood." [4]

Personnel

The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows: [16]

Lennon plays guitar rather than piano on the Nowhere Boy demo version. [11]

Other versions

Sales

Sales for Mother
RegionSales
South Africa25,000 [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band</i> 1970 studio album by John Lennon

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is the debut solo studio album by English musician John Lennon. Backed by the Plastic Ono Band, it was released by Apple Records on 11 December 1970 in tandem with the similarly titled album by his wife, Yoko Ono. At the time of its issue, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band received mixed reviews overall, but later came to be widely regarded as Lennon's best solo album.

<i>Imagine</i> (John Lennon album) 1971 album by John Lennon

Imagine is the second solo studio album by English musician John Lennon, released on 9 September 1971 by Apple Records. Co-produced by Lennon, his wife Yoko Ono and Phil Spector, the album's elaborate sound contrasts the basic, small-group arrangements of his first album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970). The opening title track is widely considered to be his signature song.

<i>Some Time in New York City</i> 1972 album by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephants Memory and the Invisible Strings

Some Time in New York City is the third collaborative studio album, and first live album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as Plastic Ono Band, a double album, it includes backing by the American rock band Elephant's Memory. Released in June 1972 in the US and in September 1972 in the UK on Apple Records, it is Lennon's sixth album to be released under his own name, and his fourth collaboration with Ono. Like Lennon's previous solo albums, it was co-produced by Lennon, Ono and Phil Spector. The album's agitprop lyrics are politically charged compared to its predecessors, addressing political and social issues and topics such as sexism, incarceration, colonialism, and racism.

<i>Shaved Fish</i> 1975 compilation album by John Lennon with Plastic Ono Band

Shaved Fish is a compilation album by English rock musician John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Band, issued in October 1975 on Apple Records. It contains all of the singles that he had issued up to that point in the United States as a solo artist, with the exception of "Stand by Me", which had been released earlier that year. The only compilation of Lennon's non-Beatles recordings released during his lifetime, the album peaked at number 8 in the UK and number 12 in the US. It was also Lennon's final album released on Apple Records before it was shut down in 1975, to be revived in the 1990s.

<i>Walls and Bridges</i> 1974 studio album by John Lennon

Walls and Bridges is the fourth solo studio album by English musician John Lennon. It was issued by Apple Records on 26 September 1974 in the United States and on 4 October in the United Kingdom. Written, recorded and released during his 18-month separation from Yoko Ono, the album captured Lennon in the midst of his "Lost Weekend". Walls and Bridges was an American number-one album on both the Billboard and Record World charts and included two hit singles, "Whatever Gets You thru the Night" and "#9 Dream". The first of these was Lennon's first number-one hit in the United States as a solo artist, and his only solo chart-topping single in either the US or Britain during his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jealous Guy</span> 1971 song by John Lennon

"Jealous Guy" is a song written and originally recorded by the English rock musician John Lennon from his second studio album Imagine (1971). Not released as a single during Lennon's lifetime, it became an international hit in a version by Roxy Music issued in early 1981; this version reached #1 in the UK and Australia, and was a top 10 hit in several European countries. Lennon's own version was subsequently issued as a single, and charted in the US and UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plastic Ono Band</span> Rock band

The Plastic Ono Band was a rock band and Fluxus-based artist collective formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1968-9 for their collaborative musical and sound art projects, films, conceptual art projects and eventual solo LPs. The creation of The Plastic Ono Band, which began in 1967 with Ono's idea for an art exhibition in Berlin, allowed Lennon to separate his artistic output from that of The Beatles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Just Like) Starting Over</span> 1980 single by John Lennon

"(Just Like) Starting Over" is a song written and performed by John Lennon from the 1980 album, Double Fantasy. It was released as a single on 24 October 1980 in the United Kingdom, with Yoko Ono's "Kiss Kiss Kiss" as the B-side. It reached number one in both the US and UK after Lennon was murdered on 8 December 1980. It was Lennon's final single released in his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Instant Karma!</span> 1970 single by Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band

"Instant Karma!" is a song by English rock musician John Lennon, released as a single on Apple Records in February 1970. The lyrics focus on a concept in which the consequences of one's actions are immediate rather than borne out over a lifetime. The single was credited to "Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band", apart from in the US, where the credit was "John Ono Lennon". The song reached the top five in the British and American charts, competing with the Beatles' "Let It Be" in the US, where it became the first solo single by a member of the band to sell a million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Turkey</span> 1969 single by Plastic Ono Band

"Cold Turkey" is a song written by English singer-songwriter John Lennon, released as a single in 1969 by the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apples 1001 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1813 in the United States. It is the second solo single issued by Lennon and it peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's first appearance on an album was Live Peace in Toronto 1969 where the song had been performed live on 13 September 1969 with Lennon reading the lyrics off a clip-board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whatever Gets You thru the Night</span> 1974 single by John Lennon

"Whatever Gets You thru the Night" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1974 on Apple Records, catalogue number Apple 1874 in the United States and Apple R5998 in the United Kingdom. In the U.S. it peaked at No. 1 on all three record charts: Billboard Hot 100, Cashbox, and Record World, and at No. 36 in the UK. It was the lead single for Lennon's album Walls and Bridges; in the UK the single was released on the same day as the album. "Whatever Gets You thru the Night" was Lennon's only solo No. 1 single in the United States during his lifetime, making him the last member of the Beatles to finally reach the top of the charts. In Canada, the single spent two weeks at No. 2, and became the 30th biggest hit of 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power to the People (song)</span> 1971 song written by John Lennon

"Power to the People" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971, credited to John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. It was issued on Apple Records and charted at #6 on the British singles chart, at number 10 on the Cashbox Top 100, and at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 The song's first appearance on album was the 1975 compilation Shaved Fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mind Games (John Lennon song)</span> 1973 single by John Lennon

"Mind Games" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, released as a single in 1973 on Apple Records. It was the lead single for the album of the same name. The US single and album were released simultaneously on 29 October 1973. The UK single and album were issued simultaneously on 16 November 1973. In the US it peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the Cashbox Top 100. In the UK it peaked at No. 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman (John Lennon song)</span> 1981 single by John Lennon

"Woman" is a song written and performed by English singer John Lennon from his 1980 album Double Fantasy. The track was chosen by Lennon to be the second single released from the Double Fantasy album, and it was the first Lennon single issued after his murder on 8 December 1980. The B-side of the single is Yoko Ono's song "Beautiful Boys".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (John Lennon song)</span> Song by John Lennon

"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, originally released on his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970). The song's theme is more upbeat than most of the songs on Plastic Ono Band.

<i>Barbra Joan Streisand</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Joan Streisand is the thirteenth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released in August 1971 on Columbia Records. It was her second consecutive album produced by Richard Perry and features backing work by members of the female band Fanny. Like the two previous studio albums, the singer continued to opt for a more contemporary repertoire, this time choosing three songs by Carole King, two by John Lennon, two by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in medley form, one each by Laura Nyro and the trio Michel LeGrand, Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman, and one by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who would go on to form Steely Dan.

"I Found Out" is a song by the English musician John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

"Well Well Well" is a song by the English musician John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The eighth and longest track on the album, "Well Well Well" features an aggressive guitar sound, screaming vocals and a pounding backing track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Look at Me (John Lennon song)</span> Song with lyrics by John Lennon performed by John Lennon

"Look at Me" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, from his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

"Bless You" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It is a ballad expressing his love for his wife Yoko Ono, from whom he was separated at the time. Alternative versions appeared on the compilation albums Menlove Ave. and John Lennon Anthology.

References

  1. ↑ Miles, Barry; Badman, Keith, eds. (2001). The Beatles Diary After the Break-Up: 1970–2001 (reprint ed.). London: Music Sales Group. p. 19. ISBN   9780711983076.
  2. 1 2 Blaney, John (2005). John Lennon: Listen to This Book (illustrated ed.). [S.l.]: Paper Jukebox. p. 326. ISBN   978-0-9544528-1-0.
  3. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 13, 1971" (PDF).
  4. 1 2 3 4 Taysom, Joe (28 December 2020). "The Story Behind The Song: John Lennon's heart-wrenching 'Mother'". Far Out. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Doggett, Peter (2009). The Art And Music of John Lennon. London, England: Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857121264.
  6. ↑ Urish, Ben; G. Bielen, Kenneth (2007). The Words and Music of John Lennon. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-275-99180-7.
  7. ↑ Coleman, Ray (1984). Lennon: The Definitive Biography. London, England: Pan Publishing. ISBN   978-0060986087.
  8. ↑ Wenner, Jann (1971). Lennon Remembers . San Francisco, California: Straight Arrow Press. pp. 110, 112. ISBN   978-1859843765.
  9. ↑ Madinger, Chip; Easter, Mark (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium. Chesterfield, Missouri: 44.1 Productions. pp. 38–39, 576. ISBN   0-615-11724-4.
  10. ↑ "Mother". The Beatles Bible. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  11. 1 2 Roberts, Michael. "'Isn't he a bit like you and me'?". Filmycks.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 2 January 1971. p. 14. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 2 January 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. 2 January 1971. p. 37. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Bracy, Timothy; Bracy, Elizabeth (13 May 2014). "The 10 Best John Lennon Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  16. ↑ Blaney, John (2005). John Lennon: Listen To This Book. Guildford, Great Britain: Biddles Ltd. p. 57. ISBN   0-9544528-1-X.
  17. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Barbra Joan Streisand – Barbra Streisand | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  18. ↑ "Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 9 October 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  19. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 4, 1971" (PDF).
  20. ↑ M1+2 Event (subtitled), 7 June 2007, retrieved 25 August 2023
  21. ↑ Currin, Brian. "Mike Makhalemele – Mind Games". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  22. ↑ Provolhouse (10 July 2011), Lou Reed ~ MJF ~ Mother (John Lennon cover) ☺, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 22 January 2019
  23. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (16 December 2020). "David Bowie's Unreleased John Lennon, Bob Dylan Covers Set for Birthday Single". Rolling Stone .
  24. ↑ "From the Music Capitals of the World - Johannesburg" (PDF). Billboard . 1 April 1972. p. 44. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 31 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.