Out the Blue (John Lennon song)

Last updated

"Out the Blue"
Song by John Lennon
from the album Mind Games
Released16 November 1973
RecordedJuly–August 1973
Genre Rock
Length3:23
Label Apple
Songwriter(s) John Lennon
Producer(s) John Lennon
Mind Games track listing
12 tracks
Side one
  1. "Mind Games"
  2. "Tight A$"
  3. "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)"
  4. "One Day (At a Time)"
  5. "Bring on the Lucie (Freeda Peeple)"
  6. "Nutopian International Anthem"
Side two
  1. "Intuition"
  2. "Out the Blue"
  3. "Only People"
  4. "I Know (I Know)"
  5. "You Are Here"
  6. "Meat City"

"Out the Blue" is a song written by John Lennon and originally released on his 1973 album Mind Games . [1] The song is included on the 1990 boxset Lennon , the 2005 two-disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon , the 2010 album Gimme Some Truth and the 2020 compilation album Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes .

Contents

Lyrics and music

"Out the Blue" is one of several songs on Mind Games devoted to Yoko Ono. [2] It was recorded at a time when Lennon and Ono were separated, and reflects Lennon's resulting self-doubt. [3] [4] It states Lennon's gratitude for Ono appearing in his life "out the blue" and providing his "life's energy". [2] [5] According to authors Ben Urish and Ken Bielen, the theme of the song is "the awe of finding true love unexpectedly". [6]

Music critic Johnny Rogan finds some of the metaphors "gruesome", such as "All my life's been a long, slow knife", and some of the similes "wacky", for example "Like a UFO you came to me and blew away life's misery." [7] Pop historian Robert Rodriguez regards the UFO line as "idiosyncratic" as well. [5] Andrew Grant Jackson, however, finds the UFO metaphor to be apt for Ono, since at the time Ono came into Lennon's life she was as surprising a love interest for him as anyone could be. [4] The UFO reference could be associated with May Pang as they saw a UFO together when the lived together.[ citation needed ] Urish and Bielen praise the "long, slow knife" image one of Lennon's most poetic of emotional anguish. [6] The title phrase has multiple meanings during the song; Ono came to him "out the blue" and also cast "out the blue" of Lennon's melancholy. [4]

"Out the Blue" moves through several musical genres, starting with a gentle, melancholy acoustic guitar and moving through gospel, country and music portions. [5] [6] [7] The sound grows as the song progresses, while Lennon's vocal becomes more assured, going from its original restraint to an expression of "joyful contentment". [6] After the initial acoustic guitar, the piano, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar and drums enter, and eventually a "heavenly choir" is included. [2] [4] Author John Blaney describes the song's piano motif as "majestic" and compares the bass guitar line to those of Lennon's former bandmate Paul McCartney. [3] Rodriguez praises the way Lennon's vocal manages to "stay atop the waves" of sound, and project both gratitude and tenderness. [5] Keith Spore of The Milwaukee Sentinel described it as having a "haunting minor key melody in the best Beatle tradition". [8] Rolling Stone Magazine critic David Fricke praised the production as being "fascinating and moving", comparing it to Phil Spector's production of the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road" but "with the emphasis on poignance". [9]

The backing instrumental part for the final released version was cut down from the original recording, eliminating the second break as well as all but the final coda of the reprise of the refrain. [10] The full recorded instrumental, with a guide vocal, was released as part of The Lost Lennon Tapes and on bootleg albums. [10]

Reception

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine considers "Out the Blue" to be a "lovely ballad", while Blaney describes it as "an exquisite ballad". [1] [3] Blaney goes on to say that "it reveals more than a glimpse of Lennon's genius." [3] Mandinger and Easter call it a "truly beautiful love song" and feel it deserves more attention than it has received, and could have made a good follow up single to "Mind Games". [10] They also claim that it shows Lennon had not lost his ability to put "the simplest emotions across in the most affecting manner possible". [10] Jackson considers it the best of Lennon's apology songs to Ono. [4] He particularly praises the arrangement, in which he maintains interest by building up the instrumentation gradually. [4] Urish and Bielen opine that it delivers "a more satisfying emotional impact than might be supposed". [6] Lennon biographer John Borack calls it a "highlight" of Mind Games. [11] Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn calls it "one of the unquestioned highlights" of Mind Games, calling it a "lovely song" and praising its "tender, effective lyrics". [12] PopMatters regards it as Lennon's "only lighter waving 70s monster ballad", and believes that it should be included on Lennon's greatest hits compilation albums. [13] Pop historian Robert Rodriguez regards it as one of the "best unsung John" Lennon songs, one of Lennon's "finest performances" and one of his best "standard-worthy ballad(s)". [5] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso called "Out the Blue" the most underrated song on Mind Games, describing it as "a tale of once-devoted lovers now apart who somehow still seem destined to return to one another" and saying that it reveals how deep the loss of Ono was to Lennon while also foreshadowing their forthcoming reconciliation. [14] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Stephen Lewis rated "Out the Blue" as Lennon's 6th greatest solo love song, saying that "Its ethereal acoustic opening verses, building to the emphatic chorus, combine to make it a perfect example of his state of mind in 1973." [15]

Personnel

The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows: [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Mind Games</i> (John Lennon album) 1973 studio album by John Lennon

Mind Games is the fourth solo studio album by English musician John Lennon. It was recorded at Record Plant Studios in New York in summer 1973. The album was released in the US on 29 October 1973 and in the UK on 16 November 1973. It was Lennon's first self-produced recording without help from Phil Spector. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games received mixed reviews upon release. It reached number 13 in the UK and number 9 in the US, where it was certified gold in both territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss Kiss Kiss (Yoko Ono song)</span> 1980 single

"Kiss Kiss Kiss" is a song by Japanese singer Yoko Ono. It was originally released on Double Fantasy, her joint album with John Lennon, as well as on the B-side of his "(Just Like) Starting Over" single. The disco and new wave-influenced song features Ono gasping heavily and appearing to reach orgasm.

"Well Well Well" is a song by 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">My Mummy's Dead</span> 1970 song by John Lennon

"My Mummy's Dead" is the closing song on the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. The song was also released on a Mexican EP that also contained "Mother", "Isolation" and "Look at Me".

"Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is included on the 1990 box set Lennon.

"I Know (I Know)" is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is included on the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology and the 2020 compilation album Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes.

"Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)" is a song written by John Lennon released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. The song is included on the 1986 compilation Menlove Ave., the 1990 box set Lennon, the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology, the 2005 two-disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon, and the 2010 box set Gimme Some Truth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sisters, O Sisters</span> 1972 single by Yoko Ono

"Sisters, O Sisters", also known as "Sisters O Sisters", is a song written by Yoko Ono that first appeared on John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's 1972 Plastic Ono Band album Some Time in New York City, backed by Elephant's Memory. It was also released as the b-side to the couple's "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" single. It has been covered by a number of artists, including Le Tigre and Tater Totz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City (John Lennon and Yoko Ono song)</span> 1972 song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as Plastic Ono Band

"New York City" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on Lennon's and Yoko Ono's 1972 Plastic Ono Band album Some Time in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What You Got (John Lennon song)</span> 1974 single by John Lennon

"What You Got" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It was later released as the B-side to his top 10 "#9 Dream" single.

"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.

"Scared" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. Alternate versions were subsequently released on the compilation albums Menlove Ave. and John Lennon Anthology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Boys</span> Yoko Ono song

"Beautiful Boys" is a song written by Yoko Ono that was first released on Ono's and John Lennon's 1980 album Double Fantasy. It was later released as the B-side of Lennon's #1 single "Woman."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why (Yoko Ono song)</span> Song by Yoko Ono

"Why" is a song written by Yoko Ono that was first released on her 1970 Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band album. In the U.S. it was also released as the B-side of John Lennon's "Mother" single, taken from his John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch Me (Yoko Ono song)</span> Song by Yoko Ono

"Touch Me" is a song written by Yoko Ono that was first released on her 1970 album Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band. An edited version was later released in the U.S. as the b-side to John Lennon's single "Power to the People."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow)</span> 1969 single by Yoko Ono and Plastic Ono Band

"Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for A Hand in the Snow)" is a song by Yoko Ono that was originally released by Plastic Ono Band in October 1969 as the B-side of the "Cold Turkey" single, and was later released on Ono's 1971 album Fly. Several live versions have been released, including on Plastic Ono Band's Live Peace in Toronto 1969 and the John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band With Elephant's Memory album Some Time in New York City in 1972. An early version was titled "Mum's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow". It has been covered by several other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remember Love (Yoko Ono song)</span> Song by Yoko Ono

"Remember Love" is a song written by Yoko Ono and initially released as the B-side of John Lennon's and Ono's 1969 single "Give Peace a Chance."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Has Seen the Wind? (song)</span> Song by Yoko Ono

"Who Has Seen the Wind?" is a song written by Yoko Ono that first appeared as the B-side of John Lennon's single "Instant Karma!" It was later issued as a bonus track on a compact disc version of the Wedding Album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listen, the Snow Is Falling</span> 1971 single by Yoko Ono

"Listen, the Snow Is Falling" is a song written by Yoko Ono and recorded by Ono and the Plastic Ono Band that was first released as the B-side of John Lennon's 1971 single "Happy Xmas ." A version of the song was later released on a reissue of Lennon and Ono's Wedding Album and was covered by Galaxie 500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Move Over Ms. L</span> Song by John Lennon

"Move Over Ms. L" is a song written by John Lennon. It was originally intended to be released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges but was left off shortly before the album release, and was eventually released as the b-side to Lennon's "Stand by Me" single. In the interim it was released by Keith Moon on his album Two Sides of the Moon. Moon also released it as the B-side of his "Solid Gold" single.

References

  1. 1 2 Erlewine, S.T. "Mind Games". Allmusic . Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 du Noyer, P. (1999). John Lennon: Whatever Gets You Through the Night. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 77. ISBN   1560252103.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Blaney, J. (2007). Lennon and McCartney: Together Alone – A critical discography of their solo work. Jawbone Press. pp. 82–83. ISBN   9781906002022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jackson, A.G. (2012). Still the Greatest: The Essential Solo Beatles Songs. Scarecrow Press. pp. 105–106. ISBN   9780810882225.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Rodriguez, R. (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years 1970–1980. Hal Leonard. pp. 348–350. ISBN   978-0-87930-968-8.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Urish, B.; Bielen, K. (2007). The Words and Music of John Lennon. Praeger. p. 52. ISBN   978-0-275-99180-7.
  7. 1 2 Rogan, J. (1997). The Complete Guide to the Music of John Lennon. Omnius Press. p. 82. ISBN   0711955999.
  8. ↑ Spore, K. (7 December 1973). "Beatles Reflected in Lennon Genius". The Milwaukee Sentinel . p. 25. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  9. ↑ Fricke, David (10 December 2010). "20 Underappreciated John Lennon Solo Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Madinger, C. & Easter, M. (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You. 44.1 Productions. p. 89. ISBN   0-615-11724-4.
  11. ↑ Borack, J. (2010). John Lennon: Music, Memories, and Memorabilia. Krause Publications. ISBN   9781440216480.
  12. ↑ Hilburn, R. (24 December 1973). "New Albums Boost Ex-Beatles". The Evening News . p. 1B. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  13. ↑ "John Lennon 101 – Day 4: The Lost Weekend (1972–1973)". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  14. ↑ DeRiso, Nick (5 June 2021). "Underrated John Lennon: The Most Overlooked Song from Each LP". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Lewis, Stephen (20 March 2013). "Top 10 John Lennon Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 8 January 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.