Scared (John Lennon song)

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"Scared"
Song by John Lennon
from the album Walls and Bridges
Released26 September 1974 (1974-09-26)
RecordedJuly–August 1974
Length4:36
Label Apple
Songwriter(s) John Lennon
Producer(s) John Lennon
Walls and Bridges track listing
12 tracks
Side one
  1. "Going Down on Love"
  2. "Whatever Gets You thru the Night"
  3. "Old Dirt Road"
  4. "What You Got"
  5. "Bless You"
  6. "Scared"
Side two
  1. "#9 Dream"
  2. "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)"
  3. "Steel and Glass"
  4. "Beef Jerky"
  5. "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"
  6. "Ya Ya"

"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 .

Contents

Lyrics and music

The lyrics to "Scared" reflect Lennon's anxieties resulting from his separation at the time from his wife Yoko Ono. [1] [2] The theme is similar to that of his Beatles' song "Help!", in that it expresses the pain Lennon was feeling at the time of its writing and exposes his insecurities. [1] [3] According to music critic Johnny Rogan, among those insecurities are aging, passing of time and lost opportunities. [4] Some of the lyrics renounce the "peace and love" philosophy he had adhered to previously. [4]

Lennon starts the first verse by singing "I'm scared" several times. [5] In the second verse he changes this to "I'm scarred" and in the third verse he changes it to "I'm tired". [5] Lennon invokes the phrase "bell, book, and candle" to state that religion cannot help him out of his plight. [6] He also references Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", singing that he has "No place to call my own/Like a rollin' stone." [5] [6]

Music lecturers Ben Urish and Ken Bielen describe the first verse as explaining that Lennon is scared because of the high price he paid to live his life and that what he gained from paying that price is slipping away. [7] In the second verse Lennon is scarred and has only been able to "manage to survive" and does not want to face his own "hatred and jealousy". [7] In the last verse Lennon sings that he is tired of being alone with no place of his own, but Urish and Bielen interpret this as an expression of "existential angst," of Lennon being "tired of life's battles." [7] Urish and Bielen interpret the "trudging rhythm" of the fadeout as an indication that the battles Lennon sang about will not cease. [7]

"Scared" begins with the sound of a howling wolf before settling into its brooding musical setting. [1] [5] [6] Urish and Bielen feel that the guitar notes that form a counterpoint to the song's melody are based on the opening howling wolf sound. [7] The music includes overdubbed strings and horns. [5] Urish and Bielen criticize the guitar and the horn overdubs for producing a "confusing emotional maelstrom" rather than the pure "exposed pain" that they feel the song would otherwise evoke. [7]

Beatles FAQ author Robert Rodriguez described the song saying that "With a walking rhythm and bent notes that echoed the tone of the lone wolf howl heard at the start, John described the battering life had given him, leaving him frightened, wounded and angry." [8] Rodriguez went on to say that Lennon "sounds as though he has no expectation that the outcome will be good." [8]

Lennon believed that the Rolling Stones' 1978 song "Miss You" was based on "Scared", albeit taken at a faster tempo. [3] He spoke of "Scared", stating that

I was scared when I wrote it, if you can't tell. It was the whole separation from Ono, thinking I lost the one thing I knew I needed. You know, I think Mick Jagger took the song and turned it into "Miss You". When I was in the studio, the engineer said: "This is a hit song if you just do it faster." He was right because "Miss You" is a fast version of my song. I like Mick's record better. I have no ill feelings about it. It could have been subconscious on Mick's part, or conscious. Music is everybody's possession. It's only music publishers who think that people own it. [4]

Reception

Rolling Stone critic Ben Gerson said that "Scared" "throbs with the primal fear and sense of confinement of his earlier solo LPs." [9] Rogan stated that "Scared" is "another powerful statement and proof positive that the pain of [Lennon's] separation from Yoko Ono could work to his artistic advantage." [4] [3] Music critic John Metzger said that Lennon "shows his vulnerability by acknowledging his jealous heart." [10] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci described the song as a "pained confessional" and regarded it as one of the best songs on Walls and Bridges. [11]

Beatles biographer John Blaney wrote that "Scared" is "as honest and analytical as anything written for [Lennon's 1970 album] John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band ." [1] Beatles biographers Chip Madinger and Mark Easter wrote that "'Scared' is a remarkable piece of work. Brilliant singing and a haunting tune on a track which wouldn't have been a sore thumb on either John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band or Imagine ." [12]

Personnel

Taken from the liner notes of the digital version of Walls and Bridges [13]

Other versions

The version released on Menlove Ave. was a rehearsal take with slightly different lyrics, such as replacing the line "I'm scarred" with "I'm stoned", and has no overdubs. [1] [3] [2] Critic Paul Du Noyer finds this version to be "less assured, and therefore bleaker" than the version on Walls and Bridges. [6]

The version released on John Lennon Anthology also has no overdubs, but is otherwise similar to the Walls and Bridges version. [2] [12]

Related Research Articles

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

Walls and Bridges is the fifth 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">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.

"Surprise, Surprise " is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. Elton John contributes harmony vocals to the song.

"Remember" is a song by English rock musician John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

"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">Going Down on Love</span> 1985 single by John Lennon

"Going Down on Love" is a song by John Lennon, released as the first track on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It was also released as the B-side of Lennon's "Jealous Guy" single in 1985.

"Old Dirt Road" is a song written by John Lennon and Harry Nilsson, first released on Lennon's 1974 album Walls and Bridges. Nilsson later recorded the song on his 1980 album Flash Harry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Losing You (John Lennon song)</span> 1980 song by John Lennon

"I'm Losing You" is a song written by John Lennon and released on his 1980 album Double Fantasy. It was written in Bermuda in June 1980, after several attempts by Lennon to call his wife, Yoko Ono, who remained in New York. The song is also available on the 1982 compilation The John Lennon Collection, the 1998 boxset John Lennon Anthology, the one disc compilation Wonsaponatime, the 2005 two disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon and in 2010 for the Gimme Some Truth album. The song was also featured in the 2005 musical Lennon.

"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.

"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 boxset Lennon, the 1998 boxset John Lennon Anthology, the 2005 two-disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon, and the 2010 boxset 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.

"Born in a Prison" is a song written by Yoko Ono and first released on her 1972 album with John Lennon Some Time in New York City as part of their Plastic Ono Band project.

"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, even though they were separated at the time. Alternative versions appeared on the compilation albums Menlove Ave. and John Lennon Anthology

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yes, I'm Your Angel</span> Yoko Ono song

"Yes, I'm Your Angel", also known as "I'm Your Angel", 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 single "Watching the Wheels." The initial release of Double Fantasy used the title "I'm Your Angel" but later releases as well as the single used the title "Yes, I'm Your Angel."

<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">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.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono that was first released on their 1972 Plastic Ono Band album with Elephant's Memory, Some Time in New York City. The song addresses the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972 and is one of two on the album that addresses the contemporary Northern Ireland conflict, "The Luck of the Irish" being the other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beef Jerky (instrumental)</span> 1974 Instrumental by John Lennon

"Beef Jerky" is an instrumental written by John Lennon that was released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges and also as the b-side of the lead single from that album, the #1 hit "Whatever Gets You thru the Night."

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Blaney, J. (2007). Lennon and McCartney: together alone: a critical discography of their solo work. Jawbone Press. p. 94. ISBN   978-1-906002-02-2.
  2. 1 2 3 "Scared". The Beatles Bible. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rogan, Johnny (2010). Lennon: The Albums. Calidore. ISBN   9780857124388.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Rogan, Johnny (1997). The Complete Guide to the Music of John Lennon. Omnibus Press. pp. 90, 143. ISBN   0711955999.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Spizer, Bruce (2005). The Beatles Solo on Apple Records. 498 Productions. pp. 86–87. ISBN   0966264959.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Du Noyer, Paul (1999). John Lennon: Whatever Gets You Through the Night. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 89. ISBN   1560252103.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Urish, Ben; Bielen, Ken (2007). The Words and Music of John Lennon. Praeger. p. 59. ISBN   9780275991807.
  8. 1 2 Rodriguez, Robert (2010). Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years 1970–1980. Hal Leonard. p. 164. ISBN   9780879309688.
  9. ↑ Gerson, Ben (21 November 1974). "Walls and Bridges". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  10. ↑ Metzger, John (14 April 2011). "John Lennon: Walls and Bridges". The Music Box. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  11. ↑ Gallucci, Michael (26 September 2015). "Why John Lennon Sometimes Sounded so Lost on 'Walls and Bridges'" . Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  12. 1 2 Madinger, C. & Easter, M. (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You. 44.1 Productions. p. 100. ISBN   0-615-11724-4.
  13. ↑ John Lennon – Walls And Bridges, October 2014, retrieved 2023-11-18
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