Showing posts with label the beatles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the beatles. Show all posts

Tuesday, 8 September 2026

What Is Life?

Cover version(s) of the month #123
Olivia Newton John covers George Harrison 

Bonus covers
George Harrison and Olivia Newton-John cover Bob Dylan's If Not For You

I recently bought a 7-inch of Paul McCartney's Coming Up on Discogs and was pleasantly surprised when Olivia Newton-John's version of George Harrison's What Is Life? (a record/cover I didn't know existed) was flagged up as another record I might be interested in. I absolutely was! Especially at the bargain price of £3. This is the modern day equivalent of finding a hidden gem in a dusty record crate. Not quite as much fun, but still pretty thrilling!

What Is Life? from George Harrison's majestic All Things Must Pass album, also released as a single in February 1971, is one of my favourite George songs. I get a lift every single time I hear it and adore the incredible guitar sounds that feature throughout.

Released a year later in 1972, Newton-John's version remains true to the original, but it doesn't have the power of George's wall of sound, the Phil Spector produced gem that has roaring brass and rippling reverb. Olivia's voice is beautiful, all sunny, light and country-tinged, super melodic and pure.

I subsequently discovered that Newton-John had also recorded Bob Dylan's If Not For You, a song that the author released in October 1970 on his New Morning album. Dylan is at his poetic best, singing beautiful lyrics in a simple and catchy melody. There is an urgency to it, and also a gentleness, especially with the xylophone played beautifully alongside the acoustic shuffle groove.

If not for you my sky would fall

Rain would gather too

Without your love I'd be nowhere at all

I'd be lost, if not for you

Dylan and Harrison recorded a version together back in May 1970. This would later be released in 1991 as part of Dylan's bootleg series. This is absolutely brilliant, all rustic and organic, Harrison's guitar sliding and piercing in all the right places, sounding utterly sublime against the acoustic groove and Dylan's harmonica. Harrison and Dylan met, jammed and wrote together. I wonder if recordings are lurking somewhere in Dylan's vaults ...

Harrison released his slide guitar infused version a month after Dylan's original on All Things Must Pass. Like many of the recordings on that wonderful album, Harrison sounds positive, hopeful and hopelessly in love. There is a playfulness to the guitars and a lovely nod to Dylan with the harmonica. 

Newton-John's version is more akin to George's. She clearly loved his own songs, and his taste in, and arrangement of, others. Her voice is beautifully pure and clear - gorgeous.

What about the original What Is Life? 

Opening with a glorious soaring Harrison fuzztone descending guitar riff the song also features Motown-esque beats and ecstatic horns. It's joyous pop music, Harrison sounds head over heels in love and happy to shout it to the world.

What I feel, I can't say

But my love is there for you any time of day

Spread across 4 minutes 24 seconds, there is plenty of time for Harrison to declare how helpless he is/would be without this incredible love he has. The drums pound, horns soar and guitars sound utterly incredible. Everything is super positive and upbeat.

Tell me, what is my life, without your love?

Tell me, who am I, without you, by my side?

Olivia Newton-John's cover version and George's original, plus their takes on Dylan and his original are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
101. Shout!




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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Calico Skies

Trust me #119
Calico Skies by Paul McCartney


McCartney by the campfire - Calico Skies

Calico Skies is a gorgeous mid-period Paul McCartney song from 1997's Flaming Pie album. It's one that I always come back to and regularly discuss with my good friend Dougie.

Dougie and his lovely wife Fiona played Calico Skies to their newly born daughter Ailsa when they were en route home from the hospital.  When you hear the chorus you might suddenly find something making your eyes water. A perfect choice.

In case, like me, you wondered what a calico sky actually is, here is what google returned - it is a meteorological term for a sky covered in patchy, high-altitude clouds, typically cirrocumulus or altocumulus. These clouds break up into small, distinct and puffy white or grey sections separated by blue sky, closely resembling the patchy, multi-coloured coat of a calico cat.

So there you go!

As for the song, McCartney is at his melodic and romantic best. The acoustic guitar riff is playful, McCartney's voice is tender and sincere. There is no doubt who McCartney is singing to - Linda - the love of his life.

It was written that I would love you

From the moment I opened my eyes

And the morning when I first saw you

Gave me life under calico skies

Then we have the gorgeous chorus, McCartney pouring his heart out. Pure love and pure care. Beautiful. This melts my heart every single time I hear it!

I will hold you, for as long as you like

I'll hold you, for the rest of my life

McCartney then ups the romance! What a guy. What a songwriter. The second verse is heartfelt, a complete outpouring of love, beautiful to hear and to read. Imagine having someone write poetry like this for you. Macca was head over heels for Linda.

Always looking for ways to love you

Never failing to fight at your side

While the angels of love protect us

From the innermost secrets we hide

Then back into the chorus, that sounds even better second time in.

McCartney has described Calico Skies as "a gentle love song that becomes a gentle protest song", as you can tell from the third verse. The last line really nails Paul's colours to the mast. 

Long live all of us crazy soldiers

Who were born under calico skies

May we never be called to handle

All the weapons of war we despise

Then we're into a double chorus which includes a subtle but clever single word change second time round, with Paul changing hold to love. 

I will hold you, for as long as you like

I'll hold you, for the rest of my life

I'll hold you, for as long as you like

I'll love you, for the rest of my

For the rest of my life

McCartney turned 84 in June, shortly after releasing his latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane. His rich catalogue of music from The Beatles, Wings, as The Fireman, his classical work and his 20 solo album is truly exceptional. 

Since Love Me Do b/w P.S. I Love You, Paul has written/co-written and released hundreds of songs into the world. For its warmth, heart, charm and melody, Calico Skies is a real favourite of mine. 

Calico Skies is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 
105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish
108. Cobra by Geese
109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers
110. Vapour Trail by Ride
111. Teardrop by Massive Attack
112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches
113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson
114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann
116. Get Out Of My Dream by The Clouds
117. Sundress by Ben Kweller
118. I Love You by Primal Scream



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Friday, 19 December 2025

All I Have To Do Is Dream

 


Trust me #109
All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

My Mum joined her church community choir earlier this year. This is different from the Sunday Morning Service choir, the focus is on pop songs, rather than hymns. 

A few months back, I was working from my local coffee shop and decided to pop round to my Mum's flat (close to the church) to see her. I was a little early, and as I knew choir was on until 2.30pm, I thought I would surprise my Mum and meet her at the church.

The main doors to the church were open, so I walked in to the sound of The Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream echoing from the back room and through the main hall. 

What a song.

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is dream

Dream, dream, dream

Dream

The Everly Brothers encapsulate the feeling of longing and lusting after someone out of reach in real life, but not in dreams. A feeling I'm sure that everyone reading this has felt before. How many hours, days, weeks and months (particularly as a teenager!) have I spent dreaming and fantasising about girls out of reach?!

But enough about this. Back to the church! 

All I Have To Do Is Dream is a hymn. And it was quite something hearing my Mum and her church community choir sing it. My Mum, by her own admission, isn't a great singer, but she loves the community choir. 

Released in April 1958, this incredible song is still finding an audience, still exuding life, still resonating ... still dreaming. Sometimes that is all we have to do. All we can do. 

When you talk about The Everly Brothers, you are primarily talking about harmony. Don and Phil Everly weren't just two brothers singing; they possessed an almost telepathic vocal bond.

All I Have to Do Is Dream is a masterclass in close-harmony singing .Phil's higher, softer voice weaves in and out of Don's lower, grounding tenor, their voices merging into a single, shimmering instrument. This technique set a new benchmark for duets and profoundly influenced everyone from The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to the Beach Boys.

There's nothing complex about this song - just a straightforward, yearning narrative backed by a sparse, gentle arrangement with lyrics capturing a universal teenage feeling - the joy of fantasy and dreaming.

When I want you in my arms

When I want you and all your charms

Whenever I want you

All I have to do is dream

As an added bonus, the song even gets gee whizz into it, with the rather cheesy line 

Only trouble is, gee whizz

I'm dreaming my life away

This is a beautiful song and hopefully the Uddingston Parish Church Community Choir are performing it this evening and on Sunday.

All I Have To Do Is Dream is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 
104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe
105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish
108. Cobra by Geese



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Monday, 28 April 2025

Marianne Faithfull covers Lennon, McCartney and Harrison

Cover version of the month # 108-110

Marianne Faithfull covers Lennon, McCartney and Harrison

I took a bit of a dive into Marianne Faithfull's back catalogue following her death at the end of January and discovered some wonderful songs I had never heard before, including LOADS of brilliant cover versions.

Marianne's version of Dylan's It's All Over Now Baby Blue is really cool, but this blog is going to focus on 3 covers of songs written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

But before I start, I'd never seen the photograph above before! I discovered it while looking for an image to head this blog. What a super cool, utterly gorgeous woman Marianne Faithfull was! Effortless! Her hair, eyes, style, face ... stunning!

I'm A Loser 

Written in the whirlwind of Beatlemania but dripping with self-doubt and introspection, I’m a Loser was one of the first hints that The Beatles were evolving beyond simple love songs. Lennon, clearly inspired by Dylan, delivers a folk-tinged lament on failure and regret, wrapped in the kind of catchy melody that The Beatles had long since perfected. Were the lyrics about his marriage/relationship with Cynthia?

The harmonies are tight, there is a country tinge and twinge to the song and groove that you can imagine Ringo in particular being fond of. In fact, I would say that upon revisiting this song, it is probably more suited to Ringo. However, perhaps it was just too personal for John to give away. 

George picks a neat guitar solo and Lennon plays harmonica to help the groove. Lennon, it could be said, sounds perhaps a little too jovial whilst singing this song.

I'm a loser

And I lost someone who's near to me

I'm a loser

And I'm not what I appear to be

Originally released on Beatles for Sale in 1964, I’m a Loser would swiftly be followed by a more stark confession from Lennon with the single and title track of the next album - Help! This time, Lennon leaves the listener in no doubt that he means it.

A year on from The Beatles version, in 1965, Marianne Faithfull took I’m a Loser and turned it into something completely different. Faithfull's voice is firm, yet delicate and melancholic, full of heartbreak. There is more of a zip to the song, indeed this cover shaves 15-seconds off the already short (2.5 minutes) original.

Faithfull was only 18 at the time of recording her version, but already her voice carried a wisdom beyond her years. Her cover hints at the kind of raw emotion she would later become known for. 

Reading back through her tough life in the aftermath of her break up with Jagger, when she was living on the streets of London and addicted to heroin, the lyrics become a little haunting. Yet, as with everything Marianne Faithfull seemed to touch, there is beauty. You feel every word.

Yesterday

So much has been written about Paul McCartney's Yesterday that I'm really not sure if I can add anything helpful in this blog. But I'll give it a go!

Quite simply, it's a masterpiece! Paul singing over an acoustic and a string arrangement seemingly played on heart strings. McCartney is heartbroken, pining for his love and yesterday when, love was such an easy game to play.

Marianne Faithfull takes Paul's poetry and portrays the heartbreak and heartache perfectly. Released on her 1967 album Love In A Mist, Faithfull's voice is angelic, backed by gentle piano and a choir who sound heaven sent. Quite simply, this is as good as it gets. Sublime. 2-minutes 15 seconds of perfection.

Beware of Darkness - George Harrison

Written by George Harrison and released on his stunning 1970 album All Things Must Pass, Beware of Darkness beautifully captures Harrison's spiritual energy and empathy, the lyrics are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

George's delivery is gentle but urgent, his voice full of quiet authority. You believe him. The song, like much of All Things Must Pass, is awash in Phil Spector’s signature production—big, spacious, reverb-heavy—but at its core, it remains an intimate, almost prayer-like composition. Beware of Darkness has a really beautiful and pure feeling to it.

Where Harrison’s version warns you about darkness, Marianne Faithfull sounds like she’s already deep inside it. Faithfull recorded the song back in 1971 for an album Masques, but this sat unreleased until 1985 when it was released as part of compilation album called Rich Kid Blues. 

Faithfull strips away the warmth of Harrison’s original and replaces it with something raw and fragile. Spector's rich production is replaced by something sparse, stark, almost ghostly. The lead guitar is exquisite.

I get a little chill listening to Faithfull's cover. Marianne's voice, weathered and worn by experience, carries a depth that makes every word feel lived-in. She doesn’t just sing the warning—she has lived through it. Faithfull was only 25 when she recorded the song, but was struggling with addictions. Following her break up with Jagger, Marianne lost custody of her son, attempted suicide and was living on the streets of London. Masques was recorded to try and help her, the record label rejected it.

Faithfull's cover versions and The Beatles and George Harrison originals are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

13. Hurt
39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
64. Lola
82. Drop
87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire
92. Valerie
101. Shout!

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Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Give Peace A Chance

 

Trust me #88
Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band



Released in July 1969, John Lennon's Give Peace A Chance created worldwide headlines as the Beatle wrote and recorded the song during a 'Bed-In' held with his wife Yoko for their honeymoon in Montreal.

Capturing the times, the song quickly became the anthem for the anti-Vietnam war movement and was sung by 500,000 demonstrators, led by Pete Seeger, at a protest in Washington that year.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Lennon leads his audience backed with acoustic guitars, handclaps and stomps through a string of verses beginning with everybody's talking about ... before going on to list a series of words that are equally relevant, nonsense, funny and cool. 

Each verse leads to the chorus (which becomes a mantra by the end);

all we are saying is give peace a chance


Isn't the footage extraordinary? 

Lennon's relationship with Ono led to bursts of spontaneous music and art with love and/or social/political commentary at the heart of them. The Unfinished Music albums (incredible that these were released when The Beatles were still going!) are absolutely crazy but document one of the most important nights of Lennon's life, when Ono came over and stayed the night while Cynthia was away. They made love and they made music. Well, the latter might be debatable. Good luck getting through the album!

I love that Lennon returned his MBE to Buckingham Palace with the note;

I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. 
With love, John Lennon of Bag.

Instant Karma was recorded and released in days and Lennon would go on to write songs of peace and protest; Power To The People, Imagine and Happy Xmas (War Is Over). 

Yoko and I are quite willing to be the world's clowns if by doing so it will do some good. 
I know I'm one of these 'famous personalities'. 
For reasons only known to themselves, people do print what I say. 
And I'm saying peace. John Lennon

Give Peace A Chance simple, pure, soulful and a message that we all need to be singing in these troubled times. Where are the figureheads of Lennon's stature in these troubled times? 


Give Peace A Chance is added to my Trust Me playlist. Search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for blogs on previous songs to feature in this series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones





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