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Here’s Johnny!

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Song Lyric Sunday –
“Crisp Autumn Weather”

It’s the first Sunday of October and, as is the custom at Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday, it’s time to celebrate birthdays. Jim’s theme this week is “Crisp Autumn Weather” and our challenge is to write about a song written or performed by someone born in the month of October. I didn’t even bother to look this one up; I already knew I would be writing about John Lennon …. not so much about him but rather, his music. After all, what could I possibly write about John that people don’t  already know? He’s probably one of the most famous and recognizable people in the world, past or present, loved and mourned by his fans …. and they are legion. I’ve selected three of John’s songs that I really like, all written and performed by him. It’s my hope you’ll like them, too. And there may even be something you didn’t know after all.

Image by Me & Gemini

First up on my playlist is a romantic and graceful song called “#9 Dream”, inspired by an actual dream Lennon had, featuring the famous nonsensical, nine-syllable phrase “Ah! Bowakawa pousse, pousse”. According to Lennon, he woke up with the melody and the surreal chorus phrase in his head, later calling it “craftsmanship writing” that he just “churned out” from a dream. The number nine was a lifelong obsession and recurring motif for Lennon (born on October 9 as was his son Sean, living in apartment 9, etc.), the single recording peaked at #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and Walls and Bridges …. the album which features the song …. was his ninth solo album. “#9 Dream” was recorded during July and August of 1974 at Record Plant East in New York City, during John’s 18-month separation from Yoko Ono, which he spent with his then partner, May Pang. Some people unfamiliar with the song believe the voice we hear whispering  “John” in the background is that of Yoko Ono but it is actually May Pang. “#9 Dream” is not meant to have a strict, literal narrative; rather, it captures the elusive, sensory experience of a half-remembered dream. Lines such as walking through “heat whispered trees,” witnessing “two spirits dancing,” and floating “on a river of sound” evoke a surreal, psychedelic state between sleep and wakefulness. The opening lines …. “So long ago / Was it in a dream? / Was it just a dream?” …. reflect the fading, magical quality of a dream upon waking and the background whispering of his name adds an intimate, real-world grounding to the ethereal track

This is “#9 Dream”, words and music by John Lennon

My next John Lennon song today is “I’m Losing You” from the 1980 Double Fantasy album …. a raw, blues-rock song inspired by a frustrating phone call to his wife, Yoko Ono, while he was vacationing in Bermuda in June 1980. Lennon tried to call Ono in New York but he could not get through. The blocked call made him feel panicked and angry, bringing back painful feelings from their early 1970s 18- month separation. The words show a troubled marriage and Lennon admitted he caused pain in the past but he also felt frustrated that Ono struggled to let those old mistakes go. Music historians and Ono herself agree the core of the song reflects Lennon’s deep fear of losing her. I have a real problem with this convoluted story for one very flawed reason: not only did Yoko Ono agree to the relationship between John and their personal assistant, May Pang, Ono initiated and orchestrated it. In 1973, Lennon was dealing with heavy drinking and emotional dependency on Ono, leading to marital strain. Seeking a separation to take a break from him, Ono approached Pang and suggested that she (Pang) become Lennon’s companion and romantic partner. Pang has recalled that she was initially reluctant and upset about the proposition, but Ono insisted, believing Pang would treat John well. What Ono reportedly expected to be a brief liaison turned into an 18-month romantic relationship between Lennon and Pang from 1973 to 1975 …. a period Lennon later referred to as his “lost weekend”. Pang said it was more than that; they fell in love. This next part of the story gets really weird: Ono called Lennon for a meeting under the pretense that she had found a cure for smoking through hypnosis. The hypnosis session was actually to get Lennon to end his affair with Pang …. and it worked! After the session, Lennon abruptly ended the relationship with Pang, returned to live with Ono, and never called Pang again. It’s the stuff of movies but it definitely makes for a great song.

This is “I’m Losing You”, words and music by John Lennon

Rounding out my John Lennon playlist today is “Watching the Wheels” a reflective, autobiographical song about his decision to step away from the music industry to become a stay-at-home father …. a period of time he called the “Househusband Years”. Lennon wrote the track to address critics, friends, and fans who were confused by his retirement from public life. During the five years of 1975-1980, he dedicated himself entirely to raising his and Yoko’s young son, Sean. People accused him of being “crazy,” “lazy,” or “out of the big time,” but Lennon countered that he was simply happy watching the world spin from the sidelines instead of riding the exhausting celebrity “merry-go-round”. The track was recorded in August and September, 1980, at the Hit Factory in New York City during sessions for his comeback album, Double Fantasy. Tragically, just three months later on December 8, Lennon’s life was cut short by a crazed gun-wielding disillusioned fan who later confessed that he wanted notoriety and “glory,” believing that murdering someone as famous as the former Beatle, John Lennon, would make him “somebody”. The track was released posthumously in March 1981; it was the third and final single from Double Fantasy and became a commercial success, peaking at #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. “Watching the Wheels” has become one of the loveliest songs in John Lennon’s catalog. With his mind clear and the restlessness of previous years largely cooled, he wrote this playful, tender ode to the joys of dropping out of the rat race to be with family. It’s a bitter irony that fate would take that all away from him and lend “Watching the Wheels” an entirely unintended context.

This is “Watching the Wheels” by John Lennon

Courtesy Jim Adams @ Song Lyric Sunday
Crisp Autumn Weather

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow his link and check out his site.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to some great music by John Lennon. I hope you enjoyed the theme for this week as well as the information and music I featured.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2026

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thank you for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

50 thoughts on “Here’s Johnny!”

  1. Nancy, I really enjoyed this! ❤️ What a great way to approach the challenge – not just choosing three Lennon songs, but giving us the little stories and fascinating titbits behind them. It made me want to go back and listen to each song again with those stories in mind.

    I’m Losing You, #9 Dream, and Watching the Wheels are such an interesting combination. And I especially loved learning more about Watching the Wheels and its reflective, autobiographical side. There’s something special about knowing the story behind a song and then hearing it differently.

    You’ve definitely given me a few things to think about and a few songs to revisit! Lovely choices, Nancy. ❤️

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      1. Sorry for the shameless plug lol but i thought that would interest you…yes me as well about the book and film. Thanks Nancy…he is a good kid…so far…we were lucky!

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        1. When you take a look around at all the dysfunction and sorrow in some families these days, we realize how truly blessed we are to have good kids. Ours are grown with kids of their own and we are blessed many times over. IMO there aren’t too many things better in life than the love and happiness of family that brings us peace of mind. Have a great week, Max. 😊

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  3. I liked all of these and they were all new to me. The first one I liked best, as it was spacy like a dream would be. I liked reading all you wrote, too. Years ago I read the book that May Pang wrote about her and John’s relationship. It was eye opening for sure. 🙂

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  4. Nancy, thanks yet again for teaching new things about Lennon. I haven’t cared for Yoko since the beginning. I’d heard about her pushing John and May together but not about how she broke them up. Gives me a pit in my stomach. I love the first song, definitely mystical. 2nd song is new to me. Love the 3rd one also.

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    1. I never liked her and it had nothing to do with the alleged break-up of the Beatles (although it didn’t help) 😄 I’m glad you enjoyed John’s songs, Lisa, and happy to introduce a new one to you. He was immensely talented and equally troubled; his questionable mental health, high energy, and intense mood swings make me wonder if he may have been bi-polar. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

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  10. Great picks, Nancy. And great minds think alike – after I saw your second pick, “I’m Losing,” which don’t get me wrong I also like, I thought, ‘Why didn’t she pick “Watching the Wheels”?’ 🙂

    I love the latter song! It’s probably become my favorite from the “Double Fantasy” album and one of my favorite John Lennon songs from his solo years.

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    1. As you probably noticed, these songs are, for the most part, chronological and together they tell the story of the triumvirate that was Ono/Lennon/Pang …. not to be confused with metal’s Unholy Trinity (although this was no less unholy)! 😂 With that in mind, I had to feature “Wheels”. My husband suggested “Beautiful Boy”, which I could have used as a bonus track, but opted not to. As always, I appreciate and value your comments. Thanks very much, Christian. ☺️

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  11. What a great selection of tracks and an excellent write up. I didn’t have a clue about John’s relationship with Pang. Well done post, Nancy. “One thing I can tell you is you have to be free. Come together, right now, over me.”
    ― John Lennon

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    1. Amen to that quote, Eugi! I’m delighted to know you enjoyed my write up today and thrilled that I got to fill you in on the story of May Pang! Quite an interesting chapter in Lennon’s life, right? I appreciate you taking the time to read and share your thoughts. Thanks very much, Eugi! 🥰

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      1. You’re most welcome, Nancy. As much as I love The Beatles, I’m surprised I wasn’t in tune with more details about John Lennon. My favorite Beatle is Sir Paul. When I was in college I swooned over him, and even though he’s aged, he’s just adorable as ever. 💖

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  12. Great choice, Nancy and it is very doubtful that I would know anything about John Lennon that you don’t already know.  I do love the Title “Here’s Johnny” reminding me of the Jack Nicholson film “The Shining” and that special banner your created “They Say Its Your Birthday with John, Yoko and May.  I love the slide guitar on #9 Dream which was played by session musician Jesse Ed Davis.  I like John’s voice on ‘I’m Losing You’ and when a wife encourages her husband to take a lover and arranges an escort for him, that is like getting a hall pass.  ‘Watching The Wheels’ makes a statement that taking it easy and spending time with loved ones is anything but crazy.  Being in the celebrity spotlight working way too hard in an attempt to be as productive as possible, on the other hand, can be quite unfulfilling in the end.

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    1. Great comments all around, Jim, and I had to LOL when I read “hall pass”. I agree with that but the act was not as selfless as one may think and I’m sure Ono had some regrets. That business with the hypnosis session is wild, isn’t it. She appears to be quite a conniving woman. This was great fun for me; John was never my favorite Beatle, as you know, but he’s was an incredible talent and I could not miss this chance to feature him. Thanks very much for your comments, Jim.

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  14. Of course, who else but John Lennon … I loved your song selections your superb in-depth write up my dear friend … meanwhile, down in Aussieland my October baby is Chrissy Amphlett …

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  18. I kinda thought, when I saw listed among October birthdays was John Lennon, that you might pick him. Great selection of songs and your in-depth background on each were very informative. Thanks.

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