Oh Yoko!
"Oh Yoko!" is a 1971 song written and performed by John Lennon. It was first released on his album Imagine, and was later included in the greatest hits compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.
| "Oh Yoko!" | |
|---|---|
| Song by John Lennon | |
| from the album Imagine | |
| Released | 9 September 1971 (US) 8 October 1971 (UK) |
| Recorded | 25 May–5 July 1971 |
| Genre | Rock[1] |
| Length | 4:20 |
| Label | Apple/EMI |
| Songwriter(s) | John Lennon |
| Producer(s) | John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Phil Spector |
The song was written about his wife Yoko Ono, and features Nicky Hopkins on piano and co-producer Phil Spector on harmony vocal. Lennon plays harmonica for the first time on a solo recording (since the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon"),[2] and it would also be the last time he used the instrument in a released recording.
Background
Lennon began writing the song in 1968 during the Beatles' visit to India, but was not fully completed until the sessions for Imagine three years later.[2] The melody was inspired by Lonnie Donegan's "Lost John", a song Lennon enjoyed and played often.[2] The song was recorded on 25 May 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios.[3] Robert Christgau called it "an instant folk song worthy of Rosie & the Originals".[4]
EMI wanted to release the song as a single but Lennon refused. The only single issued from Imagine was the title track in the United States; none was issued in the United Kingdom.[2]
In popular culture
- The song was featured in the 1998 film Rushmore, starring Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman.
- In 1973, Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami made an animated short based on the song.[5]
Personnel
- John Lennon – vocals, electric guitar, harmonica
- Nicky Hopkins – piano
- Klaus Voormann – bass
- Alan White – drums
- Phil Spector – harmony vocal
- Rod Linton – acoustic guitar
- Andy Davis – acoustic guitar
References
- Lewis, Stephen (20 March 2013). "Top 10 John Lennon Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- "John Lennon: Oh Yoko! | The Beatles Bible". www.beatlesbible.com. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- Madinger, Chip; Raile, Scott (2015). LENNONOLOGY Strange Days Indeed - A Scrapbook Of Madness. Chesterfield, MO: Open Your Books, LLC. pp. 239, 247. ISBN 978-1-63110-175-5.
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "John Lennon: Imagine". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 0899190251. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- Keiichi Tanaami. "Keiichi Tanaami - Oh! Yoko! (1973)". YouTube. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
External links
