![13. 'Mind Games' - originally written as '8Make Love, Not War' during the Beatles' Let It Be 1969 sessions, this hippie track fosters the theme of love, unity, harmony and positivity. John sings,]()
13. 'Mind Games' - originally written as '8Make Love, Not War' during the Beatles' Let It Be 1969 sessions, this hippie track fosters the theme of love, unity, harmony and positivity. John sings, "yes is the answer", as a direct reference to a Yoko Ono installation at the Indicia Gallery, where the couple had first met.
![12. 'Give Peace A Chance' - This anti-war, peace-loving anthem is the ignored mantra of our generation. As Lennon's first solo song issued outside the Beatles framework, 'Give Peace A Chance' was written during the John and Yoko's two week Bed-In peaceful protest against the Vietnam War. Its message still resonates amongst anti-war protesters today thanks to its simple structure both musically and lyrically.]()
12. 'Give Peace A Chance' - This anti-war, peace-loving anthem is the ignored mantra of our generation. As Lennon's first solo song issued outside the Beatles framework, 'Give Peace A Chance' was written during the John and Yoko's two week Bed-In peaceful protest against the Vietnam War. Its message still resonates amongst anti-war protesters today thanks to its simple structure both musically and lyrically.
![11. 'Just Like Starting Over' - After keeping quiet for five years between 1975 and 1980, this track returned Lennon to the music scene, although in reality, he never really left. The track was released at the end of October 1980, just over a month before his death. The song reached No.1 shortly after his death.]()
11. 'Just Like Starting Over' - After keeping quiet for five years between 1975 and 1980, this track returned Lennon to the music scene, although in reality, he never really left. The track was released at the end of October 1980, just over a month before his death. The song reached No.1 shortly after his death.
![10. 'Nobody Told Me' - Not released, until after his death, this track captured Lennon's lighter, more childlike side as well as his vivid imagination. From UFOs in New York to yellow idols in Katmandu, 'Nobody Told Me' is a whirlwind of imagery blanketed on a joyous and catchy musical base.]()
10. 'Nobody Told Me' - Not released, until after his death, this track captured Lennon's lighter, more childlike side as well as his vivid imagination. From UFOs in New York to yellow idols in Katmandu, 'Nobody Told Me' is a whirlwind of imagery blanketed on a joyous and catchy musical base.
![9. 'Woman' - Leaving his womanizing days of 'Day Tripper' and 'Norwegian Wood' behind him, Lennon embraced monogamy with a newfound respect for all women-kind. Lennon himself aptly called it a grown-up version of 'Girl' and it certainly is a mature Lennon singing here.]()
9. 'Woman' - Leaving his womanizing days of 'Day Tripper' and 'Norwegian Wood' behind him, Lennon embraced monogamy with a newfound respect for all women-kind. Lennon himself aptly called it a grown-up version of 'Girl' and it certainly is a mature Lennon singing here.
![8. 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' - predictably appearing on Xmas compilations annually, the sleigh bell ballad doubles up as a thinly veiled anti-war song. John and the Harlem Community Choir blessedly sing]()
8. 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' - predictably appearing on Xmas compilations annually, the sleigh bell ballad doubles up as a thinly veiled anti-war song. John and the Harlem Community Choir blessedly sing "A very Merry Xmas/And a happy New Year/Let's hope it's a good one/Without any fear" before launching into the second, more somber chorus, "war is over, if you want it". It's a great Xmas song that rivals Band Aid for its humanitarian undertones.
![7. Watching The Wheels' - Written as a reaction to his hiatus from the music industry whilst he was raising his son Sean, 'Watching The Wheels' is another simple yet beautiful song.]()
7. Watching The Wheels' - Written as a reaction to his hiatus from the music industry whilst he was raising his son Sean, 'Watching The Wheels' is another simple yet beautiful song. "When I say that I'm o.k. they look at me kind of strange/Surely you're not happy now you no longer play the game" exposes us to the judgment casted upon John during his break from music. Clearly the world missed John back then and clearly, we still do.
![6. 'God' - As a proud atheist, John never shied away from vocalising his resentment for religion. John didn't believe in conflicting deities and societal structures, which form barriers that disrupt harmony. This track is a shopping list of everything John stands against, including God, I-Ching, Tarot, Jesus, kings, yoga, Elvis and climatically, Beatles. It's blunt, brazen and unapologetic, and it's fantastic. Also, despite its unconventional form and lack of rhyming couplets, it's oddly contagious to sing a long to.]()
6. 'God' - As a proud atheist, John never shied away from vocalising his resentment for religion. John didn't believe in conflicting deities and societal structures, which form barriers that disrupt harmony. This track is a shopping list of everything John stands against, including God, I-Ching, Tarot, Jesus, kings, yoga, Elvis and climatically, Beatles. It's blunt, brazen and unapologetic, and it's fantastic. Also, despite its unconventional form and lack of rhyming couplets, it's oddly contagious to sing a long to.
![5. 'Working Class Hero': Yet another critical commentary on society by John. With only the help of an acoustic guitar, John sings his commentary almost as a folk fable, with similarities lifted from Dylan's 'Masters Of War'. So pertinent are his lyrics to society that anyone caught between the lower class and middle class bracket would undoubtedly agree with him. It's hauntingly accurate, albeit it cynical.]()
5. 'Working Class Hero': Yet another critical commentary on society by John. With only the help of an acoustic guitar, John sings his commentary almost as a folk fable, with similarities lifted from Dylan's 'Masters Of War'. So pertinent are his lyrics to society that anyone caught between the lower class and middle class bracket would undoubtedly agree with him. It's hauntingly accurate, albeit it cynical.
![4. 'Jealous Guy' - As cocky and confident as John has presented himself as, he is also plagued with insecurities, like the rest of us. On 'Jealous Guy', John said,]()
4. 'Jealous Guy' - As cocky and confident as John has presented himself as, he is also plagued with insecurities, like the rest of us. On 'Jealous Guy', John said, "I was a very jealous, possessive guy... A guy who wants to put his woman in a little box, lock her up, and just bring her out when he feels like playing with her". Being the incredible musician he is, John presents his dark and personal issues beautifully in what would otherwise sound like a love song. We hear a weaker, more vulnerable John and he's even more relatable. Also, check out amazing covers of this track by Roxy Music and Deftones.
![3. 'Mother' - Another personal song for John, 'Mother' is a reflection of John's infancy and lack of parental guidance. The best thing about this song is the John's leaping vocals that formulates a progressive but catchy melody. The bold piano chords and thick drum beat that simply acts as support for John's voice allows his vocals to carry the song. John really stretches and strains his voice here; he's practically screaming towards the end of the song, but that's exactly what makes his plea of]()
3. 'Mother' - Another personal song for John, 'Mother' is a reflection of John's infancy and lack of parental guidance. The best thing about this song is the John's leaping vocals that formulates a progressive but catchy melody. The bold piano chords and thick drum beat that simply acts as support for John's voice allows his vocals to carry the song. John really stretches and strains his voice here; he's practically screaming towards the end of the song, but that's exactly what makes his plea of "mama don't go, daddy come home" so powerfully sincere.
![2. 'Instant Karma (We All Shine On)' - Writing rock anthems was something John exceeded at, but didn't do enough of. This song not only proves that, but demonstrates that rock anthems can carry meaning too; John's projection of peace, unity, strength and activism transpires boldly through his chorus,]()
2. 'Instant Karma (We All Shine On)' - Writing rock anthems was something John exceeded at, but didn't do enough of. This song not only proves that, but demonstrates that rock anthems can carry meaning too; John's projection of peace, unity, strength and activism transpires boldly through his chorus, "We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun".
![1. 'Imagine' - listed as No.3 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, this is undoubtedly one of the best songs ever written and its message is unprecedented in its significance. It captures Lennon's utopia of a peaceful world without religion, countries and barriers. It's a hippy's wet dream, but has still secured a place with everyone trying to make the world a better place.]()
1. 'Imagine' - listed as No.3 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, this is undoubtedly one of the best songs ever written and its message is unprecedented in its significance. It captures Lennon's utopia of a peaceful world without religion, countries and barriers. It's a hippy's wet dream, but has still secured a place with everyone trying to make the world a better place.