THE JOHN LENNON COLLECTION

THE JOHN LENNON COLLECTION : This was a retrospective compilation album of John Lennon's solo career and was rush released to cash in on his tragic death in 1981. The first post humous album release in John Lennon's name. I didn't like the CD cover. They could have put in a much better picture of John but they didn't. They choose to put in the pictures that was taken on the 8th of December, that day that he was murdered. I guess it meant something to some people but I would much prefer my idol looking good in my album. The track selections were flawed too. 'Mother' was criminally missing and there was just too much materials from "Double Fantasy". Of course, since this release
, they are numerous other compilation that rendered this CD just about irrelevant saved for one rare cut that was not to be found in any other CD.

Give Peace A Chance ( John Lennon / Paul McCartney ) : John's magnus opus anthem and his first ever single away from The Beatles. Credited to Plastic Ono Band, the composers' credits carried Paul McCartney's name even though he have nothing to do with the song. Still, as an anthem, this can do no wrong. When John was killed, the strains of this song can be heard all over the air. It was also cited as one of the reasons the Vietnam War came to an end with thousands throding the streets singing this song.

Instant Karma ( John Lennon ) : Another John's classic. Released barely two weeks after it was written, it was John's way to get a song out as fast as he can and he managed to achieve it with this. Love this.

Power To The People ( John Lennon ) : Another anthemic songs albeit a not so successful one. It's not a bad song though. I bought this single when it first came out. My brother didn't like it. I do and still did.

Whatever Gets You Thru The Night ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Wall And Bridges".

#9 Dream ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Wall And Bridges".

Mind Game ( John Lennon ) : Refers to ":Mind Game".

Love ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band".

Happy X'mas [ War Is Over ] ( John Lennon / Yoko Ono ) : Certainly one of the greatest Christmas songs ever written. Even Yoko's vocal couldn't spoilt this beautiful song. This was a annual favorite which appears every year during Christmas since then.

Imagine ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Imagine".

Jealous Guy ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Imagine"

Stand By Me ( Ben E. King / Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller ) : Refers to 'Rock 'n' Roll".

[ Just Like ] Starting Over ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

Woman ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

I'm Losing You ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

Beautiful Boy [ Darling Boy ] ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

Watching The Wheels ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

Dear Yoko ( John Lennon ) : Refers to "Double Fantasy".

Move Over Mr. L ( John Lennon ) : This is the only song that is not included on any of John's collection. The flip side of 'Stand By Me', it was a half decent rock 'n' roll number. I would have traded this CD for some of the far more superior compilation in the market but for this song.

Cold Turkey ( John Lennon ) : This song was worth the price of the CD. Set against a searing guitar backing, Lennon sang and re-enacts the horrors of cold turkey. You could almost feel his pain. Harrowing but priceless. Even Bob Dylan couldn't get away with a song like this.

DOP : 5th January 1997