John Lennon, born in Liverpool in 1940, right in the middle of World War II, didn’t have a life of sunshine and rainbows. Things were a bit complicated at home, with his dad being away a lot and his parents eventually splitting up. But music became his saving grace. Elvis Presley entered the picture, and John Lennon was hooked. This teenage obsession with rock and roll led him to form a skiffle group called the Quarrymen in 1956. You might not recognize the name, but this little band eventually morphed into, well, the Beatles. Yeah, kind of a big deal.
John Lennon, alongside Paul McCartney, became the creative engine of the Fab Four. Their early songs were pure pop magic, capturing the energy and excitement of being young. Think “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” But John Lennon was a curious soul, and his songwriting kept evolving. He started digging into deeper stuff, reflecting on life, relationships, and even the whole crazy world around him. This gave us classics like “Help!” and the introspective “In My Life.”
The partnership between John and Paul is legendary. They pushed each other creatively, churning out a never-ending stream of incredible music. But by the late 60s, things started to crack. John Lennon met Yoko Ono, and his focus shifted a bit. He became more politically aware and used his music to champion peace and social justice. The Beatles, well, they just weren’t on the same page anymore, and in 1970, they called it quits.
John’s solo career was a different beast. It was raw, personal, and sometimes downright emotional. Albums like “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” were him baring his soul, confronting his inner demons. But he never lost his activist spirit. Songs like “Imagine” became anthems for peace, a message that continues to resonate today.
Beyond his musical contributions with The Beatles and as a solo artist, John Lennon also left behind a legacy of famous and powerful quotes, making him one of the 20th century’s greatest artists. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most impactful and inspiring phrases uttered by this pop culture icon.
Credit: IAIN MACMILLAN
A dream you dream alone is only a dream.A dream you dream together is reality.— John Lennon.
You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are! — John Lennon, July 1969 after the release of the Plastic Ono Band’s single “Give Peace a Chance”.
Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. — John Lennon, Evening Standard, 1966.
I no longer believe in myth, and Beatles is another myth. The dream is over. — John Lennon, Rolling Stone, December 1970.
A genius is a form of madness, and we’re all that way, you know. — John Lennon, Rolling Stone, 1970.
There’s no other time but the present. Anything else is a waste of time. — John Lennon, Melody Maker, October 1971.
THEY, whoever they are, don’t stand a chance because they can’t beat love. — John Lennon, Man Of The Decade, ITV, December 1969.
If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace. — John Lennon
Art is only a way of expressing pain. — John Lennon, Red Mole, 1971.
You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are! — John Lennon statement to the press in July 1969 after the release of the Plastic Ono Band’s single “Give Peace a Chance”.
Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it’ll always get you the right ones. — John Lennon.
Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.— John Lennon.
Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. — John Lennon.
I wouldn’t say I was a born writer; I’m a born thinker. — John Lennon.
I really thought that love would save us all. — John Lennon.
The people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry. — John Lennon at The Beatles Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
God is a concept by which we measure our pain. — John Lennon, “God”, 1970.
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one. — John Lennon “Imagine”, 191.
The more I see, the less I know for sure. — John Lennon.
One thing you can’t hide – is when you’re crippled inside. — John Lennon, “Crippled Inside”, 1971.
