“The newspapers said,
"Say, what you're doing in bed?"”
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
I said "We're only trying to get us some peace."
"Ballad of John and Yoko" (1969), referring to his "bed-in" honeymoon of March 1969.
Lyrics
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
Remember love. The only hope for any of us is peace. Violence begets violence. If you want to get peace, you can get it as soon as you like if we all pull together. You're all geniuses and you're all beautiful. You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace. Think peace, live peace, and breathe peace and you'll get it as soon as you like. Okay?
Statement to the press in July 1969 after the release of the Plastic Ono Band's single "Give Peace a Chance", as quoted in The Beatles: An Oral History by David Pritchard and Alan Lysaght (1998) New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 0786864362. OCLC: 39093547. p. 285.
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
Genius is a form of madness and we're all that way. But I used to be coy about it, like me guitar playing. But if there's such a thing as genius — I am one. And if there isn't, I don't care.
John Lennon interview with Rolling Stone magazine (December 1970)
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
During the Bed-In for Peace in Montreal, Canada (1 June 1969)
“Don't believe that jazz about there's nothing you can do, "turn on and drop out, man"”
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
because you've got to turn on and drop in, or they're going to drop all over you.
Source: The Beatles Anthology (2000), p. 263
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
"Working Class Hero"
Lyrics, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
“How can I give love when I don't know what it is I'm giving?
"How?"”
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
Lyrics, Imagine (1971 album)
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
It is for others to judge. I am doing it. I do. I don't stand back and judge — I do.
On talk of a Beatles re-union
Playboy interview (1980)
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
Walking away from all the money would not accomplish that. It's like the Beatles. I couldn't walk away from the Beatles. That's one possession that's still tagging along, right?
Playboy interview (1980)
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
He couldn't understand that I didn't write the song. But I guess he couldn't have gone from table to table playing "I Am The Walrus."
On the song "Yesterday", written by Paul McCartney
Playboy interview (1980)
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
It happened to all of us, but if somebody had told me all my life, "Yeah, you're a great artist," I would have been a more secure person.
Source: The Beatles Anthology (2000), p. 9
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
John Lennon, in "Instant Karma!" (written 27 January 1970)
Lyrics
“It is senseless to hate the one whom you love. Love actually. ”
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
When asked if they wouldn't sing because they couldn't, in a press conference at John F. Kennedy Airport (7 February 1964) http://www.dmbeatles.com/interviews.php?interview=10
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
"God"
Lyrics, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
