Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
Encyclopedia
"Beautiful Boy" is a song written and performed by John Lennon
. It was released on the 1980 album Double Fantasy
, the last album by Lennon and Ono released before his death.
Paul McCartney
has stated this is one of his favorite songs composed by Lennon, and when he appeared on Desert Island Discs
included it in his selection of favorite music releases.
, his only child with Yoko Ono
. It begins with John comforting his son from what is presumably a nightmare and develops into John passionately describing the love he has for his son and the joy Sean gave him.
At the end of the song, John Lennon whispers "Good night, Sean. See you in the morning. Right again" in a similar fashion to what Ringo Starr
whispers at the end of the Beatles song "Good Night
", which was a song written by John Lennon for his other son, Julian Lennon
.
The lyrics of "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" contain the famous Lennon quote "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
for her album Miracle
. It was released on October 11, 2004, in North America and parts of Europe as the first promotional single
.
The song reached number two on the Quebec Airplay Chart. "Beautiful Boy" was also popular on adult contemporary
charts, peaking at number 18 in the U.S. and number 32 in Canada. It also reached number 30 on the Hungarian Airplay Chart.
Dion performed this song on a few U.S. TV shows, including Live with Regis and Kelly
.
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
. It was released on the 1980 album Double Fantasy
Double Fantasy
Double Fantasy is an album released by John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, in 1980. Though initially poorly received, the album is notable for its association with Lennon's murder three weeks after its release, whereupon it become a worldwide commercial success, and went on to win the 1981 Album...
, the last album by Lennon and Ono released before his death.
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
has stated this is one of his favorite songs composed by Lennon, and when he appeared on Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a BBC Radio 4 programme first broadcast on 29 January 1942. It is the second longest-running radio programme , and is the longest-running factual programme in the history of radio...
included it in his selection of favorite music releases.
Lyrics
The song was written for Lennon's son SeanSean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
, his only child with Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
. It begins with John comforting his son from what is presumably a nightmare and develops into John passionately describing the love he has for his son and the joy Sean gave him.
At the end of the song, John Lennon whispers "Good night, Sean. See you in the morning. Right again" in a similar fashion to what Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
whispers at the end of the Beatles song "Good Night
Good Night (song)
-External links:*...
", which was a song written by John Lennon for his other son, Julian Lennon
Julian Lennon
John Charles Julian Lennon is an English musician, songwriter, actor, and photographer. He is the son of John Lennon and Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Powell. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was his godfather. He has a younger half-brother, Sean Lennon. Lennon was named after his paternal...
.
The lyrics of "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" contain the famous Lennon quote "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Céline Dion version
"Beautiful Boy" was recorded by Céline DionCeline Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
for her album Miracle
Miracle (Celine Dion album)
Miracle is a concept album credited to Canadian singer Céline Dion and Australian photographer Anne Geddes, released on October 11, 2004. It's Dion's 12th English album and 33rd in total...
. It was released on October 11, 2004, in North America and parts of Europe as the first promotional single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
.
The song reached number two on the Quebec Airplay Chart. "Beautiful Boy" was also popular on adult contemporary
Adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
charts, peaking at number 18 in the U.S. and number 32 in Canada. It also reached number 30 on the Hungarian Airplay Chart.
Dion performed this song on a few U.S. TV shows, including Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
.
Other versions
- Former Monkee Micky DolenzMicky DolenzGeorge Michael "Micky" Dolenz, Jr. is an American actor, musician, television director, radio personality and theater director, best known as a member of the 1960s made-for-television band The Monkees.-Biography:...
covered the song on his 1991 album, Mickey Dolenz Puts You to Sleep.http://www.amazon.com/Micky-Dolenz-Puts-You-Sleep/dp/B001APIQLO - A cover of the song by Richard DreyfussRichard DreyfussRichard Stephen Dreyfuss is an American actor best known for starring in a number of film, television, and theater roles since the late 1960s, including the films American Graffiti, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Stakeout, Always, What About...
was included in the 1995 film Mr. Holland's OpusMr. Holland's OpusMr. Holland's Opus is a 1995 American drama film directed by Stephen Herek, produced by Ted Field, Robert W. Cort, and Michael Nolin, and Executive Produced by Patrick Sheane Duncan. It stars Richard Dreyfuss in the title role, and the cast includes Glenne Headly, Olympia Dukakis, William H. Macy...
. - In 1998, "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" was covered by Japanese trio, Dreams Come True, as the B-side to their "Ahaha" single, which was later released on a 65th anniversary tribute album in 2005.
- In 2006, it was covered by UK rock band FeederFeeder-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
as part of a tribute album, given away with QQ (magazine)Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
magazine, titled Lennon: Covered Vol 1. - In 2007, it was covered by Ben HarperBen HarperBenjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
for the benefit album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save DarfurInstant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save DarfurInstant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a compilation album of various artists covering songs of John Lennon to benefit Amnesty International's campaign to alleviate the crisis in Darfur...
.