Love (John Lennon song)
Encyclopedia
"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon
, originally released in 1970 on the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
album.
, and was released as a promotional tie-in single for the collection. The single version is a remix of the original track, which most notably differs in having the piano intro and outro (played by Phil Spector
) mixed at the same volume as the rest of the song; on the original album version, these parts begin much quieter and increase in volume. B-side was "Gimme Some Truth
", but labelled as "Give Me Some Truth".
An alternate take of the song appears on the John Lennon Anthology
box set.
The picture on the sleeve for 1982 release of "Love" was taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz
on 8 December 1980—the very day of Lennon's murder.
Like the 1982 British issue, the original version of the song was released as a single again in October 1998 for the Japanese market only with the Japanese edition of another compilation Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon
, and gained moderate success on the Japan's Oricon
chart.
covered this song in their 1990 album A Different Kind of Weather
, and also released as a single (CD, cassette, and vinyl formats are available). The single featured a strong India
n theme throughout (evident in the music video
). The song sampled
the Funky drummer
drum break. Like the album it was released on, A Different Kind of Weather
it received mixed reviews. Many critics and fans felt that they over-stretched it. The CD single included six different mixes
of the song along with "Mordechai Vanunu", which was written for Mordechai Vanunu
. A second B-side, called "The Demonstration" can be found on the UK CD single version. There are also exclusive remixes issued on the cassette and 12" single. As it turned out, this was the band's penultimate single and has an accompanying video that was shot in India.
recorded the song for a 1971 single. This single became a top 20 hit on the Japanese Oricon
singles chart and hit number 42 on the US Billboard
Hot 100
chart, becoming the only charting version of the song in the US and the last charting single of the group's career. In the same year, Barbra Streisand
also covered the song on her eponymous album
, along with another Lennon composition "Mother
".
The song was later covered by Vicky Leandros
(on her 1970 UK album "I Am", a guitar version in 1971 in various releases, an a cappella
version on her US album "Across The Water" and a new guitar version with Roland Gabezas in 2005 "Ich bin wie ich bin"), Shirley Bassey
(on her 1972 album I Capricorn
), Kenny Loggins
, Asha Puthli
, The Mission
and The Cure
. Jimmy Nail
's version, featured on his album Big River, was also released as a single on 8 December 1995 (the 15th anniversary of Lennon's death), and peaked at number 33 in the UK charts.
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...
, originally released in 1970 on the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was received with high critical praise upon release. Critic Greil Marcus remarked, "John's singing in the last verse of 'God' may be the finest in all of rock." In early 1971, the album reached number eight on the UK and went to number six in the US, spending eighteen...
album.
Song
The song first came out on Lennon's 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. "Love" later appeared on the 1982 compilation The John Lennon CollectionThe John Lennon Collection
The John Lennon Collection is a retrospective compilation album of music from John Lennon's 1970s solo career. The album was released on vinyl in 1982 by Parlophone through EMI, and by Geffen Records in the United States, later being remastered and released on CD in 1989. It was the first Lennon...
, and was released as a promotional tie-in single for the collection. The single version is a remix of the original track, which most notably differs in having the piano intro and outro (played by Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
) mixed at the same volume as the rest of the song; on the original album version, these parts begin much quieter and increase in volume. B-side was "Gimme Some Truth
Gimme Some Truth
"Gimme Some Truth" is a protest song written and performed by John Lennon from his 1971 album Imagine.Like several songs on the album, such as the title track "Imagine", "Gimme Some Truth" has blatant political references emerging from the time it was written, during the latter years of the Vietnam...
", but labelled as "Give Me Some Truth".
An alternate take of the song appears on the John Lennon Anthology
John Lennon Anthology
John Lennon Anthology is a box set of home demos, alternative studio outtakes and other unreleased material recorded by John Lennon over the course of his solo career from "Give Peace a Chance" in 1969 up until the 1980 sessions for Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey.The anthology was divided by its...
box set.
The picture on the sleeve for 1982 release of "Love" was taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz
Anna-Lou "Annie" Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer.-Early life and education:Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Leibovitz is the third of six children. She is a third-generation American whose great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants, from Central and Eastern Europe. Her father's...
on 8 December 1980—the very day of Lennon's murder.
Like the 1982 British issue, the original version of the song was released as a single again in October 1998 for the Japanese market only with the Japanese edition of another compilation Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon is the third official compilation album of John Lennon's solo career, coming after 1975's Shaved Fish and 1982's The John Lennon Collection...
, and gained moderate success on the Japan's Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
chart.
Personnel
The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:- John LennonJohn LennonJohn 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...
– vocals, acoustic guitar - Phil SpectorPhil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
– piano
The Dream Academy version
The Dream AcademyThe Dream Academy
The Dream Academy was a folk rock band from England, comprising singer/guitarist Nick Laird-Clowes; multi-instrumentalist Kate St John; plus keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel. They are most noted for their hit single, "Life in a Northern Town".-History:Laird-Clowes and Gabriel met each other in the late...
covered this song in their 1990 album A Different Kind of Weather
A Different Kind of Weather
-Singles from the Album:*Love*Angel of Mercy...
, and also released as a single (CD, cassette, and vinyl formats are available). The single featured a strong India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n theme throughout (evident in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
). The song sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
the Funky drummer
Funky drummer
"Funky Drummer" is a funk song recorded by James Brown and his band. The recording's drum break, performed by drummer Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled rhythmic breaks in hip hop and popular music; indeed, it lays a strong claim to being the most sampled recording ever,...
drum break. Like the album it was released on, A Different Kind of Weather
A Different Kind of Weather
-Singles from the Album:*Love*Angel of Mercy...
it received mixed reviews. Many critics and fans felt that they over-stretched it. The CD single included six different mixes
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
of the song along with "Mordechai Vanunu", which was written for Mordechai Vanunu
Mordechai Vanunu
Mordechai Vanunu ; is a former Israeli nuclear technician who, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction, revealed details of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986. He was subsequently lured to Italy by a Mossad agent, where he was drugged and kidnapped by...
. A second B-side, called "The Demonstration" can be found on the UK CD single version. There are also exclusive remixes issued on the cassette and 12" single. As it turned out, this was the band's penultimate single and has an accompanying video that was shot in India.
Other cover versions
The LettermenThe Lettermen
The Lettermen are an American male pop music vocal trio. The Lettermen's trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light arrangements. The group started in 1959...
recorded the song for a 1971 single. This single became a top 20 hit on the Japanese Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
singles chart and hit number 42 on the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, becoming the only charting version of the song in the US and the last charting single of the group's career. In the same year, Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
also covered the song on her eponymous album
Barbra Joan Streisand (album)
Barbra Joan Streisand is an album by Barbra Streisand, released in August, 1971 on Columbia Records.- Chart and sale :The album reached #11 on Billboard's Pop Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.-Track listing:Side One:...
, along with another Lennon composition "Mother
Mother (John Lennon song)
Mother is a song by British musician John Lennon, first released on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. An edited version of the song was issued as a single in the United States on Apple Records, catalogue 1827, about three weeks after the album. The single runs about fifteen seconds...
".
The song was later covered by Vicky Leandros
Vicky Leandros
Vicky Leandros is a Greek singer with a long international career. She is the daughter of singer, musician and composer Leandros Papathanasiou...
(on her 1970 UK album "I Am", a guitar version in 1971 in various releases, an a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
version on her US album "Across The Water" and a new guitar version with Roland Gabezas in 2005 "Ich bin wie ich bin"), Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
(on her 1972 album I Capricorn
I Capricorn
I Capricorn is a 1972 album by Shirley Bassey.Following on from the success of her previous two albums, I Capricorn saw Bassey still in the midst of her revival in the 1970s. Some months earlier she had released the single "For All We Know", which had become one of the biggest hits of her career,...
), Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
, Asha Puthli
Asha Puthli
Asha Puthli is an Indian-born singer-songwriter, producer and actress.Best recognized for her daredevil vocals on the "Science Fiction" album by jazz iconoclast Ornette Coleman, Asha Puthli has recorded ten solo albums for labels like EMI, CBS/Sony, and RCA...
, The Mission
The Mission (band)
The Mission are a gothic rock band formed in 1986 from the splinters of the freshly dissolved rock band The Sisters of Mercy.The band was started by frontman Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams , soon adding...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
. Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail
James Bradford "Jimmy" Nail is an English singer-songwriter, actor, musician, film producer, film score composer and television writer....
's version, featured on his album Big River, was also released as a single on 8 December 1995 (the 15th anniversary of Lennon's death), and peaked at number 33 in the UK charts.
Track listing (John Lennon single)
- All songs written and composed by John Lennon (except where noted).
1998 Japan release
- "Love" [Album ver.]
- "Stand by Me" (Ben E. KingBen E. KingBenjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
/Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
Track listing (The Dream Academy single)
- "Love" (single version) – 3:42
- "Love" (Hare Krishna mix) – 7:01 (appears on the compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
Somewhere in the Sun... Best of the Dream AcademySomewhere in the Sun... Best of the Dream AcademySomewhere In The Sun... Best Of The Dream Academy is a compilation album released by The Dream Academy in Japan in 2000. The compilation album contains the extended version of Life In A Northern Town and an acoustic version of The Party rather than the more common versions...
) - "Love" (Whales in Love) – 4:00
- "Love" (Dream House) – 7:34
- "Love" (Love is 12) – 6:52
- "Love" (Love is 7) – 4:18
- "Love" (Dreamstrumental) – 5:07
- "Mordechai Vanunu" – 5:39 (written for Mordechai VanunuMordechai VanunuMordechai Vanunu ; is a former Israeli nuclear technician who, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction, revealed details of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986. He was subsequently lured to Italy by a Mossad agent, where he was drugged and kidnapped by...
) - "Love" (Trance mix) (an exclusive remix that only appears on the maxi-cassette single released in the U.S.)
John Lennon version
| Year | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | United Kingdom | 41 |
| 1998 | Japan | 58 |
The Lettermen version
| Year | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | 15 |
| United States | 42 (Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... ) |
|
| 8 (AC) |
Jimmy Nail version
| Year | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | United Kingdom | 33 |
Trivia
The song was used during episode 12 of series 2 of Heartbeat, which was set in 1965.External links
- The Making of John Lennon's "Love" take-by-take song analysis
- The Video of the Dream Academy version Hosted on VH1.com.