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John Lennon - Double Fantasy Audio CD

A fair review of the John Lennon "Double Fantasy" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all John Lennon reviews here, or go back to the John Lennon tabs.

John Lennon Band: John Lennon
Title: Double Fantasy
Rating:
Release Date: 2000-10-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: (Just Like) Starting Over 2: Kiss, Kiss, Kiss 3: Cleanup Time 4: Give Me Something 5: I'm Losing You 6: I'm Moving On 7: Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) 8: Watching the Wheels 9: Yes, I'm Your Angel 10: Woman 11: Beautiful Boys 12: Dear Yoko 13: Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him 14: Hard Times Are Over 15: Help Me to Help Myself 16: Walking on Thin Ice 17: Central Park Stroll (Dialogue)

A good pop album.
Who woulda thunk it? Coming out of five years as a house husband he was happy and content. Yes Johnny Lennon went out with a good pop album. No primal screams. No angst. He had essentially turned into Paul McCartney. And by the time this album came out bands like The B52s had made Yoko's style acceptable. I wish it would have been better since it was to be his last but it's a better last album than "Walls and Bridges" would have been.


Gimme Some Truth
It was, in part, a gift to all those fans riveted to the couple's every move. About three weeks before some festering sore of a human being gunned him down, John Lennon released his last work on a joint album with wife Yoko Ono called Double Fantasy. For all the their honesty, the Lennons were masters of media manipulation, which just meant they knew how to play the game. The question remains: Did Double Fantasy accurately reflect where they were at by the summer/fall of 1980? Many said this was a "domestic bliss" album, but a lot of it is pretty harrowing, particularly from Yoko.

John's "I'm Losing You" has him in panic mode, but for the only time on the album. Elsewhere, he's pleading ("(Just Like) Starting Over," "Cleanup Time," "Dear Yoko, "Woman"), not apologizing for his decisions ("Watching the Wheels") and celebrating their son Sean ("Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)"). Yoko is more tortured, suggesting quite strongly that being with John is constraining her. One of her best lines comes early on, in "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss": "It's a long, long story to tell/And I can only show you my hell. " But her lyrics are rife with existential dissatisfaction: "Why me/Why you/Broken mirror/White terror" ("Kiss, Kiss, Kiss"); "The food is cold/Your eyes are cold/The window's cold/The bed is cold", "And I'll give you a heartbeat/And a bit of tear and flesh/It's not very much but while it's there/You can have it, you can have it" ("Give Me Something"); "Save you sweet talk for when you score/Keep your Monday kisses for your glass lady/I want the truth and nothing more/I'm moving on, moving on/You're getting phony" ("I'm Moving On").

Yoko's angst seems to dissipate by side two, which includes the playful "I'm Your Angel," the sympathetic "Beautiful Boys," the optimistic "Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him" and the gorgeously hopeful "Hard Times Are Over. " Still, Beatlemaniacs like me wonder what was going through Yoko's mind on side one? According to those who knew them, John was still seeing May Pang and Yoko was seriously considering leaving him. A 2008 biography by Philip Norman states that John once damaged young Sean's hearing by screaming at him. So the picture behind Double Fantasy is more complicated than most critics could have known.

As always, the lyrics are only half the story. The music on Double Fantasy has come under criticism for Jack Douglas's "slick" production. Douglas had previously produced Aerosmith so he knew about getting an arena-ready sound out of his artists. The production is actually not much slicker than Lennon himself achieved on Mind Games (1973) and Walls and Bridges (1974). By 1980 Lennon was basically one of the best Adult Contemporary artists around. What's nice is the breezy, pseudo-New Wave sound John conjures for his songs, such as the rolling "(Just Like) Starting Over" and the steady lope of "Watching the Wheels. " "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" is obviously inspired by John's time in Bermuda (where much of the album was written). "Woman" was an instant standard that simultaneously illustrated why John was no longer in a position to criticize Paul McCartney's songwriting.

Yoko's arrangements are naturally more adventurous while never sounding out of place on the album. Even the harshest track, "Give Me Something," is hardly a 1980 punk rock song. John always liked the New York studio pros who wouldn't showboat or forget who was the center of attention, and the Double Fantasy band fulfills its role perfectly. In fact, when bassist par excellence Tony Levin quipped about taking the show "on the road," John was quite enthusiastic. A 1981 Double Fantasy Tour would've have taken some of the sting out of Ronald Reagan's electoral victory.

We obsess over Double Fantasy because it was not supposed to be the last album. Had the events of December 8 not happened, Double Fantasy might seem more quaint, perhaps even a misstep. John's song here are generally better than those on Mind Games or Walls and Bridges, but they can't touch John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band or Imagine.

The 'Adult Contemporary' John Lennon is how we would have to learn to love him until he had the inevitable creative renaissance that Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul McCartney and others enjoyed in the 1990s-2000s. He probably would have gotten around to working with Paul, George Harrison and Ringo Starr again as well. But as it is, we have to cram 30+ years of speculation into the little Double Fantasy album. Let's just say that we can appreciate Double Fantasy for what it is, and it will do.
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it's a great album
Yes, I was familiar with other classics such as "Imagine" and "Mother", but something about THIS album -with the way Yoko and John go back and forth sharing personal feelings and giving the entire album an honest, homemade flow- really connected with me. Yes, it's not only a great album, but it's also a 5 star album, and here's why-

For years, I've been a John Lennon fan, and Double Fantasy is the album that introduced me to this mans great songwriting skills. Still does, in fact. I love the album now just as much as I did 20 years ago.

Perhaps because I always prefer being by myself and consider myself a loner, that has something to do with the reason why I really like the way the music sounds. Yes, even though the lyrics are about relationship troubles or simply family-related things, there's an empty and cold feeling that makes me feel alone and sheltered in songs such as "I'm Losing You", "Dear Yoko" and "Just Like Starting Over" (the last one being my personal favorite from the album).

"Woman" has a timeless feel the way Lennon's vocals sail beautifully through the verse and chorus (and the fading out part RULES- seriously, some people hate songs that fade away at the end, but here's a perfect example where fading away is brilliant and appropriate).

"Watching the Wheels" is another song that seems to describe me, especially the part "Some people say I'm lazy dreaming my life away". Yup, that's me! I've always been a dreamer I guess.

The Yoko Ono songs are seriously much better than people give them credit for, especially "Hard Times are Over" and "Kiss Kiss Kiss". Every Yoko song on here is quite melodic. Are they at the same level of quality as Lennon's songs? Probably not, but I honestly don't feel they're any worse.

Every year on John Lennon's birthday I like to play one of his albums, and this year, I chose Double Fantasy. His songwriting is just too good, and his emotions are incredibly honest, and this is why I choose to remember him every year on his birthday.

Overall, Double Fantasy is one of the best albums John Lennon ever made, and wondering whether to buy it or not is an easy decision for me- YES!

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(4.5 stars) THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO.
John's family and life at home are what this album is really all about. John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy (1980) was the main event of John's much publicized and celebrated entrance back into the music world after five years of retirement devoted to being a househusband and father to his young son, Sean. It's almost (John, forgive me) Lennon doing McCartney. One difference here is that half of the songs are John's and the other half are Yoko's. The songs alternate with each other on the album.

John's songs on Double Fantasy are some of the very best of his solo career. The opener, (Just Like) Starting Over, is an uptempo 1950s rock/1960s pop hybrid that John brilliantly morphs into a catchy and rocking 1980s classic. Woman is a perfectly crafted, yet wonderfully sincere, love song that is one of John's best ever. Watching The Wheels is classic Lennon; a bluesy pop piano ballad that explains the theme of this album and John's contented state of mind at the time.

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) is a touching song of fatherly love that John sings to his son. A steel drum gives the song a bright and mellow Asian flavor. John stands up and sounds like the rebellious rocker that he was born to be on I'm Losing You. He sings with spirit and conviction here, and the dual electric guitar work on the song is also impressive. The funky Cleanup Time and the bouncy Dear Yoko are both winners, too.

Yoko wrote and sings the lead vocal on her songs. Some could be described as avant-garde new wave horror rock, and others as quite tender in a strange, yet captivating, way. She uses a lot of vocal sound effects such as screams, growls, baby talk and high-pitched throat intonations. Her songs here are really quite good if you allow yourself to listen to them as they were intended. Kiss Kiss Kiss and Give Me Something really rock while Yes, I'm Your Angel and Beautiful Boys are touching and charming odes to her two Lennon "boys".

You've got all that you can carry
And still feel somehow empty
Don't ever be afraid to fly

One of the more impressive things about Double Fantasy is Jack Douglas' glossy production. To take two strong-willed and rebellious adults whose musical styles clash, and make this sound so effortlessly harmonious is quite an accomplishment. John and Yoko's songs mesh perfectly, and everything about the production sounds as if it's right where it belongs. The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1981.

Just weeks after the release of Double Fantasy, John Lennon was shot to death while he and Yoko stood in front of the apartment building in New York City where they lived. It was a tragedy that shocked the world; a brutal moment in time that ended a life that had touched millions of people everywhere. But John's senseless murder is not what Double Fantasy is about at all. This music is about life, not death. It had been a joyful time in John and Yoko's private world, and although it was cut all too short so quickly after this album was released, the music here is a testament to the happiness and contentment that John Lennon and Yoko Ono shared during a very special time in their lives. Yes, it's somewhat bittersweet, but mostly it's sweet.


One of Lennon's best that Yoko almost ruins.
It has been about six years since I purchased this album initially, and now that I own on it on vinyl thanks to my wonderful girlfriend Katie and her mother's friend Tom, I figured I'd give it a spin. I bought during a strange stage in my life where I was trying to figure out where I stood and how I was going to stand there. Pun intended.

Some back story on this album: it was the last studio release from John Lennon before his unfortunate passing in 1980. Most of the songs featured were written about his new love for life at age forty, emphasizing his love for Yoko and his now four year old son, Sean, who he and Yoko had given up four years of touring to raise.

A word of warning, though, I did have a strong bias against Yoko Ono. Not because I believe she split the Beatles or siphoned John's talent, I just don't find her to be that good of a musician. Her voice sounds like a cat is being washed. And cats hate being bathed. Check out the video.




On to the review.

1. (Just Like) Starting Over - This is the song that pointed me in the direction of this album. This was the first music video I caught when we got digital cable in 2002 on VH-1 Classic. At the time, I didn't put two and two together and realize that this was released posthumously and wondered why there were so many shots of Yoko and so much stock footage of John. But it is a great song, especially considering the irony of being the first track on an album released after he had passed away. Five out of five stars.



2. Kiss, Kiss, Kiss - Oh boy. Here's Yoko. Well, it's not that bad. The backing track is kind of rocking and keeps it from being a total bust. Wow, her voice really takes away from this track more than I remember. I was going to give this a four out of five right out of the gate, but I'm glad I gave it another couple listens. Her turkey gobbles around 2 minutes-ish are the stuff of legend. Three out of five stars.

3. Clean-Up Time - John is back. Thank goodness, those turkey gobbles were driving me nuts. A pretty standard bluesy rock track from John with some cool vocals. The hook will stay in your head for a bit and there is some exemplary guitar work. Cool sax section too. Good enough for four. Four out of five stars.

4. Give Me Something - Oh boy. Remember how Yoko was a turkey in her last jam? I want to pretend she doesn't make bird noises in this one. But I would be lying. The sad thing, the backing track is pretty cool and would fit awesomely with Debbie Harry. Sadly, she ruins with her seagull "Caw!"s. The musicianship saves it though. Three out of five stars.

5. I'm Losing You - For the first time listening to this album, I'm starting to notice the transitions between songs. Pretty cool. I've listened to all of the songs individually who knows how many times, but the cool transition between "Give Me Something" and "I'm Losing You". This song has the coolest bridge on the album and is a pretty good tune. Walks the line nicely between haunting and determined. Four out of five stars.

6. I'm Moving On - Another solid transition which makes the opening guitar riff even better. Oh man, here she is again. I have no idea what she is saying sadly, other than "I'm Moving On". The thing is, she is using English vernacular and it doesn't roll off of her tongue very easily. The second verse is much more understandable. Unquestionably the best Yoko song I've heard; it acts nicely as the response to "I'm Losing You"'s call, even if she makes MORE animal noises at the end of it. This time she is an ape. Four out of five stars.

7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - A truly beautiful song with great use of a set of steel drums and a steel guitar. This was probably the biggest no-brainer on the album. Five out of five stars.

8. Watching The Wheels - Thankfully, they break the John-Yoko-John-Yoko pattern and we get another John song. This is "soft rock" favorite up in the Lehigh Valley, so much so that growing up, this was the first song I could distinguish was John Lennon and not the Beatles. My ratings aren't usually tied to lyrics, nor do I attempt to delve too deeply into them, however, these are pretty cool. The way I see them, they are about his life after the Beatles and his transition into fatherhood. It doesn't hurt that the hook is extremely memorable either. Five out of five stars.

9. Yes, I'm Your Angel - Hmm. Yoko is back and you can understand everything she is saying. This one is ragtimey. She offers John "pumpkins that turn into princesses" so I can't hate too hard on this song. It's a nice little number that works really well on this album. Wow, I can't believe this. Another above average Yoko song. I'm glad I'm giving her tracks another chance. And this one doesn't even have animal sounds! Four out of five stars.

10. Woman - John again. Another "soft rock" favorite. A really sweet song. John dedicated it to "women everywhere". It is terrific. It is another no brainer. Five out of five stars.



11. Beautiful Boys - Starts out kind of haunting with Yoko. I don't really dig this one as much as her other efforts. The lyrics are kind of neat, but the song is tough to listen to. Oddly, if you scale this against the Pearl Jam album yesterday, I would rank this higher than all of the songs I gave threes, however, in the context of this album, I can only give this song a three. Three out of five stars. Although, I almost gave a bonus point for the Star Wars sampling toward the end near the lyric "Don't be afraid to go to hell and die. "

12. Dear Yoko - This one always gets me shimmying and dancing around. My favorite track on the album. Catchy verse, nice hook, and cool alto sax. Five out of five stars.

13. Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him - A Yoko track here with John harmonizing on the verses. That's pretty neat. Pretty cool backing track, too. If there was something more in this song to make it slightly more memorable, it would approach the big five, but alas, Yoko again falls just short. Although, to be noted, no animal noises, at least initial ones from Yoko. Song runs just a little bit long. This is a great showing for Yoko. Four out of five stars.

14. Hard Times Are Over - Yoko is back again for this one. Man, this has John's name all over it. I'm wondering if it was written for his voice and he passed on before he could record it. Well, I think I can answer my own question. I swear I hear him on harmony. So I guess that wasn't the original intention. Wow, this is a really cool one. My iTunes says I've never listened to this one. Ever. What a mistake that was. This one is the full monte. Five out of five stars.

Bonus tracks on 2000 re-release on CD:

15. Help Me To Help Myself - This is another one I haven't listened to according to my iTunes. After a few listens now, I can't help but feel this was unfinished. After some internet snooping, my suspicions were affirmed. There is some good stuff going on here in what is obviously a demo, but the song itself doesn't feel like he finished writing it and would have ended up on John and Yoko's anticipated penciled in follow-up which they were calling Milk and Honey. I cannot fairly rate this song as I have no idea if it was actually finished or not.

16. Walking on Thin Ice - A Yoko track which has the dubious distinction of being completed right before John was tragically shot by Mark David Chapman. This one is pretty interesting, as it has a lot of guitar ideas that would be borrowed upon later in the 80's. More animal noises from Yoko in this one. Three out of five stars.

17. Central Park Stroll (Dialogue) - Neat extra, no rating.

Final summary:

1. (Just Like) Starting Over - Five stars.
2. Kiss, Kiss, Kiss - Three stars.
3. Clean-Up Time - Four stars.
4. Give Me Something - Three stars.
5. I'm Losing You - Four stars.
6. I'm Moving On - Four stars.
7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - Five stars.
8. Watching the Wheels - Five stars.
9. Yes, I'm Your Angel - Four stars.
10. Woman - Five stars.
11. Beautiful Boys - Three stars.
12. Dear Yoko - Five stars.
13. Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him - Four stars.
14. Hard Times Are Over - Five stars.

Bonus tracks:

15. Help Me To Help Myself - No rating.
16. Walking on Thin Ice - Three stars.
17. Central Park Stroll (Dialog) - No rating.

In all, I can admit that I was not right in skipping past the Yoko numbers as none of them turned out to be below average. All of the numbers with John on lead vocals are tremendous too, very rarely dipping below five stars. Strong recommendation to buy, if for nothing more than the hits.
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You can see a complete list of all John Lennon discography, or go back to the John Lennon tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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