Ballad of John and Yoko
The Beatles
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Standing in the dock at Southampton Trying to get to Holland or France. The man in the mac said you've got to go back, You know they didn't even give us a chance. Christ! You know it ain't easy, You know how hard it can be. The way things are going, They're going to crucify me. Finally made the plane into Paris, Honeymooning down by the Seine. Peter Brown called to say, You can make it OK, You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain. Christ! You know it ain't easy, You know how hard it can be. The way things are going, They're going to crucify me. Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton, Talking in our beds for a week. The newspapers said, say what're you doing in bed, I said we're only trying to get us some peace. Christ! You know it ain't easy, You know how hard it can be. The way things are going, They're going to crucify me. Saving up your money for a rainy day, Giving all your clothes to charity. Last night the wife said, Oh boy, when you're dead you Don't take nothing with you but your soul think! Made a lightning trip to Vienna, Eating chocolate cake in a bag. The newspapers said, She's gone to his head, They look just like two Gurus in a drag. Christ! You know it ain't easy, You know how hard it can be. The way things are going, They're going to crucify me. Caught the early plane back to London, Fifty acorns tied in a sack. The men from the press said we wish you success, It's good to have the both of you back. Christ! You know it ain't easy, You know how hard it can be. The way things are going, They're going to crucify me
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Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Band ContributionsDespite The Beatles being composed of four members (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr), the song "Ballad of John and Yoko" features only John Lennon and Paul McCartney. George and Ringo were both unavailable during the recording, so John Lennon took charge of vocals and lead and rhythm guitars, while Paul McCartney played bass, drums, piano, and maracas.
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Recorded in One DayThe song was recorded in one day on April 14, 1969. This was a quick turn-around compared to other Beatles songs.
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Based on Real EventsThe lyrics in the "Ballad of John and Yoko" tell the real-life story of Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono, their honeymoon, the bed-in peace demonstration and their encounters with press and public. It is therefore considered as more of a biographical song.
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ControversyLennon used the word "Christ" in the song, which led to several radio stations banning it fearing it was blasphemous. Lennon though clarified stating, "I'm talking about when you don't want to hold a 'love in' and you've got a thousand press men around your house. The lines just came to me. They were consciously poetic.”
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Success Despite CensorshipDespite controversies and some media censorship, the song was successful and topped the charts in many countries, including the UK. However, it only reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
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Last UK No. 1 Hit"The Ballad of John and Yoko" was The Beatles' 17th and final UK No. 1 hit as a band.
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Unusual TitleThe song's title is a bit edgy for the Beatles, as the term "ballad" was generally used for traditional folk songs or romantic pop, which indicates a departure from the Beatles' usual trend.
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Only Yoko-specific SongOf all Beatles releases, "The Ballad of John and Yoko" is the only one with a title that mentions Yoko Ono.
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Cover ArtThe cover of the single features John and Yoko in two separate pictures taken at their wedding ceremony.
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Speedy ReleaseThe song was released just 8 days after it was recorded, on May 30, 1969, which was fast even by Beatles' standards.
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Citation
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"Ballad of John and Yoko Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31816496/The+Beatles/Ballad+of+John+and+Yoko>.
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