December 8, 2011, marks the 31st anniversary of the death of John Lennon. On December 8, 1980, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century was taken forever when he was shot dead in New York City. 31 years after his death, fans are still blown away by his creative genius. In celebration of John Lennon’s life and achievements, here is a look at ten of his best songs from the perspective of a loyal fan.
“Imagine”
“Imagine” is the quintessential John Lennon song. Sung with a serene calm, “Imagine” has become an anthem of peace. Beautifully performed, “Imagine” reads like a poem and its meaning hits the heart with a wallop.
“Norwegian Wood”
“Norwegian Wood” has an amazing mood and tone to it. The song features simple lyrics, but a simple melody but exudes the raw talent that Lennon possessed.
“Mother”
A song that showed a different side of Lennon was “Mother.” The song hinted at a painful childhood with lyrics such as “Mother, you had me, but I never had you. I wanted you, but you didn’t want me.”
“I am the Walrus”
Another well-known song that was created by Lennon and McCartney is “I am the Walrus.” Utterly catchy, with creative lyrics and foot-tapping melody, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Beatles or Lennon fan that doesn’t sing along to “I am the Walrus.”
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is another Lennon-McCartney song that continues to awe fans decades later. The imagery delivered by this song is nothing short of amazing. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” continues to shine as a work of art.
“Strawberry Fields Forever”
By far, one of my favorite Lennon-McCartney songs is “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Decades after it was originally recorded, it still maintains its beauty and appeal. It has a sleepy, dream-like quality to it and poetic lyrics make this song simply unforgettable.
“A Day in the Life”
Of all of Lennon’s song, I have always felt that “A Day in the Life” told the best story. “A Day in the Life” has story-telling appeal, and a cryptic meaning. I enjoyed this song most of the Beatles Anthology CD when you can hear the talking in the background before and after the track.
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