Feature Photo: Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Few musicians have left as profound a mark on the world as John Lennon. Born in Liverpool, England, on October 9, 1940, he rose to fame as the leader of The Beatles, the most influential band in rock history. By 1970, however, The Beatles had dissolved, and Lennon embarked on a solo career that would cement his status as a visionary artist and activist. His solo work was marked by a fearless exploration of personal and political themes, making him one of the most provocative and revered figures in modern music.
Lennon wasted no time establishing himself as a solo artist. His first post-Beatles effort, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970), was a stark departure from the polished sound of his former band. Inspired by his experiences with primal-scream therapy, the album was deeply confessional, with songs like “Mother” and “Working Class Hero” laying bare his childhood trauma and disillusionment with societal structures. The following year, he released Imagine (1971), a more melodically accessible record that balanced personal introspection with political messaging. The title track, “Imagine,” became an enduring anthem for peace, while “Jealous Guy” and “Gimme Some Truth” showcased his ability to craft both deeply emotional and biting political songs.
Over the next decade, Lennon continued to push creative boundaries, releasing eight studio albums in total. Some Time in New York City (1972), recorded with his wife Yoko Ono, was his most overtly political album, addressing issues such as the prison system, feminism, and the U.S. government’s attempts to deport him. Mind Games (1973) saw him return to a more personal style, while Walls and Bridges (1974) produced the hit “#9 Dream” and the chart-topping single “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” his only solo No. 1 during his lifetime. In 1975, Lennon released Rock ‘n’ Roll, a collection of covers paying homage to the artists who inspired him, after which he took a five-year hiatus from music to focus on raising his son, Sean.
Lennon’s return to music came in 1980 with Double Fantasy, a collaboration with Ono that celebrated their love and domestic life. Though initial reviews were mixed, the album became a massive success following Lennon’s tragic assassination on December 8, 1980. Songs like “(Just Like) Starting Over” and “Woman” became posthumous hits, and the album went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. A follow-up, Milk and Honey, was released in 1984, compiling unfinished recordings from their final sessions together.
Lennon’s solo career yielded numerous hit singles that remain classics today. Beyond “Imagine,” his best-known songs include “Instant Karma!,” “Watching the Wheels,” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Many of his tracks reflected his evolving worldviews, from the urgent anti-war message of “Give Peace a Chance” to the deeply introspective “Isolation.” His work was recognized with multiple honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1994.
Beyond music, Lennon was a passionate activist who used his platform to advocate for peace, social justice, and human rights. His “bed-ins for peace” with Ono in 1969 became iconic protests against the Vietnam War. He also campaigned for workers’ rights, supported racial justice movements, and was a vocal critic of the Nixon administration, which led to a lengthy legal battle over his immigration status. His commitment to activism solidified his legacy as not just a musician, but a global voice for change.
More than four decades after his death, Lennon’s influence remains immeasurable. His music continues to inspire new generations, and his message of peace and unity still resonates. Whether through his songwriting, activism, or artistic fearlessness, John Lennon’s legacy endures as one of the most profound in modern history. This article presents a showcase of the songs he released as a solo artist.
Complete List Of John Lennon Solo Songs From A to Z
(A-C)
#9 Dream – Walls and Bridges (1974)
Ain’t She Sweet – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Ain’t That a Shame – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) – Mind Games (1973)
Amsterdam – Wedding Album (1969)
Angel Baby – Menlove Ave. (1986)
Angela – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Attica State – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Aü (live) – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Baby’s Heartbeat – Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (1969)
Be My Baby – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Be-Bop-A-Lula – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) – Double Fantasy (1980)
Beautiful Boys – Double Fantasy (1980)
Beef Jerky – Walls and Bridges (1974)
Bless You – Walls and Bridges (1974)
Blue Suede Shoes (live) – Live Peace in Toronto 1969 (1969)
Bony Moronie – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Born in a Prison – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Borrowed Time – Milk and Honey (1984)
Bring On the Lucie (Freda Peeple) – Mind Games (1973)
Cambridge 1969 – Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (1969)
Cleanup Time – Double Fantasy (1980)
Cold Turkey – Non-album single (1969)
Come Together (live) – Live in New York City (1986)
Crippled Inside – Imagine (1971)
(D-G)
Dear John – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Dear Yoko – Double Fantasy (1980)
Dizzy, Miss Lizzy (live) – Live Peace in Toronto 1969 (1969)
Do You Want to Dance – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Do the Oz – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Don’t Be Scared – Milk and Honey (1984)
Don’t Worry Kyoko – Fly (1971)
Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him – Double Fantasy (1980)
(Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess – Milk and Honey (1984)
Free as a Bird (demo) – Unreleased
Gimme Some Truth – Imagine (1971)
Give Me Something – Double Fantasy (1980)
Give Peace a Chance – Non-album single (1969)
God – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
God Save Oz – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Going Down on Love – Walls and Bridges (1974)
Goodnight Vienna – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
The Great Wok – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Grow Old with Me – Milk and Honey (1984)
(H)
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Non-album single (1971)
Hard Times Are Over – Double Fantasy (1980)
Help Me to Help Myself – Double Fantasy (2000 reissue) (2000)
Here We Go Again – Menlove Ave. (1986)
Hold On – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Honey Don’t – John Lennon Signature Box (2010)
Hound Dog (live) – Live in New York City (1986)
How? – Imagine (1971)
How Do You Sleep? – Imagine (1971)
(I)
I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier Mama – Imagine (1971)
I Don’t Wanna Face It – Milk and Honey (1984)
I Found Out – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
I Know (I Know) – Mind Games (1973)
I Saw Her Standing There (live) – Lennon (1990)
I’m Losing You – Double Fantasy (1980)
I’m Moving On – Double Fantasy (1980)
I’m Stepping Out – Milk and Honey (1984)
I’m the Greatest – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
I’m Your Angel – Double Fantasy (1980)
Imagine – Imagine (1971)
Instant Karma! – Non-album single (1970)
India, India – John Lennon Signature Box (2010)
Intuition – Mind Games (1973)
Isolation – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
It’s Real – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
It’s So Hard – Imagine (1971)
(J-L)
Jamrag (live) – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Jealous Guy – Imagine (1971)
John & Yoko – Wedding Album (1969)
John Sinclair – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Just Because – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
(Just Like) Starting Over – Double Fantasy (1980)
A Kiss Is Just a Kiss – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Kiss Kiss Kiss – Double Fantasy (1980)
Let Me Count the Ways – Milk and Honey (1984)
Life Begins at 40 – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Long Lost John – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Look at Me – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Love – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
The Luck of the Irish – Some Time in New York City (1972)
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (live) – Lennon (1990)
(M-N)
Maggie Mae – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Meat City – Mind Games (1973)
Medley: Bring It On Home to Me/Send Me Some Lovin’ – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Medley: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Mind Games – Mind Games (1973)
Money (That’s What I Want) (live) – Live Peace in Toronto 1969 (1969)
Mother – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Move Over Ms. L – Non-album single (1975)
Mr. Hyde’s Gone (Don’t Be Afraid) – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Mucho Mungo – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
My Baby Left Me – Menlove Ave. (1986)
My Life – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
My Mummy’s Dead – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
New York City – Some Time in New York City (1972)
No Bed for Beatle John – Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (1969)
Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down and Out) – Walls and Bridges (1974)
Nobody Told Me – Milk and Honey (1984)
Now and Then (demo) – Released in 2024
Nutopian International Anthem – Mind Games (1973)
(O-Q)
O’ Sanity – Milk and Honey (1984)
Oh My Love – Imagine (1971)
Oh Yoko! – Imagine (1971)
Old Dirt Road – Walls and Bridges (1974)
One Day (At a Time) – Mind Games (1973)
One of the Boys – John Lennon Signature Box (2010)
Only People – Mind Games (1973)
Only You – John Lennon Anthology (1998)
Open Your Box – Non-album single (1971)
Out the Blue – Mind Games (1973)
Peggy Sue – Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
Power to the People – Non-album single (1971)
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