The Ballad of John and Yoko

The Beatles

About The Ballad of John and Yoko

"The Ballad of John and Yoko" is a song written by John Lennon, credited to Lennon–McCartney, and released by the English rock band the Beatles as a single in May 1969. The song, chronicling the events associated with Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono, was the Beatles' 17th and final UK number one single.


Year:
1970
2:55
88 
#3

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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 call to say
You can make it O.K.
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 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
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

57 fans

Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Composition Fact
"The Ballad of John and Yoko" was written by John Lennon himself, but is officially credited to the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership.
Recording Fact
In stark contrast to the Beatles' typical recording process, only two members of the band were present for the song's recording--John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Performance Fact
John Lennon sang lead vocals on the track while Paul McCartney provided backing vocals. In addition, Lennon also played lead and rhythm guitar, and McCartney played the bass guitar, drums, and piano.
Release Fact
The single was released in May 1969 in the UK and peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, making it The Beatles’ 17th number one hit in the UK.
Content Fact
The lyrics of the song detail the events around John Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono in Gibraltar, and their subsequent adventures in Amsterdam and Vienna.
Controversy Fact
The song's reference to 'Christ' ("Christ, you know it ain't easy") drew some controversy, and it was banned by several radio stations, both in the US and in some part of the UK.
Time Frame Fact
The song was recorded in just one day, on April 14, 1969. It was rushed to release, hitting the UK market less than a month later.
Cover Fact
The song's cover features a photo of John and Yoko in front of their home, taken by actor Peter Sellers.
International Performance Fact
"The Ballad of John and Yoko" reached number eight in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Recording Studio Fact
The recording of the song happened at the EMI Studios, located in London.
Performers Fact
Apart from Lennon and McCartney, no other Beatles member featured on the recording; George Harrison was on holiday and Ringo Starr was filming for a movie.

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    The Ballad of John and Yoko

    15.4M
    97,526     3,538

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #8


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