Remember (John Lennon song)

"Remember"
Song by John Lennon from the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Released	1970
Recorded	October – November 1970
Genre	Rock
Length	4:36
Label	Apple/EMI
Writer	John Lennon
Producer	John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band track listing
11 tracks Side one "Mother" "Hold On" "I Found Out" "Working Class Hero" "Isolation" Side two "Remember" "Love" "Well Well Well" "Look at Me" "God" "My Mummy's Dead"

"Remember" is a 1970 song appearing on John Lennon's first official solo album release, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

Writing and recording

The song was influenced by Lennon's primal therapy sessions with Dr Arthur Janov, and the lyrics reflect things typically remembered in therapy. The memories described are unpleasant ones, of conflict with family, authority and peers. Lennon employs his wit, mentioning how "the hero was never hung, always got away", and parents "wishin' for movie stardom, always playin' a part," instead of being honest and open.

At the end of the song, Lennon sings an excerpt from the poem Remember, Remember, The Fifth of November, then an explosion is heard. This is a reference to Guy Fawkes Night, a holiday in Britain celebrated with fireworks. In an interview with Jann Wenner, Lennon said this was part of a lengthy ad-lib and that he later decided this line ought to be the culmination of the song. This ad-lib may refer to the nursery rhyme "Remember Remember", also linked to Guy Fawkes Night:

"Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!"

A 2:44 rehearsal take of "Remember"—where the tempo of the song is being worked out—appears on the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology.

Personnel

The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:

• John Lennon – lead and harmony vocals, piano
• Ringo Starr – drums
• Klaus Voormann – bass