There were many reasons behind the eventual breakup of The Beatles, but to keep things simple, we’ll attribute it to creative differences.
Paul McCartney had a knack for creating songs with commercial success in mind, while John Lennon leaned towards creating more genuine, unpolished music. Over time, these differing approaches started to create visible cracks, finally calling the band quits.
Within this iconic group, it’s clear that each member—Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Lennon, and McCartney—was incredibly talented. Not only were they exceptional musicians, but they also possessed remarkable songwriting abilities. So, when the band disbanded, it was no surprise that each member thrived in their solo careers.
John Lennon, in particular, released one of his most successful albums, Imagine. However, Lennon himself believed that there was another solo project of his that surpassed it.
Lennon’s Search for Authenticity
Authenticity was always at the core of Lennon’s musical journey. When discussing his favorite Beatles songs, Lennon often pointed to the tracks that allowed him to bare his soul. Songs like Help! and Strawberry Fields Forever held special significance for him, as they captured his raw emotions and experiences. For Lennon, these songs created a deep, genuine connection between him and his audience.
Given his desire for authenticity, it’s no surprise that when Lennon began his solo career, he continued to express himself more openly than he ever could with The Beatles. This candid self-expression is certainly present in Imagine, but it shines even more in his album Plastic Ono Band, which contains some of the most honest and raw songs he ever created.
The Bizarre Interview: Lennon’s Thoughts on Plastic Ono Band
In one of the strangest interviews Lennon ever participated in, which he conducted with himself for Andy Warhol, he let his thoughts flow freely. The conversation touched on a variety of topics, from parties in Los Angeles to UFO sightings, and of course, music.
Although his train of thought was difficult to follow at times, one thing became abundantly clear: Lennon favored his Plastic Ono Band album over Imagine. He referred to it as the “Mother/Working Class Hero” album, after two of its most powerful tracks.
“I prefer the Mother/Working Class Hero album over Imagine myself,” Lennon admitted. “Anyway, I suppose anything you do is either better or worse than something else; that’s just how we categorise things,” he wrote. He continued by comparing it to everyday experiences, saying, “It’s probably just how we remember… It helps us remember… Like, ‘This fish tastes as good as the fish we had in St. Tropez, but not as good as the one Arthur caught off Long Island; on the other hand, do you remember that fish and chip shop in Blackpool…’”
Why Lennon Felt More Connected to Plastic Ono Band
The reason Lennon felt such a strong attachment to Plastic Ono Band likely stemmed from the fact that he was much more honest and vulnerable on that album. One song in particular, Mother, exemplifies this. The lyrics of Mother are brutally raw, and Lennon was fully aware that the song would stir emotional discomfort for many listeners.
“Many, many people will not like Mother; it hurts them,” Lennon confessed. “The first thing that happens when you hear the album is you can’t take it. Everybody reacted the same.”
Despite the success and widespread acclaim of Imagine, Lennon’s personal preference leaned toward Plastic Ono Band because of its stark, unfiltered honesty. For him, this album wasn’t just a collection of songs—it was a deeply personal expression of his inner self.
