I was working for Polygram/Polydor at the time at the Edison Tape Facility in New Jersey and I'll never forget the excitement that I felt when we received the master tape for "Milk & Honey." (This master tape was to be used to create submasters that would be sent out to individual vinyl pressing plants around the world.) We had a pretty nice duplication studio in Edison featuring UREI reference speakers, lots of cool analog mastering gear, and big Crown amps. I remember threading the tape through the head assembly of one of the ATR-100 tape machines (we had 4), turning up the volume, and hitting PLAY. Then we all heard "Nobody Told Me" for the first time and were blown away. Thanks, Parlogram, for creating this video, which brought back so many emotional memories.
"Nobody Told Me" responds to the old do-wop song "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This." John is saying that things had gotten so crazy, that even the wisdom and motherly world weariness of "Mama Said..." didn't prepare him for what he was seeing around him in the 70s and the things he was describing in the song's verses. That's why he says "Most peculiar, mama" at the end of the chorus. It's a very clever conversation with a song from his rock and roll roots.
Believe it or not Glen Campbell does an amazing version of that song. It's fully realized which unfortunately the John Lennon version wasn't. It's worth a listen to that's for sure!
i agree: a fine and respectful video. i'm a year older than you i think and have a similar view of this record. i despise the reviews of people writing lennon off. he was 5 (?) months into a comeback. why would he bother to make music for ingrates? to be killed and have his privacy violated for the next 100 years? lennon could have covered air supply songs and i'd have been happy.
I do not think John had a clear idea what his plans were..... Double Fantasy had been on the shelves for a full month by this point, and he had only done 3 or 4 interviews to promote it, and was not doing all that well in the charts (by 1980 being a Beatle alone was not enough to sell records.... as Ringo and George found out)..... its hard to say, but either he would have spent the whole of early 1981 promoting it, or he would have taken the rejection to much to heart and went back for another 5 year haitius.... my theory is somewhere in the middle
@@clark82 Not sure that you are correct being the album did very well and he had a top 10 hit. Sure, his death made it more popular but John was making a comeback and would always do well. Not Beatles level of course but it is very doubtful he would ever produce a complete flop. Unless it was just Yoko primal screaming lol.
@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 I think it would have probably had a bounce in early 81 when he started to do tv work to promote it…. The critics were panning it to an extent (there is a vast difference between the reviews before and after his murder)…. Not saying it was a flop, it was just not doing McCartney levels of success (McCartney 2 came in at No3 in the States and No1 in U.K., with this being on the back of Back to the Egg reaching Number 8 in USA and 6 in U.K…. And that was considered the end of McCartney’s career to a lot of the music press…. By 1980 George Harrison’s albums were doing well in they made in into the top 15, and Ringo’s albums failed to chart completely)
I made a compilation album of just John’s Double Fantasy songs with just John’s Milk & Honey songs, alternating the songs, I called it Double Honey. To me the albums go together very well with just his songs and make a complete Lennon album.
I think the same as you. I've titled my mp3 compilation "Single Fantasy": not John's best album, but it works, it's solid, and in it's own way it's very rewarding.
I was 4 and a half when that December 1980 John Lennon was murdered . The radio stations were playing Beatles and John Lennon solo songs for almost a full week . By time I was in my sophomore year in high school my love for The Beatles was immense and I started researching everything I could know about Each Beatle . I watched The Imagine VHS and listened to all of John Lennon’s solo albums that summer . Double Fantasy is Bittersweet to me . What a great musician he was.
I was 7. Up with strep throat nursing tea with honey,lemon and a brandy shot(nyQuil). ..my Dad was home(he drove truck cross country). Watching Monday night Football. Howard Cosell announced what happened. Thought it was a dream ..went to sleep and woke to a distopian nightmare. Never payed attention to the news or anything outside my world. In the 80s,as you are aware, we were not plugged in as now. He is not Was. He IS in your ❤ and will BE
@@theo9952 - As if John could be trusted to make wise decisions when it comes to Yoko. I have a few concerts I would like to share with you. Yeah, he contributed to those beauties as well. 😵
@@shyman99 Puting aside Yoko's extreme avantgarde vocalisms, Yoko is not a bad songwriter and in spite of unreasonable opinions, she can sing, even if she does not sound like Joni Mitchel. She has proved herself with her several albums after John's passing. I don't like everything but she has several interesting songs and besides, she does have things to say in a song, she does not write run of the mill lyrics. I think i know those live ''beauties'' you talk about. No, those are not good, I agree.
@@theo9952 - Yoko has had the luxury of being around the best songwriters, musicians, and producers in the industry. So of course she was going to release something of value. But I would not confuse the results of having A LOT of help from her friends to Yoko having legitimate musical talent. You and I could create something of value under the same circumstances. It reminds me of genius producer Richard Perry who produced an album for Tiny Tim in the 60s that was surprisingly listenable.
I listen to it all the time. In a way it makes me sad because I loved the direction he was going with his last two albums, he still had a lot of great music to create. He seemed so much freer then, like I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I’m going to write songs that I want write.
I love the Beatles. John holds a special place. He was so complex, but yet a gifted musician. His 40 years of life was rocky, at best, but towards the end, he was becoming more aware of who he was, and his newer songs showed that reflection. We really miss him.
I listen to this album all the time, I love it. Yoko did a great job finishing it and her songs ‘Sleepless Night’, ‘O Sanity’ and ‘Let Me Count the Ways’ are so damn good. John’s songs are beautiful. It’s a really earnest, intimate and heartwarming album that I love.
Remember first hearing Nobody Told Me without knowing who it was by and thinking it was really good. I was pleasantly surprised when the DJ back announced it was John. It's still superb.
Thanks! I loved this episode. At my high school, one guy was imitating John’s “dancing about” in the video of Nobody Told Me. I always liked the song and agree it did sound like Instant Karma with its 12 bar beat and A on the verses E minor on the chorus. I personally liked Living On Borrowed Time. It had a unique reggae beat. And Stepping Out was classic Lennon at his best! So no love lost for these songs!
Haven’t heard these tunes in literally years. Always thought Nobody Told Me and/or Whatever Gets You Through the Night would have been great, kick-ass opening numbers for a Lennon tour. Strangely enough, Forgive Me My Little Flower Princess is one of my favorite tracks. Raw, underdeveloped and strangely seductive, this is the song from M&H that I wanted most to have heard a finished version of. Who knows? Maybe one day…as always, a great video, Andrew.
I listen to John’s tracks from this album often as Nobody Told Me, I’m Stepping Out, and I Don’t Wanna Face It are all 🔥 tunes and in my favorite jangle pop playlist. The stripped down production is charming and intimate.
I was 15 years old when M&H showed up in record stores. I bought it immediately and was quite excited by the rawer production and the looser vibe that I felt was more fitting to Lennon's nature. I loved the little asides that weren't edited and the overall more engaging Lennon material. (While I've come to appreciate Beautiful Boy and Woman off DF, as a teen, I wasn't much impressed with the middle-agedness of it all.) Somewhere along the line, I got ahold of a cassette of Lennon demos that says Bermuda 1980 on the shell that was said to have been something Fred Seaman, Lennon's personal assistant, had shared with friends. I enjoyed that even more. Great job, Parlogram!
Not forgotten by me or my friends, in 84 I'd just turned 17 & after the john lennon collection from 82 it was the second lennon album I bought. Played the vinyl to death and now my 11 year son loves it. Even yokos songs are good. Great album
I was always a huge John Lennon and Beatles fan and was grateful that we had these final songs in 1984. He was such a talent and always had interesting things to say in his music and elsewhere. Never get tired of the songs from Milk and Honey.
I bought Milk and Honey the day it came out in the U.S. (on cassette), and I loved it. But even from that day, I have always thought that John and Yoko should have put out seperate albums here, like they did in the early 70's...because if you take all of John's songs from the Double Fantasy&Milk&Honey albums...make your own Milk Fantasy mix...it is on par, if not better than the Plastic Ono/Imagine albums IMHO...Great video btw!!!
At the time Nobody Told Me came out, my energy and focus was on another moment in my life: joining the military. I went to boot camp in July, 1984, so my attention was to that. With that being said, after boot camp, and going to military school for my training, I do remember the base PX having albums and CD's at the time, and Milk and Honey was one I did casually look at. I had heard about the new John Lennon song which had been worked on during the Double Fantasy sessions. I did end up getting Nobody Told Me on CD through the Lennon Legend greatest hits release years later.
I was 17 when John died and after a decade of hoping the Beatles were getting back together DF was a great thrill to listen to. After he died the dream was over but this final hurrah was a nice closure to his life and career. And life goes on.
In hindsight I'm glad they didn't get back together. My take is the music would have suffered because they would be doing it just for the money. I just can't imagine all 4 of them would want to do it for the love like is was in the early 1960's. Leaving us with Let It Be and Abbey Road was perfect. And their solo stuff is great too.
I remember recording the Lennon songs from DF and M&H on a cassette tape which I used to listen to a lot. I never cared much about the Yoko Ono songs, except the single Walking On Thin Ice.
What an excellent subject for this video, Andrew! Great job! I had a good friend who worked at a major market radio station at that time so I heard (and obtained a copy 😉) of "Nobody Told Me" before it was available in the shops. I remember standing there when my friend put the promo 12" single on the turntable. I had goosebumps as the bouncy beat, catchy melody and John's beautiful voice filled the room. I LOVED the song on first listen. I still miss him.
I remember buying this LP the day it came out, I still have the three picture sleve singles, Borrowed time, Nobody told me, and Stepping out, plus all three of the 45s from Double Fantasy,. I see Double Fantasy as his last LP, Milk and Honey, which I listened to a couple months ago, is very raw.
I love this Lp and listen to it all the time. Thanks for doing an episode on milk & honey. This is one of my favourite UA-cam channels. I look forward to and enjoy every episode.
I was less than a year into my Beatles fandom when this album came out. Neither Nobody Told Me or Stepping Out had great impact on me despite being heavily played on MTV. Pipes of Peace however I thought was spectacular (still do). The title of this video resonated with me because Milk and Honey never really worked its way into my brain. I do love Grow Old With Me especially the Glen Campbell version and the spectacular AI Beatles version on UA-cam. Thanks for this stroll down amnesia lane as Robin Williams would say.
On the Bermuda Tapes, Grow Old with Me was said to be for Ringo, but JL may just have said that if he was shy to admit how good it was. I believe he would’ve kept it and at a later time said that he imagined it as an anthem backed by a full orchestra (could have been used for the vaguely planned musical). I too believe he could have regenerated several songs including the three you mention with Free as a Bird a likely candidate as he seemed to have spent a lot of time on that prior to the DF sessions (Dakota Tapes). Serve Yourself was still waiting for a reworking, so too was Illusions (not for love or money) which was beautifully brought to life by Pamela Davis on her CD of John’s unreleased music. He could also have written new materials, of course.
He's 100% correct that "Grow Old With Me" sounds better when someone else sings it. I was married in 1985 and chose it to be our wedding song. We hired a local vocalist girl to sing it and she knocked it out of the park. It's a great wedding song.
Unfortunately I do not give this album the attention it deserves…..that said I love Nobody Told Me and I Don’t Wanna Face It. I remember when Nobody Told Me hit the airwaves in the winter 1984 thinking it was such a gift to have him back on the radio. Thanks Andrew!
I was excited at the time upon the release of the first single. I loved hearing John’s voice in a new song on the radio. It was made even more special when MTV started playing the video. Of course I immediately purchased the album upon release. Like Double Fantasy, I skipped every other song. It’s definitely been quite some time since I last listened to Milk and Honey. I’ll have to get it out soon and give it a spin. Thank you for another great episode, Andrew! - Roger
It's great to remind us that the best sounding version of "M&H" is the original German CD from 1984. On the 2001 Capitol remaster and subsequent reissues, "Grow Old With Me" is very dry sounding, while it had quite a bit of reverb on the original 1984 release, and I have missed that reverb ever since.
I actually like John's songs on this one more than the ones on Double Fantasy, although they're all pretty strong. This is a great album and ESSENTIAL!
An underrated album, thank you so much for bringing it up Andrew! an album in which John's songs have a stripped down production. My favourite tracks are nobody told me, I'm stepping out, I don't wanna face it, my little flower princess and grow old with me
It’s too painful for me to listen to it in its entirety but once it a while I will go to my iTunes albums and play a few of my favorites like “Stepping Out” and “Nobody Told Me” it’s also depressing how much time has flown by. All the events you mention I remember like they were like yesterday.
I loved the irony that, after Yoko's falling-out with David Geffen (because he had wanted her to rush-release "Milk and Honey" sooner since he thought people would quickly lose interest in John Lennon), she placed the album with Polydor - the same label that had released John Lennon's first studio recording, "Ain't She Sweet," with The Beatles in Hamburg in 1961.
@@cuda426hemi Geffen would let things slide to an extent, but he would expect the artist to buck up their idea's going forward (look at Neil Young.... signs for Geffen, first album he puts out is a techno album.... Geffen orders him to put out something "rock and roll", and Neil gives him a Rockabilly album of 50's rock and roll songs..... then Geffen sues Young for "not sounding like Neil Young")..... its hard to know how Double Fantasy would have done had John lived, but by 1980, being a Beatle alone was not enough to shift records (as George and Ringo found out) as Paul would at least go out and promote his albums (would John have done SNL in 1981 to promote the album?.... I doubt it)
Great video! I happen to own one of the colored vinyl copies that were made by one of the pressing plant employees. Very very rare! They estimate between 10-20 were made.
Incredibly enough this is the first time I've realised that this was another album, I think I've always thought it was Double fantasy with a different cover. I will now listen to it for the first time ever! Wow.
Superb video, as usual Andrew. I just want to point out that Yoko's last visit with Andy Peebles, before the 1984 interview aired, was not December 8, 1980, but rather December 6, 1980. It was the RKO interview that was recorded on December 8. Just a small correction. As for me, I was 12 when "Nobody Told Me" came out and was truly amazed how well it fit in on the radio with the other hits of the day here in Canada. At times, I almost forgot John was really gone because during the first few weeks the song started getting airplay, it really felt like he was back! "How could they sit on this gem for three long years?" I thought. Then reality set in of course, and I realized I may never hear a new Lennon hit on the radio again. I would have never guessed that almost 40 years later we would be treated to yet another, and with The Beatles, no less! Incredible. I'm going to dig out my original Milk And Honey LP for a listen tomorrow. It really does deserve a little more love. Keep up the great work! We never miss one of your videos. Peace.
Thank you for reminding me of Borrowed time......I forgot all about this song. Thank You John Lannon I need so bad to hear your song "Borrowed Time" and stop being so scared of what's to come.
John Lennon used for his bass player on double fantasy and milk and Honey, Tony Levin very famous for being in King Crimson and Peter Gabriel’s band. I’ve met him several times and he’s a great guy and he loved jamming with John Lennon.
Thank you very much Andrew, it is very positive that you devote time and attention to the solo releases. It will be interesting to follow just like all the insight and perspective you have already given to the vast Beatles catalogue.
Great video as always, Andrew. Nobody Told Me is such a great song, and it was great to see it hit the top 5 here in the US. It would have been amazing if Nobody Told Me could have followed Paul at number one in the US and the UK. It's interesting to hear the contemporary reviews and what else was going on in pop culture at the time. Thanks for all your work!
Since we're roughly the same age (just turned 57 in December), I, like you, played Milk and Honey to death in early 1984. Also like you, it's not an album I return to much these days. I think it's because of the demo feel of everything save Nobody Told Me. Is it/Was it a good album? Probably not, but it served its purpose and need in those posthumous days of the early 80s. It gave all of us a sense of closure. I suppose Yoko was wise to wait until 1984 before releasing it, but I think she waited a little bit too long and a 1982 release might have been more successful. As an aside, I feel that Ringo should devote one of his new EP's to the songs that Lennon was to have recorded with him for his Stop and Smell the Roses album including a new version of Nobody Told Me and Life Begins at 40. I know it was too painful for Ringo at the time to record these songs, but in light of him later doing Grow Old With Me with Paul and the other Threetles songs, I feel the time is right for Ringo to pay one more tribute to his old pal.
"Menlove Ave." is the forgotten one, I'd say. Some people don't know it exists (out of print...but still!). 3:09 John quoted that first line during an interview for Australian radio in 1964 so it really was on his mind. Kinda blew me away when I listened to the interview after I'd heard "Nobody Told Me". :)
Oddly enough, Forgive Me My Little Flower Princess is the song I go back to over and over. Yes, it has a demo-like sound but the vibe and jazz guitar really spark with me. Play it loud and you might see what I mean.
I remember in a magazine tribute article not long after John's death in 1980 the writer mentioned that John had recorded nearly two albums of songs during the Double fantasy sessions. The Milk and Honey album in 1984 was the result of this. To be honest I haven't heard the album since 84.
I heard /interpret, one line in Nobody Told Me as : "there is matches in the bathroom, just below the stairs" , I also interpret in Whatever gets you through the night, the line : "don't need a saw to cut through flowers" as: "don't need to start collecting flowers" , one other line I hear is: don't need to watch you wasting time
There's a little mistake regarding the musicians who played on Yoko's songs on "Milk and Honey": those Yoko had used on "Season of Glass" were actually the same who had worked on "Double Fantasy" (with the additional production of Phil Spector), while those on her tracks on "Milk and Honey" were the one she had used on het "It's Alright" album in 1982. I have always imagined that Polydor signed her in 1982 on the provision that they could release John's last recordings, in a similar fashion thet when she was was signed to Capitol in 1995, it was a sort of 'thank you' for providing the surviving Beatles with John's demo tapes and thus allowing the reunion tracks to become reality.
I'm another one who hasn't forgotten it - but plays the Yoko tracks more often. I see the cover and the first thing I think of is that panting vocal riff from You're The One. The second is her intonation in Sleepless NIght/O Sanity. Then maybe I remember Nobody Told Me and "tell 'em to screw it" and the one that sounds like John's singing whilst being smothered.
I always liked "Nobody Told Me", I remember being surprised that it wasn't on Double Fantasy, and found out afterward about Milk And Honey being released posthumously. I was 13 going on 14 when it was released and while I heard The Beatles quite often growing up, it wasn't until later that year that I became a Beatles fan, when I started listening to my older cousin's LPs when she was staying with us. 40 years later they're still my favourite band.
I was at Everliegh near Redfern In Sydney Australia and was just about to park my car near the train station and heard the song on the radio and thought that sounds like John..and surely enough at the end of the song 2MMM radio announcer stated the posthumous new song by John off the new Album Milk And Honey..which John was working on when he sadly was murdered...still sad ..so wrong..l went to the record store during lunch time and bought the single..the Album and the other Lennon record released at the time Milk and Honey Unfinished Dialogue.. ❤
It was always a mystery to me how a genius like John couldn't see the literal black hole of talent that was square in front of him. Love is blind, and sometimes deaf.
@@bradpreston7779 Yes... "Kiss Kiss Kiss" would have been a hit, released under a fake name, it would be considered a New Wave classic today. I became a Yoko fan, because of those tracks.
@@CraiginOhioUSAExactly. I always tell people that song in particular would be a barn burner if it was by the B-52s (who, incidentally, are self-professed Yoko fans).
@@bradpreston7779 We are absolutely of the same mind. I always put "Kiss Kiss Kiss" between tracks by The B-52s and Talking Heads, on my own compilations. Right where it deserves to be.
We’re the same age, Andrew, so I also have fond memories of playing M&H a ton during that spring of 84, especially side 1. Loved your montage of 84 albums - it really was one of the best years for modern music in my lifetime.
great video, thanks so much. I remember this album being very bittersweet for me as a beatle/lennon fan for just about all my life and being 13 when this album came out.
I was only playing Milk and Honey yesterday, after watching an absorbing documentary about the Dakota. I have always preferred it to Double Fantasy. It's a bittersweet listen, as others have said, what promise there was for John's songwriting heading into a new renaissance.
I enjoyed the Dakota doc as well. I used to live not too far from it and was a few blocks away when Johns death was announced. I am not living in NYC anymore but did visit a few years ago and was at the Strawberry Fields section in Central Park across from the Dakota. It was a John Lennon anniversary day and someone had a boom box blasting Lennon songs. Lot's of tears were shed.
Hi Andrew - my copy of the huge book on Tug of War recommended by you has just arrived and you MUST do a video on it- amazing publication that probably only the japanese create!! Just 150 copies worldwide!! Huge collectible for the future
I enjoy watching Andrew's videos. I became obsessed with The Beatles the summer before Lennon was killed. Thinking I was a John Lennon fan, my dad bought me Double Fantasy for Christmas. I was 15, and wasn't album-oriented at the time, but I gave it a spin, then another, and really liked both his and Yoko's tunes. When Milk And Honey came out, I bought that myself, and like the previous one, it took a few spins to appreciate, but I think they're both fabulous albums. (And yes, I like Yoko's songs, when she sings pop.)
It's not forgotten, I recall it, and thank you for sharing the peobles interview, the sad loss for all of us. I wish the media would shame killers to embarrassment instead of making them famous!
Thank you for this episode Andrew. M&H was my Holy Grail when I was a kid in the 90's because for some reason it was the only Lennon album that wasn't available on CD at that time. My father was traveling a lot in Europe and Asia for work and this was my priority gift that I asked for but he couldn't find it anywhere either. Can you please shed a light if there's a reason behind this? However I clearly remember my first ever Napster download (probably 5 minutes after the home network was set) was which was a slow crawl of I'm Stepping Out. Hearing it for the very first time was one of my most anticipated moments in my musical journey.
I love Milk and Honey! I admit it was a tough time for a new John Lennon album to come out in 1984. Tastes and music had shifted so much, what with it being the post-punk / new wave / hair metal period for music at the time. I prefer this album to Double Fantasy as well. I had heard that as a practice, John always tried to do his very best vocal, even when doing demos or basic tracks for songs. In this case, it really paid off for the listener, because his vocal performance is on these songs are all very good with some very small exceptions. As a 23-year-old in 1984, I also appreciated the much more raw mixes, as opposed to the previous album. The songs just sound like John playing with his band. That's when he is really at his best.
I still think of this as Johns new album :) Not listened to it as an album for years. Same as you though, played it to bits when it came out. Thanks for the vid as Im enjoying the album on full blast right now.
I think Milk and Honey is a fantastic album, I was 13 when it was released and bought it that same week....It was a bittersweet album, listening to the songs on Double Fantasy, I always had John's senseless murder at the back of my mind (I still do 43 years later) on Milk and Honey, I don't, I was just thrilled to hear a "new" Lennon album, although some songs are quite prophetic, such as "Borrowed time" and "Grow old with me" (my favourite, such a beautiful song) they had a freshness to them, Nobody told me, I don't wanna face it and I'm stepping out, are all good songs, that stand up as good as any of Lennons album tracks through the 70s....I like the rawness of the album, obviously I'd prefer a more lavish production with an alive John Lennon, but it's part of it charm, Double Fantasy stripped down was similar.
I might be mistaken, but months after Double Fantasy came out, I remember an album that had only the John Lennon songs from that album. I don't remember what else was on it. It seemed the album wasn't around very long. I don't think it was a bootleg.
I'm not a Yoko hater by any stretch as I do believe she had talent. However, one of the greatest features of the CD players I have owned over the years is their ability to be programed to play the songs I want to hear in the order I want to hear them. Each time I listen to "Milk & Honey", I listen to six songs - all by John. No one else could write a song like "Borrowed Time." There is no one else like John Lennon.
I bought the album when it came out. It’s a great album! I think if you take John Lennon s songs on Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey then u get a great great album ! I don’t agree , I think Forgive me my little flower princess is absolutely awesome! ❤
I bought Milk and Honey when it was first released. I have a clear recollection of watching the video for Nobody Told Me on MTV. I'd have to say that I Don't Wanna Face It was probably my favorite track on the album. It wasn't a brilliant album, it was just nice to hear John's voice again. I don't remember any of Yoko's songs as I probably didn't even listen to them. In fact, back then, I probably would have made my own mixtape with John's songs from Double Fantasy and John songs from Milk and Honey to make one complete John Lennon album. They probably should have indicated "demo" (in parentheses) on some of these songs. It would have been a bit more honest, in my opinion. As always, great upload!
I was working for Polygram/Polydor at the time at the Edison Tape Facility in New Jersey and I'll never forget the excitement that I felt when we received the master tape for "Milk & Honey." (This master tape was to be used to create submasters that would be sent out to individual vinyl pressing plants around the world.) We had a pretty nice duplication studio in Edison featuring UREI reference speakers, lots of cool analog mastering gear, and big Crown amps. I remember threading the tape through the head assembly of one of the ATR-100 tape machines (we had 4), turning up the volume, and hitting PLAY. Then we all heard "Nobody Told Me" for the first time and were blown away. Thanks, Parlogram, for creating this video, which brought back so many emotional memories.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing.
Glad it bought back some memories. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
incredible
Small world - I grew up in Edison and was still living there in ‘84. Moved away in ‘90!
So such a masterpiece came across your hands! Respect!
"Nobody Told Me" responds to the old do-wop song "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This." John is saying that things had gotten so crazy, that even the wisdom and motherly world weariness of "Mama Said..." didn't prepare him for what he was seeing around him in the 70s and the things he was describing in the song's verses. That's why he says "Most peculiar, mama" at the end of the chorus. It's a very clever conversation with a song from his rock and roll roots.
I have this record. I haven’t forgotten it. The saddest song has to be “Grow Old With Me”. The best is yet to be.
Believe it or not Glen Campbell does an amazing version of that song. It's fully realized which unfortunately the John Lennon version wasn't. It's worth a listen to that's for sure!
@lathedauphinot6820 - Ringo covered it recently. A beautiful version too.
Grow old with me is one of John's most beautiful songs and should be played at every Beatle fan's weddings.
Superb as always Andrew thanks for sharing.. 👍
Don’t worry man, planning on it. Eventually :,>
It was played at mine back in 1993.
I have always loved that one!!!
Grow Old..Another adapted Beethoven melody..also used for Louise Tucker's Midnight Blue
It's always heartbreaking to hear anyone talking about their plans which aren't ever going to happen. A fine video, Andrew.
i agree: a fine and respectful video. i'm a year older than you i think and have a similar view of this record. i despise the reviews of people writing lennon off. he was 5 (?) months into a comeback. why would he bother to make music for ingrates? to be killed and have his privacy violated for the next 100 years? lennon could have covered air supply songs and i'd have been happy.
I do not think John had a clear idea what his plans were..... Double Fantasy had been on the shelves for a full month by this point, and he had only done 3 or 4 interviews to promote it, and was not doing all that well in the charts (by 1980 being a Beatle alone was not enough to sell records.... as Ringo and George found out)..... its hard to say, but either he would have spent the whole of early 1981 promoting it, or he would have taken the rejection to much to heart and went back for another 5 year haitius.... my theory is somewhere in the middle
@@clark82 I think you've rather missed the point I was making.
@@clark82 Not sure that you are correct being the album did very well and he had a top 10 hit. Sure, his death made it more popular but John was making a comeback and would always do well. Not Beatles level of course but it is very doubtful he would ever produce a complete flop. Unless it was just Yoko primal screaming lol.
@@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306 I think it would have probably had a bounce in early 81 when he started to do tv work to promote it…. The critics were panning it to an extent (there is a vast difference between the reviews before and after his murder)…. Not saying it was a flop, it was just not doing McCartney levels of success (McCartney 2 came in at No3 in the States and No1 in U.K., with this being on the back of Back to the Egg reaching Number 8 in USA and 6 in U.K…. And that was considered the end of McCartney’s career to a lot of the music press…. By 1980 George Harrison’s albums were doing well in they made in into the top 15, and Ringo’s albums failed to chart completely)
I made a compilation album of just John’s Double Fantasy songs with just John’s Milk & Honey songs, alternating the songs, I called it Double Honey.
To me the albums go together very well with just his songs and make a complete Lennon album.
I prefer the Yoko compilation Fantasy and Milk.
@@varsityathlete9927😮😂nice
Double ❤
I think the same as you. I've titled my mp3 compilation "Single Fantasy": not John's best album, but it works, it's solid, and in it's own way it's very rewarding.
@@lluispaloma Single Fantasy is great title😂
I was 4 and a half when that December 1980 John Lennon was murdered . The radio stations were playing Beatles and John Lennon solo songs for almost a full week . By time I was in my sophomore year in high school my love for The Beatles was immense and I started researching everything I could know about Each Beatle . I watched The Imagine VHS and listened to all of John Lennon’s solo albums that summer . Double Fantasy is Bittersweet to me . What a great musician he was.
I was 7. Up with strep throat nursing tea with honey,lemon and a brandy shot(nyQuil). ..my Dad was home(he drove truck cross country). Watching Monday night Football. Howard Cosell announced what happened. Thought it was a dream ..went to sleep and woke to a distopian nightmare.
Never payed attention to the news or anything outside my world. In the 80s,as you are aware, we were not plugged in as now. He is not Was. He IS in your ❤ and will BE
I think, like many, combining the John songs from both albums to make an all-John final album is the preferred way of listening to his final works.
See disc 4 of the 1990 'Lennon' box set.
I think he would have disapproved of an "all John final album". Besides he participates in several if not all of Yoko's songs, doesn't he ?
@@theo9952 - As if John could be trusted to make wise decisions when it comes to Yoko. I have a few concerts I would like to share with you. Yeah, he contributed to those beauties as well. 😵
@@shyman99 Puting aside Yoko's extreme avantgarde vocalisms, Yoko is not a bad songwriter and in spite of unreasonable opinions, she can sing, even if she does not sound like Joni Mitchel. She has proved herself with her several albums after John's passing. I don't like everything but she has several interesting songs and besides, she does have things to say in a song, she does not write run of the mill lyrics.
I think i know those live ''beauties'' you talk about. No, those are not good, I agree.
@@theo9952 - Yoko has had the luxury of being around the best songwriters, musicians, and producers in the industry. So of course she was going to release something of value. But I would not confuse the results of having A LOT of help from her friends to Yoko having legitimate musical talent. You and I could create something of value under the same circumstances. It reminds me of genius producer Richard Perry who produced an album for Tiny Tim in the 60s that was surprisingly listenable.
I listen to it all the time. In a way it makes me sad because I loved the direction he was going with his last two albums, he still had a lot of great music to create. He seemed so much freer then, like I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I’m going to write songs that I want write.
This was so beautiful -i teared when i read it. ☮️💟
When I listen to Grow Old With Me it just breaks my heart. I get the same feeling from Beautiful Boy on the previous album.
Yes it’s heartbreaking not hearing Johns later songs, also his opinions on world events.
❤. You know .once you know you never forget.
I love the Beatles. John holds a special place. He was so complex, but yet a gifted musician. His 40 years of life was rocky, at best, but towards the end, he was becoming more aware of who he was, and his newer songs showed that reflection. We really miss him.
I listen to this album all the time, I love it. Yoko did a great job finishing it and her songs ‘Sleepless Night’, ‘O Sanity’ and ‘Let Me Count the Ways’ are so damn good. John’s songs are beautiful. It’s a really earnest, intimate and heartwarming album that I love.
Remember first hearing Nobody Told Me without knowing who it was by and thinking it was really good. I was pleasantly surprised when the DJ back announced it was John. It's still superb.
Nobody told me is one of his best ever songs. Another great video Andrew
Thanks! I loved this episode.
At my high school, one guy was imitating John’s “dancing about” in the video of Nobody Told Me. I always liked the song and agree it did sound like Instant Karma with its 12 bar beat and A on the verses E minor on the chorus. I personally liked Living On Borrowed Time. It had a unique reggae beat. And Stepping Out was classic Lennon at his best! So no love lost for these songs!
I've been listening to it all week. Some of his best songs, her's too.
Milk and Honey will always hold a special place in my heart. I love this album since it first came out 👍🏻
I listen to John all the time
Love Him very much❤
I could never forget john Lennon
I grew up with John and The Beatles😊
Love John's Music✌️💛
Haven’t heard these tunes in literally years. Always thought Nobody Told Me and/or Whatever Gets You Through the Night would have been great, kick-ass opening numbers for a Lennon tour. Strangely enough, Forgive Me My Little Flower Princess is one of my favorite tracks. Raw, underdeveloped and strangely seductive, this is the song from M&H that I wanted most to have heard a finished version of. Who knows? Maybe one day…as always, a great video, Andrew.
Oh my God! I recorded that Beatles programme and still have it too! It was/is fantastic! Great upload. Thanks
I listen to John’s tracks from this album often as Nobody Told Me, I’m Stepping Out, and I Don’t Wanna Face It are all 🔥 tunes and in my favorite jangle pop playlist. The stripped down production is charming and intimate.
I was 15 years old when M&H showed up in record stores. I bought it immediately and was quite excited by the rawer production and the looser vibe that I felt was more fitting to Lennon's nature. I loved the little asides that weren't edited and the overall more engaging Lennon material. (While I've come to appreciate Beautiful Boy and Woman off DF, as a teen, I wasn't much impressed with the middle-agedness of it all.) Somewhere along the line, I got ahold of a cassette of Lennon demos that says Bermuda 1980 on the shell that was said to have been something Fred Seaman, Lennon's personal assistant, had shared with friends. I enjoyed that even more.
Great job, Parlogram!
Not forgotten by me or my friends, in 84 I'd just turned 17 & after the john lennon collection from 82 it was the second lennon album I bought. Played the vinyl to death and now my 11 year son loves it. Even yokos songs are good. Great album
I was always a huge John Lennon and Beatles fan and was grateful that we had these final songs in 1984. He was such a talent and always had interesting things to say in his music and elsewhere. Never get tired of the songs from Milk and Honey.
I bought Milk and Honey the day it came out in the U.S. (on cassette), and I loved it. But even from that day, I have always thought that John and Yoko should have put out seperate albums here, like they did in the early 70's...because if you take all of John's songs from the Double Fantasy&Milk&Honey albums...make your own Milk Fantasy mix...it is on par, if not better than the Plastic Ono/Imagine albums IMHO...Great video btw!!!
At the time Nobody Told Me came out, my energy and focus was on another moment in my life: joining the military. I went to boot camp in July, 1984, so my attention was to that. With that being said, after boot camp, and going to military school for my training, I do remember the base PX having albums and CD's at the time, and Milk and Honey was one I did casually look at. I had heard about the new John Lennon song which had been worked on during the Double Fantasy sessions. I did end up getting Nobody Told Me on CD through the Lennon Legend greatest hits release years later.
If John's song were all released as part of Double Fantasy - without the Yoko songs, it would be a classic still today.
I was 17 when John died and after a decade of hoping the Beatles were getting back together DF was a great thrill to listen to. After he died the dream was over but this final hurrah was a nice closure to his life and career. And life goes on.
In hindsight I'm glad they didn't get back together. My take is the music would have suffered because they would be doing it just for the money. I just can't imagine all 4 of them would want to do it for the love like is was in the early 1960's. Leaving us with Let It Be and Abbey Road was perfect. And their solo stuff is great too.
I remember recording the Lennon songs from DF and M&H on a cassette tape which I used to listen to a lot. I never cared much about the Yoko Ono songs, except the single Walking On Thin Ice.
Yes, me too! I still have the cassette. Nobody Told Me has to be my favourite John Lennon track!
Great stuff again Andrew!! Nobody Told Me is one of my fave Lennon songs!!
What an excellent subject for this video, Andrew! Great job! I had a good friend who worked at a major market radio station at that time so I heard (and obtained a copy 😉) of "Nobody Told Me" before it was available in the shops. I remember standing there when my friend put the promo 12" single on the turntable. I had goosebumps as the bouncy beat, catchy melody and John's beautiful voice filled the room. I LOVED the song on first listen. I still miss him.
I remember buying this LP the day it came out, I still have the three picture sleve singles, Borrowed time, Nobody told me, and Stepping out, plus all three of the 45s from Double Fantasy,. I see Double Fantasy as his last LP, Milk and Honey, which I listened to a couple months ago, is very raw.
I love this Lp and listen to it all the time. Thanks for doing an episode on milk & honey. This is one of my favourite UA-cam channels. I look forward to and enjoy every episode.
Glad you enjoy it!
I was less than a year into my Beatles fandom when this album came out. Neither Nobody Told Me or Stepping Out had great impact on me despite being heavily played on MTV. Pipes of Peace however I thought was spectacular (still do). The title of this video resonated with me because Milk and Honey never really worked its way into my brain. I do love Grow Old With Me especially the Glen Campbell version and the spectacular AI Beatles version on UA-cam. Thanks for this stroll down amnesia lane as Robin Williams would say.
On the Bermuda Tapes, Grow Old with Me was said to be for Ringo, but JL may just have said that if he was shy to admit how good it was. I believe he would’ve kept it and at a later time said that he imagined it as an anthem backed by a full orchestra (could have been used for the vaguely planned musical).
I too believe he could have regenerated several songs including the three you mention with Free as a Bird a likely candidate as he seemed to have spent a lot of time on that prior to the DF sessions (Dakota Tapes). Serve Yourself was still waiting for a reworking, so too was Illusions (not for love or money) which was beautifully brought to life by Pamela Davis on her CD of John’s unreleased music. He could also have written new materials, of course.
He's 100% correct that "Grow Old With Me" sounds better when someone else sings it. I was married in 1985 and chose it to be our wedding song. We hired a local vocalist girl to sing it and she knocked it out of the park. It's a great wedding song.
Unfortunately I do not give this album the attention it deserves…..that said I love Nobody Told Me and I Don’t Wanna Face It. I remember when Nobody Told Me hit the airwaves in the winter 1984 thinking it was such a gift to have him back on the radio. Thanks Andrew!
I was excited at the time upon the release of the first single. I loved hearing John’s voice in a new song on the radio. It was made even more special when MTV started playing the video.
Of course I immediately purchased the album upon release. Like Double Fantasy, I skipped every other song.
It’s definitely been quite some time since I last listened to Milk and Honey. I’ll have to get it out soon and give it a spin.
Thank you for another great episode, Andrew! - Roger
Thanks Roger. Glad you enjoyed it!
This time, you listen to Yoko's songs, too. They're good.
@@SpaceCatttttYes! I like them more than on Double Fantasy
It's great to remind us that the best sounding version of "M&H" is the original German CD from 1984. On the 2001 Capitol remaster and subsequent reissues, "Grow Old With Me" is very dry sounding, while it had quite a bit of reverb on the original 1984 release, and I have missed that reverb ever since.
I actually like John's songs on this one more than the ones on Double Fantasy, although they're all pretty strong. This is a great album and ESSENTIAL!
An underrated album, thank you so much for bringing it up Andrew! an album in which John's songs have a stripped down production. My favourite tracks are nobody told me, I'm stepping out, I don't wanna face it, my little flower princess and grow old with me
It’s too painful for me to listen to it in its entirety but once it a while I will go to my iTunes albums and play a few of my favorites like “Stepping Out” and “Nobody Told Me” it’s also depressing how much time has flown by. All the events you mention I remember like they were like yesterday.
It still hurts the way we lost John
Have always loved this album, and despite the grief that i may receive, that includes the Yoko tunes lol ❤
That's OK. I love the lyrics of her songs. People focus too much on her singing, neglecting the lyrics, which I believe shows her true talent.
amazing content as usual. Lennon was my favourite beatle.
I loved the irony that, after Yoko's falling-out with David Geffen (because he had wanted her to rush-release "Milk and Honey" sooner since he thought people would quickly lose interest in John Lennon), she placed the album with Polydor - the same label that had released John Lennon's first studio recording, "Ain't She Sweet," with The Beatles in Hamburg in 1961.
@@cuda426hemi Geffen would let things slide to an extent, but he would expect the artist to buck up their idea's going forward (look at Neil Young.... signs for Geffen, first album he puts out is a techno album.... Geffen orders him to put out something "rock and roll", and Neil gives him a Rockabilly album of 50's rock and roll songs..... then Geffen sues Young for "not sounding like Neil Young")..... its hard to know how Double Fantasy would have done had John lived, but by 1980, being a Beatle alone was not enough to shift records (as George and Ringo found out) as Paul would at least go out and promote his albums (would John have done SNL in 1981 to promote the album?.... I doubt it)
@@cuda426hemi truth. We need more of this. Maybe you should consider a channel of your own.
Fan adoration gets me green in the gils.
@@cuda426hemi What bothers me is anyone giving their own viewpoint & then attribute re-writing history to others without a shred of evidence!
@@cuda426hemiYour viewpoint only - to be specific, D/Fantasy was top 20 both UK & US before Lennon was murdered. Is that 'tanking'?
@@cuda426hemiNow that's what I call re-writing history - Top 10 single, top 15 album 'tanked'! Lol
Great review. Interesting reference to Talking Heads. I think The B52s were an influence on some of these sessions as well.
Great video! I happen to own one of the colored vinyl copies that were made by one of the pressing plant employees. Very very rare! They estimate between 10-20 were made.
Incredibly enough this is the first time I've realised that this was another album, I think I've always thought it was Double fantasy with a different cover. I will now listen to it for the first time ever! Wow.
Superb video, as usual Andrew. I just want to point out that Yoko's last visit with Andy Peebles, before the 1984 interview aired, was not December 8, 1980, but rather December 6, 1980. It was the RKO interview that was recorded on December 8. Just a small correction.
As for me, I was 12 when "Nobody Told Me" came out and was truly amazed how well it fit in on the radio with the other hits of the day here in Canada. At times, I almost forgot John was really gone because during the first few weeks the song started getting airplay, it really felt like he was back! "How could they sit on this gem for three long years?" I thought. Then reality set in of course, and I realized I may never hear a new Lennon hit on the radio again. I would have never guessed that almost 40 years later we would be treated to yet another, and with The Beatles, no less! Incredible.
I'm going to dig out my original Milk And Honey LP for a listen tomorrow. It really does deserve a little more love.
Keep up the great work! We never miss one of your videos. Peace.
Thank you for reminding me of Borrowed time......I forgot all about this song. Thank You John Lannon I need so bad to hear your song "Borrowed Time" and stop being so scared of what's to come.
Thanks Andrew,
a good motivation to re-discover this long-forgotten album. Great video as usual.
Thanks for this. A much-needed, informative review.
Glad you enjoyed it, Mark!
I bought Yoko Ono's and John Lennons' "Milk and Honey" album, I played it recently and I think it is very good.
John Lennon used for his bass player on double fantasy and milk and Honey, Tony Levin very famous for being in King Crimson and Peter Gabriel’s band. I’ve met him several times and he’s a great guy and he loved jamming with John Lennon.
And John told him….don’t play too many notes lol
Thank you very much Andrew, it is very positive that you devote time and attention to the solo releases. It will be interesting to follow just like all the insight and perspective you have already given to the vast Beatles catalogue.
I like it a lot - and putting Johns songs of both albums onto one you get a great album.
Great video as always, Andrew. Nobody Told Me is such a great song, and it was great to see it hit the top 5 here in the US. It would have been amazing if Nobody Told Me could have followed Paul at number one in the US and the UK. It's interesting to hear the contemporary reviews and what else was going on in pop culture at the time. Thanks for all your work!
Thanks for the review!! Fascinating.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Since we're roughly the same age (just turned 57 in December), I, like you, played Milk and Honey to death in early 1984. Also like you, it's not an album I return to much these days. I think it's because of the demo feel of everything save Nobody Told Me. Is it/Was it a good album? Probably not, but it served its purpose and need in those posthumous days of the early 80s. It gave all of us a sense of closure. I suppose Yoko was wise to wait until 1984 before releasing it, but I think she waited a little bit too long and a 1982 release might have been more successful.
As an aside, I feel that Ringo should devote one of his new EP's to the songs that Lennon was to have recorded with him for his Stop and Smell the Roses album including a new version of Nobody Told Me and Life Begins at 40. I know it was too painful for Ringo at the time to record these songs, but in light of him later doing Grow Old With Me with Paul and the other Threetles songs, I feel the time is right for Ringo to pay one more tribute to his old pal.
"Menlove Ave." is the forgotten one, I'd say. Some people don't know it exists (out of print...but still!). 3:09 John quoted that first line during an interview for Australian radio in 1964 so it really was on his mind. Kinda blew me away when I listened to the interview after I'd heard "Nobody Told Me". :)
lovely album, even though i wasn't alive when it came out, i still get sad listening to it especially towards the end.
I love the Lennon songs on this album
Love that album still today!
Oddly enough, Forgive Me My Little Flower Princess is the song I go back to over and over. Yes, it has a demo-like sound but the vibe and jazz guitar really spark with me. Play it loud and you might see what I mean.
Such a huge historical documentary you made !!! Thanks a lot from Czechia and Ukraine !!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
❤. That within your heart no matter ...you never forgot
I remember in a magazine tribute article not long after John's death in 1980 the writer mentioned that John had recorded nearly two albums of songs during the Double fantasy sessions. The Milk and Honey album in 1984 was the result of this. To be honest I haven't heard the album since 84.
Loved this album
Damian Wilson also did a lovely version of "Grow Old With Me"
I heard /interpret, one line in Nobody Told Me as : "there is matches in the bathroom, just below the stairs" , I also interpret in Whatever gets you through the night, the line : "don't need a saw to cut through flowers" as: "don't need to start collecting flowers" , one other line I hear is: don't need to watch you wasting time
Very moving review, thank you for making it.
My pleasure, Jim. glad you enjoyed it!
I've always enjoyed Yoko's songs on this one as much as John's, more than Double Fantasy. Not forgotten in my house!
I didn’t know it had been forgotten. Phenomenal presentation
OMG, finally - I already have one of the best sounding versions you recommend of an album - the German CD copy of this!
There's a little mistake regarding the musicians who played on Yoko's songs on "Milk and Honey": those Yoko had used on "Season of Glass" were actually the same who had worked on "Double Fantasy" (with the additional production of Phil Spector), while those on her tracks on "Milk and Honey" were the one she had used on het "It's Alright" album in 1982.
I have always imagined that Polydor signed her in 1982 on the provision that they could release John's last recordings, in a similar fashion thet when she was was signed to Capitol in 1995, it was a sort of 'thank you' for providing the surviving Beatles with John's demo tapes and thus allowing the reunion tracks to become reality.
Thanks so much for sharing!
🙏❤🌹John 🌹❤🙏
Absolutely fantastic, you’re a national treasure! I really liked the description of the context.
Thank you kindly!
I'm another one who hasn't forgotten it - but plays the Yoko tracks more often. I see the cover and the first thing I think of is that panting vocal riff from You're The One. The second is her intonation in Sleepless NIght/O Sanity. Then maybe I remember Nobody Told Me and "tell 'em to screw it" and the one that sounds like John's singing whilst being smothered.
I always liked "Nobody Told Me", I remember being surprised that it wasn't on Double Fantasy, and found out afterward about Milk And Honey being released posthumously. I was 13 going on 14 when it was released and while I heard The Beatles quite often growing up, it wasn't until later that year that I became a Beatles fan, when I started listening to my older cousin's LPs when she was staying with us. 40 years later they're still my favourite band.
I was at Everliegh near Redfern In Sydney Australia and was just about to park my car near the train station and heard the song on the radio and thought that sounds like John..and surely enough at the end of the song 2MMM radio announcer stated the posthumous new song by John off the new Album Milk And Honey..which John was working on when he sadly was murdered...still sad ..so wrong..l went to the record store during lunch time and bought the single..the Album and the other Lennon record released at the time Milk and Honey Unfinished Dialogue.. ❤
Stepping out is one of my go to feel good songs
They had to put John's solo songs from Double Fantasy and Milk & Honey together. It would have been much more loved.
It was always a mystery to me how a genius like John couldn't see the literal black hole of talent that was square in front of him. Love is blind, and sometimes deaf.
Most of Yoko’s songs on “Double Fantasy” are really good.
@@bradpreston7779 Yes... "Kiss Kiss Kiss" would have been a hit, released under a fake name, it would be considered a New Wave classic today. I became a Yoko fan, because of those tracks.
@@CraiginOhioUSAExactly. I always tell people that song in particular would be a barn burner if it was by the B-52s (who, incidentally, are self-professed Yoko fans).
@@bradpreston7779 We are absolutely of the same mind. I always put "Kiss Kiss Kiss" between tracks by The B-52s and Talking Heads, on my own compilations. Right where it deserves to be.
We’re the same age, Andrew, so I also have fond memories of playing M&H a ton during that spring of 84, especially side 1. Loved your montage of 84 albums - it really was one of the best years for modern music in my lifetime.
I've seen more than a dozen of your videos just lately, and I appreciate them very much! - Thank you, Andrew!
Thanks Stefan. Glad you like them!
great video, thanks so much. I remember this album being very bittersweet for me as a beatle/lennon fan for just about all my life and being 13 when this album came out.
I was only playing Milk and Honey yesterday, after watching an absorbing documentary about the Dakota. I have always preferred it to Double Fantasy. It's a bittersweet listen, as others have said, what promise there was for John's songwriting heading into a new renaissance.
I enjoyed the Dakota doc as well. I used to live not too far from it and was a few blocks away when Johns death was announced. I am not living in NYC anymore but did visit a few years ago and was at the Strawberry Fields section in Central Park across from the Dakota. It was a John Lennon anniversary day and someone had a boom box blasting Lennon songs. Lot's of tears were shed.
Hi Andrew - my copy of the huge book on Tug of War recommended by you has just arrived and you MUST do a video on it- amazing publication that probably only the japanese create!! Just 150 copies worldwide!! Huge collectible for the future
I enjoy watching Andrew's videos. I became obsessed with The Beatles the summer before Lennon was killed. Thinking I was a John Lennon fan, my dad bought me Double Fantasy for Christmas. I was 15, and wasn't album-oriented at the time, but I gave it a spin, then another, and really liked both his and Yoko's tunes. When Milk And Honey came out, I bought that myself, and like the previous one, it took a few spins to appreciate, but I think they're both fabulous albums. (And yes, I like Yoko's songs, when she sings pop.)
It's not forgotten, I recall it, and thank you for sharing the peobles interview, the sad loss for all of us. I wish the media would shame killers to embarrassment instead of making them famous!
Thank you for this episode Andrew. M&H was my Holy Grail when I was a kid in the 90's because for some reason it was the only Lennon album that wasn't available on CD at that time. My father was traveling a lot in Europe and Asia for work and this was my priority gift that I asked for but he couldn't find it anywhere either. Can you please shed a light if there's a reason behind this?
However I clearly remember my first ever Napster download (probably 5 minutes after the home network was set) was which was a slow crawl of I'm Stepping Out. Hearing it for the very first time was one of my most anticipated moments in my musical journey.
Thanks again Andrew for you're latest video. Very informative. Take care. Cheers Fred.
Glad you enjoyed it, Fred!
Always worth watching, this is a channel that entertains, educates and, frankly, revives old passions; for a while anyway.
I love Milk and Honey! I admit it was a tough time for a new John Lennon album to come out in 1984. Tastes and music had shifted so much, what with it being the post-punk / new wave / hair metal period for music at the time. I prefer this album to Double Fantasy as well. I had heard that as a practice, John always tried to do his very best vocal, even when doing demos or basic tracks for songs. In this case, it really paid off for the listener, because his vocal performance is on these songs are all very good with some very small exceptions. As a 23-year-old in 1984, I also appreciated the much more raw mixes, as opposed to the previous album. The songs just sound like John playing with his band. That's when he is really at his best.
I still think of this as Johns new album :) Not listened to it as an album for years. Same as you though, played it to bits when it came out. Thanks for the vid as Im enjoying the album on full blast right now.
Nice video. Congrats.
Thanks Tomas!
I think Milk and Honey is a fantastic album, I was 13 when it was released and bought it that same week....It was a bittersweet album, listening to the songs on Double Fantasy, I always had John's senseless murder at the back of my mind (I still do 43 years later) on Milk and Honey, I don't, I was just thrilled to hear a "new" Lennon album, although some songs are quite prophetic, such as "Borrowed time" and "Grow old with me" (my favourite, such a beautiful song) they had a freshness to them, Nobody told me, I don't wanna face it and I'm stepping out, are all good songs, that stand up as good as any of Lennons album tracks through the 70s....I like the rawness of the album, obviously I'd prefer a more lavish production with an alive John Lennon, but it's part of it charm, Double Fantasy stripped down was similar.
I might be mistaken, but months after Double Fantasy came out, I remember an album that had only the John Lennon songs from that album. I don't remember what else was on it. It seemed the album wasn't around very long. I don't think it was a bootleg.
I'm not a Yoko hater by any stretch as I do believe she had talent. However, one of the greatest features of the CD players I have owned over the years is their ability to be programed to play the songs I want to hear in the order I want to hear them. Each time I listen to "Milk & Honey", I listen to six songs - all by John. No one else could write a song like "Borrowed Time." There is no one else like John Lennon.
Your nuts! Tell that to Chuck Berry
I bought the album when it came out. It’s a great album! I think if you take John Lennon s songs on Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey then u get a great great album ! I don’t agree , I think Forgive me my little flower princess is absolutely awesome! ❤
I bought Milk and Honey when it was first released. I have a clear recollection of watching the video for Nobody Told Me on MTV. I'd have to say that I Don't Wanna Face It was probably my favorite track on the album. It wasn't a brilliant album, it was just nice to hear John's voice again. I don't remember any of Yoko's songs as I probably didn't even listen to them. In fact, back then, I probably would have made my own mixtape with John's songs from Double Fantasy and John songs from Milk and Honey to make one complete John Lennon album. They probably should have indicated "demo" (in parentheses) on some of these songs. It would have been a bit more honest, in my opinion. As always, great upload!
"Nobody Told Me" still seems to be a radio staple, and I still hear "I'm Steppin' Out" from time to time.