Bay Shore NY
12-09-2025 1:25pm

Embracing the Season of Christmas: John Lennon and Yoko Ono

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - ICONS - JOHN LENNON AND YOKO ONO

Monday, December 8, marked the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's death. It remains a solemn day around the world.

John Lennon was a significant force in popular culture in the 60's. He wrote more songs for The Beatles than Paul McCartney being the principal writer for over 70 songs for the band. While they officially share credit, many songs had a main composer, and Lennon often led on hits like "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!", and "Come Together." But who's splitting hairs. Let's take a look.

Key Figures & Breakdown:

  • Total Lennon-McCartney Songs: Around 160-180 songs were credited to the duo.
  • Lennon's Primary Contributions: Estimates suggest Lennon was the main writer for roughly 72 to 83 of these songs, including major hits.
  • McCartney's Primary Contributions: Paul was the main writer for about 70 songs, but he often had more #1 hits in later years.
  • True Collaborations: About 18-24 songs are considered genuine 50/50 efforts, like "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand".

Examples of Lennon's Major Songs:

  • "A Hard Day's Night"
  • "Help!"
  • "Strawberry Fields Forever" (often cited as a solo Lennon piece, though credited Lennon-McCartney)
  • "All You Need Is Love"
  • "Come Together"

Ultimately, John Lennon wrote more songs overall, but the partnership was dynamic, with both contributing heavily, even when one was the main composer. They were like salt and pepper.

And then came the Ono invasion. Yoko Ono became a major force in John Lennon's life. The couple met on November 9, 1966 at the Indica Gallery in London during a preview of Yoko's art exhibition, though some sources point to November 7, 1966, as the precise day they first encountered each other, where John was captivated by her interactive art, including a ladder leading to a magnifying glass that revealed the word "yes". No matter the date, this was the beginning of a new era for the pair and for The Beatles. The encounter sparked an instant connection, leading to a deep relationship and eventual marriage in 1969. The Beatles disbanded the following year.

In 1970, The Beatles marked their official breakup, but also the release of their final studio album, Let it Be, in May of the same year alongside its accompanying film. The year saw intense media focus on the split, fueled by Paul McCartney's public announcement in April, while members focused on solo careers, releasing albums like Ringo's Beaucoups of Blues and John's Plastic Ono Band (released late '69 but popular in '70), but the band's final group recording session was January 8, 1970, and they didn't tour. This video shows the final recording sessions of The Beatles in 1970:

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A couple of major memories stand out for me of The Beatles. One day in the 60's, my family took a ride to New York City. My parents were from Queens, and the city was their playground. We were driving through Times Square when we came upon a screaming mob. As we drove past the theatre district, there were The Beatles stepping out of their black chauffeur-driven car. It was a big car. We just got a glimpse of them as they were ushered into a building close by.

Another memory is my mother and I sitting in her kitchen when we put on the radio. The DJ was featuring The Beatles that afternoon, and we sat for a couple of hours and sang every song together. That remains one of my fondest memories. What an impact music can make.

I was just 13 years old in 1970 when the airways were filled with the news of The Beatles breakup, but I remember the controversy surrounding Yoko Ono. She was portrayed as a “home-wrecker.” A love affair had begun, and there was no stopping it. The media had a field day, and to this day, Yoko is to blame for the split.

Media coverage of the Beatles' breakup centered on Paul McCartney's April 10, 1970 solo album press release, which was interpreted globally as the definitive end, featuring headlines like "Paul Quits The Beatles." The coverage highlighted deep-seated tensions—financial disputes, creative differences, John Lennon's desire for "divorce" after Abbey Road, and the messy business of Apple Corps—while a final, official press release by Derek Taylor famously omitted details, leaving the world to speculate, even as the band had been drifting apart for years. But man, did they leave a legacy.

Key Media Moments & Narratives:

  • The "Self-Interview" (April 1970): McCartney's Q&A for his solo album, where he stated, "No" to a new Beatles album, was seized by papers like The Daily Mirror, creating a sensational front page and making the split seem sudden and definitive.
  • The "Official" Announcement: While McCartney's release was the catalyst, the band had been fractured, with Lennon wanting out months prior, but business concerns delayed public disclosure.
  • The "Why" (A Complex Story): Media narratives quickly focused on classic conflicts: John and Paul's clashing visions (especially concerning manager Allen Klein vs. Paul's in-laws), Yoko Ono as a catalyst, financial chaos at Apple Corps, and differing artistic directions.
  • The Final Press Release: Derek Taylor's release deliberately avoided explaining the breakup, fueling mystery and emphasizing the band's internal chaos rather than a clear cause.

Impact & Legacy:

  • Public Shock: The news devastated fans, symbolizing the end of an era and leaving a void in popular culture, with headlines reflecting global disbelief.
  • Enduring Questions: The breakup spurred decades of analysis, with media endlessly debating the roles of personalities, money, and external pressures (like Yoko Ono and Allen Klein) in the band's demise.
  • "A Divorce": Rolling Stone and other outlets often used Lennon's "divorce" analogy, framing it as a painful separation of friends, even as the business and personal realities made it inevitable.

Whatever the real story was, it was most likely because of love.

To me, John Lennon's greatest legacy is the powerful fusion of revolutionary music with a persistent global message of peace, love, and social consciousness. He was a good man. A family man. And he loved Yoko Ono. He remains a cultural icon who proved artists can drive change, especially through music with songs "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance". These are not just songs, but anthems. They still inspire hope and unity across all cultures. John Lennon fundamentally changed popular music with The Beatles and his solo work, blending personal depth with universal themes, while his activism, like the "Bed-Ins," made him a voice for a generation seeking a better world. We still feel his impact.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we can be swept away by the media, or we can take it with a grain of salt. Either way, it's just a fragment of the truth.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is Light the Night in Brightwaters this coming Sunday, December 14. Brightwaters on Long Island will be taking part this year. People line their driveways and the lakes with candles. It's a beautiful sight on a pre-winter night. Kit's can be purchased at www.beautificationsociety.com.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week was the Christmas event at Meadow Croft in Sayville. This was the estate of John Ellis Roosevelt, the cousin of Theodore Roosevelt. It has a vineyard, too. It was purchased by Suffolk County and restored to perfection. It does not have any original furniture, but patrons donated period pieces that make each room uniquely authentic. 

Each room had it's own fully decorated Christmas Tree. Docens, dressed in period clothing, met you at each doorway and gave a little history of the room. You felt like you were back in time as though you fit right in.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: May your Christmas be Merry and Bright.

Italian: Che il tuo Natale sia allegro e luminoso.

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK 

How do you make your Christmas merry and bright?

Please put your answer in the Comment section below this post. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

Most of us don't live in a Chateau, but we can pretend we do by decorating elaborately. Don't be afraid to bring in lots of color and decor. Of all the seasons, The Season of Christmas is the time to go all out. Be bold. Don't hold back.

OF NOTE

If you are considering adding new accessories to your home or apartment and want some help, please take a look at my website and get in touch with me. This is a new venture for me, and I'd love to go shopping with you to help spruce up your space. Please get in touch with me at www.skylarklive.org.

ON ANOTHER NOTE

We lost world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry, on December 5, 2025. Gehry designed some of the world’s most recognizable buildings, notably the spectacular Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, his masterpiece in Spain, and 8 Spruce in New York City. Two icons in the design world.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Bilbao Biscay, Spain. It is one of several museums affiliated to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists. It was inaugurated on October 18, 1997 by King Juan Carlos I of Spain, with an exhibition of 250 contemporary works of art. It is one of the largest museums in Spain.

Guggenheim Museum Bilboa, Spain

8 Spruce, previously known as the Beekman Tower and New York by Gehry, is a residential skyscraper on Spruce Street in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City. The building rises 870 feet with 76 stories. 8 Spruce Street was the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere at the time of opening in February 2011. The building includes a school, a hospital, retail stores, and a parking garage on its lower levels. There are 899 apartments on the upper stories. It's a fabulously unique building that towers over the Manhattan skyline.

Frank Gehry made a major contribution to the world of architecture with his iconic designs that are unmatched.

8 Spruce, New York City

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) by JOHN LENNON AND THE PLASTIC ONO BAND

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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE -60 AND BEYOND WITH SKYLARK

My Brand - Skylark Live - 60 and Beyond with Skylark was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. One day, I'd like to conduct in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. Stay tuned.

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