This is one of the last great Lennon songs, a ditched demo recorded I think in 1977 and intended for a sort of rock ‘musical’. As Lennon hated musicals, I have no idea what form such a production would have taken. I presume it would have been very much off-Broadway. It seems to have a distinct punk influence to it, what with the aggression of the guitar and given the period it dates to.
You can never rescue Lennon though from all the Volvo-driving fans he has acquired since he has been reimagined post-mortem. (Docile) hordes of Volvo-drivers imagining a released version to suit their horrible rock and roll hating tastes, all the fire sucked out and replaced with strings and harmonies and polish.
It could have been a hit! they cry out. No it couldn’t. This is the track and this would never be a hit and their rock and roll hating fantasy version would never match this.
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