13 Best John Lennon Songs (list with chords & lyrics)
Looking for the best John Lennon songs of all time? Super! You’re on the right page. Here are our list of the all time greatest John Lennon tracks for you to hear right now!
We have listed the best tracks with words and guitar tabs. So feel free to sing & play along with these greats as well.
Table of Contents
Instant Karma
VERSE 1
A F#m
Instant karma's gonna get you
A F#m
Gonna knock you right in the head
A F#m
You better get yourself together,
F G A
Pretty soon your gonna be dead
D Bm
What in the world you thinking of?
D Bm
Laughing in the face of love
C Am
What on earth you tryin' to do?
D
Its up to you
E7
Yeah you
VERSE 2
A F#m
Instant Karma's Gonna get you
A F#m
Gonna look you right in the face
A F#m
Better get yourself together darlin'
F G A
Join the Human Race
D Bm
How in the world you gonna see?
D Bm
Laughing at fools like me
C Am
Who on earth do you think you are?
D
A superstar?
E7
Well right you are
CHORUS
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
G Bm Em
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
D E7
Ev'ry one, come on.
VERSE 3
A F#m
Instant karma's gonna get you
A F#m
Gonna knock you off your feet
A F#m
Better recognise your brothers
F G A
Ev'ry one you meet
D Bm
Why in the world are we here?
D Bm
Surely not to live in pain and fear?
C Am
Why on earth are you there?
D E7
When you're everywhere gonna get your share
CHORUS
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
G Bm Em
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
D E7
Ev'ry one, come on.
[Middle]
A F#m
Yeah yeah
A F#m
Alright
A F#m
Ah ha,
F G A
Ah!
CHORUS
(Repeat chorus 3 times to fade)
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
G Bm Em
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
G Bm Em
Well we all shine on
D E7
Ev'ry one, come on.Beautiful Boy Darling Boy
D/B - Basically just hammer off and on the B string as you strum a normal D chord.
INTRO
D/B
Close your eyes, have no fear
The monster's gone, he's on the run and your Daddy's here
CHORUS
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
VERSE 1
D/B
Before you go to sleep, say a little prayer
Every day, in every way, it's getting better and better
CHORUS
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
VERSE 2
Bm B
Out on the ocean, sailing away
G D
I can hardly wait!
G D
To see you come of age!
G D A7 G F#m Em
But I guess we'll both just have to have patience
G D
'Cause it's a long way to go
G D
A hard row to hoe
G D A7 G F#m Em
Yes it's a long way to go but in the meantime...
BRIDGE
D/B
Before you cross the street, take my hand
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
CHORUS
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
Em D/B
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
Em D/B
Darling, darling, darling [insert your boy's name here]
Mother
VERSE 1
C G C
Mother, you had me, but I never had you
F G
I wanted you, you didn't want me
C C7 F
So I, I just gotta tell you
C G C
Goodbye. Goodbye.
VERSE 2
C G C
Father, you left me, but I never left you
F G
I needed you, you didn't need me
C C7 F
So I, I just gotta tell you
C G C
Goodbye. Goodbye.
VERSE 3
C G C
Children don't do what I have done
F G
I couldn't walk, I tried to run
C C7 F
So I, I just gotta tell you
C G C
Goodbye. Goodbye.
OUTRO
(fade out)
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home
F C G
Momma don't go
F C C7
Daddy come home Imagine
All the C chords in the verses are actually Cadd9 (x-3-2-0-3-0).
Use it for special flavour.
The Dm7 and F/C chords in the Bridges can also be played as
regular Dm and Dm/C respectively. Choose
whatever sounds best to you.
INTRO
| C Cmaj7 | F |
| C Cmaj7 | F |
VERSE 1
C Cmaj7 F
Imagine there's no heaven
C Cmaj7 F
It's easy if you try
C Cmaj7 F
No hell below us
C Cmaj7 F
Above us only sky
BRIDGE 1
F Am/E Dm7 F/C
Imagine all the people
G C/G G7
Living for to - day a-hah
VERSE 2
C Cmaj7 F
Imagine there's no countries
C Cmaj7 F
It isn't hard to do
C Cmaj7 F
Nothing to kill or die for
C Cmaj7 F
And no religion too
BRIDGE 2
F Am/E Dm7 F/C
Imagine all the people
G C/G G7
Living life in peace - you-hou-hou-ou-ou
CHORUS
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
You may say I'm a dreamer
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
But I'm not the only one
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
I hope some day you'll join us
F G C
And the world will be as one
VERSE 3
C Cmaj7 F
Imagine no pos - sessions
C Cmaj7 F
I wonder if you can
C Cmaj7 F
No need for greed or hunger
C Cmaj7 F
A brotherhood of man
BRIDGE 3
F Am/E Dm7 F/C
Imagine all the people
G C/G G7
Sharing all the world - you-hou-hou-ou
CHORUS
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
You may say I'm a dreamer
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
But I'm not the only one
F G C Cmaj7 E E7
I hope some day you'll join us
F G C
And the world will live as one
*************************
| h Hammer-on
| x Dead note
*************************
Watching The Wheels
INTRO
C F 2x
VERSE 1
C F C
People say I'm crazy, doing what I'm doing
F C
Well they give me all kinds of warnings, to save me from ruin
F Dm G G7
When I say that I'm o.k. well they look at me kind of strange
F Dm G G7 G
Surely you're not happy now you no longer play the game
VERSE 2
C F C
People say I'm lazy, dreaming my life away
F C
Well, they give me all kinds of advice, designed to enlighten me
F Dm G G7
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
F Dm G G7 G
Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball?
CHORUS
F G C Am F
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
Am Dm Dm7
I really love to watch them roll
G G7 Am Am7/G D7/F#
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
F Fm C
I just had to let it go
INSTRUMENTAL
C F 2x
VERSE 3
C F C
Ah, people asking questions, lost in confusion
F C
Well, I tell them there's no problem, only solutions
F Dm G
Well, they shake their heads and they look at me, as if I've lost my mind
F Dm G G7 G
I told them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time
CHORUS
F G C Am F
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
Am Dm Dm7
I really love to watch them roll
G G7 Am Am7/G D7/F#
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
F Fm C D7/F#
I just had to let it go
F Fm C D7/F#
I just had to let it go
F Fm C
I just had to let it go
* Alternate:
Capo III
C = A
F = D
Dm = Bm
G = E
Am = F#m
F7 = D7
Fm = Dm
Whatever Gets You Thru The Night
INTRO
| G | Em | A | A7 | C | C | G |
VERSE 1
G A
Whatever gets you through the night,
C G
it's all-right, it's all-right.
G A C
It's your money or your life, it's all-right,
G
it's all-right.
G Em D
Don't need a sword to cut through flowers.
C G
Oh, no. Oh, no.
VERSE 2
G A
Whatever gets you through your life,
C G
it's all-right, it's all-right.
G A C
Do it wrong or do it right. It's all-right,
G
it's all-right.
G Em D
Don't need a watch to waste your time.
C G
Oh, no, Oh, no.
[Sax Break]
| Em | Em | A | A |
| A | D | A | D |
CHORUS
A D
Hold me darlin'..come on, listen to me,
A D
I won't do you no harm.
A D
Trust me darlin' come on listen to me,
C G
come on listen to me. Come on..listen, listen.
[Sax Break]
| Em | A | A | C | C | G |
VERSE 3
G A
Whatever gets you to the light,
C G
it's all-right, it's all-right.
G A C
Out the blue or out of sight it's all-right,
G
it's all-right.
G Em D
Don't need a gun to blow your mind.
C G
Oh, no, oh, no.
[Sax Break]
| Em | Em | A | A |
| A | D | A | D |
CHORUS
A D
Hold me darlin'..come on, listen to me,
A D
I won't do you no harm.
A D
Trust me darlin' come on listen to me,
C G
come on listen to me. Come on..listen, listen.
[Sax Break]
| Em | A | A | C | C | G | G | Em |
(repeat to fade)Give Peace A Chance
Capo: 1st fret
C
Everybody's talking about Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, That-ism, isn't it the most?
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C
Everybody's talking about Ministers, Sinisters, Banisters and Canisters, Bishops
and Fishops and Rabbis and Popeyes, Bye-bye Bye-byes
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C
Let me tell you now, everybody's talking about Revolution, Evolution,
Masturbation, Flagellation, Regulations, Integrations,
Meditation, United Nations, Congratulations
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C
Okay let's stick to it, everybody's talking about John and Yoko, Timmy Leary
Rosemary, Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper, Derek Taylor
Norman Mailer, Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna, Hare Hare Krishna
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chance
C G C
All we are saying is give peace a chanceJust Like Starting Over
INTRO
A Aaug F#m/A Aaug
Our life, together, is so precious, together,
A E7 A E7
we have grown, we have grown.
A Aaug F#m/A
Although our love, is still special,
A7 D/A Dm/A A
let's take a chance and fly away, somewhere alone.
VERSE 1
A
It's been too long since we took the time,
Aaug Bm E
No one's to blame. I know time flies so quickly.
Bm E
But, when I see you darlin',
C#m F# Bm E
It's like we both are fallin' in love, again, it'll be,
A Aaug A Aaug
just like starting over. Starting over.
VERSE 2
A
Every day we used to make it, love.
Aaug Bm E
Why can't we be makin' love, nice and easy?
Bm E
It's time to spread our wings and,
C#m F# Bm E
fly. Don't let another day go by, my love, it'll be,
A Aaug A G
just like starting over. Starting over.
BRIDGE
N.C.
Am
Why don't we take off alone,
D7 G
take a trip somewhere far, far away.
Em Am
We'll be together all alone, again,
D7 G E D/F# E/G#
like we used to be in the early days. Well, well dar - lin'
VERSE 3
A
It's been too long since we took the time,
Aaug Bm E
No one's to blame. I know time flies so quickly.
Bm E
But, when I see you darlin'
C#m F# Bm E
It's like we both are falling in love, again, it'll be
A Aaug A Aaug
just like starting over. Starting over.
OUTRO
A Aaug F#m/A Aaug
Our life, together, is so precious, together,
A E7 A E7
we have grown, we have grown.
A Aaug F#m/A
Although our love, is still special,
A7 D/A Dm/A
let's take a chance and fly away, somewhere...
A Aaug A Aaug
(repeat and fade out)Mind Games
C G Am G F Am G Am C D
C G Am C
We're playing those mind games together
F C D D7
Pushing the barriers, planting seeds
C G Am C
Playing the mind guerrilla
F C D D7
Chanting the mantra, peace on earth
C G Am C
We all been playing those mind games forever
F C D D7
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil
C G Am C
Doing the mind guerrilla
F C D D7
Some call it magic, the search for the grail
C D G Em G D D7
Love is the answer, and you know that, for sure
C D G Em G Em D D7
Love is a flower, you got to let it, you got to let it grow
C G Am C
So keep on playing those mind games together
F C D D7
Faith in the future, outta the now
C G Am C
You just can't beat on those mind guerrillas
F C D D7
Absolute elsewhere in the stones of your mind
C G Am C
Yeah we're playing those mind games forever
F C D D7
Projecting our images in space and in time
C D G Em G D D7
Yes is the answer, and you know that, for sure
C D G Em G Em D D7
Yes is surrender, you got to let it, you got to let it go
C G Am C
So keep on playing those mind games together
F C D D7
Doing the ritual dance in the sun
C G Am C
Millions of mind guerrillas
F C D D7
Putting their soul power to the karmic wheel
C G Am C
Keep on playing those mind games forever
F C D D7
Raising the spirit of peace and love
C Am F C
Love...
C G Am F C D
(I want you to make love, not war, I know you've heard it before)Happy Xmas War Is Over
VERSE 1
A Asus2 Asus4
So this is Christmas
A Bm Bsus2 Bsus4
And what have you done
Bm Esus4 E Eadd9
Another year over
E A Asus2 Asus4
And a new one just begun
A D Dsus2 Dsus4
And so this is Christmas
D Em Emadd9 Esus4
I hope you have fun
Em Asus4 A Asus2
The near and the dear ones
A D Dsus2 Dsus4
The old and the young
CHORUS
D G
A very Merry Christmas
A
And a happy New Year
Em G
Let's hope it's a good one
D E7
Without any fear
VERSE 2
A Asus2 Asus4
And so this is Christmas
A Bm Bsus2 Bsus4
For weak and for strong
Bm Esus4 E Eadd9
The rich and the poor ones
E A Asus2 Asus4
The road is so long
A D Dsus2 Dsus4
And so Happy Christmas
D Em Emadd9 Esus4
For black and for white
Em Asus4 A Asus2
For yellow and red ones
A D Dsus2 Dsus4 D
Let's stop all the fight
CHORUS
D G
A very Merry Christmas
A
And a happy New Year
Em G
Let's hope it's a good one
D E7
Without any fear
VERSE 3
A Asus2 Asus4
And so this is Christmas
A Bm Bsus2 Bsus4
And what have we done
Bm Esus4 E Eadd9
Another year over
E A Asus2 Asus4
A new one just begun
A D Dsus2 Dsus4
And so Happy Christmas
D Em Emadd9 Esus4
We hope you have fun
Em Asus4 A Asus2
The near and the dear ones
A D Dsus2 Dsus4
The old and the young
CHORUS
D G
A very Merry Christmas
A
And a happy New Year
Em G
Let's hope it's a good one
D E7
Without any fear
OUTRO
A Asus2 Asus4 A
War is o - ver
Bm Bsus2 Bsus4 Bm
If you want it
Esus4 E Eadd9 E
War is o - ver
A Asus2 Asus4 A
Now.........................Jealous Guy
INTRO
G / Em / D / / / D7 / / / Em / / /
VERSE 1
G Em D D6 [ D7 ]
I was dreaming of the past
D7 Em Em7
and my heart was beating fast.
Em6 D Dsus4 D
I began to lose control,
Em Em7 C
I began to lose control.
CHORUS
G Dm/F C Dsus4
I didn't mean to hurt you,
G Dm/F Bb
I'm sorry that I made you cry.
G G/F# Em Em7/D
I didn't want to hurt you,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy.
VERSE 2
G Em D D6 [ D7 ]
I was feeling insecure,
D7 Em Em7
you might not love me anymore.
Em6 D Dsus4 D
I was shivering inside,
Em Em7 C
I was shivering inside.
CHORUS
G Dm/F C Dsus4
I didn't mean to hurt you,
G Dm/F Bb
I'm sorry that I made you cry.
G G/F# Em Em7/D
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy.
INSTRUMENTAL (Whistle part)
G Em D D6 D7 Em Em6 D Em Em7 C
e|-----3----------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-3-5---5-3-5------------3------------------------3-3-----------------5-5----|
G|-------------2------2-4---4-2-4------------0-2-4---------------0-2-4--------|
D|--------------------------------2------2-4-----------------2-4--------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
CHORUS
G Dm/F C Dsus4
I didn't mean to hurt you,
G Dm/F Bb
I'm sorry that I made you cry.
G G/F# Em Em7/D
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy.
VERSE 4
G Em D D6 [ D7 ]
I was trying to catch your eyes,
D7 Em Em7
thought that you was trying to hide.
Em6 D Dsus4 D
I was swallowing my pain,
Em Em7 C
I was swallowing my pain.
[Chorus/Outro]
G Dm/F C Dsus4
I didn't mean to hurt you,
G Dm/F Bb
I'm sorry that I made you cry.
G G/F# Em Em7/D
Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy, watch out,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy, look out, babe,
C G
I'm just a jealous guy.Working Class Hero
MAIN RIFF
Whatever your strumming pattern may be, try to include this basic riff:
Am Am
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
e|----0---0-------0---0---|----0---0-------0---0---|
B|----1---1-------1---1---|----1---1-------1---1---|
G|----2---2-------2---2---|----2---2-------2---2---|
D|----2---2---0h2---------|----2---2---0h2---------|
A|0-----------------------|0-----------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
********************
| h Hammer-on
********************
INTRO
| Am | % |
VERSE 1
Am G Am
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
Am G Am
By giving you no time instead of it all
Am G Am
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
Am G Am
A working class hero is something to be
Am G D Am
A working class hero is something to be
VERSE 2
Am G Am
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
Am G Am
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Am G Am
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
Am G Am
A working class hero is something to be
Am G D Am
A working class hero is something to be
VERSE 3
Am G Am
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Am G Am
Then they expect you to pick a career
Am G Am
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
Am G Am
A working class hero is something to be
Am G D Am
A working class hero is something to be
VERSE 4
Am G Am
Keep you doped with religion and sex and T.V.
Am G Am
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
Am G Am
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
Am G Am
A working class hero is something to be
Am G D Am
A working class hero is something to be
VERSE 5
Am G Am
There's room at the top they are telling you still
Am G Am
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
Am G Am
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
Am G Am
A working class hero is something to be
Am G D Am
A working class hero is something to be
OUTRO
Am G Am
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
Am G D Am
If you want to be a hero well just follow meGod
INTRO
G G#m Em Em7 C D
VERSE
G G/F# Em Em7 C D G
God is a concept by which we measure our pain
G/F# Em Em7 C D
I'll say it again
G G/F# Em Em7 C D G
God is a concept by which we measure our pain yeah
G/F# C G G/F#
pain yeah
BRIDGE
Em Em7 C D (Em) (repeat chord progression)
I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I Ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in mantra
I don't believe in gita
I don't believe in yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
Em Em7 C (n.c.)
I don't believe in Beatles
G G/F# Em
I just believe in me
Em7 C D
Yoko and me- and that's reality
OUTRO
G G/F# Em Em7 C D D7
The dream is over, what can I say?
G G/F# Em Em7 C D D7
The dream is over, yesterday
C D G G/F# Em Em7
I was the dreamweaver but now I'm reborn
C D G G/F# Em Em7
I was the walrus but now I'm John
C D
And so, dear friends
G G/F# Em Em7
You'll just have to carry on
C G
The dream is over
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Did We Miss Any?
That’s our best tracks by John Lennon, what one is your favourite? Were there any we forgot that you feel deserve to be on the list? Leave a message in the comments below!
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