The January issue of UNCUT is on sale now, featuring an all-star panel of musicians selecting their favourite song by the late Beatle John Lennon. Which Lennon song "flipped out" Brian Wilson when he first heard it? Which one reminds Arctic Monkey Alex Turner of his mum and dad? And when we asked...
The January issue of UNCUT is on sale now, featuring an all-star panel of musicians selecting their favourite song by the late Beatle John Lennon.
Which Lennon song “flipped out” Brian Wilson when he first heard it?
Which one reminds Arctic Monkey Alex Turner of his mum and dad?
And when we asked The Who‘s Roger Daltrey for his favourite, what on earth led him to conclude: “I can see why people go completely mad in this business.”?
And there’s many, many brilliant contributions from the likes of Yoko Ono, John Cale, John Lydon, Jarvis Cocker and Liam Gallagher.
Meanwhile, Uncut.co.uk will be running online exclusives throughout the month, today is Alan McGee‘s pick.
Coming up: Richmond Fontaine‘s Willy Vlautin, Josh Ritter, Roy Wood and more will be picking out their favourite tracks.
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COLD TURKEY
Plastic Ono Band single (October 1969). High chart postion: 14
Alan McGee:
I suppose I first heard the song when I about 14, probably on [compilation] Shaved Fish, and had no idea what it was about. It’s an incredible piece of work. And what’s unbelievable is that Eric Clapton is playing guitar on it.
I mean, this is the man who plays 23 nights at the Royal Albert Hall and who’s never made a decent record in his life, yet he’s playing guitar on this amazing song. Probably the greatest thing he’s ever done. I remember Primal Scream doing a brilliant version of “Cold Turkey”, which they used to do live, but I don’t think they recorded it [it’s available on several early ‘90s live bootlegs].
People always ask what the difference was between Lennon and McCartney. Well, Lennon was the genius songwriter with attitude, McCartney the genius with a melody. They were amazing apart, but better together.
“Cold Turkey” was in the same vein as “Mother” or “Working Class Hero”, in that he was often drawing on personal experience and writing in the first person. He was a fucking pop genius. You’ve gotta love it.
I mean, Lennon was punk rock before fucking punk was even thought of. He was a visionary songwriter.
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Plus! What do you think Lennon’s greatest song is? You can vote for your choice, and tell us why, by clicking here for the special poll. We’ll be publishing your choices in a future issue of Uncut, along with a reader Top 10. VOTE HERE!
