Born in a Prison

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"Born in a Prison"
Song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
from the album Some Time in New York City
Released12 June 1972 (US)
15 September 1972 (UK)
Recorded1972
GenreRock
Length4:05
LabelApple/EMI
Songwriter(s)Yoko Ono
Producer(s)
Some Time in New York City track listing
16 tracks
Side one
  1. "Woman Is the Nigger of the World"
  2. "Sisters, O Sisters"
  3. "Attica State"
  4. "Born in a Prison"
  5. "New York City"
Side two
  2. "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
  3. "The Luck of the Irish"
  4. "John Sinclair"
  5. "Angela"
  6. "We're All Water"
Side three
  2. "Cold Turkey"
  3. "Don't Worry Kyoko"
Side four
  2. "Well (Baby Please Don't Go)"
  3. "Jamrag"
  4. "Scumbag"
  5. "Au"

"Born in a Prison" is a song written by Yoko Ono and first released on her 1972 album with John Lennon Some Time in New York City as part of their Plastic Ono Band project.

Lyrics and music

The lyrics to "Born in a Prison" use

verses, the lyrics complain about how humans are constrained by unjust social conventions which not only limit individuals, but also the society that imposes the constraints.[1] Blaney finds the verses full of despair, replacing Ono's earlier ability to imagine a better world with a view that human existence is meaningless.[4] But the refrain provides some hope:[2][4][5]

Wood becomes a flute when it's loved
Reach for yourself and your battered mates
Mirror becomes a razor when it's broken
Look in the mirror and see your shattered face

To Kahana, this suggests that institutions can be transformed just as objects can, although when making these transformations it is critical to "use both love and violence creatively".[2]

On Some Time in New York City, Ono provides the lead vocals with Lennon providing

cocktail lounge feel".[1][3]

Critical reception

Critical reaction to "Born in a Prison" has been sharply divided. Authors Ken Bielen and Ben Urish claim that the song makes "good poetic use of the prison metaphor" and that it is not just one of the best songs on Some Time in New York City but "one of Ono's better tracks from this phase of her career".

Allmusic critic Bruce Eder praises the song for "possessing a strange pop ambience".[6]

However, Blaney criticizes the song for negating the Lennons' earlier positive vibrations with this "negative commentary on the human condition".[4] Beatles authors Chip Madinger and Mark Easter call the song "contemptible", claiming it would be suitable for the 1960s girl group The Shaggs.[7] Lennon biographer Jon Wiener calls "Born in a Prison" "painfully weak".[8] Of the live version released on video, United Press International reported that it "is so awful it is embarrassing to watch".[9]

Other versions

"Born in a Prison" was included in Lennon's and Ono's benefit concerts on 30 August 1972 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[4][7] The song was not included on the concert CD Live in New York City, but the afternoon performance was included on the video.[4][7] On the video, the song was moved from its original position between "Well Well Well" and "Instant Karma!" to later in the program.[7] Ono considers this performance "a nice exchange between John and I".[10]

Personnel

Personal on the Some Time in New York City recording are:[4]

  • Yoko Ono – vocals
  • John Lennon – vocals, guitar
  • Wayne 'Tex' Gabriel – guitar
  • Stan Bronstein – saxophone
  • Gary Van Scyoc – bass guitar
  • Adam Ippolito – piano, organ
  • John La Bosca – piano
  • Richard Frank Jr. – drums, percussion
  • Jim Keltner – drums

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-275-99180-7
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 9780231512121
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 0711955999
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 9781906002022
    .
  5. ^ Lennon, J. & Ono, Y. (1972). Some Time in New York City (CD). Apple Records.
  6. ^ Eder, B. "Some Time in New York City". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  7. ^
    ISBN 0-615-11724-4
    .
  8. ISBN 9780252061318
    .
  9. The Telegraph-Herald
    . Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  10. ^ Campbell, M. (March 14, 1986). "Showtime Airing Back-to-Back Lennon Specials". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
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