Working Class Hero
"Working Class Hero" | ||||
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Imagine " | ||||
Released |
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Recorded | 27 September 1970 | |||
EMI Studios, London | ||||
Genre | Folk | |||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | Apple | |||
Songwriter(s) | John Lennon | |||
Producer(s) |
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John Lennon US singles chronology | ||||
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John Lennon UK singles chronology | ||||
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John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band track listing | ||||
11 tracks
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"Working Class Hero" is a song by John Lennon from his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, his first album after the break-up of the Beatles.
Theme
Stridently political,[1] the song is a commentary on the difference between social classes. According to Lennon, it is about working class people being processed into the middle classes, into the "machine".[2] Lennon also said, "I think it's a revolutionary song – it's really just revolutionary. I just think its concept is revolutionary. I hope it's for workers and not for tarts and fags. I hope it's about what "Give Peace a Chance" was about. But I don't know – on the other hand, it might just be ignored. I think it's for the people like me who are working class, who are supposed to be processed into the middle classes, or into the machinery. It's my experience, and I hope it's just a warning to people, Working Class Hero."[3]
The song continued a string of political Lennon recordings that began in 1968 with the Beatles' "Revolution" and continued in 1972 with the release of Some Time in New York City.[1]
Recording and sound
Recorded at
According to tape operator Andy Stephens, the song took more than 100 takes to record.[6] The recording is the composite of two different takes: the tone of the guitar and vocal changes between 1:24 and 1:45 for the verse "When they've tortured and scared you".
Reception
Stereogum contributors Timothy and Elizabeth Bracy rated it as Lennon's 3rd best solo song, calling it "a stark, acoustic ballad reminiscent of Bob Dylan's 'Masters of War'" and "a painful recognition that the Age of Aquarius has meant less than zero."[9]
Controversy
In 1973, The American release did not censor the lyrics, neither on the album nor on the inner sleeve.
Personnel
- John Lennon – vocals, acoustic guitar
References
- ^ a b "Working Class Hero". The Beatles Bible. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
- ^ Wenner, Jann (December 1970). "John Lennon interview". Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ "John Lennon's Song: Working Class Hero". The Beatles Bible. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-63110-175-5.
- ISBN 0-88188-249-6.
- ^ Coffman, Tim (3 November 2024). "'Working Class Hero': The John Lennon song that took over 100 takes to get right". Far Out. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- Louder Sound. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ Bracy, Timothy; Bracy, Elizabeth (13 May 2014). "The 10 Best John Lennon Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ Raz, Guy (29 January 1999). "Radio Free Georgetown". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
- ISBN 0-87930-792-7.
- ISBN 1-888363-80-0.
- ISBN 0-9544528-1-X.