Log In
Register
Read the original blog post
2.07am
12 December 2010
Offline
This song feels so lively and upbeat, but the lyrics are the opposite: Dark and bleak.
“One thing you can't hide is when you're crippled inside.”
What are your thoughts?
hari_girl asks: what do you think of eminem's grammy nomination?
george_harrison_live: What's eminem?
george_harrison_live: aren't they chocolates or something?
2.15am
13 November 2009
Offline 
Hmm, your avatar looks familiar.
Anyhoo, it's seems like it could be about him, but it could also be directed to people in general. I don't know. I'll have to think it over.
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
2.27am
1 January 2011
Offline
I just listened to it for the first time. I like it. It almost has a Maxwell's Silver Hammer feel in a way, upbeat, but a little dark.
*9, how appropriate for the John board*
5.50am
12 December 2010
Offline skye said:
Hmm, your avatar looks familiar.
Anyhoo, it's seems like it could be about him, but it could also be directed to people in general. I don't know. I'll have to think it over.
Familiar?
On topic, in the Anthology book, it says something about how people would bring cripples to John. “Please touch my son, he'll be able to see again!” And it mentions how “Mal, Cripples” was a term they used when people who they didn't want around showed up.
hari_girl asks: what do you think of eminem's grammy nomination?
george_harrison_live: What's eminem?
george_harrison_live: aren't they chocolates or something?
8.30pm
4 December 2010
Offline It is remarkably upbeat.
I told her I didn’t
5.04am
11 November 2010
Offline It's one of my favorite solo Lennon songs, in fact.
The following people thank Necko for this post:
WeepingAtlasCedarsI'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017. 
1.35pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline As a lifelong Beatles fan, I’m almost ashamed to say I hadn’t heard it until recently when I got the Lennon box set. It really is a great little tune. As Joe’s article on the song suggests, I thought I heard a couple of shots at Paul. They could be aimed at soulless people in general, however.
And, in the name of God and everything holy, I am not suggesting that Paul is soulless, Macca fans. 
*17*
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
3.11pm
16 January 2011
Offline The imagine album as a whole is probably johns best solo work top to bottom…crippled inside is a very john type song, upbeat with a hint of cynicism def agree with zig it is aimed at the souless people who hide what they really are, “you can live a lie until you die…” best line in the song. it is sandwiched between two of johns greatest solo songs imagine and jealous guy .
"If everyone practiced being themselves instead of pretending to be what they aren't, there would be peace"-JL
3.23pm
31 March 2008
Offline
Does he really say “take your clothes off” before the piano solo? If so, is that meant in the literal or metaphical (ie you can't hide your true self) sense? Probably a bit of both. 
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
5.16pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline 
I have to assume you mean at 2:13.
I hear “take it cousin” as in; OK, your turn to solo. This website cites it as “take it brother”. I still hear “cousin”.
The following people thank Zig for this post:
WeepingAtlasCedarsTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
5.50pm
12 December 2010
Offline Zig said:
I hear “take it cousin” as in; OK, your turn to solo. This website cites it as “take it brother”. I still hear “cousin”.
I'll have to give it another listen.
hari_girl asks: what do you think of eminem's grammy nomination?
george_harrison_live: What's eminem?
george_harrison_live: aren't they chocolates or something?
5.56pm
12 December 2010
Offline It sounds more like “Take it brohsin” to me. I guess John meant both.
Wait – but if you listen very closely you can hear a faint hard “C”. So I guess it is cousin.
hari_girl asks: what do you think of eminem's grammy nomination?
george_harrison_live: What's eminem?
george_harrison_live: aren't they chocolates or something?
8.52pm
16 January 2011
Offline I thought he said “take it cousin”, but can def understand where youre coming from with the “take your clothes off” that would be obscure lennonish thing to say
"If everyone practiced being themselves instead of pretending to be what they aren't, there would be peace"-JL
10.28pm
19 September 2010
Offline Joe said:
Does he really say “take your clothes off” before the piano solo? If so, is that meant in the literal or metaphical (ie you can't hide your true self) sense? Probably a bit of both.
I definitely hear Take it Brother
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
4.40am
27 February 2010
Offline It's a great song.
I'd like to say "thank you" on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition.
John Lennon
5.50am
1 February 2011
Offline Alright I was curious. I listed to my digital version and it sounded a lot like “take it cousin” I never got a 'B' in there. So I had to go to the actual album, I listened to that part about three times and I started hearing “take your clothes off” not lying…. who knows… another “I buried Paul/cranberry sauce” ? Oh John 
When are you free to take some tea with me?
11.06am
19 April 2010
Offline I always heard it as “take it brother” – I haven't listened to this song in years- but I remember it very well. To me it always had a mean edge to it.
It sounds as if John is celebrating the fact that some people (could be Paul or other beatle hanger-on-ers) were devasted by the Beatles split and that John was with Yoko – like he's rubbing their nose in their misery – enjoying it almost.
At the time John was very into the “well the party's over (meaning the Beatles' party) so you're going to have to go find your own life.” He was also very bitter towards people who were acting like they were on the inside of the Beatles, when to John they were just parasites.
just my take
"She looks more like him than I do."
2.23pm
31 March 2008
Offline I’ve been hearing it as “Take your clothes off” for about 20 years now. I don’t think I could hear it as anything else.
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
8.31pm
11 November 2010
Offline I always heard “Take it, cousin.”
I'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017.
8.38pm
19 September 2010
Offline I sorta hear the Beginning of brother but the end of cousin. As if He thought George was doing the solo, remembered it was Nicky Hopkins, and changede mid-word.
The following people thank mr. Sun king coming together for this post:
WeepingAtlasCedarsAs if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
1 Guest(s)