2024 reissue
Mind Games was reissued on 19 July 2024 in a range of formats, with an array of remixed audio, outtakes, and rarities.
The physical formats included a super deluxe and deluxe box sets, and 2xLP and 2xCD versions. All audio was remixed from the original 2″ multitrack session tapes. There were also be stereo, 5.1 surround sound, and Dolby Atmos mixes available digitally.
The flagship release was the super deluxe box set. It was limited to 1,100 copies and retailed for $1,350/£1,350.
The set contained two holographic artworks by Lennon and Yoko Ono, a hologram-engraved EP, nine LP including two zoetrope picture discs, six CDs, two Blu-rays, two books, four posters, four postcards, two maps, three badges, a word puzzle, I Ching coins, and three Nutopian items: a flag, seal stamp, and replica embassy plaque. It is enclosed by a 13″ perspex cube, a reproduction of Ono’s 1966 artwork Danger Box.
The John Lennon Estate and Universal Music Recordings are very pleased to present this unique Collector’s Edition Super Deluxe Box Set, Strictly Numbered, Limited Edition of only 1100 pieces. This all-encompassing Time Capsule of the JOHN LENNON MIND GAMES album sessions and era contains two Limited Edition Reproduction Artworks by John Lennon & Yoko Ono with Certificates of Authenticity as well as a Hologram-Engraved EP, 9LPs (including 2 Zoetrope Picture Discs), 6CDs, 2 Blu-Rays, 2 Books, 4 posters, 6 postcards, 2 maps, 3 badges, Word Puzzle, Bespoke I-Ching Coins, Declaration of Nutopia replica, Nutopian Flag, Nutopian Seal Stamp and Nutopian Embassy replica plaque.Truly a work of art and in a class of its own, the SUPER DELUXE EDITION Box Set is, in essence, a time capsule into John and Yoko’s world around the writing and recording of Mind Games, including the times leading up to and after its release in 1973.
As innovative as it is elaborate, the Super Deluxe box set is presented in a 13-inch cube, a perspex reproduction of Yoko’s 1966 artwork “Danger Box.” Once lifted, four sides, featuring artwork from Mind Games on shiny mirror board fall to reveal nine individual boxes of various shapes and sizes interlocked together, each with its own look and focus.
Hidden throughout the comprehensive and creative set are many Easter Eggs, some of which can only be revealed by using other items in the box to see them, along with loads of other hidden secrets, surprises, puzzles, and “mind games”. The box is housed inside a striking 13” packing container cube adorned with custom art.
It includes:
YOKO ONO DANGER BOX, 1966
Limited Edition Artwork Reproduction. A 13-inch cube perspex reproduction of Yoko Ono’s 1966 artwork with engraved plates and Certificate of Authenticity, housing the nine boxes that comprise the set.JOHN LENNON YOU ARE HERE, 1968
Limited Edition Canvas Artwork Reproduction. A 12-inch circular canvas reproduction of John Lennon’s 1968 artwork with Certificate of Authenticity.MIND GAMES – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION – STANDARD DELUXE BOX SET
6 CDs, 2 Blu-Rays, 128pp Hardback 10” Book, Poster, Postcards, Nutopian Citizen ID Card.MIND GAMES – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION – 7x LP BOX
4 x Gatefold LPs comprising 12 Tracks each of The Ultimate Mixes, Elemental Mixes, Elements Mixes, Evolution Documentary, Out-takes and Raw Studio Mixes with 8-Page Booklet, 7 Bespoke Inner Sleeves, 2 Posters and 2 Postcards.MIND GAMES/MEAT CITY EP – HOLOGRAM VINYL
Exclusive bespoke ‘Karmic Wheel’ hologram-engraved picture disc enclosed in a reproduction of John Lennon’s ‘Build Around It’ artwork.MIND GAMES – MAGIC BOX
The Ultimate Mixes and Out-takes on 2LP colour picture vinyl discs, visually reimagined by Zoetrope animation artist Drew Tetz with bespoke bar animation cover art and poster, 2 postcards and additional zoetrope and bar animation elements.MAPS – JOHN LENNON’S LIVERPOOL and YOKO ONO’S TOKYO
Exclusively designed by map portrait artist Ed Fairburn, these exclusive portrait fold-out 46-inch-square maps of Liverpool (John) and Tokyo (Yoko) contain over 700 locations of interest, highlighted in Ultraviolet ink and every location detailed in accompanying booklets.MIND GAMES – 350 PAGE BOOK from THAMES AND HUDSON
Deep-dive coffee-table hardback book on the events of John & Yoko’s lives in 1973 including the making of the Mind Games album and all the events around it in the words of John & Yoko and the people who were there, featuring brand-new interviews with all the musicians and engineers, exclusive never-before-seen photographs by Bob Gruen, Michael Brennan, Tom Zimberov, Koh Hasabe and David Gahr and exclusive photos, lyrics, letters, original tape boxes and memorabilia from the John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon Archives.
CITIZEN OF NUTOPIA BOX
Nutopian Flag, Nutopian Embassy Plaque, Declaration of Nutopia, Citizen Of Nutopia Identity Card, Great Seal of Nutopia stamp, You Are Here, YinYang fishes and Not Insane badges Exclusive Reproduction Memorabilia from the Estates of John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon.I-CHING BOX
Bespoke John & Yoko I-Ching coins and poster.MIND GAMES PERSPEX WORD PUZZLE
BESPOKE CARDBOARD SHIPPING CONTAINER
Featuring ‘Tenmon Bun’ya no zu’ Map of the Heavens.
For those with less disposable income, the deluxe box set contained six CDs and two Blu-rays, a book and various other items, and retailed at a more modest $167.98/£129.99.
A Limited Edition 10-inch square Box Set including 6 CDs, 2 HD Audio Blu-Rays, a 128-page hardback book; a reproduction of the original 1973 triptych marketing poster; postcard sized reproductions of 1973 advert artworks and an individually numbered Citizen of Nutopia ID Card.6 CDs of The Ultimate Mixes, Elemental Mixes, Elements Mixes, Evolution Documentary, Out-takes and Raw Studio Mixes.
2 Audio Blu-Rays include High Definition 24/192 Stereo, 24/192 5.1 Surround, and Dolby Atmos versions of all of the above, plus the 2024 Remastered ‘Mind Games’ music video and a ‘You Are Here’ (additional out-take) tape boxes music video.
Produced by Sean Ono Lennon. Mixed and Engineered by Triple GRAMMY-Award winner Paul Hicks, Mixed and Engineered by Sam Gannon and Mixed by Rob Stevens. Stereos Mastered by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios. 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos mastered by Sam Gannon.
Included is a 128-page glossy, hardback coffee-table book about the writing and recording of the album – in the words of John & Yoko – taken from hundreds of hours of archive interviews; also featuring brand-new interviews with all the musicians and engineers, exclusive never-before-seen photographs by Bob Gruen and unseen photos, lyrics, letters, original tape boxes and memorabilia from the John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon Archives.
The 2xLP and 2xCD editions contained ‘Ultimate Mixes’ on the first disc, and outtakes on the second.
The super deluxe box set contained a book, Mind Games, housed in a special slipcase edition. It was also available in a standalone edition from 24 September 2024. Published by Thames & Hudson, Mind Games contains detailed information on the making of the album, plus interviews with the musicians, rare photographs, and reproduction memorabilia and lyrics.
Here’s the full press release:
On 12 July 2024, The John Lennon Estate & Universal Music Recordings celebrate John Lennon’s pivotal and intensely personal 1973 album MIND GAMES with a suite of completely newly remixed and expanded Ultimate Collection editions, offering an immersive, Deep Listening experience and in-depth exploration of this classic, yet underappreciated record.John Lennon’s fourth solo album, Mind Games, was recorded at the beginning of the Lost Weekend, his separation from Yoko Ono. It showed Lennon moving away from the politics of Some Time In New York City, and a return to more introspective songwriting.
Anchored by the buoyant peace-and-love anthem, ‘Mind Games’, John Lennon’s fourth album of the same name, was surprisingly written and recorded during an incredibly tumultuous time in the rock legend’s life. In 1973, at age 33, John found himself in personal and political upheaval. A years-long deportation battle with U.S. immigration continued to rage on while his high-profile anti-Nixon campaigning, anti-Vietnam war activism, as well as the overtly political messages on his polarizing 1972 album, Sometime in New York City, made him a target of a newly elected Richard Nixon, leading to surveillance by the FBI.
This was the dramatic backdrop as John entered NYC’s Record Plant in August ’73 with a select band of world-class session musicians (jokingly named The Plastic U.F.Ono Band), including their friend drummer Jim Keltner who along with guitarist David Spinozza assembled pianist Ken Ascher, bassist Gordon Edwards, pedal-steel player “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow, saxophonist Michael Brecker, drummer Rick Marotta, backing vocalists Jocelyn Brown, Christine Wiltshire, Angel Coakely and Kathy Mull, and, to make his fourth post-Beatles solo album in just three years. John would channel this period of extraordinary activity to make a deeply personal and engrossing album of self-reflection that explored themes of love, heartbreak, peace, spirituality and social injustice, giving us yet another window into his life and soul, and some of his best solo songs, on Mind Games.
On 12 July 2024, The John Lennon Estate & Universal Music Recordings celebrate John Lennon’s pivotal and intensely personal 1973 album MIND GAMES with a suite of completely newly remixed and expanded Ultimate Collection editions, offering an immersive, Deep Listening experience and in-depth exploration of this classic, yet underappreciated record.
Fully authorized by Yoko Ono Lennon and produced by Sean Ono Lennon, who oversaw the production and creative direction, the Ultimate Collection is from the same audio team that worked on the critically acclaimed Imagine and John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Collections, including triple GRAMMY®-Award winning mixer/engineer Paul Hicks, mixers/engineer Sam Gannon and mixer Rob Stevens.
The definitive Ultimate Collection puts listeners in the center of the studio and explores the album’s 1973 recording sessions at the Record Plant in New York City, from inception to the final master, through scores of unreleased outtakes, unadulterated versions, instrumentals, stripped down mixes, studio chatter and more, revealing how these fan favorite songs evolved and came to life.
Yoko Ono Lennon says: ‘John was trying to convey the message that we all play mind games. But if we can play mind games, why not make a positive future with it – to be a positive mind game? ‘Mind Games’ is such an incredibly strong song. At the time, people didn’t quite get the message because this was before its time. Now, people would understand it. I don’t think in those days people knew they were playing mind games anyway.’
Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection offers six different unique listening experiences that are at once immersive and intimate.
THE ULTIMATE MIXES put John’s vocals front and center and radically sonically upgrade the sound.
THE ELEMENTAL MIXES are a new set created especially for the Mind Games – Ultimate Collection, inhabiting a world between the minimalism of the Elements Mixes and the Ultimate Mixes, stripping the songs back to simpler, lean-back arrangements with John’s voice to the fore, and without drums.
THE ELEMENTS MIXES isolate and bring forth certain instruments from the multitrack recordings to highlight playing previously buried in the original mix.
THE EVOLUTION DOCUMENTARY is a unique track-by-track audio montage that details the evolution of each song from demo to master recording via demos, rehearsals, out-takes, multitrack exploration, and studio conversations.
THE RAW STUDIO MIXES allows listeners to hear the recording that John and The Plastic U.F.Ono Band laid to tape, mixed raw and live without vocals effects, tape delays or reverbs.
THE OUT-TAKES allow listeners to hear compelling different takes of each song.
THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION includes previously unreleased out-takes and stems plus additional never-heard-before audio from archive ¼” reel-to-reels, cassettes, and videotapes.
All of the tracks have been completely remixed from scratch from the 15 original two-inch multitrack session tapes using brand new 192-24 digital transfers.
An array of listening options, including High-Definition, studio quality 192kHz/24bit audio in stereo and enveloping 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos mixes, are available on Blu-ray.
Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection releases will be available in a variety or formats, ranging from digital and 2CD and 2LP versions to a Deluxe box set featuring 6CDs and 2 Blu-ray discs. The pièce de résistance is a Super Deluxe Edition, a Limited Edition of only 1100 copies worldwide.
MIND GAMES – JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO – 350 PAGE BOOK FROM THAMES AND HUDSON
Deep-dive coffee-table hardback book on the events of John & Yoko’s lives in 1973 including the making of the Mind Games album and all the events around it in the words of John & Yoko and the people who were there, featuring brand-new interviews with all the musicians and engineers, exclusive never-before-seen photographs by Bob Gruen, Michael Brennan, Tom Zimberov, Koh Hasabe and David Gahr and exclusive photos, lyrics, letters, original tape boxes and memorabilia from the John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon Archives. Unique print run in special slipcase available as part of the Super Deluxe Box Set from July 12.Also available for preorder for independant 12 September release.
NUTOPIA BOX
Declaration of Nutopia replica, Nutopian Flag, Nutopian Embassy Plaque replica, Citizen Of Nutopia Identity Card, Great Seal of Nutopia stamp, You Are Here, YinYang fishes and Not Insane badges. Exclusive Reproduction Memorabilia from the Estates of John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon.MAPS – JOHN LENNON’S LIVERPOOL, YOKO ONO’S TOKYO
Exclusively designed by map portrait artist Ed Fairburn, these exclusive portrait fold-out 46-inch-square maps of Liverpool (John) and Tokyo (Yoko) contain over 700 locations of interest, highlighted in Ultraviolet ink, with every location detailed in accompanying booklets.YOKO ONO DANGER BOX, 1966 – Limited Edition Artwork Reproduction
13-inch cube perspex reproduction of Yoko Ono’s 1966 artwork with engraved plates and Certificate of Authenticity, housing the nine boxes that comprise the set.JOHN LENNON YOU ARE HERE, 1968 – Limited Edition Canvas Artwork Reproduction
12-inch circular canvas reproduction of John Lennon’s 1968 artwork with Certificate of Authenticity.I-CHING BOX
Bespoke John & Yoko I-Ching coins and poster.PERSPEX WORD PUZZLE BOX
BESPOKE CARDBOARD SHIPPING CONTAINER
Featuring ‘Tenmon Bun’ya no zu’ Map of the Heavens.
THE DELUXE EDITION BOX
The Deluxe Edition presents Mind Games in a 10” x 10” box, identical in size and shape to the Gimme Some Truth, Imagine – The Ultimate Collection and John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – The Ultimate Collection boxes, and features 72 tracks across six CDs and two High-Definition Blu-ray Audio discs for more than seven hours of music for the most definitive listening experience. A number of hidden audio and video tracks, along with secret messages and other Easter Eggs are spread across the set.THE DELUXE EDITION includes:
6 CDs – including the Ultimate Mixes, Elemental Mixes, Elements Mixes, Evolution Documentary, Out-takes and Raw Studio Mixes.2 Blu-Ray HD Audio discs – including High Definition 24-96 stereo, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos versions of all the mixes plus the 2024 remastered “Mind Games” music video and “You Are Here” (additional out-take) tape boxes video.
128 page Glossy hardback coffee-table Book – designed and edited by Simon Hilton, the Compilation Producer and Production Manager of The Ultimate Collection series – tells the story behind each of the songs and the making of the album in the words of John & Yoko (taken from hundreds of hours of archive interviews), and the words of those who worked alongside them, through archival and brand new interviews with all the musicians and engineers. With exclusive never-before-seen photographs by Bob Gruen and exclusive photos, lyrics, letters, original tape boxes and memorabilia from the John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon Archives.
Triptych Poster – a reproduction of the original triptych marketing poster for the album
2 Postcards – postcard-sized reproductions of artworks made for the marketing of the album in 1973
Citizen of Nutopia ID Card – individually numbered with a QR code and word puzzle
THE ULTIMATE MIXES
The original Mind Games album has been faithfully remixed from the ground up by producer Sean Ono Lennon, working with triple GRAMMY-Award winning mixer and engineer Paul Hicks with additional engineering by Sam Gannon. They utilized high-definition 24 bit-192kHz audio transfers of the original first-generation multitrack recordings by Matthew Cocker at Abbey Road Studios to create the best possible recreations of the originals. The result is these new Ultimate Mixes now reveal whole new levels of sonic depth, definition and clarity, especially in 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos.THE ELEMENTAL MIXES
A new set created especially for the Mind Games – Ultimate Collection, The Elemental Mixes, mixed by Hicks, inhabit a world between the minimalism of the Elements Mixes and the Ultimate Mixes. Simpler stripped-back, lean-back arrangements, erring towards the acoustic, with John’s voice to the fore, and without drums.THE ELEMENTS MIXES
The Elements Mixes, mixed by Sam Gannon, reduce the songs to the minimum amount of instruments possible. At most, only three instruments are heard at any one time. With the focus taken away from John’s vocal, the delicacy and nuance of these performers is allowed to shine through. Instrumental selections were made on a song-by-song basis – which instruments and performances should be highlighted and what other instruments would they work well together with to maintain an engaging listening experience with such a sparse arrangement. These range from just Ken Ascher’s piano and organ on “Mind Games” and “Out The Blue,” allowing one to hear his beautiful, melodic playing, to Sneaky Pete Kleinow’s isolated rollicking pedal steel guitar on “Tight A$” to John’s electric piano and Gordon Edwards’ bass on “One Day (At A Time).”THE EVOLUTION DOCUMENTARY
Edited, mixed and engineered by Sam Gannon, the Evolution Mixes are mini audio documentaries that explore the development of each song from their very first demo state through to the fully formed master take via in-studio development, chat and out-takes. Edited down from the original 16-track multitrack tapes, demo cassettes and other source tapes, generally each Evolution Documentary runs through the song’s sessions chronologically, starting with demos or early takes and ending with an exploration of the master take and its overdubs; highlighting different, and sometimes hidden, parts of the multitrack while including all the best method, madness, and magic heard during the creation and development of the songs. These mixes put the listener into the center of the studio with John Lennon and The Plastic U.F.Ono Band in order to hear a deep-dive into his creative process.THE RAW STUDIO MIXES
Mixed by Rob Stevens, the Raw Studio Mixes transport listeners to the center of the Record Plant to hear exactly what was recorded during the sessions. The songs have been mixed with minimum effects, tape delays or reverbs, recreating as close to possible what these performances sounded like, raw and live. The Raw Studio Mixes stand on their own to provide an alternative listening experience, stripping away the effects, especially on John’s vocals, that were used in the production of the original album.THE OUT-TAKES
Having reviewed all the takes from the entire recording sessions, the best alternate take of every song on the album is presented.MIND GAMES
Released on October 29, 1973 in the U.S. and November 16 in the U.K., John Lennon’s fourth solo album, Mind Games, was recorded at the Record Plant in New York with the same musicians that played on Yoko Ono’s Feeling The Space record. With her songs having become more sophisticated, Yoko enlisted a group of experienced session musicians to help realize them, in place of the looser, jammier band Elephant Memory that played on John and Yoko’s Sometime In New York City the year prior. As a result of dipping into Yoko’s sessions with this amazing band of musicians, John became inspired to record a more commercial album with the same team. Humorously named the Plastic U.F.Ono Band, the group was a who’s who of New York’s elite session musicians, including guitarist David Spinozza, bassist Gordon Edwards, drummers Jim Keltner and Rick Marotta, pianist Ken Ascher, pedal-steel player “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow, saxophonist Michael Brecker, and was rounded out with beautiful, soulful backing vocals by Something Different, featuring Angel Coakley, Christine Wiltshire, Jocelyn Brown, and Kathy Mull.Writing for Mind Games was nearly as quick as its recording with John writing and working out a handful of new songs the week of July 16, 1973, just two weeks before going into the studio. Recorded commenced August 1 and wrapped August 5 with overdubs taking place August 6-16, mixing August 21-September 18 and master tape assembly September 19-21. The album was self-produced by John, with production help from Yoko, and marked his first solo effort without Phil Spector at the helm. It was engineered by Roy Cicala and Dan Barbiero, with some studio assistance by a young Jimmy Iovine who started at the studio as an assistant towards the end of the sessions.
Despite most of the songs being written just before they were recorded, the title track, “Mind Games,” dates back to 1970 when it had the working title of “Make Love, Not War.” John was inspired to complete the soaring pop song after reading the 1972 book “Mind Games: The Guide to Inner Space,” written by Robert Masters and Jean Houston, which stressed the tapping of our mental potential to effect global change. In the tradition of Yoko’s “Imagine” poems, it was suggesting, “mind games” as a positive and creative idea.
Many of the tracks on Mind Games feature John chronicling his own life and the rocky relationship he was experiencing with Yoko at the time. The melancholic waltz “Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)” (“Aisumimasen” is Japanese for “I’m sorry”), is John at his most vulnerable, reflecting on his relationship and the remorse for the emotional pain he’s inflicted. Standout “Out The Blue” sees John expressing his doubts over the couple’s separation as the song begins with just John and a gently strummed acoustic guitar, resembling his work with The Beatles, before the band and backing singers kick in and the song builds to a soaring climax with John singing: “Like a U.F.O., you came to me/And blew away life’s misery/Out the blue life’s energy/Out the blue you came to me.”
The lilting “One Day (At A Time),” sung by John in a rare falsetto and featuring a classic sax solo from Michael Breckeron one of his earliest sessions, is a song about enjoying the here and now and reminding that “one day at a time is all we do,” while “Tight A$” is an innuendo-laden, rollicking country rocker with the band firing on all cylinders, including some brilliant pedal steel playing by “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow. John’s politics are showcased on tracks “Bring On The Lucie (Freda People)” and “Only People,” but in a much lighter and wittier way.
At the center of Mind Games lies the “Nutopian National Anthem,” a brief, silent three-second repose. Nutopia is the imaginary country created by John and Yoko in 1973 during their immigration woes – a conceptual nation that exists only in one’s mind, without borders, founded on love and open to everyone.
Upon its original release Mind Games sold reasonably well, peaking in the U.S. at No. 9 on Billboard and No. 13 in the U.K. The track “Mind Games”, the only single released from the record, hit No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 26 in the UK. Although the album received mixed reviews in 1973, over the last 50 years it has become something of a cult classic among fans and positively reassessed by critics. Renowned music writer Anthony DeCurtis gave four-stars in Rolling Stone to the 2002 reissue while NME ranked it as John’s third best solo album, writing “there’s a Beatledelic vivacity to ‘I Know (I Know)’ and the glam-friendly ‘Only People’ that Lennon would rarely capture on record again.” Most recently, Rolling Stone chose “Mind Games” as #5 on their exhaustive list of “The 100 Best Beatles Solo Songs,” declaring, “John brings all his cosmic benevolence to ‘Mind Games’, his peace-and-love anthem. ‘Mind Games’ is John at his most unfiltered: his boyish excitement, his slide guitar, his madcap humor, his spiritual yearning, his walrus-adjacent poetry, adding, “If you ever doubt John’s genius as a singer, hear the way he stretches the word ‘mind’ out to ten syllables without letting it slip. He pushes it all way too far on ‘Mind Games.’ But that’s what makes him John Lennon.”
MIND GAMES MEDITATION MIXES ON LUMENATE
Mind Games is also be celebrated this year in several innovative ways. Sean Ono Lennon and The John Lennon Estate have partnered with the consciousness-expanding psychedelic meditation phone app, Lumenate, to exclusively release nine reimagined Meditation Mixes of “Mind Games.” The newly transformed mixes have been designed (in combination with the frequencies of light from the Lumenate app) to put the listener in a relaxed, meditative state, to help guide your mind into deeper states of consciousness.Various sound design techniques and processes have been applied to the original 1973 two-inch multitrack recordings, and in some cases have been enhanced with additional instrumentation from producer Sean Ono Lennon.
The Lumenate app uses the flashlight on the back of one’s smartphone strobed at research-driven frequencies onto a person’s closed eyes to neurologically guide them into a state of consciousness between that of deep meditation and psychedelics.
Each of the nine Meditation Mixes has been paired with a unique, deeply immersive light sequence, using carefully selected flicker frequencies to accompany the mind-and-mood-altering sound. These singular, mind-altering sequences elevate the musical journey, deepen the sense of relaxation, and allow users to see, hear and feel the music like never before.
The “Mind Games” Meditation Mixes launched May 1st, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The experience is available for free, exclusively via the Lumenate app.
CD1: Ultimate Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’
- ‘Tight A$’
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’
- ‘Intuition’
- ‘Out The Blue’
- ‘Only People’
- ‘I Know (I Know)’
- ‘You Are Here’
- ‘Meat City’
CD 2: Elemental Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Elemental Mix)
CD 3: Elements Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Elements Mix)
CD 4: Evolution Documentary
- ‘Mind Games’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Intuition’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Only People’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Meat City’ (Evolution Documentary)
CD 5: The Raw Studio Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Raw Studio Mix)
CD 6: The Outtakes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Out-take, Take 7)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Out-take, Take 6)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Out-take, Take 2)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Out-take, Take 18)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Out-take, Take 15)
- ‘Declaration Of Nutopia’ (Out-take, Take 1)
- ‘Intuition’ (Out-take, Take 12)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Out-take, Take 15)
- ‘Only People’ (Out-take, Take 12)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Out-take, Take 22)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Out-take, Take 5)
- ‘Meat City’ (Out-take, Take 16)
Blu-ray 1
All audio in hi-res 24/192 Stereo, 24/192 5.1 Surround, and 24/48 Dolby Atmos
The Ultimate Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’
- ‘Tight A$’
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’
- ‘Intuition’
- ‘Out The Blue’
- ‘Only People’
- ‘I Know (I Know)’
- ‘You Are Here’
- ‘Meat City’
Elemental Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Elemental Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Elemental Mix)
Elements Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Elements Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Elements Mix)
Blu-ray 2
All audio in hi-res 24/192 Stereo, 24/192 5.1 Surround, and 24/48 Dolby Atmos
- Evolution Documentary
- ‘Mind Games’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Intuition’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Only People’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Evolution Documentary)
- ‘Meat City’ (Evolution Documentary)
The Raw Studio Mixes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Nutopian International Anthem’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Intuition’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Only People’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Raw Studio Mix)
- ‘Meat City’ (Raw Studio Mix)
The Outtakes
- ‘Mind Games’ (Out-take, Take 7)
- ‘Tight A$’ (Out-take, Take 6)
- ‘Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)’ (Out-take, Take 2)
- ‘One Day (At A Time)’ (Out-take, Take 18)
- ‘Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)’ (Out-take, Take 15)
- ‘Declaration Of Nutopia’ (Out-take, Take 9)
- ‘Intuition’ (Out-take, Take 12)
- ‘Out The Blue’ (Out-take, Take 15)
- ‘Only People’ (Out-take, Take 12)
- ‘I Know (I Know)’ (Out-take, Take 22)
- ‘You Are Here’ (Out-take, Take 5)
- ‘Meat City’ (Out-take, Take 16)
- Videos
Yoko’s Approximately Infinite Universe was recorded in late 1972 and released in January 1973, which was several months before the move from Greenwich Village to the Dakota.
I bought the vinyl in 1973 when it came out, then the cd, and thought ” Do I need another copy?” YES is the answer ! Much louder and clearer sound, especially Tracks such as MEAT CITY , you can HEAR the lyrics now , and the guitars sound loud and ROCK just as they should !
When Mind Games came out , alot had happened since the two years following Imagine . John and Yoko had left Britain for New York , ” Some Time in New York City ” had alienated alot of people ( not me , I thought it was honest , and good in parts) . John was living apart from Yoko. Had alot of women in England forgiven John for splitting up with Cynthia ? I felt, at the time, everyone was suddenly going to give John some back lash . A lot of friends thought Mind Games was okay , not great , and its sort of suffered from that ever since.
Mind games as a song and a single was excellent , it should have got a much better chart position than it did . The next track “Tight A$” is a Tex Mex Rocky track with great humour in the lyrics , and the famous Lennon laugh . Another highlight is Aisumasen , an apology to Yoko, sung superbly , with an excellent guitar solo. “Out Of The Blue” build from an acoustic start to a full blown band climax with excellent lyrics . ” Bring On The Lucie ” is a “lost gem ” , ” Right Boys, this is it, over the Hill!” Heart on the sleeve, as always , some one had to say something , great biting lyrics .
” You Are Here ” is a complete contrast with its lyrics on meeting a woman from Japan , cultural differences , and original . “Only People ” does sound a bit steeped in slogans these days, but does have its moments . ” Intuition” sounds quite bland, which is rare for JL . Never liked “One Day ( at a time )” sung in falsetto for Yoko, still sounds no better .
The new cd comes in a fine package now, with new photos and drawings . The bonus tracks are home versions for Aisumasen , Bring On The Lucie and Meat City .
Well worth buying !
It was inevitable that critics were going to measure Mind Games against his POB and Imagine albums expecting it to be on a par with them, which was a tall order for him. As with other arts music is borne out of the mood of the creator at the time not to mention the context and circumstance. The music while excellent in places does in general convey a lacklustre atmosphere
This is a good summation of this album. Everytime I listen to it I can still hear good songs performed without real spirit. The homogenous sound is perhaps the greatest drag. The background singers are, for lack of a better word, wrong. John’s affectation for using echo on his voice is abused and, frankly, unnecessary. When I first heard collection this I had a sneaking suspicion that John might be losing his voice or at the very least the ability to put ‘balls’ into his delivery. As I understand it, John produced this himself but another person had to follow and clean up John’s raggedness. Each song is quite good and given some energy and, yes, confidence along with a more skilled producer this could have been a really great set.
After the critics savaged Lennon for Sometime In New York City,it appears that John didn’t want to offend anyone with Mind Games. I would like to know where you read the story that someone else(?)cleaned up the album.
Perhaps he’s alluding to Yoko’s remastered re-release? She did in fact boost a lot of the levels, and improved some separation as well. Sounds really good. The she re-released the original mix as well. But I also think some of the “sound” issues are due to the pressing. Which was very shitty during that time. Capital in American mostly had very shitty pressings. The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab pressing of Mind Games is magical. Wonderful. This is a gem of an album when heard well.
Unfortunately, this was not something I’d read. Back in the ’70s I was considered one of the regions ‘Beatle experts’ and almost landed a radio program. Naturally the general knowledge of the Beatles was limited, but some of us had access to music insiders, etc. Anyway, this alleged tale of producers on ‘Mind Games’ reared its head during a kind of round-table tete-a-tete. I tried to get confirmation from more reputable sources and was able to get one to reluctantly confirm the claim. I’ll see if I can land real confirmation. As I understood it then, this ‘other producer’ essentially cleaned it up somewhat like ‘Let It Be’ was cleaned, only there were no Phil Spector-like intrusions or embellishments. As for me, I am good with John being the only producer. But when I compare this collection with ‘Walls And Bridges’ I have to say that John really improved in the time between the two.
Meanwhile, I agree with your position. Despite John’s public persona, he really really was concerned with what people thought. ‘Mind Games’ was an attempt to be less offensive, but he ended up becoming lost and undistinguished amongst the other music of the time.
Since John produced most of his first solo album by himself, Lennon had to let Spector know that work had begun by posting an advert in Billboard, I am sceptical of anyone else producing or overseeing Mind Games.
May Pang and the musicians on the album have never mentioned another producer taking hand in the making of the album. I am looking forward to your update.
John was more focused for Walls and Bridges and spent more time on it, and had produced (Pussy Cats) as well in the interim between Mind Games and Walls And Bridges.
Also Jack Douglas was very involved in Walls and Bridges.
Mind Games like Walls and Bridges were my two least favourite John lennon albums, certainly a few good songs but MG was under produced as WaB was over produced…docsmith
One of my fav’ albums. Songs like “You are here” “Out the Blue” “Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)” “Tight A$” “Bring on the Lucie” …. Incredible. The dynamics and colors. Spinozza’s guitar, Ascher’s keyboards. Edwards’ bass lines are so groovy and entwine beautifully with the harmonic elements. I’ve heard many people complaining about this album and i just don’t get it. Maybe it has some production issues, like some have mentioned, but the overall production I think suits the songs perfectly. It’s another side of Lennon. Upbeat and aggressive at moments, meditative and sublime at others, this album is full of surprises. It’s a very interesting journey … in my opinion, in the same level as Imagine and Plastic Ono Band.
right mike50! i agree with what youve written…
I agree mike50! I love this album and think the songs are strong, despite some production issues, which have more to do with the studio techniques and mores of the day (which John may have been inexperienced in, particularly as he was trying to “layer” instruments a la Spector). The remixes improve the aural experience immensely, espacially on Meat City!
I have been labouring under the misapprehension that Jesse Ed Davis played on this album, particularly the solo on Aiseumasen – hats off the David Spinozza for one of all-time favourite solos. You are Here is great, despite the Hawaiian guitars and the conceit of building ‘Rising Sun’ to ‘Surprising Sun’, to ‘Morning Star’ is just wonderful word play. Tight A$ has to be one of his most under-rated rockers and, agai, chapeau to Spinozza, although I am sure John takes at least two of the solos.
Roll on John!
Dark?
i with mike50 on this one, i like this album. it’s says more than most. wilderness = the blues, alone = the blues. it’s john lennon,
For New York fans: Would like to know the exact place in Central Park where John appears walking in the beginning and end of the video clip “Mind Games”. Only a New Yorker who lived in the seventies would know. I think it should be close to the zoo or Naumberg bandshell. Please help me with that folks. 🙂
You Are Here is one of his best songs. It is a beautiful love song to Yoko. I just listened to it 10 times on YouTube. The background singers are perfect! Who are the background singers? I haven’t gone to dig out my album to read who they are and I can’t seem to find it online.
I would like to know who was referring John in the inner sleeve with: “Disease by Dennis” Does anyone know who is Dennis and why he called him disease?
Are there hidden faces in the clouds on the album cover?
The song Mind Games is one of my favorite John Lennon songs, it has a soaring beauty. Like #9 Dream off Walls and Bridges ,which is magical, it is a song only John Lennon could have written. Out The Blue is a great song. Overall a underrated album during a transitional period in Lennons life.
Yes. The title track Mind Games is a wonderful song, and one of his best solo efforts. Tight As is a take off on Cripped Inside…Meat City a take off on New York City.
The songs ranged from aimless fillers :Intuition… hahaha…. stops reading
Tweeze you’re totally right, some good songs massacred in the production process. The background vocals are awful and there are too many layers making everything sound messy. Add to that some of the lyrics are embarrassing:”When I’m down, really Yin,” and “We don’t want no pig brother scene,” very New York, very pretentious. Now if he had done this album in England with George Martin and left Yoko in the US, it would have been a different story!
I read somewhere many years ago that John Lennon heard the song Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum on the radio in the backseat of a car and he liked the song very much. Then lateron, the Mind Games song came out and it’s basically the same chords and structure. Anyone else notice thator hear that story?
Whiter Shade of Pale was a top song that both Paul and John were digging! Several interviews by both Paul and John mention their love for the song. McCartney first heard it at the Bag of Nails when he met Linda I believe…
A strange under appreciated gem. Lennon was a bit lost yet focused on taking control of his music. Away from Yoko, and so what do you do? You produce it yourself! And being typically pretty lazy and impatient, we have some interesting choices on this album. At first glance some instances seem antiseptic from his typical grit. Especially, when you take it in the context of the gritty NYC funk of Sometime in New York City. Instead of the haphazard Elephants Memory, he chooses to get slick session dudes. He want to up the game, and I wonder if listening to Paul McCartney production spurned him to go that route. Competition always was part of their dance. I really feel the when you get a good source for Mind Games you have a much more enjoyable experience. The Capital pressing is horrid. As was much of their pressings in the 70s. The master is so low. Yet, listen to the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab pressing and it is a revelation. I must admit too, Yoko’s master was well done. Much more clarity, boosted levels, and more clean.
So yeah a much slicker commercial album with many of Lennon’s hard edges a bit polished. I think Mind Games was the template he used when doing Double Fantasy. Albeit, Yoko on board. So while many critics and fans were dismayed with the slicker side of Lennon, this album is a deep interesting ride. There is some incredible beauty here. You are Here, Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) and Mind Games. Those tracks elevate this to an very beautifully introspective album. Liberation? Surely not Arthur Janov here! Lennon is on a twist and twirl.
Furthermore you have some very well done commercial rock. I Know and Out of the Blue are classic Lennon! Truly great vocals, lyrics and some very inspiring catchy musicianship. And some great creatively melodic hooks! This is classic Lennon in so many ways. I also, take umbrage implying Bring on Lucie is hamfisted, I it is a mature more accessible protest. Same theme as Sometime in NYC, yet far more well crafted (albeit, Woman is the N—-r of the World is a great hard hitting rock protest song!).
There are so many layers in this album. A more mature and measured shot of Lennon’s twist. Yet still surrealistic and beautiful word plays full of beauty and wonder. I suspect it would be rated higher if it came out in 1980 and on a good vinyl pressing…
I always thought Out The Blue was absolutely beautiful as an acoustic number, but went off course with the second part. In my view, that’s one of those instances where he could have used input from Paul to add a melodic bridge to go with the first verses. To me it sounds like two different ideas he stitched together, (like A Day in the Loft) but it doesn’t flow as easily.
When I first listened to MIND GAMES 45 years ago when I was 17 I felt the only 2 tracks that were decent were MIND GAMES & TIGHT A$. I LOVE 6 SONGS on the album it is not as good as Plastic ono band, Imagine or even Walls & BRIDGES. It’s the melodies I find very good. Examples are IM SORRY YOKO, ONE DAY AT A TIME, OUT OF BLUE, YOU ARE HERE MIND GAMES & TIGHT A$.
So it has 6 tracks that I can enjoy over and over the rest I just can’t listen to.