Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Peter: I believe it was Elvis Costello who sang, "Wasn't it a rich man who said imagine no possessions?". I learned a long time ago to separate the facts of Lennon's life from the genius of his music. He didn't simply write about his own reality. His talent and imagination allowed him to go far beyond that.

Agreed, Randy he undoubtedly wrote about many things that went beyond his personal experience. A great strength of his compositions was also his honesty and willingness to share his experiences with others. Regardless, the interpretation of his music is a most fascinating journey.

I always cringe when someone tells me singing flat is the style now. Our natural tendency is too sing flat until we are trained to sing on key. Saying "that is now the style" just reinforces my point that most modern vocalists (pick your own negative)!

Mark: I am sure there are many interpretations of working class hero.

For me, it is someone from the working class who is heroic for the steadfast manner in which they have braved the trials and tribulations of their job throughout their life.

There is an expectation that soldiering on in the work force is "something to be." Perhaps the idea also that it is an worthwhile endeavour for which one should be proud.

"I always cringe when someone tells me singing flat is the style now"

I cringe too.

Mark K has made a very good point. Why would anyone want to cover this song is beyond me. Having said that, the Greenday version is not awful... it's just not very good.

Oh, I think the Green Day fanbase can relate to these lyrics. The message still rings true, as depressing and angry as it may be.

Mark, you do realize that for the majority of the Green Day fanbase, high school is still a year or two away?

Now THAT'S scary!

Ahhh GD's fanbase has got older like the rest of us methinks..more like late 20's to early 30's now...

"Let's drink to the hard working people", if I may quote the Stones on somewhat the same subject.

At the risk of being beat up and tarred and feathered, I do not care for Lennon's outlook on life in his songs. I actually lean more toward the "silly love songs" end of the spectrum. I know religion is not a proper subject on this forum, but I could not go through life with Lennon's outlook. If I were to pick one song of his, it would be Steel and Glass, and it's the music, not the lyrics. I made the mistake of buying one of his albums, and didn't do THAT again. It was the live in Toronto, Plastic Ono Band album, that Yoko sang on.....YUK!

I didn't really get into Lennons solo stuff much UNTIL I bought the cd box set a number of years ago...while much is dark, the body of his work is awe inspiring.

LOL, JB...

But the song is a great outcry against all the pressures and expectations of a screwed-up society, and Green Day fans, I would think, can relate.

Thanks, Peter, I'm sure that's the meaning. And coming from a rich man, it's easy to tear down. I always figured Steely Dan's "Only a Fool Would Say That" was directed at Lennon.

Sometimes I wish he hadn't chosen to swear...as shocking and "real" as it was then, it always tends to overshadow the point of an artist's work once the f-bombs fly.

Of course, Lenny Bruce always thought it was a NICE word!

I always thought that Working Class Hero was JL's sarcasm at its most bitter. As he was once quoted as saying: "You make you're own dream." I interpret the song as his rejection of the social narratives of his day and living life for himself. But that's just my take on it.

I think Green Day did a pretty good job on the song...sure, it's not Lennon but, still pretty cool in my book.

to answer a way back question... I think what John ment by working class hero was more like someone who went through the drudgeries of life to provide life to his family and kids, probably what lennon felt he was doing when it got to that point in his career. The rest may (almost) be considered filler. I think the line about them being clever classless and free, then calling them peasents, I think is a shot at the hippies who didn't believe in anything, but just followed the guy in charge because it was cool...

my 2 cents on the song anyhow,