God
John Lennon · John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
By which we measure
Our pain.
I'll say it again.
God is a concept,
By which we measure
Our pain.
I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-Ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in Tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in Mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in Yoga
I don't believe in Kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality.
The dream is over,
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the dreamweaver,
But now I'm reborn.
I was the walrus,
But now I'm John.
And so dear friends,
You just have to carry on
The dream is over.
God
John Lennon's 1971 single "God" stands as a pivotal moment in his solo career, marking a stark departure from the psychedelic rock of the Beatles era. Recorded for the *John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band*, the track features a haunting, minimalist arrangement that emphasizes raw vocal delivery over complex instrumentation. The song reflects Lennon's deepening spiritual exploration and his commitment to social consciousness, themes that would define his later work. By stripping away the band's signature sound, Lennon focused entirely on the emotional weight of the lyrics and the acoustic texture of the recording. Released during a period of intense personal reflection, "God" remains a powerful example of his ability to distill profound existential questions into a concise, impactful musical statement.