3 Hit Songs Written or Co-Written but Not Originally Performed by John Lennon

Though the Beatles were only around for less than 10 years, they wrote some of the most memorable and long-lasting songs in popular music history. And one of the main reasons why the group was such a hit was its cerebral, psychedelic songwriter John Lennon. Combined with his melodic songwriting partner Paul McCartney, the Fab Four were unstoppable.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that Lennon wrote but did not share with The Beatles. A trio of tracks that Lennon wrote for other artists that he did not originally perform. Indeed, these are three hit songs written but not originally performed by John Lennon.

[RELATED: 3 Beatles Songs That Will Make Any Listener Tear Up]

“I’m the Greatest” by Ringo Starr from Ringo (1973)

This is a special song. It was written by John Lennon and appears as the opening track on Ringo Starr’s self-titled album. But it also marks the only track that three of the former Mop Tops appeared on between the breakup of the band in 1970 and Lennon’s death in 1980, as the track featured guitarist George Harrison and Lennon along with Starr. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, braggadocios track, inspired by a phrase spoken by boxer Muhammad Ali. And on it, Starr sings,

When I was a little boy,
Way back home in Liverpool,
My mama told me, I was great.

Then when I was a teenager,
I knew that I had got something going,
All my friends told me I was great.

“Move Over Ms. L” by Keith Moon from Two Sides of the Moon (1975)

Written by Lennon for his 1974 album Walls and Bridges, it was decided the track should be left off the album. That’s when former drummer for The Who, Keith Moon, took it up for his 1975 solo LP Two Sides of the Moon. Some believe the song is a jab at Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, as the two were separated when he wrote the song. And the “Ms. L” could be “Mrs. Lennon.” Either way, on the song, Moon sings,

Well, now the underground and overground, they come out just the same
Don’t wanna get too real, man, just wanna play the game
I guess you knew it all along, we was singin’ in the rain
Don’t get to hipped to the down trip, the ship is sailing yet
And if it really sinks you know, then all you really get is wet

Move over Ms. L
You know I wish you well
Move over Ms. L
You know I wish you well
Move over Ms. L

“Fame” by David Bowie from Young Americans (1975)

This song was written by three people—David Bowie, guitarist Carlos Alomar and Lennon. One of Bowie’s most famous songs, this funky track bridges rock and disco. And as a result it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the tune, Bowie belts about his musical prowess and his well known status in popular culture. On it he sings,

Fame (fame) makes a man take things over
Fame (fame) lets him lose hard to swallow
Fame (fame) puts you there where things are hollow
Fame (fame)
Fame not your brain it’s just the flame
That puts your change to keep you sane (sane)
Fame (fame)
Fame (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
Fame (fame) what you need you have to borrow
Fame (fame)
Fame nein it’s mine is just his line

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Photo by Yoko Ono/Courtesy of Capitol and UME