John Lennon is best known as one half of the songwriting duo (with Paul McCartney) that penned some of The Beatles’ most legendary songs. John Lennon was also the band’s rhythm guitarist, and he doesn’t get enough love for his honestly underrated guitar-playing skills. His talents were showcased in a few specific songs, and I think those songs could stand to be revisited. Let’s take a look!
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1. “Girl”
John Lennon’s guitar-playing in this song was on another level. The song as a whole is such an important one in the band’s discography, too. It marks, almost perfectly, the moment when the Fab Four left the world of traditional pop behind and opted for experimentation. Lennon plays his guitar with a capo and plays it in a way that sounds like an old-school lute or mandolin. It’s glittery and quite European, in the best way possible.
2. “The End”
This was the last song that the Fab Four composed together, and Lennon doesn’t disappoint with his guitar-playing. Though Lennon himself dismissed its importance and quality, “The End” is one of few Beatles tracks to feature three different guitar solos from different band members. It’s communal and oddly sweet, though the band’s eventual end wouldn’t be particularly positive.
3. “Yer Blues”
For a song written to be a parody of electric blues, this song’s sonic quality outshines its cocky lyrics. If you read between the lines, too, Lennon seems to be talking about how trapped he felt in the band, as well as in his personal life. His energy is raw, and it can be heard in that simple dual-note guitar solo. In fact, John Lennon’s guitar-playing almost sounds punk rock, in a way.
4. “Dear Prudence”
John Lennon showcased some pretty impressive guitar-playing on “Dear Prudence” from the White Album. The song itself is a pretty unique, folklorish romp in the Fab Four’s discography, but Lennon’s guitar track only lends to the mythical, psychedelic vibe of it all. He plays a modal chord progression in drop-D that wasn’t exactly common for its time, and the song could easily have one of The Beatles’ best acoustic guitar features.
5. “Revolution”
Now this is a classic. Lennon wanted “Revolution” to be released as a single, and it definitely should have been. The song features some of Lennon’s best arrangements, as well as his physical contribution via a distorted electric lead guitar.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
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