You hear stories about music waking people up from comas and causing other strange things that transcend the basic scientific laws of existence. In other words, music has a certain magic to it that sometimes can’t be described by logic or a robust answer. One instance that sheds light on this notion is when a Vietnam veteran showed up at John Lennon’s doorstep wondering why Lennon wrote his music for and about him.
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The story itself and the interaction between Lennon and the veteran are rather tragic. Tragic, given that the veteran clearly crafted this lofty idea because he was experiencing some mental illness. It is unclear what exactly the veteran had, but Lennon didn’t indulge the man’s ailment. Rather, he gave it to him straight up and deconstructed the reality he had crafted inside of his head.
John Lennon’s response to the veteran’s question was blunt and honest. Frankly, how would you respond to a scenario such as this one? Regardless, when the man arrived on Lennon’s doorstep, the brief conversation took on a fairly existential nature, as the two spoke about matters that rarely reside in casual conversation.
John Lennon Cleared The Air & Left No Stone Unturned
The film John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky was the documentary that captured this very moment on film and encased it in amber after the fact. For a bit of context, the veteran was named Claudio and telegrammed Lennon’s estate prior to his arrival. Shortly after, Claudio arrived, and that is when John Lennon walked out of his house and addressed the matter at hand.
During their conversation, Claudio revealed that he believed Lennon was writing all of his songs about his life.
“Don’t confuse the songs with your own life,” Lennon replied. “I mean they might have relevance to your own life, but so do a lot of things.”
After Claudio seemingly refused to believe Lennon’s answer, Lennon continued to support his own claim in the most polite yet honest way possible.
“I’m just a guy who writes songs,” Lennon continued. “Anything fits. If you’re tripping off on some trip, anything fits.”
The more Lennon tears down Claudio’s dream, the more Claudio becomes devastated. In essence, the whole conversation is rather tragic and tells a far greater tale that expands outside of this conversation between Lennon and Claudio. It’s a tale that pertains to mental health, war, and the need to find meaning and importance in a world that so often overshadows the individual.
Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
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