John Lennon — Steel And Glass
Album: Walls & BridgesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1045
Length: 4:27
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(This is a story about your friend and mine
Who is it, who is it, who is it?)
There you stand with your L.A. tan
And your New York walk and your New York talk
You're mother left you when you were small
But you're gonna wish you wasn't born at all
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Your phone don't ring no one answers your call
How does it feel to be off the wall
Well your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads your lies
But you can't pull strings if your hands are tied
Well your teeth are clean but your mind is capped
You leave your smell like an alley cat
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Who is it, who is it, who is it?)
There you stand with your L.A. tan
And your New York walk and your New York talk
You're mother left you when you were small
But you're gonna wish you wasn't born at all
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Your phone don't ring no one answers your call
How does it feel to be off the wall
Well your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads your lies
But you can't pull strings if your hands are tied
Well your teeth are clean but your mind is capped
You leave your smell like an alley cat
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Steel and glass
Comments (97)add comment
This song is 50 years old people, and it still sounds incredible. I miss him.
Not his best...but nice to hear nonetheless.
kcar wrote:
I was wondering. Lennon could be vicious. I remember sensing as a pre-teen that people were shocked by his attack on McCartney in "How Do You Sleep At Night?"
funny, the vibe reminded me of 'How do you Sleep...'
I was wondering. Lennon could be vicious. I remember sensing as a pre-teen that people were shocked by his attack on McCartney in "How Do You Sleep At Night?"
funny, the vibe reminded me of 'How do you Sleep...'
"Not the peace, love and brotherhood John Lennon, but the other one" ~ Bill G.
LOL!!!!
LOL!!!!
Is that Brecker Bros on horns?....my mistake, respect Bobby Keys!
I guess the sum is greater than the parts.
Yuck. Even Ringo Starr's stuff is better than this.
SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Especially true today.
Cynaera wrote:
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
For those who don't know, Cynaera was a regular poster on RP for some years and was loved by many for her writing with such an open heart.
Sadly, she passed away some years ago now.
I wanted to post this reply because of how she noted John's passing himself and how long ago THAT was.
A gently reminder to whoever reads this, that life is so very transient. . . we are here to learn and shine while we can. . . don't take it for granted because it can end, so so quickly.
Peace
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
For those who don't know, Cynaera was a regular poster on RP for some years and was loved by many for her writing with such an open heart.
Sadly, she passed away some years ago now.
I wanted to post this reply because of how she noted John's passing himself and how long ago THAT was.
A gently reminder to whoever reads this, that life is so very transient. . . we are here to learn and shine while we can. . . don't take it for granted because it can end, so so quickly.
Peace
Especially true today.
Personal favorite post-Beatles Lennon song. (FWIW!!)
Cynaera wrote:
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
For those who don't know, Cynaera was a regular poster on RP for some years and was loved by many for her writing with such an open heart.
Sadly, she passed away some years ago now.
I wanted to post this reply because of how she noted John's passing himself and how long ago THAT was.
A gently reminder to whoever reads this, that life is so very transient. . . we are here to learn and shine while we can. . . don't take it for granted because it can end, so so quickly.
Peace
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
For those who don't know, Cynaera was a regular poster on RP for some years and was loved by many for her writing with such an open heart.
Sadly, she passed away some years ago now.
I wanted to post this reply because of how she noted John's passing himself and how long ago THAT was.
A gently reminder to whoever reads this, that life is so very transient. . . we are here to learn and shine while we can. . . don't take it for granted because it can end, so so quickly.
Peace
Skydog wrote:
I've also heard it's about John himself, though the verses in the 2nd half seem to fit Klein better.
FWIU this is about Allen Klien,
I've also heard it's about John himself, though the verses in the 2nd half seem to fit Klein better.
Its funny what you can deduce from a photo about the apporoximate decade that it was taken.
Apart from the obvious Hippy hangover round sunglasses - the idea of needing multiple glasses is now outdated.
Nowadays we have photochromic glasses (auto darkening), varifocal and even laser eye surgery and the very latest technology... artificial lens replacement.
Having said that I still have multiple glasses around the place but if I could afford laser eye treatment I would only need one pair of photochromic sunglasses.
Apart from the obvious Hippy hangover round sunglasses - the idea of needing multiple glasses is now outdated.
Nowadays we have photochromic glasses (auto darkening), varifocal and even laser eye surgery and the very latest technology... artificial lens replacement.
Having said that I still have multiple glasses around the place but if I could afford laser eye treatment I would only need one pair of photochromic sunglasses.
Skydog wrote:
I was wondering. Lennon could be vicious. I remember sensing as a pre-teen that people were shocked by his attack on McCartney in "How Do You Sleep At Night?"
FWIU this is about Allen Klien,
I was wondering. Lennon could be vicious. I remember sensing as a pre-teen that people were shocked by his attack on McCartney in "How Do You Sleep At Night?"
The cover is more like "Stealing Glass(es)"...
"orange tan"
Godlike
Godlike
FWIU this is about Allen Klien,
Cynaera wrote:
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of galactic presidential campaigns loves this brilliant classic song... we still miss you, John... we still miss you, Cynaera... time flies when we're having fun... Radio Paradise is the best radio station in the nearest 430,000 galaxies...
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of galactic presidential campaigns loves this brilliant classic song... we still miss you, John... we still miss you, Cynaera... time flies when we're having fun... Radio Paradise is the best radio station in the nearest 430,000 galaxies...
" Can't judge a book by the cover and all that. I often struggle to even tolerate John's music. It's either sappy and sugar sweet or just noise. This time, though I think he found a bit of Paul's energy (also not a huge fan of Paul, please read on) and made a damned fine song.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after."
I agree with that except the part about any of them doing anything good after the Beatles. Dross, every bit of it.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after."
I agree with that except the part about any of them doing anything good after the Beatles. Dross, every bit of it.
Agree...no wonder, just checked and we share the same Birthday lemmoth wrote:Brother to How Do You Sleep melodically.
oldsaxon wrote:
Can't judge a book by the cover and all that. I often struggle to even tolerate John's music. It's either sappy and sugar sweet or just noise. This time, though I think he found a bit of Paul's energy (also not a huge fan of Paul, please read on) and made a damned fine song.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after.
Four years ago and you're still right.
Can't judge a book by the cover and all that. I often struggle to even tolerate John's music. It's either sappy and sugar sweet or just noise. This time, though I think he found a bit of Paul's energy (also not a huge fan of Paul, please read on) and made a damned fine song.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after.
Four years ago and you're still right.
Antisocial Boo Day Preacher
First I was afraid, then had to find a reason.
I wasn't serious, but by then it was already in Captain west logs.
This is when sailors walk away with everthing but the kitchen sink in
And remembered it was still concrete through glass.
First I was afraid, then had to find a reason.
I wasn't serious, but by then it was already in Captain west logs.
This is when sailors walk away with everthing but the kitchen sink in
And remembered it was still concrete through glass.
He was before my generation but I can totally respect where this song is coming from. I haven't heard anything Beatles or solo that I haven't been able to vibe with. Still relevant after 40 years=impressive songwriting!
Having watched the recent (and knicker-wettingly funny) Professor Branestawm adaptation on BBC1, I was struck by the resemblance between yer man Lennon on the cover and the prof himself:
Brother to How Do You Sleep melodically.
Its good his voice is much better than his eye sight, his optician could do with firing.....
Great artist with a beautiful smile (wow,40 years ago)
Not a big JL fan, but like this song a lot.
Did anyone notice that weird little guitar solo in the middle of the song (and then again toward the end). Did Jerry Garcia get the idea for that guitar sound on Terrapin Station from this song? Like others, I had never heard this before.
coloradojohn wrote:
Yes, well said...
love this song...
'Whatever Gets You Through The Night' was all over the radio when this came out...it was a single on a 45-rpm record that my brother gave me for my birthday on Christmas of that year, and I remember thinking, I wish he'd given me McCartney's 'Junior's Farm' — it was also out at the time as a whopping single. Always in competition, these two! as if destined for it; an awful lot like true siblings, I suppose...
Yes, well said...
love this song...
Not uber crazy about this tune but there's no doubt that Lennon had an amazing voice! What a shame that so many religious fanatics have taken so much good from the world. Imagine a world without religion and the divisiveness it entails...
The greatest music genius of our time (?)
'Whatever Gets You Through The Night' was all over the radio when this came out...it was a single on a 45-rpm record that my brother gave me for my birthday on Christmas of that year, and I remember thinking, I wish he'd given me McCartney's 'Junior's Farm' -- it was also out at the time as a whopping single. Always in competition, these two! as if destined for it; an awful lot like true siblings, I suppose...
Imkirok wrote:
Good idea...but just don't get in over your head.
Not a huge Beatles or JL fan, but I really like this song. Makes me think I should go back and delve a little deeper.
Good idea...but just don't get in over your head.
Imkirok wrote:
I agree...the surface is so boring.
Not a huge Beatles or JL fan, but I really like this song. Makes me think I should go back and delve a little deeper.
I agree...the surface is so boring.
8>>>>>>>>>9Not a huge Beatles or JL fan, but I really like this song. Makes me think I should go back and delve a little deeper.
yeah! get 'em john!
proof that John was the balls of the band.....
coy wrote:
...ditto
wow a lennon song i've never heard
...ditto
We need new steel and glass in our walls and bridges...
wow a lennon song i've never heard
8-->9
Cynaera wrote:
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
Miss you so much, Cynaera...
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
Miss you so much, Cynaera...
Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much...
Can't say that I know a lot of John Lennon songs but this is the first one I actually like 
Classy & complex, nice atmosphere, fun - symphonically like-able.
Stingray wrote:
No, Stingy, this is banana. This, too.
LENNON is incredible!!!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
No, Stingy, this is banana. This, too.
still one of my favorite Lennon songs...actually hung up with my father when this came on!!!!! 
nalle wrote:
Can't judge a book by the cover and all that. I often struggle to even tolerate John's music. It's either sappy and sugar sweet or just noise. This time, though I think he found a bit of Paul's energy (also not a huge fan of Paul, please read on) and made a damned fine song.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after.
Don´t get it and I don´t want to talk about the cover, bad!
Can't judge a book by the cover and all that. I often struggle to even tolerate John's music. It's either sappy and sugar sweet or just noise. This time, though I think he found a bit of Paul's energy (also not a huge fan of Paul, please read on) and made a damned fine song.
Paul and John were definitely bigger than the sum of their parts. I always think that the best thing that ever happened to George was the split up. Paul and John just never quite got it right after that, but George did well. Both Paul and John did some good music, post Beatles, but they were magic as a team and just average after.
Great song!
I like his sunglasses.
(former member) wrote:
Good story. Reminds me of the Sienfeld in which Elaine hates "The English Patient", and then gets fired for it.
I was just listening to Bill commenting on these posts and decided I just had to share this story: I blew a job interview because I said I didn't care for John Lennon (waits for the eggs to be thrown). Seriously, I was interviewing with the head dude and it was going great, then we started talking about other stuff, he asked me what kind of music I like, I think I said Neil Young, he said he just got some John LEnnon collection and I oh so casually said oh I never cared for him. Well the guy got SO offended, he retorted something like 'well you can't deny he was an incredible artist!' And it just went downhill from there...
Good story. Reminds me of the Sienfeld in which Elaine hates "The English Patient", and then gets fired for it.
Stingray wrote:
I'm willing to bet John wouldn't give a shit that you think the cover is "banana," whatever that means.
LENNON is incredible!!!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
I'm willing to bet John wouldn't give a shit that you think the cover is "banana," whatever that means.
Lennon! God(like)!
kaybee wrote:
Actually no, Lennon apparently wrote this song about Allen Klein. From the Wikipedia "Walls and Bridges link:
'"Steel and Glass" included a sinister riff borrowed from "How Do You Sleep", Lennon's audio argument with Paul McCartney from the Imagine album, though the digs this time were directed at former Beatles manager Allen Klein.<5>'
I'd never heard this song played before and my first reaction to hearing it was "wow"! I guess, like "Working Class Hero", its lyrics were too trenchant for radio!
...I stand corrected, I thought Lennon was referring to himself....
"There you stand with your LA tan, and your NY talk and your NY walk" ...and
"Your Mother left you when you were small....."
Thought it was a slam dunk....
Actually no, Lennon apparently wrote this song about Allen Klein. From the Wikipedia "Walls and Bridges link:
'"Steel and Glass" included a sinister riff borrowed from "How Do You Sleep", Lennon's audio argument with Paul McCartney from the Imagine album, though the digs this time were directed at former Beatles manager Allen Klein.<5>'
I'd never heard this song played before and my first reaction to hearing it was "wow"! I guess, like "Working Class Hero", its lyrics were too trenchant for radio!
...I stand corrected, I thought Lennon was referring to himself....
"There you stand with your LA tan, and your NY talk and your NY walk" ...and
"Your Mother left you when you were small....."
Thought it was a slam dunk....
nalle wrote:
...listen and think about it.....sheesh
Don´t get it and I don´t want to talk about the cover, bad!
...listen and think about it.....sheesh
Great Lennon tune; always gets turned up!!!
...."this is a story about your friend and mine...who is it? who is it?"
kinda obv., huh...
...."this is a story about your friend and mine...who is it? who is it?"
kinda obv., huh...
Don´t get it and I don´t want to talk about the cover, bad!
Sounds like a repeat of How Do You Sleep? without the vitriol.
Crisp!
Sounds like Paul Buckmaster produced this right after he came from the Madman Across the Water sessions...
Wow, haven't heard this track in very long. I had this album on 8-track at one point.
LENNON is incredible!!!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
As incredible he is - as SUPER-STUPID
is the cover-art shown here!
Have hardly words to describe how
"banana" it is!
aelfheld wrote:
my thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds rather like How Do You Sleep?
my thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!
It's hard to imagine (NPI) that Lennon actually hated his voice. Martin used a doubling effect on his Beatles vocals (which Lennon dubbed with the nonsense word "flanging"—now a term of art in both recording and live playing) and his solo recordings are laden with wa-a-a-a-ay too much reverb. His voice was so well respected that the pop/rock community in '60s London used to "drop by" Abbey Road whenever it was known that Lennon was recording a vocal. Amazing voice—amazing ability to sing.
definite legend, loved this when it first came out and love it now :)
Sounds rather like How Do You Sleep?
peter_james_bond wrote:
He would have been 70. Hard to imagine.....
He would have been 70.
Thanks for putting me to this guys music. We had some specials of him in TV last month. He did a lot of interisting work. Good guy!! Nice music, by the way!!
It's not the greatest Lennon song but I'm glad it makes people happy to hear it (I had also never heard it before.)
Yesterday was the anniversary of Six Gallery Reading of "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg and today is Lennon's birthday.
We should have a 3 day weekend around this time celebrating these two things rather than Columbus Day...
Yesterday was the anniversary of Six Gallery Reading of "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg and today is Lennon's birthday.
We should have a 3 day weekend around this time celebrating these two things rather than Columbus Day...
hippiechick wrote:
He would have been 70.
Happy Birthday John (tomorrow) 
He would have been 70.
Happy Birthday John (tomorrow)
Happy birthday John.
Happy Birthday to one of my heroes, wish you were here to celebrate it.
John Lennon in New York City 1980 By rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/
.
All rights reserved daveesh wrote:
I thought the same thing—as I see many others have as well. When it first came on I thought 'wow, this dude is channelling John Lennon!', until I checked the playlist. Man, he sounds really good on this one!
where have i been that i've never heard this one before?
I thought the same thing—as I see many others have as well. When it first came on I thought 'wow, this dude is channelling John Lennon!', until I checked the playlist. Man, he sounds really good on this one!
daveesh wrote:
Same here. Great song that deserves to be heard.
where have i been that i've never heard this one before?
Same here. Great song that deserves to be heard.
daveesh wrote:
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
where have i been that i've never heard this one before?
Prolly the same place I was. No, I don't know where we were, but I'm sure it was terrible and scary and we fought bravely to get back here alive. And I dunno about you, but I'm glad we made it and were able to hear this song! Dang - Lennon's been gone a long time, but his music is still credible, listenable, and great.
Thanks to whoever uploaded this song - and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for putting it on the playlist. I'm pretty happy right now.
quesarah wrote:
Actually no, Lennon apparently wrote this song about Allen Klein. From the Wikipedia "Walls and Bridges link:
'"Steel and Glass" included a sinister riff borrowed from "How Do You Sleep", Lennon's audio argument with Paul McCartney from the Imagine album, though the digs this time were directed at former Beatles manager Allen Klein.<5>'
I'd never heard this song played before and my first reaction to hearing it was "wow"! I guess, like "Working Class Hero", its lyrics were too trenchant for radio!
Wow. Can it really be 36 years ago? This is one of the few Lennon solo vinyl albums I still own, along with his last one.
Yes, yes it can. And who is it, who is it? I'm guessing Yoko.
Yes, yes it can. And who is it, who is it? I'm guessing Yoko.
Actually no, Lennon apparently wrote this song about Allen Klein. From the Wikipedia "Walls and Bridges link:
'"Steel and Glass" included a sinister riff borrowed from "How Do You Sleep", Lennon's audio argument with Paul McCartney from the Imagine album, though the digs this time were directed at former Beatles manager Allen Klein.<5>'
I'd never heard this song played before and my first reaction to hearing it was "wow"! I guess, like "Working Class Hero", its lyrics were too trenchant for radio!
Wow. Can it really be 36 years ago? This is one of the few Lennon solo vinyl albums I still own, along with his last one.
Yes, yes it can. And who is it, who is it? I'm guessing Yoko.
Yes, yes it can. And who is it, who is it? I'm guessing Yoko.
daveesh wrote:
I was thinking the same thing.
where have i been that i've never heard this one before?
I was thinking the same thing.
where have i been that i've never heard this one before?
derekd wrote:
Same . . . sounds good, need to hear it a few more times
Wow. I'd never heard this before.
Same . . . sounds good, need to hear it a few more times
derekd wrote:
Me neither. Reminds me of "How Do You Sleep". I wonder which came first.
ETA: Now I know. "How Do You Sleep" was on Imagine from 1971.
Wow. I'd never heard this before.
Me neither. Reminds me of "How Do You Sleep". I wonder which came first.
ETA: Now I know. "How Do You Sleep" was on Imagine from 1971.
Wow. I'd never heard this before.
Never heard this one before... not sure how I feel about it yet. I'll give it a 6 just for being the same age as me.
Awesome! This one takes me back.