John Lennon’s Woman is a song from the album Double Fantasy, released in 1980. It was the second single from the album and the first to be released after his death.
John Lennon was tragically murdered on 8 December 1980. F!A!R remembers him through this song.
John Lennon’s Woman
The following is an explanation of the origins of “Woman” by John Lennon:
“Woman” was written on a Sunday afternoon while I was in Bermuda. Suddenly, it struck me—the realisation of what women do for us. Not just what Yoko does for me, though I was thinking about that as well.
The truth is universal. If we had made our album, called ourselves Freda and Ada or Tommy, dressed as clowns, put on lipstick, and created personas instead of just being ourselves—perhaps as Ziggy Stardust—would it have been more acceptable?
That’s not our artistic style. Our life is our art.
However, in Bermuda, I started to realise that I had never truly appreciated the fact that women are the other half of the sky, as I whisper at the beginning of the song. It hit me like a tidal wave—it just came out that way.
This song reminds me of The Beatles. I wasn’t deliberately trying to make it sound that way, but I wrote it just as I wrote “Girl” years ago. You could say it’s a grown-up version of “Girl”.
— John Lennon, Interview with Rolling Stone, December 1980
At the beginning of the song, John Lennon whispers, “For the other half of the sky…”
This phrase is actually famously used by Mao Zedong
Half of the Sky
The phrase “For the other half of the sky” comes from a famous quote attributed to Mao Zedong, the former leader of China. The full quote is:
“Women hold up half the sky.” (妇女能顶半边天)
Mao used this phrase to emphasise the importance of women in society and to promote gender equality in communist China. He believed that women were just as essential as men in contributing to the country’s progress. This idea became a cornerstone of the socialist movement in China, encouraging women to take on roles in the workforce, education, and politics that men had traditionally dominated.
the phrase has been widely used in feminist movements and women’s rights around the world. Many organisations and books have referenced it to highlight the struggles and achievements of women.
John Lennon whispers “For the other half of the sky…” at the beginning of Woman as a tribute to women. and yes. John Lennon’s Woman is mean Yoko Ono He used the phrase in a more personal and poetic way, acknowledging the role of women in his life and in society. He realised that he had not fully appreciated their contributions before and wrote the song as a way to express gratitude.
Woman
Woman I can hardly express My mixed emotions at my thoughtlessness After all, I'm forever in your debt
And woman I will try to express My inner feelings and thankfulness For showing me the meaning of success
Ooh, well, well Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo Ooh, well, well Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Woman, I know you understand The little child inside the man Please remember my life is in your hands And woman Hold me close to your heart However distant, don't keep us apart After all, it is written in the stars
Ooh, well, well Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo Ooh, well, well Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, well
Woman Please let me explain I never meant to cause you sorrow or pain So let me tell you again and again and again
I love you, yeah, yeah Now and forever I love you, yeah, yeah Now and forever I love you, yeah, yeah Now and forever I love you, yeah, yeah
John Lennon Official Site
