We All Shine on: The Stories Behind Every John Lennon Song : 1970-1980

by Paul Du Noyer

Explores the stories and thinking behind every song Lennon wrote after leaving the Beatles, from "Instant Karma" to "(Just Like) Starting Over"

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'We All Shine On' lyrics borrowed from John's 'Instant Karma', a song he wrote and recorded on my birthday in 1970. Just weeks later, the Plastic Ono Band was to play in a park in the east end of London at Bethnal Green. Although I was there, John and Yoko couldn't make it.
Paul Du Noyer's book chronicles 'the stories behind every John Lennon song 1970-1980'.
I have most of Lennon's solo work on cd, yet I still found Du Noyer's text informative and honest. He also includes reviews of the collections that have been released post 1980. Carlton Books have published this work in a number of editions from 1997 through to 2006 and my copy does contain post millennium interviews and updates.
Not just recommended for old hippies on a nostalgia 'fest', like me, but I think could be enjoyed by all who sadly missed the party.

[Paul Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people are familiar with John Lennon's contribution as a member of the Beatles. His solo work, with a few exceptions, is not always appreciated. Mr. Du Noyer's book, We All Shine On: The Stories Behind Every John Lennon Song- 1970-1980, is a welcome addition to the ever-growing library analyzing the music of the Beatles and their respective solo careers. How does one appreciate Lennon's solo catalogue? One can't deny his solo contribution to music with some classics like "Imagine", "Mind Games", "Love", "God/The Dream Is Over" and "Whatever Gets You Through The Night". Mr. Du Noyer is fair and honest in his evaluation of his work. At times, We All Shine On ( a line from the Lennon song, "Instant Karma") reads like a reference book. Not a bad thing. If you're going to write about someone's musical catalogue song by song, then it should be authoritative. In this case, Mr. Du Noyer has succeeded. Along with interesting and revealing photos on every page, the author has provided a tightly-written book that recognizes Lennon's musical impact as a Beatle and, equally so, as a solo artist. This book examines different phases of Lennon's solo career with his angry solo LP--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band following the Beatles breakup to his political radicalism (which he later denounced as "phony") through to his Lost Weekend period. The analysis also includes his last album released before his death, Double Fantasy, where he settled in as the role of a "househusband" and finding bliss in domestic life. One doesn't need to be a knocked out Lennon fan to appreciate this book. An appreciation of good music is all that is required. Mr. Du Noyer is fair in evaluating the ups and downs of Lennon's solo career. This book is also a reminder of what was lost when John Lennon was assassinated in December 1980. It's tempting to ponder what could have been instead of what was. Sadly, it is only "what if".

[Dane Cobain · Rating 3 out of 5]

In We All Shine On, author Paul Du Noyer promises to reveal “the stories behind every John Lennon song” from 1970 to 1980, and that’s what he delivers – nothing more and nothing less. It’s not a particularly exciting read, but it is informative, and for serious Lennon fans then that should be enough.

I’m a huge fan of The Beatles and John was always my favourite, but I still found that I couldn’t get in to the book – reading it from cover to cover was a chore rather than a pleasure, although the insights you gain along the way make it worthwhile. For most people, it would work better as a reference book, a way to quickly find out what your favourite songs are actually about whenever the mood takes you.

[Dominick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, the subtitle's misleading, for one thing. It actually only discusses album tracks and A sides Lennon released under his own name--at best passing mention of songs he wrote for others, released as B sides, or didn't actually release. And in most cases, there isn't a story behind the song so much as some tidbits about Lennons' life at the time and a brief critique. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the story behind a song would be an account of how it came to be written, what inspired it, etc. Didn't add much to my understanding of Lennon.

[Angela Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written look at post Beatles songs including Working Class Hero and Yoko songs. Examines how his style changed from album to album. Nice companion to interviews with Lennon. Some background of Lennon's involvement with politics and his various influences. Good for the fan who wants more info on the solo work. I didn't know he parodied Dylan, for example: Lord, take this make up offa me. Lennon didn't agree that you have to 'serve somebody'.