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10 Days from Pen to Record: The Extraordinary Release of ‘Instant Karma’

John Lennon - Songs, Wife & Death

About the Song

Released in 1970 as a single, “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” is a powerful and timely anthem by the legendary John Lennon. Written and recorded in response to the assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister, Eisaku Sato, the song is a call for peace, love, and understanding.

Lennon’s lyrics are direct and impactful, urging listeners to “wake up” and realize the interconnectedness of all beings. The song’s message is universal, emphasizing the importance of compassion, empathy, and taking responsibility for our actions.

The song’s driving rhythm and catchy melody make it a memorable and uplifting tune. Lennon’s vocals are full of passion and conviction, delivering his message with urgency and sincerity. The backing instrumentation, featuring piano, guitar, and drums, provides a solid foundation for the song’s powerful message.

“Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. It’s a reminder of the importance of peace, love, and understanding, and a call to action for individuals to make a difference in the world. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its powerful message and its ability to inspire and motivate.

How John Lennon was made into a myth - BBC Culture

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Lyrics: Instant Karma 

Instant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you’re gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth you tryin’ to do
It’s up to you, yeah youInstant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darlin’
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin’ at fools like me
Who in the hell d’you think you are
A super star
Well, right you are

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Ev’ryone come on

Instant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Ev’ryone you meet
Why in the world are we here
Surely not to live in pain and fear
Why on earth are you there
When you’re ev’rywhere
Come and get your share

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Come on and on and on on on
Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
On and on and on on and on

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun

 

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On May 1, 1967, Elvis Presley was not standing on a concert stage. He was standing at the altar. Inside the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, the King of Rock and Roll waited quietly for the woman he loved. When Priscilla Beaulieu walked toward him in her white wedding dress, friends said Elvis could not take his eyes off her. In that moment, there was no superstar. There was only a man deeply in love.

There was something about Elvis Presley that the world had never seen before. Long before he sang a single note, people noticed him. His striking blue eyes, dark hair, and effortless confidence made him impossible to ignore. But those who met him often said his greatest attraction was not his appearance. It was the feeling he brought into every room.

Elvis Presley spent much of his life fighting battles the world could not see. Behind the sold out concerts and standing ovations was a man living with constant health problems. He struggled with chronic pain, severe digestive issues, migraines, glaucoma, and an inherited heart condition that gradually weakened his body. Yet no matter how difficult life became, he kept stepping onto the stage because he never wanted to disappoint his fans.

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