#9 Dream

The Zoo Crew is spinning the dreamy vibes of #9 Dream by John Lennon, from his 1974 album Walls and Bridges, and the Zoo Freaks are surely floating along with those lush cellos and ethereal vocals. This track, a standout from Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” era, has some fascinating stories behind it. Lennon revealed in a 1980 interview with David Sheff that the song’s core came from a dream, describing it as a “piece of craftsmanship” he churned out without much initial inspiration, yet its psychedelic quality was enhanced by a string arrangement he’d written for Harry Nilsson’s cover of Many Rivers to Cross. The iconic phrase “Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé” was born from that dream, where Lennon heard two women calling his name; he tweaked the words to avoid censorship, as he noted in a post on X from December 2022. The sultry whisper of “John” in the song, often mistaken for Yoko Ono, was actually provided by May Pang, Lennon’s partner during his separation from Ono, as clarified in a 2023 article on The Press Music Reviews. Recorded at the state-of-the-art Record Plant East in New York, Lennon used an old, beat-up stage microphone for his vocal overdubs, which engineer Jimmy Iovine said gave the track its unique, bright sound despite the mic’s dullness.

Another tidbit that’ll spark the Zoo Freaks’ curiosity is the song’s connection to Lennon’s lifelong fascination with the number nine. Born on October 9, 1940, and later giving birth to his son Sean on the same date, Lennon saw the number as a recurring motif in his life, which he channeled into #9 Dream. The song’s production was a collaborative effort, featuring May Pang, Lori Burton, and Joey Dambra on backing vocals, with musicians like Jesse Ed Davis on electric guitar and Nicky Hopkins on electric piano, as listed on Lennon’s official website. The track hit number nine on the Billboard Hot 100—fittingly—and was praised in the 2004 New Rolling Stone Album Guide for its “cool cellos and fine singing.” A 2003 music video for the song, featured on the Lennon Legend DVD, included clips from Lennon and Ono’s films like Smile and Imagine, though it stirred confusion by showing Ono lip-syncing to Pang’s vocals.

Now, let’s rewind to how John Lennon, the legend behind #9 Dream, got his start. Born John Winston Lennon on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, he grew up in a working-class family with his mother, Julia, and aunt, Mimi, after his father, a merchant seaman, was often absent. His early life was marked by a love for music, sparked by his mother teaching him banjo chords and introducing him to rock ‘n’ roll records by Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. At 16, Lennon formed his first band, The Quarrymen, in 1956, performing skiffle and early rock at local events like a Woolton garden fête, where he met Paul McCartney. McCartney’s friend George Harrison soon joined, and with drummer Pete Best and bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, they honed their craft in Hamburg’s gritty clubs, playing marathon sets that shaped their raw energy, as detailed on Britannica. By 1962, with Ringo Starr replacing Best and manager Brian Epstein polishing their image, The Beatles were born, launching Lennon into global stardom with hits like She Loves You and a songwriting partnership with McCartney that became the most successful in history.

Lennon’s journey didn’t stop with The Beatles. After the band’s 1970 breakup, he launched a solo career with the raw John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and the iconic Imagine, collaborating often with his second wife, Yoko Ono, on avant garde and peace-focused projects. His candid, provocative style—seen in quotes like “We’re more popular than Jesus now”—and anti-war activism, documented on Wikipedia, made him a cultural force. Tragically, Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980, but his legacy endures through his music and activism. Fans can connect with his world via his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, which share updates, archival content, and tributes. For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, fan communities thrive on platforms like the John Lennon Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share rare photos and stories, and Beatles Bible, a fan site with detailed song histories. These spaces keep Lennon’s spirit alive, much like the dreamy haze of #9 Dream swirling through THE ZOO’s airwaves.