Instant Karma (We All Shine On)

"Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)" by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band is a lightning bolt of a song, written, recorded, and mixed in a single day on January 27, 1970, making it one of the fastest-released tracks in pop history, hitting stores just ten days later. Lennon himself quipped that he “wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch, and we’re putting it out for dinner,” a testament to his urgency to share its message. The song’s title came from Melinde Kendall, the wife of Yoko Ono’s ex-husband Tony Cox, who mentioned “instant karma” during a conversation in Denmark in late 1969. Lennon, struck by the idea that actions have immediate consequences, hammered out the track on his piano that morning, using simple chords reminiscent of “Three Blind Mice” or Ritchie Barrett’s “Some Other Guy,” a Beatles’ Cavern Club favorite.

The recording session at Abbey Road Studios was a spontaneous affair, kicked off at 7 p.m. with Phil Spector at the helm, brought in at George Harrison’s suggestion. Spector’s Wall of Sound technique—layering pianos and adding echo—gave the track its thunderous, urgent feel. The lineup was a mix of heavyweights and happenstance: Lennon on piano and vocals, Harrison on acoustic guitar, Klaus Voormann on bass, Billy Preston on organ, Alan White on drums, and even nightclub patrons from nearby Hatchett’s, roped in by Beatles’ roadie Mal Evans for backing vocals. White, only 20, played a shuffle rhythm on a towel-draped tom, later recalling the raw energy in his headphones. Lennon told Spector he wanted it “1950s but now,” and after just three takes, they had it, with Lennon tweaking only the bass before calling it done.

The song’s lyrics, with their anthem-like chorus—“We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun”—carry Lennon’s call for unity and accountability, a theme he described as “cough love out, and love comes out.” Its cultural impact lingers: Stephen King drew the title of his 1977 novel The Shining from that iconic chorus, though he avoided calling it The Shine due to its derogatory connotations. The track peaked at No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 5 in the UK, holding its own against the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” Lennon’s performance on Top of the Pops, with Yoko Ono knitting blindfolded beside him, added a surreal visual to its raw energy, cementing its place as a classic. Covers by artists like U2, Paul Weller, and even Bleachers for the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack show its enduring pull.

John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, found his musical spark as a teenager amid the 1950s skiffle craze. At 16, he formed the Quarrymen, a scrappy band that played local gigs, blending folk, jazz, and early rock. By 1960, with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and later Ringo Starr, the group evolved into the Beatles, a name inspired by Buddy Holly’s Crickets. Their early years in Hamburg’s gritty clubs honed their sound, and by 1962, under manager Brian Epstein, they were on the cusp of global fame. Lennon’s songwriting with McCartney produced timeless hits, but his creative restlessness led him to explore film, writing, and experimental music with Yoko Ono by the late 1960s. In 1969, he formed the Plastic Ono Band, leaving the Beatles to pursue a solo career marked by raw honesty and activism.

Lennon’s official website, johnlennon.com, offers a deep dive into his music, films, and legacy. His Facebook page and Instagram account share archival photos, quotes, and updates on reissues like the 2020 Gimme Some Truth collection. The official John Lennon X account posts about milestones, like the 2021 “Instant Karma!” Evolution Mix. Fans gather at sites like Beatles Bible, which details Lennon’s work, and John Lennon Fans on Facebook, a vibrant group for devotees. The Lennon.net fan site also hosts forums and tributes, keeping the Zoo Freaks’ vibe alive for Lennon’s timeless sound.