Watching the Wheels

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! Your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning a classic for you today—Watching the Wheels by John Lennon from his 1980 album Double Fantasy. This track is a love letter to his "househusband" years from 1975 to 1980, when he stepped away from the music biz to raise his son Sean with Yoko Ono. Lennon once called it an answer to the question, “What have you been doing?” saying, “Well, I’ve been doing this—watching the wheels!” The song’s got that dreamy, circular vibe, thanks to a hammered dulcimer played by street musician Matthew Cunningham, who had no idea he was recording with a Beatle! Producer Jack Douglas, one of the masterminds behind the track, said Lennon’s live vocals, double-tracked like his ‘60s Abbey Road days, drove the band’s energy in the studio.

Here’s a wild tidbit: Lennon wrote the song’s core in 1977 as Emotional Wreck, tinkering with it for years before it became the anthem we know. He recorded a demo in Bermuda, where he found a burst of inspiration after five years of creative drought, saying it all came “voom voom voom!” in three weeks. The track’s circus-like keyboard swirls and that dulcimer give it a merry-go-round feel, perfectly matching lyrics about stepping off the fame treadmill. Sadly, this was the third single from Double Fantasy, released posthumously in 1981 after Lennon’s tragic murder, hitting number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans on Reddit’s Beatles community call it one of his best solo works, with some saying it captures a relaxed, hopeful vibe of living life on his own terms.

Now, let’s rewind to how John Lennon got his start. Born October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, Lennon grew up with his aunt Mimi Smith after his parents’ separation. As a teen, he caught the skiffle craze and formed The Quarrymen in 1956, a band that morphed into The Beatles by 1960 with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and later Ringo Starr. His sharp wit and raw energy made him the “smart Beatle,” and his songwriting with McCartney became the most celebrated partnership in music history. After The Beatles split in 1970, Lennon launched a solo career with the Plastic Ono Band, releasing raw, emotional albums like John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. His work with Yoko Ono, starting with experimental albums in 1968, pushed boundaries, though it sparked controversy among fans.

Want to dive deeper into Lennon’s world? Check out his official website for music, stories, and more. Connect with fans on his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where posts keep his legacy alive with quotes and rare photos. For fan communities, join the John Lennon Fans Facebook group or visit The Beatles Bible, a treasure trove of info. You can also explore r/beatles on Reddit for lively discussions. Keep those good vibes rolling, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep watching the wheels go round!