Whatever Gets You Thru the Night

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin John Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” from his 1974 album Walls and Bridges! This track is a high-energy bop with a wild backstory. According to John Lennon’s personal assistant at the time, May Pang, the song’s title came from a late-night TV sermon by Reverend Ike. Lennon was channel-surfing, caught the preacher saying, “It doesn’t matter, it’s whatever gets you through the night,” and jotted it down to avoid forgetting it. That spark became Lennon’s first and only solo number-one hit in the U.S. during his lifetime, topping the Billboard Hot 100 on November 16, 1974. The song’s funky vibe was inspired by George McCrae’s disco hit “Rock Your Baby,” though Lennon gave it his own rock edge with a killer sax by Bobby Keys and a tight rhythm section featuring Jim Keltner on drums.

Elton John’s role in the track is legendary. He dropped by the Record Plant in New York during the Walls and Bridges sessions, added piano, organ, and harmony vocals, and bet Lennon the song would hit number one. Lennon, skeptical, agreed that if it did, he’d join Elton on stage. When the song topped the charts, Lennon kept his word, performing it live with Elton at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974—a gig that became Lennon’s last major concert appearance. The performance was electric, with the duo also playing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “I Saw Her Standing There.” Backstage, Yoko Ono, who was in the audience, reconnected with Lennon, marking a turning point in their 18-month separation, known as his “Lost Weekend.” Elton later shared in interviews that the night was emotional, with both he and Lennon in tears from the experience.

Another fun tidbit: Lennon wasn’t sold on releasing “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” as a single. Capitol Records exec Al Coury pushed for it, and Lennon jokingly called the track too “basic” for a hit. The song’s outro includes Lennon shouting, “Can you hear me, mother?”—a nod to actress Sandy Powell’s catchphrase, adding a playful touch. A promotional film for the song showed Lennon lip-syncing while strolling through Manhattan, and in 1991, Yoko Ono created an animated video using Lennon’s drawings. The track’s success wasn’t just commercial; it was a creative triumph from a tough period in Lennon’s life, recorded in just eight weeks, as May Pang noted in a 2024 interview with ABC Audio.

John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, kicked off his musical journey as a rebellious teen obsessed with rock ‘n’ roll. Inspired by Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, he formed a skiffle group called the Quarrymen in 1956 at age 15. That band evolved into The Beatles after meeting Paul McCartney and George Harrison, with Ringo Starr joining later. Lennon’s raw vocals, sharp wit, and songwriting genius helped make The Beatles the biggest band in the world. After the group’s 1970 breakup, Lennon launched his solo career with the 1970 single “Instant Karma!” and albums like Plastic Ono Band. His work blended personal introspection, political activism, and experimental sounds, often alongside Yoko Ono. Despite personal struggles, including his “Lost Weekend” separation from Ono, Lennon’s artistry shone through in hits like “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night.”

Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into Lennon’s world at his official website, packed with music, lyrics, and stories. Connect with fans on his official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where updates and throwbacks keep his legacy alive. For more fan-driven vibes, check out The Beatles Bible, a treasure trove of Lennon and Beatles history, or join the John Lennon Fans Facebook group to swap stories and trivia with fellow freaks. Keep it groovy, and let “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” carry you to the light!