Working Class Hero

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Working Class Hero" by John Lennon from his 1970 album Plastic Ono Band, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this raw, revolutionary track. This song, recorded on September 27, 1970, at EMI Studios, is a stark acoustic commentary on class struggles, with Lennon singing and strumming alone, channeling a Bob Dylan-esque vibe inspired by the folk song "Nottamun Town." It took over 100 takes to nail, according to tape operator Andy Stephens, showing Lennon’s relentless pursuit of perfection. Its biting lyrics, like “Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,” sparked controversy, with the word “fucking” leading to a 1973 complaint to the FCC by US Representative Harley Orrin Staggers after it aired on WGTB. Some US radio stations even banned it for its profanity, but Lennon stood by its raw honesty, calling it a “revolutionary song” for the working class being churned into the “machine” of society.

In a 1970 Rolling Stone interview with Jann Wenner, Lennon explained that "Working Class Hero" was part of his shift to deeply personal songwriting, evolving from Beatles tracks like “Help!” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” He said, “I wrote all about me and that’s why I like it. It’s me!” The song’s cynical tone, paired with its call for change, contrasts with his later idealistic hit “Imagine,” yet both reflect his urgency for societal reform, as noted by fans on Rate Your Music. A 2019 post from the official John Lennon X account quoted him saying the song critiques the unchanged class system, reinforcing its timeless edge. Yoko Ono, in a 2024 uDiscover Music excerpt, noted that the song’s stark truth made it less popular than Beatles’ feel-good hits, but its importance grows as the world matures.

John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, kicked off his musical journey as a teenager caught up in the skiffle craze. In 1956, he formed the Quarrymen, a scrappy band that morphed into The Beatles by 1960. His early life wasn’t easy—his father, Alfred, vanished to New Zealand when John was six, and his mother, Julia, left him to be raised by his aunt, Mimi Smith. Julia’s death in a car accident when Lennon was 17 left a lasting mark, fueling the raw emotion in his later work like "Working Class Hero." As the Beatles’ de facto leader early on, Lennon’s songwriting with Paul McCartney became legendary, producing hits that reshaped pop music. After meeting Yoko Ono in the late 1960s, he left the Beatles, formed the Plastic Ono Band, and poured his soul into solo work, starting with the primal scream-influenced Plastic Ono Band album.

Connect with John Lennon’s legacy through his official website, where you’ll find music, lyrics, and stories behind his work. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and fan engagement. Fans also gather at sites like Bagism, a long-running hub for Lennon devotees, and on Facebook groups like John Lennon Fans, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for his music. Dive into these spaces to keep the spirit of Lennon’s revolutionary sound alive.