Recording: Oh My Love, Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon – 28 May 1971
Friday 28 May 1971 | John Lennon, Studio
Ascot Sound Studios, Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire
Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector | Engineers: Phil McDonald, Eddie Klein
The eighth recording session for John Lennon’s second solo album Imagine took place on 28 May 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios — the private recording facility built in the grounds of his Tittenhurst Park home. Two songs were worked on: Oh My Love and Gimme Some Truth. It was the final day on which backing tracks for Imagine were recorded; all subsequent sessions would be devoted to overdubs and mixing.
The Imagine Sessions
Imagine was recorded primarily at Ascot Sound Studios between May and July 1971, with additional work at the Record Plant in New York. The album was produced by Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Phil Spector. The sessions brought together an exceptional group of musicians: George Harrison on guitar, Klaus Voormann on bass, Alan White on drums and percussion, and Nicky Hopkins on piano. A three-man film crew was also present throughout, working on a documentary project titled Your Show, later edited into the Imagine film released in 1972.
Oh My Love: 20 Takes
Oh My Love was recorded in 20 takes, with the final take becoming the master. The session was not without incident: take 13 was interrupted by cameraman Nic Knowland, prompting Lennon to tersely tell him: “Keep still or get out!”
The multitrack tape was laid out as follows:
- Track 1: Klaus Voormann — bass guitar
- Track 2: Alan White — Tibetan cymbals (takes 1–5; later decided not to play live, so overdubbed onto the final version)
- Track 3: George Harrison — electric guitar
- Track 4: Nicky Hopkins — electric piano
- Track 5: John Lennon — acoustic piano
- Tracks 6 & 7: John Lennon — lead vocals
- Track 8: Alan White — Tibetan cymbal overdub
Oh My Love was co-written by Lennon and Yoko Ono — one of the few Imagine tracks with a joint writing credit. It is one of the album’s most delicate and optimistic songs: a gentle, piano-led meditation that stands in contrast to the political anger elsewhere on the record. The Tibetan cymbals give the track a quietly spiritual quality that reflects Ono’s influence on Lennon’s thinking during this period.
Gimme Some Truth: Vocals and Slide Guitar
The backing track for Gimme Some Truth had been recorded on 25 May 1971. The 28 May session added the finishing touches: Lennon’s final lead vocals and George Harrison’s slide guitar solo, replacing Lennon’s original vocal on track 8. A final bass guitar overdub by Klaus Voormann was recorded on 4 July 1971 at the Record Plant in New York, completing the track.
Gimme Some Truth is one of Lennon’s most overtly political compositions — a furious broadside against politicians and hypocrites, written with Nixon’s America in mind. Harrison’s slide guitar solo, recorded on this day, is one of the most distinctive instrumental contributions on the album.
Key Facts: 28 May 1971
- Studio: Ascot Sound Studios, Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, Berkshire
- Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
- Engineers: Phil McDonald, Eddie Klein
- Session: Eighth recording session for Imagine; final day of backing tracks
- Oh My Love: 20 takes; take 20 selected as master
- Gimme Some Truth: Final vocals and Harrison slide guitar added; bass overdub completed 4 July 1971 (Record Plant, New York)
- Imagine released: 9 September 1971 (US); 8 October 1971 (UK)
Frequently Asked Questions
What was recorded on 28 May 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios?
John Lennon recorded Oh My Love (20 takes; take 20 selected) and completed Gimme Some Truth with final lead vocals and George Harrison’s slide guitar solo. It was the final day of backing track recording for Imagine.
Who played on Oh My Love?
Klaus Voormann (bass), Alan White (Tibetan cymbals, overdubbed), George Harrison (electric guitar), Nicky Hopkins (electric piano), and John Lennon (acoustic piano and lead vocals). Co-written by Lennon and Yoko Ono.
What happened during take 13 of Oh My Love?
Take 13 was interrupted by cameraman Nic Knowland. Lennon told him: “Keep still or get out!”
What is Gimme Some Truth about?
A furious political broadside against politicians and hypocrites, written with Nixon’s America in mind. George Harrison’s slide guitar solo, recorded on 28 May, is one of its most distinctive elements.
When was Gimme Some Truth completed?
The final bass guitar overdub by Klaus Voormann was recorded on 4 July 1971 at the Record Plant in New York.
When was the Imagine album released?
9 September 1971 in the US and 8 October 1971 in the UK. It reached number one in both countries and is the best-selling album of Lennon’s solo career.
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