Wednesday 17 July 1974 | Record Plant, New York City
Producer: John Lennon
On 17 July 1974, John Lennon worked on two songs at the Record Plant in New York City that would appear on his Walls And Bridges album, released in September 1974.
Whatever Gets You Thru The Night
The first song tackled on this day was Whatever Gets You Thru The Night, which had previously been worked on the day before. On 17 July, a remake was recorded featuring Lennon, guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, and a drum machine. The song was subsequently re-recorded on 23 and 31 July before reaching its final form.
Whatever Gets You Thru The Night became one of the most significant recordings of Lennon's solo career. Elton John played piano and sang backing vocals on the finished track, and famously made a bet with Lennon that if the song reached number one in the USA, Lennon would join him onstage at Madison Square Garden. It did reach number one ā Lennon's only US chart-topper as a solo artist ā and he kept his promise, appearing with Elton John at Madison Square Garden on 28 November 1974 in what proved to be his final concert performance.
Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out)
After the Whatever Gets You Thru The Night session, the backing track for Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out) was recorded with the full band. The song was completed on 22 August 1974.
Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out) is one of the most emotionally raw tracks on Walls And Bridges, reflecting Lennon's state of mind during his Lost Weekend ā the period of separation from Yoko Ono during which he lived in Los Angeles with May Pang. The song was later released as a single in 1984, three years after Lennon's death.
About Walls And Bridges
Walls And Bridges was John Lennon's fifth solo studio album, recorded at the Record Plant in New York City during the summer of 1974 and released on 26 September 1974. It reached number one in the USA and number six in the UK. The album was recorded during Lennon's Lost Weekend ā an 18-month period of separation from Yoko Ono ā and is widely regarded as one of his most personal and musically accomplished solo works.
Session Details
| Date | Wednesday 17 July 1974 |
| Studio | Record Plant, New York City |
| Producer | John Lennon |
| Songs worked on | Whatever Gets You Thru The Night; Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out) |
| Musicians | John Lennon, Jesse Ed Davis (guitar), drum machine; full band for Nobody Loves You |
| Album | Walls And Bridges (released 26 September 1974) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Whatever Gets You Thru The Night reach number one?
Yes. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night reached number one in the USA, making it John Lennon's only US chart-topper as a solo artist. Elton John had bet Lennon that if it reached number one, Lennon would join him onstage at Madison Square Garden ā which he did on 28 November 1974, in his final concert performance.
What is the Lost Weekend?
The Lost Weekend refers to an 18-month period from late 1973 to early 1975 during which John Lennon and Yoko Ono separated. Lennon lived in Los Angeles with May Pang during this time. The Walls And Bridges album was recorded during this period.
Who played on Whatever Gets You Thru The Night?
The 17 July 1974 remake featured John Lennon, guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, and a drum machine. The finished version on Walls And Bridges also featured Elton John on piano and backing vocals.
ā 17 July in Beatles History
ā July in Beatles History
ā John Lennon ordered to leave the US within 60 days ā 17 July 1974
ā John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā The Beatles Knowledge Hub
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