Monday 11 August 1980 | John Lennon, Studio
| Studio | Hit Factory, New York City |
| Producers | John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Jack Douglas |
| Engineer | Lee DeCarlo |
| Session | Fourth recording session for Double Fantasy |
The fourth recording session for John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy album took place on 11 August 1980 at the Hit Factory in New York City. Two tracks were worked on: Lennon’s ‘Woman’ and Ono’s ‘Yes, I’m Your Angel’. Both were included on the finished album.
The songs
‘Woman’
‘Woman’ was written by John Lennon as a companion piece to ‘Girl’ from the 1965 Beatles album Rubber Soul. Lennon described it as “‘Girl’ grown up” — a mature love song addressed to Yoko Ono. It was released as a single in January 1981, following Lennon’s death, and reached number one in the UK and number two in the US. It remains one of the most celebrated songs of Lennon’s solo career.
‘Yes, I’m Your Angel’
‘Yes, I’m Your Angel’ was written by Yoko Ono and featured on Double Fantasy as one of her contributions to the album’s alternating Lennon–Ono track structure. The song has a playful, jazz-inflected style, drawing on the sounds of the 1920s and 1930s.
John Lennon — officially licensed merch
John Lennon: Imagine Peace Unisex T-Shirt (Black).
Double Fantasy
Double Fantasy was John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s joint album, released on 17 November 1980. It was Lennon’s first new studio album in five years, following a period of retirement during which he had been raising his son Sean Lennon, born in October 1975.
The album was structured as a dialogue between Lennon and Ono, with their tracks alternating throughout. It was produced by Lennon, Ono and Jack Douglas, who had previously worked with Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. The recording sessions took place at the Hit Factory in New York City between August and October 1980.
Lennon was shot and killed outside his home at the Dakota building in New York City on 8 December 1980, just three weeks after the album’s release. Double Fantasy went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1982. ‘Woman’ and ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ both reached number one in the UK following his death.
John Lennon — officially licensed merch
John Lennon: Imagine Peace Ladies T-Shirt (Black).
Hit Factory, New York City
The Hit Factory, 421 West 54th Street, New York City — where John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded Double Fantasy between August and October 1980.
Key Facts
| Date | Monday 11 August 1980 |
| Session | Fourth recording session for Double Fantasy |
| Songs recorded | ‘Woman’ (Lennon); ‘Yes, I’m Your Angel’ (Ono) |
| Album released | Double Fantasy, 17 November 1980 |
| ‘Woman’ single | Released January 1981; UK number one, US number two |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Woman' by John Lennon about?
Lennon described 'Woman' as 'Girl' grown up — a mature love song addressed to Yoko Ono, written as a companion piece to the 1965 Beatles song 'Girl' from Rubber Soul. It reached number one in the UK after Lennon's death.
What was Double Fantasy?
Double Fantasy was John Lennon and Yoko Ono's joint album, released on 17 November 1980. It was Lennon's first studio album in five years. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1982, following Lennon's death on 8 December 1980.
Who produced Double Fantasy?
Double Fantasy was produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Jack Douglas, who had previously worked with Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. It was engineered by Lee DeCarlo at the Hit Factory in New York City.
Why did John Lennon take a five-year break from recording?
Lennon retired from music in 1975 to raise his son Sean Lennon, born in October 1975. He returned to the studio in 1980 to record Double Fantasy with Yoko Ono.
→ Recording: One Day (At A Time), Intuition, Only People, Meat City – 11 August 1973
→ John Lennon and Yoko Ono attend protest march in London – 11 August 1971
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
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