UK single release: I’m Stepping Out by John Lennon – 15 July 1984

Q: When was I’m Stepping Out released in the UK?

I’m Stepping Out by John Lennon was released in the UK on 15 July 1984, reaching number 88. It had been released in the USA on 15 March 1984, peaking at number 55.

July 14, 2026

UK single release: I’m Stepping Out by John Lennon – 15 July 1984

Sunday 15 July 1984 | UK Single Release

On 15 July 1984, ‘I’m Stepping Out’ — the third single from John Lennon’s posthumous album Milk And Honey — was released in the United Kingdom. The song had been recorded in 1980 during the Double Fantasy sessions. The B-side was ‘Sleepless Night’, a Milk And Honey track by Yoko Ono.

Chart Performance

The single had been released in the USA on 15 March 1984, where it peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. When it was issued two months later in the United Kingdom, it fared less well, reaching number 88 on the UK singles chart.

The Song

‘I’m Stepping Out’ is an upbeat, funk-influenced track recorded by John Lennon in 1980 during the sessions that produced Double Fantasy. The song was not included on Double Fantasy itself but was held back and later released on Milk And Honey (1984), the posthumous album assembled by Yoko Ono from recordings made during the same period.

The track reflects the mood of Lennon’s return to music after five years of semi-retirement — confident, playful, and energised. Lyrically it describes the simple pleasure of going out into the world, a theme that resonates poignantly given that Lennon was killed on 8 December 1980, just weeks after the sessions concluded.

Milk And Honey

Milk And Honey was released in January 1984, three years after Lennon’s death. The album alternates between Lennon and Ono tracks, presenting the recordings in a deliberately unfinished state — Ono chose to leave some of Lennon’s vocals and performances as they were, without the polish that would normally precede release, as a way of preserving their intimacy and immediacy.

The album reached number 11 in the UK and number 11 in the USA. Its singles were ‘Nobody Told Me’ (January 1984), ‘Borrowed Time’ (March 1984), and ‘I’m Stepping Out’ (March/July 1984).

Key Facts: 15 July 1984

UK release date	Sunday 15 July 1984
A-side	‘I’m Stepping Out’ (John Lennon)
B-side	‘Sleepless Night’ (Yoko Ono)
Album	Milk And Honey (January 1984)
Recorded	1980, during the Double Fantasy sessions
US release	15 March 1984
US chart peak	#55 (Billboard Hot 100)
UK chart peak	#88

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was I’m Stepping Out released in the UK?

I’m Stepping Out by John Lennon was released in the United Kingdom on 15 July 1984. It had previously been released in the USA on 15 March 1984, where it peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. The UK release reached number 88.

What album is I’m Stepping Out from?

I’m Stepping Out is from Milk And Honey, John Lennon’s posthumous album released in January 1984. The song was recorded in 1980 during the Double Fantasy sessions but was not included on that album.

What was the B-side of I’m Stepping Out?

The B-side of I’m Stepping Out was Sleepless Night, a Milk And Honey track by Yoko Ono.

What is the Milk And Honey album?

Milk And Honey is a posthumous John Lennon album released in January 1984, assembled by Yoko Ono from recordings made during the 1980 Double Fantasy sessions. It alternates between Lennon and Ono tracks and reached number 11 in both the UK and USA.