Tuesday 3 November 1998 | US album releases | John Lennon | By Beatles Fabdom
Wonsaponatime was released in the United States on 3 November 1998. Its 21 tracks were selected from John Lennon Anthology, issued in America on the same day. The single-disc companion combined home demos, alternative studio performances, live material and brief personal recordings.
The American launch followed the UK release of Wonsaponatime on 2 November 1998. Compiled by Yoko Ono and produced by Ono and Rob Stevens, the collection offered a shorter selection from the archive, with several tracks edited down from their box-set versions.
| Artist | John Lennon |
|---|---|
| US release | 3 November 1998 |
| UK release | 2 November 1998 |
| Label | Capitol / EMI |
| Original US CD catalogue number | 7243 4 97639 2 0 |
| Tracks | 21 |
| Source collection | John Lennon Anthology |
| Compiler | Yoko Ono |
| Archival-release producers | Yoko Ono and Rob Stevens |
| UK chart peak | 76 |
A single-disc companion to John Lennon Anthology
The four-CD Anthology divided Lennon’s archive into four chapters: Ascot, New York City, The Lost Weekend and Dakota. Wonsaponatime selected material from the same project without retaining that four-part structure.
Its sequence was not a chronological journey through the solo albums. It began with a 1980 performance, moved back to songs associated with John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and later returned to final-period studio work and home recordings. Familiar compositions appeared in performances that differed from the original album masters.
The shorter collection was therefore an archival compilation, not a new studio album and not a conventional greatest-hits set. Our John Lennon solo discography places it alongside the original records and other posthumous releases.
The alternate I’m Losing You
The opening “I’m Losing You” came from the 1980 recording sessions but was not the performance released on Double Fantasy. The credits name Lennon on vocal and electric guitar, Rick Nielsen on guitar, Tom Petersson on bass, Bun E. Carlos on drums and George Small on electric piano, with the original production credited to Lennon, Ono and Jack Douglas.
Nielsen and Carlos supplied the Cheap Trick connection that attracted attention to this version. Its place at the beginning of the disc introduced the collection through an alternative band performance rather than through one of Lennon’s familiar hit singles.
Working Class Hero, God and the Imagine recordings
“Working Class Hero”, “God” and “I Found Out” brought material associated with John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band into the highlights programme. The album’s selection combined studio alternatives with less formal recordings, rather than duplicating the released LP.
“How Do You Sleep?”, “Imagine (Take 1)” and “Oh My Love” connected the sequence with the following year’s work. George Harrison’s guitar contributions to “How Do You Sleep?” and “Oh My Love” preserved another link between the former Beatles within the solo archive.
The take designation on “Imagine” identifies the particular recording being presented. For the wider album story, explore our Imagine guide; for Lennon’s changing musical circumstances, see the John Lennon career page.
Rock and roll, live performance and short fragments
“Baby Please Don’t Go”, “Be-Bop-A-Lula” and “Rip It Up / Ready Teddy” represented Lennon’s engagement with earlier rock and roll and rhythm and blues. They sat alongside his own compositions rather than being gathered into a separate covers section.
A live performance of “Woman Is the N****r of the World” appeared at track ten. The historical song title is abbreviated here because it contains a racial slur. The brief “A Kiss Is Just a Kiss” followed it, illustrating the mixture of full performances and short fragments used in the archival selection.
“What You Got” and “Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down and Out)” then connected the disc with the Walls and Bridges period. Several selections were shorter than on the four-disc box, so the highlights release and the larger collection were not identical presentations of every performance.
Real Love, Only You and Grow Old with Me
“I Don’t Wanna Face It” led into “Real Love”, presented as Lennon’s own recording rather than the Beatles’ 1996 single master. “Only You” followed at track eighteen. It preserved Lennon’s guide vocal for the song recorded by Ringo Starr, documenting his participation in another former Beatle’s solo work.
“Grow Old with Me” appeared with orchestration by George Martin. The credits also identify Giles Martin as assistant producer. The 1998 presentation therefore combined an earlier Lennon recording with later work on its arrangement and production.
Sean’s “In the Sky” brought family material into the closing section, before “Serve Yourself” ended the disc. These recordings reflected the broader range of the archive: studio performances were only one part of the collection.
Original US CD track listing
The following is the original 21-track CD sequence. Track ten’s historical title is abbreviated as noted above.
- I’m Losing You
- Working Class Hero
- God
- How Do You Sleep?
- Imagine (Take 1)
- Baby Please Don’t Go
- Oh My Love
- God Save Oz
- I Found Out
- Woman Is the N****r of the World (Live)
- A Kiss Is Just a Kiss (As Time Goes By)
- Be-Bop-A-Lula
- Rip It Up / Ready Teddy
- What You Got
- Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down and Out)
- I Don’t Wanna Face It
- Real Love
- Only You
- Grow Old with Me
- Sean’s In the Sky
- Serve Yourself
The illustrated cover
The white cover features a line drawing of a pianist wearing round glasses, with touches of colour around the hair and piano. Its subtitle, “selections from Lennon Anthology”, states the relationship between the two releases directly.
Lennon’s visual work also appears in related designs in our store, including the John Lennon Self Portrait navy blue hoodie.
US release and chart reception
Wonsaponatime reached American shops alongside the four-CD Anthology on 3 November 1998. The highlights collection did not enter the US album chart; its British peak was number 76. The larger box reached number 99 in America.
The two editions offered different amounts of material from the same archive. The single disc contained the 21-track programme above, while the box supplied the extended four-chapter selection. Neither should be confused with a compilation of the familiar finished masters alone.
Frequently asked questions
When was Wonsaponatime released in America?
It was released in the United States on 3 November 1998, one day after the UK release.
How many tracks are on the original CD?
The original CD contains 21 tracks, beginning with I’m Losing You and ending with Serve Yourself.
How is it connected with John Lennon Anthology?
It is a single-disc selection from the four-CD archive, with several tracks edited to shorter versions.
Does Real Love use the Beatles’ 1996 recording?
No. Wonsaponatime presents Lennon’s own archival recording, not the Beatles single master.
Who produced Wonsaponatime?
Yoko Ono and Rob Stevens produced the 1998 archival release. Individual recordings retain their original session credits.
Did Wonsaponatime chart in the United States?
It did not enter the US album chart. Its UK peak was number 76.
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