John Lennon ‘Sometime In New York City’ Turns 50 - Noise11.com
John Lennon Sometime In New York City

John Lennon ‘Sometime In New York City’ Turns 50

by Paul Cashmere on June 12, 2022

in News

‘Sometime In New York City’, John Lennon’s album after ‘Imagine’ and before ‘Mind Games’, has turned 50.

‘Sometime In New York City’ was released on 12 June 1972.

The album was a two-record set with a studio disc as disc one and a live album as disc 2.

The studio album featured three tracks written by Yoko Ono with Yoko on vocals. John co-wrote and sang the other seven.

‘Sometime In New York City’ was co-produced with Phil Spector, who also recorded ‘Imagine’ and ‘Let It Be’.

‘Sometime In New York City’ was not designed for hits. It was a political album addressing social issues including racism, sexism and colonialism. The first single was the ‘in your face’ ‘Woman Is The Nigger of the World’. The album was greeted with scathing reviews.

The album spoke about the war in Ireland ‘The Luck of the Irish’, the imprisonment of poet/activist John Sinclair ‘John Sinclair’ and a tribute to political activist Angela Davis ‘Angela’.

Disc two, the live album, was recorded on 15 December 1969 at a UNICEF concert in London and 6 June 1971 in New York. The ’69 concert featured Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Keith Moon, Nicky Hopkins and Klaus Voormann. The 1971 concert was with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Lionel Richie Rod Laver Arena on Sunday 8 April 2017. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Lionel Richie’s Beverly Hills Home Becomes A Crime Scene

Lionel Richie found himself at the centre of a crime scene last Friday morning when his Beverly Hills mansion was the target of an attempted burglary.

9 hours ago
Cheap Trick 2025
Cheap Trick Announce New Album All Washed Up and Release Single Twelve Gates

Cheap Trick have unveiled their new single Twelve Gates, a track that sets the stage for the band’s 21st studio album All Washed Up, arriving November 14, 2025 via BMG.

1 day ago
The Who Live At The Oval
After 50 years The Who – Live at The Oval 1971 Finally Officially Released

On September 18, 1971, The Who took the stage at The Oval cricket ground in Kennington, south London, and delivered a performance that has been remembered as legendary and up until now, unreleased.

1 day ago
Roger Hodgson at the Palais, Melbourne
Roger Hodgson Loses Supertramp Royalty Appeal as Long Rift With Rick Davies Resurfaces

Roger Hodgson, the former voice and co-founder of Supertramp, has lost his latest legal appeal in a battle over publishing royalties with his ex-bandmates – reigniting decades of tensions that have haunted the group since his split from Rick Davies in the early 1980s.

2 days ago
Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger Dont Look Back
Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger Reggae Classic Video ‘Don’t Look Back’ Is Now On YouTube

An official video for 'Don't Look Back', the classic 1978 reggae hit by Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger, is now streaming on YouTube.

2 days ago
Neil Diamond performs in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday 27 October 2015. Photo Ros O'Gorman
Neil Diamond Musical ‘A Beautiful Noise’ to Premiere Exclusively For Australia in Melbourne in August 2026

‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical’ is coming to Melbourne in August 2026.

3 days ago
Split Enz
Split Enz Celebrate 50 Years With Enzcyclopedia – The Pre-Neil Finn Years

Split Enz, one of the most original and daring bands ever to come out of New Zealand, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their debut album Mental Notes with the release of Enzcyclopedia Volumes One & Two on November 14. The massive archival set arrives as a 5CD collection, a 3LP vinyl edition, and a Blu-Ray Atmos mix, offering fans the deepest dive yet into the early, experimental years of the band.

4 days ago