It’s one of life’s questions that could never be answered: what kind of music would John Lennon be making, if he was still with us in 2020?
Paul McCartney, his kindred songwriting partner in The Beatles, has wandered down various musical avenues, taking in everything from Bond themes and pop-rock crossovers to experimental electronics and modern classical.
You get the feeling Lennon’s trajectory would have been similarly eclectic. He was a man whose songwriting mind was forever reaching for something new and unexpected, but was always rooted in something deeply humane. It gave his songwriting that indescribable feeling of relatability — like it was explaining part of the shared human experience.
Today, October 9 2020, would have been his 80th birthday. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve picked out 80 of his greatest works, ranging from The Beatles songs that he had the main part in composing, to his later solo work. It ranges from the tracks that still find their resonance in today’s world — songs such as Imagine, or All You Need Is Love, still staples of the modern songbook. But it also includes some of his deeper cuts, songs that deserve your time, especially if you’re only familiar with his output as one of the Fab Four. Check them out in the playlist below.
Lennon’s birthday is also as good a time as any to remember some of the Beatles finest, strangest and most spectacular moments — like their rowdy, coming-of-age stay in Hamburg or their legendary rooftop gig. Be sure to test your knowledge in our Beatles lyrics quiz, too.
