John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” has been re-released as an “ultimate mix” complete with a lyric music video (watch it above). The track is an unabashed protest song that took aim at Richard Nixon, the Vietnam War and “neurotic psychotic pigheaded politicians”. And, fittingly, the new music video came out the same day that Americans headed to the polls for the US midterm elections.
The video makes full use of the song’s scathing lyrics which populate the screen in bold fonts, making it impossible to miss Lennon’s vitriol and distaste. And the words are as true today as they were back in 1971 when the song was released, featuring on Lennon’s classic album Imagine. But it was back in 1969 in recording sessions for Let It Be that the song was first performed with Paul McCartney helping to compose it.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the kitchen of their home in Ascot, UK in 1971, the same year 'Gimme Some Truth' was released. © Barrie Wentzell
Its origin goes back even further than that though. The YouTube video notes in some text that accompanies the video, which quotes Lennon talking about the song back when it was released, “Side Two starts with 'Give Me Some Truth' which is one I started a year or two back - probably in India. We wrote a lot there. It was an old lick that I had around a long time but I again changed the lyrics. I like the track because it sounds good but it didn’t get much attention, so it’s a personal track that I like the sound of.”
He then continues, talking about the themes of the song, “It’s about politicians, newspaper men and all the hypocrites of the world. And male chauvinists, it’s about them too. I think that music reflects the state that the society is in. There is nothing to hide. Not really. I mean, we all like to shit in private and we certainly have things we prefer to do in private, privately. But in general what is there to hide? I mean, what is the big secret?”
The “ultimate mix” of the song is part of the reissue of the Imagine album, which came out back in October. The boxset, called Imagine: The Ultimate Collection has unreleased outtakes and demos, a documentary which traces the evolution of each song, and 120-page ‘making of’ book.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the White Room in Ascot, 1971 where the classic video clip for ‘Imagine’ was shot. © Michael Putland
In related news, a new video has also been released for The Beatles classic “Back in the U.S.S.R.” which preludes the upcoming anniversary of The White Album, where the song is taken from. The album came out on 22 November 1968 so this year marks its 50th anniversary.
The new video also promotes the release of a “super deluxe” version of The White Album. This version sees the double album get a new stereo mix by Giles Martin (son of George Martin) and Sam Okell. The new stereo mix has been “sourced directly from the original four-track and eight-track session tapes.” and is described as “guided by the album’s original stereo mix.”
John Lennon relaxing at Brian Epstein's house in London whilst at the launch party for The Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' in May 1967. © Barrie Wentzell
The album also features 27 demo recordings which took place at George Harrison’s house back in the summer of 1968—these are known as the ‘Esher demos’ and were where the fab four laid the groundwork for what became The White Album. Also included is 50 additional recordings and a Blu-ray and lots more.
The re-release of The White Album comes out 9 November. You can find out more about it here. And watch the new video for “Back in the U.S.S.R.” below.
Rockarchive is delighted to be able to offer many iconic John Lennon and Beatles images as limited edition photographic prints which you can buy here.
