Overview
John Lennon (1940 – 1980) was a British musician, singer‑songwriter, and co‑founder of the Beatles. In addition to his work with the Beatles, Lennon released a solo catalog comprising studio albums, live recordings, compilations, EPs, and singles released between 1970 and posthumously into the 21st century.
Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Record Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band | Apple Records | Debut solo album; recorded after the Beatles' breakup. |
| 1971 | Imagine | Apple Records | Contains the title‑track “Imagine”. |
| 1972 | Some Time in New York City | Apple Records | Double album; includes “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”. |
| 1973 | Mind Games | Apple Records | Produced by Lennon; reached US #9. |
| 1974 | Walls and Bridges | Apple Records | Featured the hit “Whatever You Want”. |
| 1975 | Rock ‘n’ Roll | EMI (UK) / Geffen (US) | Covers album of 1950s rock‑and‑roll classics. |
| 1980 | Double Fantasy (credited to John Lennon & Yoko Ono) | Geffen Records | Released three weeks before Lennon’s death; won 1981 Grammy for Album of the Year (posthumously). |
| 2005 | Milk and Honey (credited to John Lennon & Yoko Ono) | Capitol Records | Posthumous collection of unfinished material recorded during the Double Fantasy sessions. |
Live Albums
| Year | Title | Record Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Live in New York City (recorded 1972, released 1986) | EMI | Captures a performance at Madison Square Garden. |
| 1995 | John Lennon Anthology – 40th Anniversary Edition (contains live tracks) | EMI | Box set with outtakes and live excerpts. |
Compilation Albums (selected)
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Shaved Fish | Apple Records |
| 1981 | The John Lennon Collection | EMI |
| 1990 | Lennon | EMI |
| 2000 | Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign (various artists; includes Lennon tracks) | Virgin |
| 2020 | Gimme Some Truth – The Ultimate Mixes | Universal Music |
Extended Plays (EPs)
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Happy Xmas (single/EP) | Apple Records |
| 1975 | Stand By Me (EP) | Apple Records |
Singles (selected)
| Year | A‑side | B‑side | Chart Performance (US Billboard Hot 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | “Give My Love to the Good‑Lord” | “Mother” | — |
| 1971 | “Imagine” | “It's So Hard” | #3 |
| 1972 | “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” | “Listen to the Lion” | — |
| 1973 | “Mind Games” | “Out the Blue” | #18 |
| 1974 | “Whatever Gets You thru the Night” | “Old Dirt Road” | #11 |
| 1975 | “(Just Like) Starting Over” | “Love” | #1 (post‑humous) |
| 1980 | “Woman” | “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” | #1 (post‑humous) |
Posthumous Releases & Box Sets
- John Lennon Anthology (1998) – Two‑disc set of demos, outtakes, and unreleased songs.
- Gimme Some Truth – The Ultimate Mixes (2020) – Revised mixes of Lennon’s solo catalog.
- Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign (1980) – Features Lennon’s “Instant Karma!” among other tracks.
Notable Collaborations & Guest Appearances
- “We Are the World” (1985) – Vocal contribution as part of USA for Africa (recorded shortly before his death).
- “Turn‑Out the Light” (1970) – Featured on Yoko Ono’s album Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band.
Summary
John Lennon's solo discography consists of seven primary studio albums released during his lifetime (including the joint Double Fantasy), several posthumous collections, numerous singles—many of which achieved top‑chart positions—and a range of compilations and live recordings. His work continued to be issued and re‑examined in various formats well after his death, contributing to his enduring influence on popular music.
