Mind Games: An Analysis

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

But seriously, I have to say that FOR ME this analysis was a lot of fun. I came back to this album with so much joy and love. And now I have a while new adoration for it, and a brand new favorite song. I think it's one of John's "underrated" albums in that a lot of people are given to blindly slighting it without really giving it a chance. I think it contains some absolutely PERFECT songs ("Mind Games," "You Are Here," "Out The Blue," "Aisumasen," "Bring On The Lucie," "I Know") and some super fun songs ("Tight A$," "Intuition," "Meat City," "One Day At A Time") and only one piece of utter filler (you know EXACTLY which one I am referring to). So as a whole, MG is an absolutely beautiful album and one of those I always have a pleasure listening to time and time again.

Absolutely; this analysis was a true revival for this underrated album

It was fun indeed to rediscover those songs which aren't iconic as others, but nevertheless brilliant too

Snoopy

I too, thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and only wish more people had joined. It's definitely an underrated album and much better than the reception it received at the time. Here's how Jon Landau's Rolling Stone review summed up Mind Games (sorry, Scruffie, but he mentions that song) at the time:

Mind Games remains listenable, which is certainly more than can be said for Some Time in New York City. Lennon's voice is in good shape, his production a cut above average and his performance occasionally forces us to take him more seriously than we would if he seemed less determined. "Mind Games," "One Day," "Intuition" and "Only People" (with some lines remarkably reminiscent of "Revolution") all have one or another touch to recommend at least a few listenings.

I would recommend more than a few listens myself!


Have to close this with a John anecdote I happen to stumble over. Roy Cicala tells this story:

"John used to joke around a lot. The funniest incident I remember occurred when I was an engineer on Mind Games at the record plant. John had taken the finished tapes of the album into the cutting room. When I walked in, loose tape was piled all over the place; John was sitting there with this sad face. I went out to the elevator, I guess to count to 100 or something, and John came running out. It had been a joke, and the tape all over the room was blank."

Now that's our John all over!

Originally Posted by hibgal

"John used to joke around a lot. The funniest incident I remember occurred when I was an engineer on Mind Games at the record plant. John had taken the finished tapes of the album into the cutting room. When I walked in, loose tape was piled all over the place; John was sitting there with this sad face. I went out to the elevator, I guess to count to 100 or something, and John came running out. It had been a joke, and the tape all over the room was blank."

Oh, thank you for sharing this funny story, soooo typical John indeed

Snoopy

Hib, thank you for all the alternate takes and quotes/research. Very excellent posts from everyone on this thread!!! Even though RS mag is so full of **** these days, and I believe that review snippet was slightly harsh towards a very beautiful album (and rather inane- why the ef would you bring up THAT song?), I am SO grateful for these extra bits...you have no idea! I listened to MG the most this month in honor of this thread, John, and you good people.

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

You also missed "I Know (I Know)." Although you don't know it, I totally notice when you ladies/gents aren't posting your reflections and I sigh a little thinking you secretly don't like the song and are waiting for the next one.

Omg, NO... I love I Know (I Know)!! Something about that song has always felt a little sad to me. And looking back at it, knowing what was going to happen to John, it almost seems like he was aware and he was beginning to look back on his life. And I love the soaring "Today I love you more than yesterday..." Ahhh, always sounds amazing!

Getting ready for Walls and Bridges... which was the first John album I bought, so it is indeed a special one to me.

Walls & Bridges is coming very soon. Believe me, THAT will be one analysis I wouldn't miss for the world. Expect a new thread some time this week!

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

Walls & Bridges is coming very soon. Believe me, THAT will be one analysis I wouldn't miss for the world. Expect a new thread some time this week!

Thank's, Scruffie, I'm looking forward to another interesting analysis

Snoopy

Hats off to you, Scruffie for keeping your hands on the reins through the whole analysis.

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

Hib, thank you for all the alternate takes and quotes/research.

Just adding my mite to the pot. After all, the threads are as fun and interesting as we make them

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

Walls & Bridges is coming very soon. Believe me, THAT will be one analysis I wouldn't miss for the world. Expect a new thread some time this week!

That's great! Looking forward to it already *digging through bootleg collection*

Originally Posted by Snoopy66

Honestly, I never liked this song and I think it's the weakest one of "Mind Games". John's voice is just too high for my taste and the melody isn't catchy at all But it's true that the Anthology-version sounds better, especially John's voice

Snoopy

Always loved this song, especially the Anthology version. I think it's an incredible love song.

What song Bubbabob? You quoted Snoopy but I'm curious about the song and too lazy to go through the thread.

One Day At A Time is the song I was referring to. I guess I better make sure I reference what I'm talking about. What? You can't read my mind?

Originally Posted by Bubbabob

One Day At A Time is the song I was referring to. I guess I better make sure I reference what I'm talking about. What? You can't read my mind?

Aww!!!! I love that song as well. It's cute. It's got such a singsongy, catchy quality to it.