"Mrs. Lennon" is Yoko Ono's first single from her second studio album ''

Fly Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwing ...

'', released in 1971. It was written and performed by Ono, and produced by Ono and her husband John Lennon. It includes the B-side "Midsummer New York". "Mrs. Lennon" was featured in the 1972 film '' Imagine''.

Reception

Ono biographers Nell Beram and Carolyn Boriss-Krimsky described the song's theme as the way the public defined Ono solely as ex-

Beatle The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development ...

John Lennon's wife and did not recognize her as an artist in her own right. Beram and Boriss-Krimsky felt that the lack of promotion her records including ''Fly'' received was a reflection of this theme, since her record company did not believe that the public would be interested in Ono's solo work. Ben Urish and Ken Bielen described the song's theme similarly, stating that it is an "ironic ballad" that it sounds like a love song, but the lyrics describe Ono's anxiety about losing her identity. ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' described the song as "a most beautiful ballad," stating that it "adds new dimension to no'stalents as she can now appeal to both AM and underground markets." Zachary Hoskins of ''

Slant Magazine ''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...

'' described "Mrs. Lennon" as a "haunting, piano-led ballad." Allmusic critic Ned Raggett called the song "reflective," stating that it provides "as wry but heartfelt a portrait of her position in the public eye as any." '' Pitchfork'' critic Mark Masters calls it an attempt by Ono to write a more conventional song than she has in the past and describes it as "glammy balladry." Masters describes her singing as "somber" and notes that she is accompanied by Lennon's "slow piano chords." Urish and Bielen praised Lennon's piano work, describing it as "evocative faux classical piano playing." ''The Spill Magazine'' critic Aaron Badgley stated that "Mrs. Lennon" is "proof that Ono can write, and produce standard pop ballads, but even then, she throws in her own curves which makes the song that more interesting and enjoyable." Lennon biographer Geoffrey Giuliano described the song as "haunting." Lennon described it as more of a "straight" track than her previous work, stating that it shows off "her more conservative side."

Music video

A music video for the song premiered on '' The Dick Cavett Show'' on 11 September 1971, when John Lennon and Yoko Ono were guests on the programme. (The video is introduced at approximately the 39:24 mark). Film of "Mrs. Lennon" depicting the couple walking around their Ascot mansion was included in the 1972 television film '' Imagine''.

Legacy and influence

Alex Chilton utilized a section of the song's chord progression in his song "Holocaust."

Personnel

* Yoko Ono – vocals * John Lennon – piano, organ * Klaus Voormann – acoustic guitar, bass

References

{{authority control Yoko Ono songs 1971 debut singles 1971 songs Song recordings produced by John Lennon Song recordings produced by Yoko Ono Songs about Yoko Ono Songs written by Yoko Ono 1970s ballads Pop ballads