DESCRIPTION:
"God" was released in the winter of 1970 on John Lennon's first proper rock (not counting the three experimental efforts) album, titled John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

Any discussion of this track is bound to lead to very passionate feelings about the meaning of the song and religious beliefs in general.....the type of discussions that, to me at least, seem pointless. Many people at each extreme can be so unforgiving of the beliefs of others. It really shouldn't be so complicated....just believe what you choose and allow others to believe what they choose. We should all understand that each person's beliefs are based on so many variables and life experiences....the consequences of each choice we make in life, including our religious beliefs, are our own.

I debated placing the quote at the beginning of the video, but since I realized full well where the discussion would end up I wanted to just say it big & upfront (as opposed to repeating over and over in comments, etc)....besides it gave me the chance to share what I regard as the single most beautiful and truthful quote regarding faith I've ever read with others who may never have come across it before.

I remember coming across it in a book of quotes about religion in college, and the instant I came across this particular quote by Robert Green Ingersoll, realizing that this was it!....it was a revelation, the absolute perfect summation for what I always realized about the possible consequences of lacking the proper beliefs, but was never able to articulate, even though I'd been trying to through many late night debates with friends during high school, college, and beyond, questioning the concepts of faith and religion. After years of reading and searching for my answers, this relatively obscure quote put my mind at ease about my helplessness at questioning faith and was a huge part of helping me reach the place where I can happily accept all religions, beliefs, or lack thereof. I've never read any words that had a greater impact on me, before or since.

"Why should man be afraid to think, and why should he fear to
express his thoughts? Is it possible that an infinite Deity
is unwilling that a man should investigate the phenomena by
which he is surrounded? Is it possible that a god delights in
threatening and terrifying men? What glory, what honor and
renown a god must win on such a field! The ocean raving at a
drop; a star envious of a candle; the sun jealous of a fire-fly."
....Robert Green Ingersoll

I'd started on this video over two years ago, and besides the usual delays that comes with creating any video, I was somewhat apprehensive about making it for obvious reasons, but since this song ranks high on my favorites of all time, I really wanted to try something for it.

Critic Greil Marcus remarked, "John's singing in the last verse of 'God' may be the finest in all of rock." To which I'd agree, changing "may" to "is"....it's just otherworldly and absolutely heart-wrenching and hopeful all at the same time.The album was recorded simultaneously with Ono's debut avant garde solo album, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, at Ascot Sound Studios and Abbey Road Studios using the same musicians and production team, and featured nearly identical cover artwork.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is generally considered one of Lennon's finest solo albums, documenting with honesty and artistic integrity his emotional and mental state at that point in his career. In 1987, as part of its 20th anniversary, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it fourth on "The 100 Best Albums of the Last Twenty Years". In 2012, the magazine ranked it number 23 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was released on the same day in both the UK and US, 11 December 1970. Ono's matching album, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, was released on the same day.

HUGE THANKS as always to the photographers who's wonderful images made this video possible, including:
Bob Jagendorf for picture of conjoined twins
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobjagendorf/2062164509/

Dedicated to my old friend and fellow Beatlemaniac, Greg Sedbrook!

[Lyrics]
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I'll say it again
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain

I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-Ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality

The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the dream weaver
But now I'm reborn
I was the Walrus
But now I'm John
And so dear friends
You just have to carry on
The dream is over