Almanac Music: John Lennon’s Harmonica
John Lennon 1963
Image: Wikimedia Commons
John Lennon’s Harmonica
[The harmonica – to use the general term for the instrument – was the first musical instrument John Lennon possessed. He became proficient at it as a young boy after being given one as a gift by a lodger at the house of his Aunt Mimi, where John also lived.]
It’s not widely discussed that a distinctive part of early Beatles music was the harmonica – or harp – playing of John Lennon. His playing of the instrument was generally breezy, tuneful and neatly phrased. It should be noted, also, that when we talk about playing the harmonica we are often discussing a range of closely-related instruments. Basically, the instrument involved needs to fit the key of the song in question.
According to Todd Lowry on the Quora website: ‘John Lennon played the harmonica and the “harp” on Beatles recordings.
When John used the word “harmonica,” what he meant was a chromatic harmonica (the one with the button)…
When John used the word “harp,” he meant a no-button, diatonic “blues harp,” such as a Hohner Marine Band model.’
In simple terms, the chromatic instrument can play in all keys, while the harp plays in a particular key. (There are qualifications that could be made here about playing the diatonic ‘harp’ in different keys through the use of playing techniques, but this piece is not a class in the instruments concerned.)
In the following Beatles songs, all attributed to the Lennon-McCartney partnership (unless otherwise stated), John Lennon is the harmonica / harp player concerned.
Love Me Do’ (1962)
In ‘Love Me Do’, the harmonica provides the key riff of the song – a chromatic harmonica in the Key of G is used.
‘Chains’ (1963), written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
‘Chains’ commences with a whimsical wail on a chromatic harmonica in C.
‘There’s a Place’ (1963)
In ‘There’s A Place’, a C chromatic harmonica is employed at the beginning, with the occasional succinct bits here and there at other times in the song.
‘From Me to You’ (1963)
‘From Me to You’ employs simple harmonica playing at the beginning middle and end, and a 12-hole, diatonic Echo Vamper in the key of C the most likely candidate.
‘Thank You Girl’ (1963)
In ‘Thank You Girl’, Lennon uses a G harp, the most impactful feature being the train-whistle effect he achieves on it. (I’d forgotten, incidentally, what a great early Beatles tune this is, especially in terms of performance aspects such as the vocal harmonies).
‘Little Child’ (1963)
In ‘Little Child’ the diatonic A harp really gets a workout, including a ripping solo spot.
‘I’ll Get You’ (1963)
‘I’ll Get You’ employs a diatonic G harp, mainly in a pleasant, supportive role.
‘I Should Have Known Better’ (1964)
In ‘I Should Have Known Better’ a diatonic C harp plays an important role throughout, sometimes in the foreground as a riff, sometimes in the background.
‘I’m A Loser’ (1964)
‘I’m A Loser’ employs a C diatonic harp in its brief harmonica solo bits – there’s some bluesy, Dylanesque influence detectable here.
‘Rocky Raccoon’ (1968)
In ‘Rocky Raccoon’ the harp is a C diatonic one, and possesses an enjoyable, jaunty, country feel.
‘All Together Now’ (1969)
‘All Together Now’ – a quirky, supportive role on G diatonic harp is the order of the day.
[Notes: some background harmonica by various players, including Lennon, creates fairground effects in ‘For the Benefit of Mister Kite’ (1967) and there’s some fine work on Lennon’s solo effort ‘Oh Yoko’ on the Imagine album (1971). Also, there’s harmonica on a 1963 recording of ‘One after 909’ that appeared on Anthology 1 in 1995.)
………………..
So, Almanackers – that was John Lennon’s harmonica (to use the general term for the instrument). As is usual for my pieces of this kind, responses to the topic are warmly encouraged. In the comments section, please respond with your own choices of harmonica work in songs from the pop / rock era, and the artists concerned.
(Note: An online article, ‘What harmonica did John Lennon use to play the intro to “Love Me Do” and other songs by The Beatles?’, by Pat Missin, has been particularly useful, as has Wikipedia in general terms.)
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His fifth book-length poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws ... I'm Feeling Too Indolent, was published in late 2023 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Excellent idea, KD. I’ll get in early with the obvious and much loved, ‘I’ll Be Gone’ by Spectrum. The harp is perfect for a Sunday BBQ- lazy, laconic and very Australian (whatever that means).
I recently read that of all the amazing things Geroge Martin got to do with the Beatles his favourite was to mix John Lennon’s vocals.
My starter for three KD
Hand In Glove – Smiths
Heart of Gold – Neil Young
Train in Vain -Clash
Thanks, Mickey.
You’re certainly right about Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’ – fine song, and such appropriate harmonica playing.
Re Lennon’s voice: I’m also in harmony (if you’ll pardon the pun) – I believe he had the best rock’n’roll voice of them all, and was quite possibly at his vocal best singing those American rock classics the early Beatles used to do.
Thanks, Swish, for these three.
To select ‘Heart of Gold’ for particular comment: it’s just about the quintessential ‘popular song using harmonica’, in that the instrument plays a crucial role in terms of the overall song.
Crazy Train by the Waifs
Chain Reaction by John Farnham
Have seen both versions live and have the live versions in ITunes and they are amazing with an extended 3+ minutes harmonica solo.
Thanks, Rodney. Good stuff – I’d forgotten about the harmonica in ‘Chain Reaction’.
Norton Buffalo on the Bonnie Raitt version of Runaway.
Thank you, Peter.
I’ll certainly give this version a listen.
Chris Wilson’s Live At The Continental is laden with exquisite harp solos Kev. Too many to choose from but for sheer drama the Changeling is a ripper.
Thanks, Ian.
Yes, Chris Wilson certainly deserves a guernsey in any discussion of the kind we’re having here.
Boogie – Carson (and their Blown album overall).
Also, Dave Blight’s playing on a pile of Cold Chisel studio and live recordings.
Saw him in an intimate gig a couple of years back, good night of straight out blues and boogie.
Many thanks, Greg – yes, Carson’s ‘Boogie’ is classic stuff in the present context.
Thanks also for bringing up Dave Blight.
Which takes us directly to the legend that is Mickey Raphael. With an important nod to Charlie McCoy.
Mickey has played with Willie Nelson for 40 years or more but also plays on many other artist’s recordings including Jason Isbell song, Strawberry Woman, a brilliant song from an equally brilliant album, Weathervanes,
He has played with so many great country artists including Emmylou, Asleep at the Wheel, Guy Clark, George Jones, Roseanne Cash, Randy Travis, The Highwaymen, John Prine, Calexico, Lee Ann Womack, The Supersuckers, Margo Price and so on, but mostly with Willie.
As to what songs to recommend. Just head into Willie’s catalogue starting in the 70s and go from there.
As a taster, try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt8pgr7J6g0
So many Bob tunes to select from KD, I wouldn’t know where to start!
However the two that first come to mind are ‘’I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine’, and ‘Desolation Row’.
As a harp/ harmonica aside I saw something I had never seen before while watching the ‘Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’ in Nashville last year – their drummer also played harmonica while drumming. With a harp rack around his neck, harp in place, it was strange to watch and hear him blow while drumming, quite unique!
Great stuff, KD!
Michael Stipe used to ‘play’ the harp for a bit around the mid-80s. The evidence suggests he never quite understood, nor cared for, the basic principles involved.
And Robert Forster gave it a go a few times, being the Bob fanatic that he and Grant were.
For Melbourne folk the best I can think of is a chap called Ryan Sterling. Incredible songwriter, guitarist and absolute master of the harp.
The Australian harmonica greats are obviously Horrie Dargie and Norman Gunston. This is a clip of them “performing” together in 1975. I have a memory of the Horrie Dargie Quintet performing “Ghost Riders in the Sky” together on mass harmonicas on a Tonight Show back in the 60’s/70’s. Sadly no longer available.
Hi Rick. Thanks you for your comments – encyclopaedic in nature, as is often, thankfully, the case.
I’ve just listened to your ‘taster’, too – why is it that the Southern-flavoured music in America so often sounds so good? I definitely have some theories, but I don’t want to start an Almanac ‘Civil War’ this evening!
Thanks, Col, for your fine ‘Bob’ tunes.
Like you, I’ve never heard of a drummer with a harmonica / harp rack around his neck. But I suppose it can be done – and employed to very good effect!
Thanks, Patrick, for your comments. In particular, I liked the interesting detail.
Apparently, one reason John Lennon continued playing the harmonica in to adulthood (according to a story told by Paul McCartney) is that he (Lennon) figured he would someday end up in jail, so he might as well learn an appropriate instrument!
Wonderful stuff, PB – a joy! Who would have thought Horrie Dargie would get a mention in this discussion thread – er, come to think of it, me, I suppose!
Can’t believe that you didn’t mention Big Pretzel’s appearance in that clip PB
On the Byrds album Turn! Turn! Turn!, Gene Clark did a fine job with the harmonica on “Set you free this time” and “Satisfied Mind”. The former song was a Gene Clark original, the latter was a cover.
Thanks for your selections, Liam. Just had a listen to both, and they make pleasant additions to the overall collection we’re putting together.
I lot of what I would have contributed to this discussion has already been mentioned…except for the great Stevie Wonder. His crystal-clear harmonica playing is a thing of beauty, particularly when featuring on “There Must Be an Angel” by the Eurythmics and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” by Elton John. You hear those songs on the radio in the 80s and no one has to tell you that it’s Stevie Wonder, you just know.
Thank you, DB – Stevie Wonder is certainly a must-mention in the present discussion.
Great topic, Kev. Hey I was told that Delbert McClinton (who went on tour to England to play the harmonica riff on ‘Hey baby’ by Bruce Chanel ). taught John Lennon how to play the harmonica. They toured together on the same bill as the Beatles. Maybe he just gave John some tips on how to improve his technique?
Yes, Tony. Many thanks for your input. I’ve read about Delbert McClinton, too. My understanding is that he added to Lennon’s knowledge – and therefore skill in playing – the instrument.
Much earlier, when John lived with his Aunt Mimi as a child, Lennon got his first harmonica. He could play bits and pieces on it then.
John’s Aunt Mimi used to take in lodgers, especially tertiary students – and one of them promised him a harmonica as a gift if he could learn a particular tune by the next day. The young Lennon learnt two by the following morning – and the student made good on his promise – though Aunt Mimi wouldn’t let Lennon actually have the gift until the following Christmas. Lennon found it under the tree as a Christmas present.
Hey KD
I couldn’t leave this thread without a Dylan contribution.
I offer: Corinna, Corinna from the 1963 ‘Freewheelin” album. The gentleness of the harmonica speaks volumes. Dylan was a few months shy of 22 years old when he released that album!
It’s now 60 years on – I wonder where the time goes?
cheers, KD
Hi Karl. Thank you for your contribution. I was waiting for it, and so glad you responded. You’ve chosen a brief, lovely Dylan song, I believe.
Isn’t it great that two absolute giants of popular song (i.e. Lennon and Dylan) saw this – essentially, in my opinion – folk / blues instrument as something important? Incidentally, Lennon was still 21 in September 1962, when the ‘Love Me Do’ single (both UK and American versions) was recorded
Some nifty harmonica work in Things of Stone and Wood’s ‘Happy Birthday Helen’.
One of my favourite songs of all time, “Piano Man”, by Billy Joel, where he plays the harmonica at the beginning and during the song.
Cheers, Anon. The harmonica riffs in ‘Piano Man’ are certainly iconic.
Hey KD
I was reminded that Dylan’s first official studio recording was playing harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte’s 1962 Midnight Special album.
Next up Bob provided harmonica on Carolyn Hester’s self titled 1962 album (not to be confused with her self titled 1961 album).
After that Bob didn’t need to blow harmonica for anyone but himself.
cheers, KD
Great stuff, Karl. Love this kind of detailed knowledge being shared.
You are alive: Crosby Stills and Nash
Thanks for ‘You Are Alive’, Liam – there’s some lovely harmonica in it, that’s for sure.
Lazy day: Moody Blues.
Pleasant, languid song with a nicely fitting harmonica solo – thanks for this Moody Blues number, Liam.