“(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon (ft. Yoko Ono)
This song is romantic in nature, as in John Lennon obviously addressing his significant other. And as the title indicates, he is looking forward to a fresh juncture in their relationship whereas they are “starting over”. The lyrics read as if the couple are now used to each other and don’t appreciate one another like they used to. So the singer wants to take their romance back to an earlier emotional stage, when their love and associated appreciation were much stronger. And of course John Lennon was married to Yoko Ono at the time he dropped this song. Moreover, it is well known that they did in fact have issues in their marriage. So the general understanding is that the lyrics reflect his sentiment concerning their real-life relationship.
But at the same time, “(Just Like) Starting Over” was the first track Lennon had dropped in five years, after retiring from the music industry in the mid-1970s. So another way the track has been interpreted is as a reflection of him getting reacquainted with his music career.
“(Just Like) Starting Over” Facts
Writing: John Lennon
Production: Lennon alongside Yoko Ono and J. Douglas
Album: Lennon’s final studio album (“Double Fantasy”) that came out while he was still alive
Release: October 24, 1980
When Lennon released this classic on 20th October, 1980, it became the last single he released before his brutal murder in December of that year.
And shortly after his murder, the song shot to number 1 in his native UK. It also grabbed that same feat in the United States.
“(Just Like) Starting Over” is a bona fide example of a posthumous hit single.
Other Popular Posthumous Number 1s on the Hot 100/UK Singles Chart
- The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” (US)
- XXXTentacion’s “Sad!” (US)
- John Lennon’s “Imagine” (UK)
- Aaliyah’s “More Than a Woman” (UK)
- 2Pac’s “Ghetto Gospel” (UK)
- Juice WRLD’s “Godzilla” (UK)
