(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon

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The final single released by John Lennon whilst he was alive, “(Just Like) Starting Over” was also the opening track on Double Fantasy. Recorded at the last minute, it wasn’t Lennon’s favourite track on the album, but he felt it the most fitting to be released at the first single. Inspired by the music of Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Gene Vincent, it is about John and Yoko’s developing relationship. Whilst Lennon acknowledges that they “have grown” together and their “love is still special”, they haven’t been dedicating quality time to each other. That’s what John wanted to “start over”. And to me it was like going back to 15 and singing à la Presley. All the time I was referring to Jon Smith, the engineer, here in the room I was referring to Elvis Orbison. It’s kinda like… “Only The Lonely”, you know… a kind of parody but not really parody. Following Lennon’s assassination, the song went to #1, having been at #3 the previous week. It is now one of Lennon’s most popular solo works, along with “Imagine” and “Instant Karma”. Like many Lennon songs – see “I Am The Walrus” and “She Said She Said” as examples – “Starting Over” was stitched together from multiple demos, namely “My Life”, “The Worst Is Over” and “Don’t Be Crazy”. The “(Just Like)” was added to the title at the last minute to prevent it being confused with other songs.