Fragile Lennon

Rare moments of emotional vulnerability and openness in John Lennon's writing

songs

19 of the 19 Beatle-written songs carrying the 'Fragile Lennon' tag are John Lennon's, more than any other Beatle (Paul McCartney has 1).

Analysis

Song count per year

% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)

Early8 · 42%

Mid-period7 · 37%

Late4 · 21%

Year

Album

Writer

Lead vocal(s)

#	Title	Year	Album	Lead Vocal(s)	Notes
1	There's a Place	1963	Please Please Me	John, Paul	Retreat inward when low
2	Not a Second Time	1963	With The Beatles	John	Hurt admission beneath the refusal
3	This Boy	1963	Past Masters	John, Paul, George	Vulnerable, would-mind-the-pain self
4	If I Fell	1964	A Hard Day's Night	John, Paul	Admits prior heartbreak and fear
5	I'll Be Back	1964	A Hard Day's Night	John	Admits inability to stay away
6	I'll Cry Instead	1964	A Hard Day's Night	John	Shy, hiding, would lock himself up
7	I'm a Loser	1964	Beatles For Sale	John	Early admission of personal vulnerability
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8	I Don't Want to Spoil the Party	1964	Beatles For Sale	John	Quiet admission of hurt rather than anger
9	Yes It Is	1965	Past Masters	John, Paul, George	Vulnerable admission of haunted memory
10	Help!	1965	Help!	John	Lennon's cry for help during fame crisis
11	It's Only Love	1965	Help!	John	Admits shyness, struggle to love
12	You've Got to Hide Your Love Away	1965	Help!	John	Admits weakness and shame
13	Girl	1965	Rubber Soul	John	Admits emotional captivity
14	Nowhere Man	1965	Rubber Soul	John	Self-doubt, creative paralysis
15	Strawberry Fields Forever	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	John	'No one I think is in my tree'
16	Yer Blues	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	John	Raw confession of depression
17	Julia	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	John	Raw vulnerability addressing dead mother
18	I'm So Tired	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	John	Raw admission of breakdown
19	Don't Let Me Down	1969	Past Masters	John, Paul	Raw vulnerability and fear of loss