Written by: Lennon
Recorded: 26 September – 23 October 1970
Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
Released: 11 December 1970
John Lennon: vocals, piano, Hammond organ
Klaus Voormann: bass guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon Anthology
Despite having been celebrated throughout much of the 1960s as one of the world's greatest songwriters and performers, by 1970 John Lennon was suffering from acute insecurity and self doubt brought on partly through drugs, the breakup of The Beatles, the attacks he felt were directed at him and Yoko Ono, and disillusionment with fame and its attendant riches.
In Isolation he found a release, inspired by the Primal Therapy he underwent in the summer of 1970 with Dr Arthur Janov. Lyrically rueful and fearful, the song portrayed him and Ono as pitted against the rest of the world, and yet forgiving in the knowledge that everyone remains a "victim of the insane".
The middle section, meanwhile, was adapted from Barrett Strong's song Oh I Apologize, the original b-side of Money (That's What I Want).
I don't expect you to take me back
After I've caused you so much pain
But if you do I promise you
I will never, never make that same mistake again
Isolation was recorded at EMI Studios, Abbey Road. Lennon double-tracked his vocals for the middle section, panned to either side of the stereo spectrum. He also added an organ part, heard most clearly immediately prior to the final verses.
Isolation and Hold On John, they're the rough remixes. I just remixed them that night on seven-and-a-half [inches per second tape] to take them home to see what else I was going to do with them. And then I didn't really, I didn't even put them onto fifteen [IPS], so the quality is a bit hissy on 'em too. By the time I'd done everything, I started listening. I found out it's better that, with Instant Karma and other things, you remix it right away that night. I'd known that before, but never followed it through.
Lennon Remembers, Jann S Wenner
A studio outtake of Isolation, including a broken-down attempt, was included on the John Lennon Anthology box set in 1998.
I really like John’s vocals in this song. And I just read that Julian Lennon feels very identified with this song.
This song is beautiful. Just the title alone . . .
Perhaps the perfect Lennon song. A song that almost everyone at some time or another can identify with. Wish more of his songs were as well produced as Isolation.
A beautiful song, with very good piano playing by Lennon.
This is my favorite Lennon song…he really let’s you feel his pain and frustration. His voice is outstanding!