All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The last major interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, conducted by New York Times bestselling author David Sheff, featuring a new introduction that reflects on the fortieth anniversary of Lennon's death

Originally published by Playboy Press in 1981 just after John Lennon's assassination, All We Are Saying is a rich and vivid interview with Lennon and Yoko Ono, wide-ranging in its coverage of art, creativity, the music business, their extraordinary childhoods, privacy, the true story of how the Beatles broke up, how Lennon and Paul McCartney collaborated on the greatest Beatles songs, parenthood, money, feminism, religion, and insecurity. Of course, at the heart of the conversation is the deep, rare romantic and spiritual bond between Lennon and Ono. 

Sympathetic and insightful questions from New York Times bestselling author David Sheff set the tone for Lennon's responses, and Sheff’s presence sets the scene, as he walks through the kitchen door of the musicians’ Dakota apartment and accompanies the famous couple to the studio, where they were recording what would turn out to be Lennon’s final albums. Sheff's new introduction looks at his forty-year-old interview afresh, and examines how what he learned from Lennon has resonated with him as a man and a parent. This is a knockout interview and a crucial piece of Beatles history: playful, intense, and inspiring.

my thoughts:

As a Beatles fan, I was thrilled to read All We Were Saying by David Sheff. It contains the last major interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Talk about exciting and thrilling! Lennon has always been my favorite Beatle, so I was very interested in reading this piece to learn more about this creative, smart  musical icon.  

Playboy published this interview in 1981, following Lennon's death outside his home at The Dakota.  The interviewer, David Sheff, was twenty-four years old at the time. His questions were savvy, engaging, and thoughtful.  They provided the perfect way for Lennon and Ono to open up about their life and covered a range of topics, such as the Beatles, parenthood, religion, and money.  From the start, you can see the deep connection between Lennon and his wife, which I feel provides a good background for the interview. You get a sense of love, family, and authenticity from their words, actions, and interests.  It's fascinating and revealing all at once. I have to admit my favorite part is when Lennon gives his thoughts on Beatles' songs. All in all, a great interview to read.  And, I enjoyed Sheff's new introduction to the interview. It's forty years later and suffice it to say, time and life experiences have definitely changed Sheff's perspective on this interview.  

All We Were Saying is a terrific book for any Beatles fan - they will LOVE this interview! And, if they've already read it, then they will enjoy re-reading it. Or, like me, they will love discovering it for the first time and getting to know this fascinating couple even better.  Such a great book! I absolutely LOVED it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!