#9 Dream: John Lennon and the number 9

We remember another anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death in 1980.   As I wrote before, most of the country learned the news watching The Monday Night Football game.   In my case, I heard it when the clock radio woke me up at 6 am.

After the breakup of The Beatles, John spent the early 1970′s recording a lot of songs.   Some were good and others were not for me.   Like George and Ringo, John spent the 1970′s watching Paul recording one hit after another.  

As I remember, it was really rare to hear anything by John, George or Ringo on the radio in the 1970′s.  

“# 9 dream” was one of my favorites.    It turns out that John Lennon had a fascination with the number 9.   

According to songfacts, there were many references to # 9 in John’s life:  

John Lennon was fascinated with the recurrence of the number nine throughout his life, which included:
Lennon was born on October 9. 
His first home was 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, Liverpool – three names which each contain nine letters. 
The Beatles’ first gig at The Cavern Club took place on February 9, 1961.
Brian Epstein, The Beatles’ manager, first saw them perform on November 9 that same year.
The Beatles’ contract with EMI was confirmed on May 9,1962.
The Beatles’ debut single, “Love Me Do,” was on Parlophone R4949. 
Lennon’s son Sean shared his father’s birthday. 
As well as this song, which peaked at #9 on the Hot 100, Lennon wrote two others with the same number in the title: “Revolution 9″ and “One After 909.”

He was killed December 8th but it was December 9th in his native UK.

“# 9 Dream“

So long ago

Was it in a dream, was it just a dream?

I know, yes I know

Seemed so very real, it seemed so real to me

Took a walk down the street

Thru the heat whispered trees

I thought I could hear (hear, hear, hear)

Somebody call out my name as it started to rain

Two spirits dancing so strange

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé

Dream, dream away

Magic in the air, was magic in the air?

I believe, yes I believe

More I cannot say, what more can I say?

On a river of sound

Thru the mirror go round, round

I thought I could feel (feel, feel, feel)

Music touching my soul, something warm, sudden cold

The spirit dance was unfolding

Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé….”