I Just Shot John Lennon

The Cranberries

It was the fearful night of December 8th
He was returning home from the studio late
He had perceptively known that it wouldn't be nice
Because in nineteen eighty, he paid the price

John Lennon died, John Lennon died, John Lennon died
John Lennon died, John Lennon died, John Lennon died

With a Smith and Wesson .38
John Lennon's life was no longer a debate
He should have stayed at home
He should have never cared
And the man who took his life declared, he said

"I just shot John Lennon!"
He said "I just shot John Lennon!"
What a sad and sorry and sickening sight
It was a sad and sorry and sickening night

Oh a sad and sorry and sickening sight
It was a sad and sorry and sickening night

Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah

"I just shot John Lennon!"
He said, "I just shot John Lennon!"
What a sad and sorry and sickening sight
It was a sad and sorry and sickening night

Oh a sad and sorry and sickening sight
It was a sad and sorry and sickening night

Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah


Lyrics submitted by 3ssence

I Just Shot John Lennon Lyrics as written by Dolores Mary O'riordan Noel Anthony Hogan

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Just Shot John Lennon song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentJOhn Lennon probably influence the Cranberries a lot and they probably loved his music so much (like so many other musicians and non-artists).

    This song is good but it would be better if John Lennon wasn't killed and this song didn't exist

    Fuck you Mark Chapman
    River Wolfon August 10, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentAmen, River Wolf.
    shedontcareon August 11, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentTidewaterHippie: It seems to me that not talking about terrible events like Lennon's murder, or Adrienne Shelly's (whom I loved even more than Lennon), or the Virginia Tech massacre, or 9-11, or what have you, will not help us make this world more like we want it to be.

    I don't particularly like the song. The lyrics are uniformly grade-schoolish, and "With a Smith and Wesson 38 / John Lennon's life was no longer a debate" in particular strikes me as the most mockable couplet in lyrical history. Still, you appear to be implying that O'Riordan and co. are attempting to exploit Lennon's death in some way. I don't agree, even if they don't happen to write about it very well.
    raffishtenant2on November 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commenthere here
    JohnLennon4Everon April 09, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song gives me the chills. It's very beautiful and meaningful, and I love it, but that doesn't keep it from sending a shiver up my spine.

    As for a meaning, it's pretty obvious.
    BleedingHeartArtiston September 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentLove the Cranberries, and their general message. But I don't completely understand why they are glorifying John Lennon above other, perhaps more pivotal people.
    QuixoticComradeon March 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentListen to John and Yoko's song 'Walking on Thin Ice' and then this song right after, knowing that recording Walking on Thin Ice was the last thing John ever did....
    ilovetorunon July 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBet Yoko Ono loves this song
    manic4manicson October 25, 2011   Link
  • -3
    General CommentThis is pathetic......the wording is partially correct....they describe the incident....but this event does not NEED to be a song....And the title is pathetic...it is just shameful I JUST SHOT JOHN LENNON....they should be ashamed of themselves
    TidewaterHippieon April 12, 2007   Link

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