Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) Lyrics
Gonna knock you right in the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
Laughing in the face of love
What on Earth you trying to do?
It's up to you, yeah, you
Gonna knock you right in the face
Better get yourself together darling
Join the human race
Laughing at fools like me
Who on earth do you think you are?
A superstar? While right you are
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Everyone, come on
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet
Surely not to live in pain in fear
Why on earth are you there?
When you're everywhere
Gonna get your share
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Come on and on and on, on, on
I always use "We all shine on / Like the moon and the stars and the sun" as my inspirational quote when I need one. I absolutely adore John Lennon. I only wish he could have lived during my generation, too.
Instant Karma, as i read it, is a tounge-in-cheek 'salute' to narcissistic, self-centered people who screw over and belittle the decent, those with integrity... and this song says, you're no better than the rest of it, you know, we know it, you are what you do, so go ahead.. but when you do good, it feels good.. instantly. so shine on
I had maybe heard "Instant Karma!" once or twice before...but I got a copy of "The John Lennon Collection" and when this song started, it was a musical revelation for me. Hearing him strain his voice to belt out, "We all shine on...", gives me chills.
I have to strongly disagree with "Bite Me" on the "superstar" line. Try and think about where John Lennon was at this time...surrounded by the material and superfical rich and famous. I see that line as mocking those type of people...who want fame and fortune over and other good things in life..."Well alright, you are..."
thank you jxpx...yes, I also think John was mocking the superficial tendancies of the rich and famous...how about the verses: "why in the world are we here?.. "surely not to live in pain and fear"...why on "earth" would any of us chose fear
thank you jxpx...yes, I also think John was mocking the superficial tendancies of the rich and famous...how about the verses: "why in the world are we here?.. "surely not to live in pain and fear"...why on "earth" would any of us chose fear
i agree with JxPx about the superstar lines, and personally, i like that part
Another one of Lennon's greats .. very inspirational and motivational song (possibly anyway) .
speaking of insults....Philadelphia Eagles is a grand one for people who call themselves Lennon fans...
get off or your home-made pedestal and save your comments for the TV, from your Lay-Z-Boy...
burn
i thought it was a stab at the 'fast food' nation and how even the most spiritual and all powerful force of Karma is now offerd in 'Instant' form like coffee etc.. Interested in the Mc Cartney theory if anyone can elaborate
I always wondered, if he worried so much about Karma, then what was he doing cheating on his wife? By the way I am a big fan, and not a Yoko hater, per say. I'm pretty indifferent to Yoko. I just always found it hypocritical to be singing about karma like that. Also if anyone knows more about the John vs. Paul theory I'd like to hear too.
John and Paul had a pretty brutal falling out by the time the Beatles were finished. There's a quote from John, in which he said he would trade Paul for two Georges. They were very competitive...which I suppose is a good thing, because it fueled all the great music they made. I recently watched a video clip of Paul being interviewed on the day that John was shot. He seemed to be borderline indifferent....but that could just be my interpretation. Anyway...while the thought that this song is about Paul is possible, overall it seems to be more of a general message.