Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)

John Lennon

(Three, four)

Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love?
What on earth you tryna do?
It's up to you, yeah, you

Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together, darlin'
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin' at fools like me?
Who in the hell d'you think you are?
A super star?
Well, right you are

Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Everyone come on

Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet
Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear?
Why on earth are you there
When you're everywhere?
Come and get your share

Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Come on and on and on, on, on
Yeah, yeah, alright, uh-huh, ah

Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
On and on and on, on and on

Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
And the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun


Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by Sunnyhill, arin3, Misology, The Nameless Faceless Thing

Instant Karma! Lyrics as written by John Lennon

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

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Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) song meanings
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42 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment
    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.
    LittleBriddieon June 27, 2003   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    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
    jake3on April 08, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    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..."
    JxPxon May 08, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    i agree with JxPx about the superstar lines, and personally, i like that part
    sunstormedon June 11, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Another one of Lennon's greats .. very inspirational and motivational song (possibly anyway) .
    TheFunkyMudgooseon May 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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...
    JxPxon October 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    burn
    maggotbrainon November 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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
    Matt Parryon December 22, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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.
    kmk_natashaon February 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    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.
    JxPxon March 07, 2005   Link

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