John Sinclair

Album: Sometime in New York City (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was sung by Lennon to free a political activist named John Sinclair who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for giving an undercover female officer two marijuana joints. Lennon performed this song at a rally for Sinclair in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and two days later, Sinclair was released from prison. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kris - Mississauga, ON
  • John Sinclair was a Detroit poet, who before his arrest in 1969 managed the punk pioneering band MC5 for three years and lead the White Panther Party. After his release, he wrote articles for musical publications, promoted the legendary Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival and taught blues courses at Wayne State University. After moving to New Orleans in the early 1990s, he became a radio DJ and released several spoken word blues and jazz-oriented albums.

Comments: 5

  • AnonymousIt’s
    What else can judge Columbia do
    And
    Let got Oun Plamondon too
  • Barry from New York, NcThe posthumously released album ACOUSTIC contains John's set at the 1971 John Sinclair rally. Short but sweet. Worth checking out.
  • Reed from New Ulm, MnWhat a sad pathetic injustice it was, what happened to John Sinclair---I praise John Lennon for having the guts to speak out about it!
  • Bob from Southfield, MiJohn Sinclair moved to New Orleans in the mid 80s but has returned to the Detroit area. He is still a popular figure around town making many appearances at jazz venues and poetry readings.
  • George from Calumet City, IlVery underrated song from the late, great John Lennon.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."