Steel and Glass

Album: Walls and Bridges (1974)
Play Video
  • This is a story about your friend and mine
    Who is it, who is it, who is it?

    There you stand with your L.A. tan
    And your New York walk and your New York talk
    You're mother left you when you were small
    But you're going to wish you wasn't born at all

    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass

    Your phone don't ring no one answers your call
    How does it feel to be off the wall

    Well your mouthpiece squawks as he spreads your lies
    But you can't pull strings if your hands are tied
    Well your teeth are clean but your mind is capped
    You leave your smell like an alley cat

    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass
    Steel and glass Writer/s: JOHN LENNON
    Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Eric from OklahomaSome websites suggest this is Lennon targeting former Beatles manager, Allen Klein. Others suggest that Lennon may have been addressing himself, similar to "Nowhere Man". However, Lennon reportedly wasn't too happy with Klein's lack of support as John and Yoko ramped up their political work (notably on the 1972 album "Some Time in New York City"). In 1973, a year before recording the "Walls and Bridges" album, Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr served notice that Klein's contract would not be renewed. Klein then sued the Beatles. All that said, and we all are aware of Lennon's razor-sharp lyrics (when called for), it seems likely that "Steel and Glass" was about a certain, greedy American businessman.
  • Mike from Fargo, Nd, NdIn an interview I read, John stated he used "Steel & Glass" in a similar fashion that he used to name his album "Walls & Bridges". Steel for the person's tough side and Glass in reference to the fragility of one's life. The album's title was said to represents John's life at the time (fresh off his 'Lost Weekend' and chaotic Phil Spector oldies sessions) and a transition of turning his walls into bridges and getting on with things...
  • Margret Hamilton from St. Paul, MnHaunting song. What is "steel and glass" referencing?... some kind of temperament of the person?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?