About The Song
"Serve Yourself," a lesser-known gem from John Lennon's repertoire, is a satirical yet profound commentary on self-absorption and the paradoxes of human nature. Recorded during the 1980s, the song was intended as a response to Bob Dylan's conversion to Christianity and his album "Saved," reflecting Lennon's irreverent and witty perspective on organized religion and personal beliefs.
Lennon's biting wit and unmistakable voice lend an air of irony to "Serve Yourself." Through playful yet incisive lyrics, he skewers the self-righteousness often found in religious and philosophical doctrines, emphasizing the human tendency to prioritize personal interests over communal well-being. The song's irreverence and sarcasm underscore Lennon's belief in individual autonomy and critical thinking over blind adherence to dogma.
Despite its humorous facade, "Serve Yourself" digs deep into the complexities of human nature and societal norms. Lennon challenges the notion of blindly following doctrines and instead advocates for self-awareness and personal responsibility. He employs sharp humor to provoke thought, urging listeners to question the motivations behind their actions and beliefs, fostering introspection amidst the societal noise.
"Serve Yourself" remains a testament to Lennon's unapologetic and fearless approach to addressing societal issues through his music. Its sharp lyrics and playful melody create a compelling juxtaposition, inviting listeners to reflect on the absurdities of human behavior while encouraging a deeper examination of personal values and motivations. Even in its irreverence, the song carries a poignant message about the importance of authenticity and critical thinking in navigating life's complexities.
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Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
You say you found Jesus Christ
He's the only one
You say you've found Buddha
Sittin' in the sun
You say you found Mohammed
Facin' to the East
You say you found Krishna
Dancin' in the streets
Well there's somethin' missing in this God Almighty stew
And it's your mother (your mother
Don't forget your mother, lad)
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do it for you
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do it for you
Well you may believe in devils and you may believe in lords
But if you don't go out and serve yourself
Lad, ain't no room service here
It's still the same old story
A bloody Holy War
A fight for love and glory
Ain't gonna study war no more
A fight for God and country
We're gonna set you free
We'll put you back in the Stone Age
If you won't be like me - get it?
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do for you
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do for you
Well you may believe in devils and you may believe in lords
'But Christ, you're gonna have to serve
Yourself and that's all there is to it
So get right back here it's in the bloody
Fridge. God, when I was a kid
Didn't have stuff like this, TV-fuckin'
Dinners and all that crap
You fuckin' kids are all the fuckin'
Same! Want a fuckin' car now
Lucky to have a pair of shoes!'
You tell me you found Jesus Christ
Well that's great and he's the only one
You say you just found Buddha
Sittin' on his ass in the sun
You say you found Mohammed
Kneeling on a bloody carpet facin' the East
You say you found Krishna
With a bald head dancin' in the street
('Well, Christ, now you're
Being heard')
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do for you
You got to serve yourself
Ain't nobody gonna do for you ('that's right
Lad, you better get that straight
Into your fuckin' head')
You got to serve yourself ('you know that, who
Else is gonna do it for you, it
Ain't me I tell you that')
Well, you may believe in Jesus, and you may believe in Marx
And you may believe in Marks and Spencer's
And you may believe in bloody
Woolworths
But there's something missing in this whole bloody stew
And it's your mother, your poor bloody
Mother ('she what bore you in the
Back bedroom, full of piss and shit and
Fuckin' midwives. God, you can't
Forget that awful moment, you know. You
Should have been in the bloody
War, lad, and you would know all about it
Well, I'll tell you something.')
It's still the same old story
A Holy bloody War, you know, with the Pope and all that stuff
A fight for love and glory
Ain't gonna study no more war
A fight for God and country, and the Queen and all that
We're gonna set you free
Bomb you back into the fuckin' Stone Age
If you won't be like me, you know, get
Down on your knees and pray
Well there's somethin' missing in this God Almighty stew
And it's your goddamn mother you dirty little git, now
Get in there and wash yer ears!