Lucy in the Mind of Lennon

by Tim Kasser

Since John Lennon composed Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds in early 1967, fans and music critics alike have argued over the meaning of the song. Is it about drugs? Is it just a lyrical response to a drawing given Lennon by his 4-year-old son Julian? Is there some deeper meaning? Professor Tim Kasser goes beyond speculative explanations by applying innovative psychological methods to the song's lyrics and music. He deeply analyzes the song's linguistic structure, its basic theme, and the way its words and music had been used by Lennon in earlier songs. As the findings accumulate, Kasser weaves them together with the facts of Lennon's life and established psychological theories to provide an integrative (and sometimes surprising) perspective on the psychological processes that led Lennon to write Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds . Kasser goes on to follow the unfolding of these personal dynamics in later Lennon songs like I am the Walrus , Yer Blues , and Working Class Hero .

No other book has so closely examined this period of Lennon's life with such a sophisticated psychological approach. Kasser's methods and perspective point to the usefulness of scientific psychology for understanding why a particular person does a particular thing at a particular time, at the same time that they shed new light on this fascinating and controversial man.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Hank Stuever · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slender, intriguing book washed up on the giveaway table at work and I figured it had been a while since I tried a Beatles book. Very quickly into this it's clear that it's an academic work, but it's accessibly and thoughtfully written. (I didn't know that was even possible in books by academics.) I enjoyed this. It breaks down "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" (unpacking some of the urban myths around its meaning[s]) but it's mainly a thorough work of psychobiography. I learned more about present-day psychology here than I learned about the song, a lot of which I found interesting.

[William Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in draft form. One of the very best psychobiographies out there, easily.

[Tosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very odd book by Tim Kasser who is a Professor of Psychology, on the subject matter of John Lennon and his wonderful song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds." First of all, a Psychologist looking into Lennon's mind seems so un-rock n' roll like. Two, it sort of creeps me out that someone can do this without actually meeting or talking to the patient of sorts - Mr. Lennon.

So basically Kasser is getting his information second and third hand, and I think he's reading too literally into a work that's art - which in mind comes from numerous places in the Lennon brain and out there in the world. There is nothing wrong in writing a book like this, but it is also not that interesting. I think Kasser states the obvious, and it would have been more interesting if he focused on the culture or the roots of this song. And maybe in his eyes he did that, but I feel "Lucy..." is about the '60's, London life, as well as the world of Carroll (Alice) and Lennon's insecurity. I think Lennon was a genius in getting something raw and polishing the work till it becomes something else. And I would say he did that for his brilliant debut solo album as well. It is personal, but on a bigger plane it is about feelings, and pop songs are basically the graveyard and platform for 'feelings.' Lennon knew that, and that is what made him the artist that he is.