Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives.… I am liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it.

About John Lennon

John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was an English musician, songwriter and activist. He gained global fame as the founder of the Beatles, in which he was the co-lead vocalist and played rhythm guitar, later adopting lead and bass guitar, keyboards...

More quotations from John Lennon

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

—John Lennon

reality imagination

Everything is clearer when you're in love.

—John Lennon

Love is the flower you've got to let grow.

—John Lennon

Songwriting is about getting the demon out of me. It's like being possessed. You try to go to sleep, but the song won't let you. So you have to get up and make it into something, and then you're allowed to sleep. It's always in the middle of the bloody night, or when you're half awake or tired, when your critical faculties are switched off. So letting go is what the whole game is.

—John Lennon

writing music letting go sleep night

Would those of you in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry.

—John Lennon

History

23 Nov 2014 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. . . . I am liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it.