New York City (John Lennon and Yoko Ono song) Lennon incorporating a bit of New York City vernacular with the statement "what a bad ass city." Music critic Johnny Rogan claims that "the melody sounds like a direct lift from 'The Ballad of John and Yoko.'" Music critic Paul Du Noyer describes "New York City" as a "solid, rousing rocker." Music critic Paul Blaney describes it as "a rough and tumble rocker" and a "dense exciting street rocker." Lennon is backed by Elephant's Memory, whose provide a brassy sound. Beatles expert Bruce Spizer describes Lennon's guitar playing as being in "Chuck Berry style." According to Du Noyer, Lennon performs
Mother (John Lennon song) about its commercial appeal and he considered issuing "Love" as a single instead. In November 1982, a remixed version of "Love" was released as a single to help promote The John Lennon Collection LP. An early version of "Mother" performed on an electric guitar by Lennon can be heard on the "John Lennon Anthology" box set. A demo version of the song was featured in the final scene and credits of the 2009 John Lennon biographical film, "Nowhere Boy". Barbra Streisand recorded "Mother" (as well as Lennon's "Love") on her 1971 album "Barbra Joan Streisand"; it was also released as