Harry Styles Likes a John Lennon Song About the Former Beatle’s Insecurities
Harry Styles is a fan of John Lennon’s songs. Styles named one of his favorite songs by the former Beatle. During the 1980s, John revealed the song in question was about his controlling attitude toward women.
Harry Styles said John Lennon and Yoko Ono gave the world his favorite album cover
A 2019 Rolling Stone article lists John as one of Styles’ “favorite things.” Styles discussed his feelings on some of John’s work. “I watched [the John documentary] Above Us Only Sky on Netflix,” Styles recalled. “Seeing him play ‘Imagine‘ on piano made me want to take piano lessons.”
Styles also praised some of John’s albums. “I really like Mind Games too,” he revealed. “My favorite-ever album cover is the John and Yoko Live Peace in Toronto. So beautiful: it’s blue sky with one cloud, and that’s it.”
One of Styles’ favorite songs by the former Beatle is “Jealous Guy.” “Have you ever heard the original version of ‘Jealous Guy?'” he asked. “It was called ‘Child of Nature.’ Every time I play ‘Jealous Guy,’ I can’t help singing ‘Child of Nature.'” Styles particularly liked Donnie Hathaway’s cover of “Jealous Guy.”
John Lennon admitted ‘Jealous Guy’ reflected his toxic attitudes
While Styles enjoys “Jealous Guy,” the song has a dark origin. According to the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed “Jealous Guy” in 1980. “[It was] my song, melody written in India,” John recalled. “The lyrics explain themselves clearly: I was a very jealous, possessive guy. Toward everything.
“A very insecure male,” John added. “A guy who wants to put his woman in a little box, lock her up, and just bring her out when he feels like playing with her. She’s not allowed to communicate with the outside world — outside of me — because it makes me feel insecure.”
How ‘Jealous Guy’ performed in the United States and the United Kingdom
“Jealous Guy” became a minor hit in the United States. The song reached No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for four weeks. John released “Jealous Guy” on the album Imagine. The album topped the Billboard 200 for a single week, staying on the chart for 47 weeks altogether.
“Jealous Guy” became significantly more popular in the United Kingdom. According to The Official Charts Company, the song reached No. 65 in 1985, staying on the chart for two weeks. In 1988, John’s estate released a double A-side single of “Imagine” and “Jealous Guy.” That single peaked at No. 45 and stayed on the chart for five weeks. Meanwhile, the album Imagine peaked at No. 1 in the U.K. for two of its 101 weeks on the chart.
“Jealous Guy” wasn’t one of John’s more popular songs; however, it has a special place in Styles’ heart.
