On this day in music history: December 28, 1970 - “Mother” by John Lennon is released. Written by John Lennon, it is the fourth solo single release from the former Beatle. Lennon is inspired to write the song after attending Primal Scream therapy sessions with Dr. Arthur Janov, addressing issues of abandonment by his parents, specifically the death of his mother directly in the song. The spare, emotional ballad features Lennon on piano and vocals, bassist Klaus Voorman, and former Beatle band mate Ringo Starr on drums. Issued two weeks after the release of his debut solo album “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band”, Lennon has doubts about its commercial potential and nearly releases the track “Love” (released posthumously in 1982) in its place, but goes with his original intention and puts it out anyway. Though it is not a commercial success, peaking at #43 on the Hot 100 in January 1971, it is regarded as one of Lennon’s most personal and affecting songs. The single is backed with the track “Why” from Yoko’s debut solo album “Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band”. The US 45 (released with an edited version of the song) is also issued with a picture sleeve featuring the same photo of Lennon and Ono sitting under a tree, as on the album cover. Due to small print run, and minimal sales of the single, the sleeve becomes one of the rarest and sought after Lennon collectibles. The single is reissued in April of 2010 as part of the “Lennon Singles Bag” with a reproduction of the rare US picture sleeve. Over the years, “Mother” has been covered by a number of different artists including versions recorded by Barbra Streisand, Maynard Ferguson, Shelby Lynne, and Christina Aguilera.

thanks to Jeff Harris' blog Behind the Grooves