John Lennon has, is, and always will be my favorite member of The Beatles. Whether it be his songs written for the band or any from his solo career, each piece of his music speaks to me in various ways that I can’t explain in a single article. In honor of what would have been his 77th birthday on October 9th, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 lyrics that stick out to me the most from his songs and those that will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. “No longer riding on the merry-go-round, I just had to let it go.” (Watching the Wheels - Double Fantasy)

This is a lyric applicable to any concept of letting go or moving on (potentially from anything considered juvenile), which is a feeling everyone experiences on more than one occasion in life. Out of all the lyrics on this list, this has to be the most relatable to any and all listeners.

2. “I was the walrus, but now I’m John.” (God - John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band)

Here, Lennon speaks of his transition from The Beatles to his solo career, referencing the band’s hit, ‘I Am The Walrus’, to which he had written. Lennon tries to describe how in The Beatles; he was portraying someone different then he is 'now' in his solo career. He has the freedom and ability to express himself in whichever way he pleases, something everyone should have the right to do.

3. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” (Beautiful Boy- Double Fantasy)

Of course, we all plan out exactly what we think might happen in our lives in years to come, but not everything turns out how we expect it. Lennon tries to show us this with this lyric, giving a little piece of advice for everyone that we needed to hear.

4. “Everywhere people stare, each and every day, I can see them laugh at me, and I hear them say...Hey, you've got to hide your love away” (You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away -Help!)

On a personal note, I view this lyric as having to conceal a part of your personality, in fear of judgment from the public eye. And who else wouldn't have that fear? This is the message which Lennon was trying to convey in this song had to deal with hidden love, though it's open to interpretation.

5. “He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his nowhere land, making all his nowhere plans for nobody.” (Nowhere Man - Rubber Soul)

It's hard not to envision ourselves as the 'nowhere man' from time to time. While listening to this lyric, and the song in its entirety, it's easy to see me in this state, being a person that no one pays much attention to and is sort of left alone in their own place. Such a simple lyric can cause anyone to envision themselves as being the topic of the song.

6. “Help me get my feet back on the ground, won't you please, please help me?” (Help! - Help!)

This was a cry for help that Lennon put into song, reminiscing about his younger days when life seemed to be much simpler. There has yet to be a day where I don't think back to when I was younger, so much younger than today, and realize life is clearly tougher now than it ever was many years back. This lyric can only enhance these thoughts that I, and many listeners, have.

7. “And so this is Christmas, for weak and for strong, for rich and the poor ones, the world is so wrong.” (Happy Xmas (War Is Over))

Written as a protest song against the Vietnam War, 'Happy Xmas' can be tied into how we view and deal with our present world issues. It's clear to see that "the world is so wrong", and we must come to terms with how we should live as a culture, and what kind of world we want to leave for future generations.

8. “When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years, then they expect you to pick a career.” (Working Class Hero - John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band)

The first "20 odd years" of our life can be a terrifying, eventful experience full of the good and the bad. Even if we don't have it all figured out by then, we are still forced to join society despite our confusion. This lyric reflects that, helping us get a better take on what our lives can be like.

9. "How can I go forward when I don't know which way I'm facing?” (How? - Imagine)

A struggle is having to know and figure out what direction life is taking you, and knowing which way you need to go yourself. Denial about ourselves and what we think and feel is more than common, and here, we witness a very honest and true message Lennon has displayed for us to ponder on.

10. “Imagine all the people living life in peace.” (Imagine - Imagine)

This is a simple, yet profound cry for peace in the world. It doesn't involve only this lyric specifically, but the song in its entirety that we have all come to know, love, and hopefully learn from gives us this impact.