John Lennon’s single ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ was released in the USA on 23 October 1980.
The b-side was Yoko Ono’s song ‘Kiss Kiss Kiss’. Both songs also appeared on their Double Fantasy album, which was released on 17 November.
‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ was Lennon’s much-anticipated comeback following five years away from the public eye.
We knew that song would be the first single. I love ‘Starting Over’, but when I hear it now it just chokes me up a bit because it’s how we felt at the time. We really thought that we were starting over and it didn’t work out that way.
Starting Over, Ken Sharp
The record was heavily promoted, with US record stores using countertop cardboard display boxes, and 21″x8″ posters being sent out to UK shops. A promotional 12″ single lasting an extra 23 seconds was issued to radio stations, and has since become a collector’s item.
‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ became Lennon’s biggest solo hit in the United States. At the time of his death it was at number six in the Billboard Hot 100. The following week it climbed two places, and it topped the chart during the week ending 27 December 1980.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Ringo Starr live: Citi Performing Arts Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- 2014: Ringo Starr live: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida
- 2012: Apple Inc granted trademark for The Beatles’ Apple Corps logo
- 2010: English Heritage plaque unveiled at Lennon and Ono’s former London home
- 2005: Paul McCartney live: Bradley Center, Milwaukee
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Palasport, Florence
- 1974: Press conference: George Harrison, Los Angeles
- 1968: Recording: Yellow Submarine film score
- 1964: The Beatles live: Gaumont State Cinema, Kilburn, London
- 1963: Travel: London to Stockholm, Sweden
- 1963: Recording, mixing: I Wanna Be Your Man, Little Child, Hold Me Tight
- 1960: The Beatles live: Kaiserkeller, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I bought this single the day it came out. Out of my small circle of people, I was the only one that had a copy prior to Dec. 8, 1980. Naturally, after Dec. 8, everyone went out and bought it, plus the two follow-up singles and the parent album.
Actually, I waited awhile to get “Double Fantasy”, knowing in advance that I wouldn’t like half of it, since Yoko’s on half of it. Never was a Yoko fan, sorry.