John Lennon’s “Cold Turkey“, a raw depiction of the experience of heroin withdrawal, was released on October 20, 1969.
Lennon had become addicted to the drug in 1968, while The Beatles were making the “White Album”.
Lennon was disappointed when the song failed to climb above #30 on the Billboard charts, but he placed part of the blame on American radio stations, saying they simply didn’t understand the intent of the song.
“Cold Turkey is self-explanatory. It was banned again all over the American radio, so it never got off the ground. They were thinking I was promoting heroin, but instead… They’re so stupid about drugs!”
Lennon had played a demo for Paul McCartney and suggested the Beatles record it as the group’s next single. Well aware McCartney would turn it down, he elected instead to issue it himself under the Plastic Ono Band mantle.
In September 1959, Lennon recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios. A searing riff played by Eric Clapton, akong with Klaus Voormann’s bass and Ringo Starr’s drums, were mixed with Lennon’s howls and screams.
“Cold Turkey“ was the first song Lennon wrote for which he took sole credit; his previous compositions, including his first single release, “Give Peace A Chance“ were attributed to the Lennon/McCartney partnership, although the credit for “Give Peace A Chance” was later changed to Lennon alone.