Video: 'WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - John Lennon (official music video HD)'

(Monday, September 23, 1974) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon released “Whatever Gets You thru the Night”/“Beef Jerky” single by former Beatle John Lennon was released today in the U.S. (Oct. 4, 1974 in the UK), the lead single from his forthcoming album Walls and Bridges.

Video: 'Beef Jerky (Remastered 2010)'

Featuring Elton John on harmony vocals and piano, the inspiration for the song’s lyrics came from late-night television.

In December 2005, Lennon’s former mistress, May Pang, told Radio Times: “At night [Lennon] loved to channel-surf, and would pick up phrases from all the shows. One time, he was watching Reverend Ike, a famous black evangelist, who was saying, ‘Let me tell you guys, it doesn’t matter, it’s whatever gets you through the night.’ John loved it and said, ‘I’ve got to write it down or I’ll forget it.’ He always kept a pad and pen by the bed. That was the beginning of “Whatever Gets You thru the Night.””