"Some Time in New York City" stands as a unique double album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, backed by Elephant's Memory, released in June 1972 in the US and September 1972 in the UK under Apple Records. This marks Lennon's sixth solo album and his fourth collaboration with Ono. Co-produced by Lennon, Ono, and Phil Spector, the album takes a bold stance with politically charged lyrics, addressing issues like sexism, incarceration, colonialism, and racism, distinguishing it from Lennon's previous solo efforts.
Recorded between December 1971 and March 1972, the studio portion is complemented by a live component titled "Live Jam," featuring recordings from a 1969 UNICEF charity concert and a 1971 Fillmore East performance with notable guests like Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Nicky Hopkins, Keith Moon, and Klaus Voormann, along with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
Despite its controversial content, including the provocative single "Woman Is the Nigger of the World," the album faced harsh criticism upon release and struggled commercially. Frank Zappa expressed dissatisfaction with Lennon and Ono's handling of the Mothers' recordings, leading to his release of an alternative version later on. "Some Time in New York City" saw reissues in 2005 and 2010, with alterations in tracklisting, preserving its significance as a politically charged musical statement from Lennon and Ono.
