Darren DeVivo (GSB ’87) is an on-air host/ disc jockey at WFUV (90.7 FM), Fordham’s non-commercial radio station. He discovered the station while in high school and began working there as a college freshman in 1983. In fact, DeVivo chose to attend Fordham because of its “great radio station,” which fascinated the young music buff. Shortly after graduating, he returned to WFUV to host a weekly Friday night rock show and basically never left. He is on the air Monday through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and can be heard Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon on 90.7 FM-HD2 and www.wfuv.org on the “FUV Music” channel. DeVivo’s list honors what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday on Oct. 9.
1. God
(John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, 1970, from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band)
With this song, John disowns all that he once treasured, declares The Beatles dead and exclaims, “The dream is over.” Now it was just the two of them, he and Yoko.
2. Imagine
(John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band [with the Flux Fiddlers], 1971, from Imagine)
This is John Lennon’s signature song. Like many of John’s hopeful songs, this one became more poignant after his death.
3. Gimme Some Truth
(John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band [with the Flux Fiddlers], 1971, from Imagine)
John demands truth in the political landscape with an angry, bile-spitting vocal.
4. New York City
(John and Yoko, the Plastic Ono Band and Elephant’s Memory [plus Invisible Strings], 1972, fromSome Time In New York City)
Here, John salutes his new, adopted hometown. This song is a diary of sorts, acknowledging John’s life in New York City, citing places he has been and the friends he has made.
5. (Just Like) Starting Over
(John Lennon, 1980, from Double Fantasy)
John’s first new release in five years declares a fresh start for the new decade. It’s a hopeful song that looks to the future while leaving the disappointments of the 1970s in the past. Life begins at 40.
6. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
(John Lennon, 1980, from Double Fantasy)
The birth of John and Yoko’s only child, Sean, in 1975 was a life-altering event. One of his final recordings was this tender love song to his “darling Sean.”
7. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)
(John Ono Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, 1970, single)
This was John’s first release of the 1970s and an anthem for the ages!
8. Power To The People
(John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, 1971, single)
This driving anthem, featuring an in-your-face vocal from John, is a fist-pumping song of empowerment for the human race.
9. Give Peace A Chance
(The Plastic Ono Band, 1969, single)
John’s first single away from The Beatles, and the debut for John and Yoko’s conceptual band. This was the theme song for the peace movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it still resonates today.
10. Woman
(John Lennon, 1980, from Double Fantasy)
John was never shy about singing about his love for Yoko, and this song—one of John’s greatest ballads—sums up all of his previous sentiments.
