John- Isolation
Isolation and Hold On John, they're the rough remixes. I just remixed them that night on seven-and-a-half [inches per second tape] to take them home to see what else I was going to do with them. And then I didn't really, I didn't even put them onto fifteen [IPS], so the quality is a bit hissy on 'em too. By the time I'd done everything, I started listening. I found out it's better that, with Instant Karma and other things, you remix it right away that night. I'd known that before, but never followed it through.
John Lennon, 1970
Lennon Remembers, Jann S Wenner
The middle section, meanwhile, was adapted from Barrett Strong's song Oh I Apologize, the original b-side of Money (That's What I Want).
I don't expect you to take me back
After I've caused you so much pain
But if you do I promise you
I will never, never make that same mistake again
Oh I Apologise
"Isolation" reveals Lennon's feelings of vulnerability....
Despite his fame and fortune.
The musicians who performed on the original recording were as follows:
John – vocals, piano, Ringo – drumsKlaus – bass guitar
At the time, Lennon began to feel disillusioned with fame and where his life was heading, with the breakup of the Beatles, the attacks he and were facing at the time, as well as acute insecurity and self-doubt brought on through his extensive drug use."