Would have it become album of the year?

[Nico]

It's difficult to say. My instinctive response is no. I think it would have done really well, but it probably wouldn't have received "Album Of The Year." However, that means very little in the grand scheme of things. John was a musical artist who wrote some of the most brilliant and indelibly perfect masterpieces of the 20th century- with and without Paul McCartney. So the fact that his death incited such a reaction from the public, his peers, and those who cast the ballots at the award ceremonies is only a smidgen in his actual impact as the legend that he was.

I think Double Fantasy is an extraordinarily beautiful, touching, and bittersweet album. I personally consider it a masterpiece, but everyone has their own feelings. When I was growing up as a Lennon fan, I instantly was drawn into his confessional, honest, and driving solo stuff- the Plastic Ono Band and the melodic brilliance of Imagine. I adored Walls & Bridges for it's energy and it's brilliant songs, and I adored his anthemic songs such as "Instant Karma," "Mind Games," and "Freda People."

Double Fantasy was a very different John. He was not as angry or as blunt, but he had softened and was embracing his life as a father and husband. The songs on that record, for me, took time to really sink in as the beautiful works that they were. It was a concept album, with a man/woman (John and Yoko) singing back and forth to one another about their life's ups and downs. Mainly ups. But there was some edge to it as well, in particular with "I'm Losing You" and "Hard Times Are Over."

If you've listened to John's music, starting all the way back to the late 50's there is always a tinge of sadness. He had an extremely difficult and tumultuous childhood that scarred him for his whole life. So when you take that John and fast-forward to 1980 and he's singing about adoring his wife, his son, starting over, baking bread, missing quality family time, etc. it can be hard to accept this from the man who was always thought as the "Edgy Beatle," the loud-mouth cynic, etc.

But the songs show that he had done a 180, had come into his own as a man and a human being. Not only that, they were beautifully written, filled with gorgeous melodies and amazing chords. I love it. John was still being honest, but it was more a statement of: "here I am not, this is me, my life, and I'm actually pretty happy."

I adore the album. It should be taken as a WHOLE, but John's songs outshine Yoko's because he was really at a peak. A peak. And therein lies the sadness...