Analysis of John Lennon's song "God"

Analysis of lyrics in John Lennon’s “God” This was included to give a new perspective on the song.

“God” lyric	Interpretation
God is a concept by which we measure our pain	In John Lennon’s eyes, people for the most part only believe in God when they feel like there’s nothing they can do.
I’ll say it again	This implies that the previous statement is important and that everyone needs to hear it if they weren’t listening the first time
God is a concept by which we measure our pain	See above.  It also refers to God as a concept, suggesting that He isn’t real.
I don’t believe in magic	Magic is a popular plot device in fantasy.  It is something introduced to us as children to give the world a sense of wonder.  A disbelief in it suggests that all wonder has been seen and found to be nothing.
I don’t believe in I-Ching	The I-Ching is a book of Eastern Philosophy that states that nothing is coincidence, everything is meant to happen and that all things are interconnected.  George Harrison used the concept to find the phrase “gently weeps” in a book, from which he wrote “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”  A disbelief in it suggests that one doesn’t believe in fate.
I don’t believe in the Bible	The Bible is the doctrine/guideline (depending on your denomination) of Christian belief, the ultimate focus of which is that God loves you, you should love Him back, love your neighbor as yourself and that God is in control of history.  A rejection of this is a rejection of Christianity as well as a rejection of fate.
I don’t believe in tarot	Tarot cards are an art of fortune telling often believed to be related to the devil.  Like the two above, it suggests a disbelief in fate, making the John Lennon who wrote this a far cry from the one who wrote “don’t you know it’s gonna be all right?” in Revolution.
I don’t believe in Hitler	Adolf Hitler was a cruel, harsh man who was worshipped by the Nazis.  He is hailed by the KKK and Neo-Nazis today and is history’s most clear warning on the dangers of an overabundance of conservatism.  A disbelief in him is a disbelief in using violence to accomplish goals.
I don’t believe in Jesus	Jesus of Nazareth is the Holy, begotten son of God who chose to die the death of a criminal for the sake of people.  A disbelief in Jesus suggests self-loathing (I am worthless, why would anyone die for me), a faith in one’s eyes and science above all else (I can’t see how Genesis corresponds to reality, so it must not be real) and/or a thorough disapproval of the Christian Church (these people act like greedy morons and say Jesus told them to do so, therefore, He must be bad).
I don’t believe in Kennedy	John F. Kennedy was America’s “golden boy,” a 35-year-old president that supported civil rights who was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald.  To this day, conspiracy theories persist about his death, claiming that communists, the mod, Lyndon B. Johnson and even George Bush Sr. are responsible.  A disbelief in Kennedy suggests an annoyance with politic worship (a modern-day version may say Clinton, Bush or Obama in Kennedy’s stead).
I don’t believe in Buddha	Buddha was an Indian Prince who chose to dedicate his life to religion.  His religion details the importance of listening to re-incarted “enlightened ones,” namely, the Dalai Lama.  As such, a disbelief in him suggests a rejection of idol worship.
I don’t believe in mantra	A mantra is a Hindu code, which you must apply to your life in that religion.  A disbelief in mantras is a rejection of Hinduism and a belief that such rules are useless.
I don’t believe in Gita	This took some research.  Gita is short for the Bhagavad Gita, a book of Hindu scripture.  It details most of the Hindu beliefs, as such; not believing in it is a rejection of Hinduism.
I don’t believe in yoga	Yoga is an exercise form that is popular in Eastern Culture.  I think it has roots in the Karma Sutra; it tries to relax your body and mind through various forms.  A disbelief in yoga suggests a disbelief in various crazes that hit people in countries, as yoga was one such craze.
I don’t believe in kings	Kings are rulers of countries, though they are much less popular now.  The inclusion here may refer to Lennon’s controversial return of his MBE due to England’s continued support of Vietnam.  It may also say he rejects authority figures.
I don’t believe in Elvis	Elvis Presley was a southern Rock and Roll artist hailed as the King of Rock and Roll.  Lennon idolized Elvis early in his career; his inclusion here suggests disillusionment with his idol.
I don’t believe in Zimmerman	This also took some research.  Apparently, Zimmerman was Bob Dylan’s birth name, though the line could also refer to a socialist activist or a magician/pianist, all seem suitable in Lennon’s rejection of idols.  If it is Dylan, as is the most likely case, John Lennon is expressing further disillusionment and annoyance with celebrity worship.
I don’t believe in The Beatles	The Beatles, rock and roll’s best band, were John Lennon and three of his closest friends, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr (who actually plays drums on this track).  By not believing in The Beatles, John is not only turning his back on his past, he is also expressing annoyance at the public for treating his band like gods.
I just believe in me	At the moment, John only needs himself to get out of his pain, nothing organized has helped him deal with his issues.
Yoko and me	See above, add that either A.) he’s still obsessed with Yoko Ono, seeing her as an almost-messianic figure (Don’t Let Me Down, Dig a Pony, I Want You (She’s So Heavy)) or that he needs her to help him through his pain.
And that’s reality	This line suggests that anything else one worships is fiction.
The dream is over	This line suggests that either religious people are merely dreaming and need to be awoken, or that John’s dream with The Beatles is over.  Atheist critics use this line to describe dwindling populations of Religious People.  The dream that The Beatles and Lennon were gods is over.
What can I say?	What more can John Lennon say?  To him, religion is nothing now and he wants something real to believe in, and everything he once believed in led him nowhere.
The dream is over	See above
Yesterday	This may be a reference to Paul McCartney’s song.  If so, it implies that religion is like a drug (Marxism), or combined with the following line, it suggests that The Beatles were worshipped and John Lennon is sick of being treated like a god when he’s only a man.
I was the dreamweaver	Referring to his life with The Beatles, John is saying the crazy days of psychedelic music that he was loved for are over.  He’s done being a Beatles member, done being a god.
But now I’m reborn	True story: John and Yoko shaved their heads and declared 1970 Year 0 after The Beatles broke up.  To put it simply, John was thoroughly done with everything he was admired for, sick of the public’s empty praise.
I was the Walrus, but now I’m John	Further showing his removal from being hailed as a god, John Lennon refers to “I Am the Walrus,” a song he has translated as being “I am the one.”  He no longer wishes to be “the one,” he just wants to be himself.
And so, dear friends, you’ll just have to carry on.	John is saying everyone must now carry the weight of their own pain and not rely on a savior, deal with their own issues.
The dream is over	See above

I have now heard this song.  Truly painful, it details that John doesn’t want to be admired as a god any more.  The film is over; all that’s left is a big room with a sticky floor and stale popcorn.  He’s sick of the empty praise and idle idol worship that goes, you’re loved one day, hated the next, forgotten the day after.  I cried my eyes out, wanting to just hug him and ease his pain, but I can’t.  He’s dead, gone, left this world with only memories and echoes.