Any Beattles fan worth his salt knows the 1967 hit song Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds from their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Everyone thought the song was about the use of LSD but it was inspired by John Lennon's son Julian's drawing of his friend Lucy. Julian Lennon and Lucy Vodden were just 4 years old when Julian drew the picture at school and brought it home to his father saying, "That's Lucy in the sky with diamonds." John crafted a song around it that fans still love today. Admittedly, I had never heard of the song until maybe five years ago. I was born in the latter part of 1966, so I was less than a year old when the song was released. However, I am a huge Natalie Cole fan. I bought Natalie's CD, Greatest Hits Volume 1, several years ago. While I was cleaning house one day, I put on that CD and just let it play. Usually, with any CD, I only play the songs I know and love. Well, since that day, I no longer do that. I listen to the entire CD at least once in hopes of finding another song that grabs me like the one I found that day. It's number six on the CD and it's titled, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Like I said, I had never heard of the song before but Natalie tore it up! Do ya hear me? I immediately set about learning the lyrics so that I could sing along. Of course, I assumed Natalie recorded the song during her days of drug usage (which she freely admitted to, took responsibility for and turned her life around... good for you, girl!). It wasn't until I pulled out the CD insert that listed the song's authors that I realized that this crazy-intoxicating song was a Beattles tune written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
As for the real Lucy, she is 46 years old now. Unfortunately, she is battling Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune illnesses literally cause the body to attack itself, causing chronic, debilitating and often deadly sickness. Upon learning of his old friend's grave circumstances, Julian Lennon got in touch with her and they remain in contact. Had it not been for their story, like everyone else, I would have continued to think the song was about drug use. It's much more heart-warming to know that it's about the friendship of two 4-year-old school kids, especially since they've renewed their friendship as adults. Don't you just love stories that spotlight the humanitarian side of people?! I do. Peace and blessings to you, Lucy and Julian. Natalie, have a speedy recovery from your kidney transplant surgery!
Click here to learn more about Lupus.
