I feel that my work is not in vain, that it does have a place in society, even though it may not be considered that it has a place in society - it doesn't matter.
— Yoko Ono
A lot of things have been thrown at me in life, and I've got through it all without a rule book, taking it one day at a time.
Many people do remember their births, but they deny it.
Marriage is a difficult project. When seven years have passed and all your body's cells have been replaced, you're meant to experience that seven-year itch.
My husband John Lennon was a very special man. A man of humble origin, he brought light and hope to the whole world with his words and music.
I think if you give in and accept society's stereotypes, then you start thinking, 'I cannot dance till late at night because I'm 70.'
Some people think that movements, such as the movements in ballet, are a higher cultural expression, whereas some are just dirt. I think it is elitist to think that a trained movement is more acceptable than untrained and possibly unrehearsed movements.
The process is always the same. I get an inspiration for a new song, I put it down on paper immediately so I won't lose it. When I am ready to go to the studio with it, I play it a few times on the piano and edit, add, and type the lyrics and take it to the studio. Sometimes I don't have anything on paper.
I always believed that my work should be unfinished in the sense that I encourage people to add their creativity to it, either conceptually or physically. Back in the 1960s, I was calling for 'Unfinished Music,' number one, and number two, with my artwork - I was taking unfinished work into the gallery. And that's how I was looking at it.
I don't think you should always stay calm in a tense situation, because you might not ever confront the problem. Maybe it's better to actually let yourself be tense - and find a solution.
I get very nervous before I get on the stage, but once I'm on the stage, I'm just, you know, me. Nothing hurts me.
The regret of my life is that I have not said 'I love you' often enough.
When you're imagining peace, you can't kill anyone. That's good isn't it?
Most people like to hear sounds they are used to.
The universe, when you leave it alone, is going to be beautiful.
Your private life is really very important for you. You know, all of us, you know.
I'm just being normal. A normal woman. Well, I don't know what a normal woman is, but I'm a woman and I'm Yoko and I've never changed that.
I just like to explore all sorts of different forms - no, 'explore' is not even the word - enjoy. You don't want to limit yourself to a particular form.
I was born into a very important family in Japan. My grandfather was a descendant of the Emperor, and we were very wealthy.
The thing that would most improve my life is 27 hours in a day. I could meet all my deadlines.
You can't always be in awe of someone's talent, living with them.
Artists and musicians of the Sixties were definitely into clothes.
Words are power. And a book is full of words. Be careful what power you get from it. But know that you do.
Sound as medium has an incredible elasticity. So, of course, it is tempting for artists of other fields to try something with sounds. Why not? We are living in the age when there is no limit in gathering all forms of art and music to mix it together if you so desire.
I think there is a big difference between the music business and music. And my relationship is to music, not music business. I think the business will keep changing, but music won't. Music will be there.
I must say that I always thought I had a voice, even when I was 4 years old.
People just love to be entertained, and in order to entertain them, you have to do things in a way that they understand.
Great Art is Great because it inspired you greatly. If it didn't, no matter what the critics, the museums and the galleries say, it's not great art for you.
We live too long for one marriage.
I'm not interested so much in collaboration. You see that from the history of my albums.
I don't have time to listen to anybody's music. I'm making it, you know.
Money is not everything. We don't need billions and trillions of dollars.
I just wish that people will be kinder to me when I pass away.
In the '60s, people were still very protective of each field that they belonged to. Avant-garde artists didn't know about rock or pop or jazz. And the jazz people of course didn't want to know about any other music. They were all just kind of protecting their territory.
Art is a mind-game that we do to make our lives easier. If it isn't for that, it becomes superfluous.
The Beatles were a group made up of four very complex men, and my small hand could not have broken these men up.
The computer is my favourite invention. I feel lucky to be part of the global village. I don't mean to brag, but I'm so fast with technology. People think it all seems too much, but we'll get used to it. I'm sure it all seemed too much when we were learning to walk.
You can be very wild and still be very wise.
I am extremely rebellious. I have this strong, defiant spirit.
I travel a lot, so when I arrive in a city, I like to go to good local bookshops and make a selection based on how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. The book I pick usually seems to have a definite karmic connection!
My heart is mysteriously alive in the world of sounds - a totally different dimension from the daily life.
I've always said that I use my voice as an instrument. It was something I created myself, and I said, 'Have voice, will travel.'
The sky is always there for me, while my life has been going through many, many changes. When I look up the sky, it gives me a nice feeling, like looking at an old friend.
Reality can be elastic, and I want to see how elastic it can be, you know?
Sometimes I am happy and sometimes not. I am, after all, a human being, you know. And I am glad that we are sometimes happy and sometimes not. You get your wisdom working by having different emotions.
I admire all people who are trying to be a good power in this chaotic world.
Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring.
When I'm putting some communication out on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, I think that it's helping me, my brain, you know, because it's always somehow stimulated by people who are sending things to me. And it works both ways. It's great. My brain is very happy about it.
Dancing is a very healthy thing to do for our body.
I don't have a goal. I don't limit myself to a goal.
