⭐ 28th November 1974… – EP: Mar. 1981

I Saw Her Standing There b/w Whatever Gets You Through the Night / Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

7" EP (33⅓ RPM) — DJM Records, DJS 10965

Released: March 13, 1981 (UK)

The night John Lennon kept his promise — captured, pressed, and released seven years later.

28th November 1974… documents one of the most mythic moments in rock history: John Lennon’s surprise return to the stage at Madison Square Garden, fulfilling a promise to Elton John after “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” hit No. 1 in the US. The performance took place on Thanksgiving night, November 28, 1974 — Lennon’s final major concert appearance.

The EP, released in March 1981, gathers three live recordings from that night: “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Whatever Gets You Through the Night,” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Backed by the Elton John Band and the Muscle Shoals Horns, Lennon delivered a spirited, emotional performance that has since become legendary. Elton introduced “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” as “one of the best songs ever written,” and Lennon — visibly moved — joined him for a rare, joyous rendition.

“I Saw Her Standing There,” sung by Lennon and credited to the Elton John Band featuring John Lennon, had first appeared in 1975 as the B‑side to “Philadelphia Freedom.” The 1981 EP marked the first time all three songs were issued together. They later appeared in the 1990 Lennon box set and the 1996 remaster of Elton’s Here and There.

This EP stands as a time capsule of friendship, reconciliation, and the last time Lennon’s voice rang out on a concert stage.

🔘 Track List

A‑side

• I Saw Her Standing There — 3:34

• Whatever Gets You Through the Night — 4:26

• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds — 6:14

(All tracks recorded live at Madison Square Garden, November 28, 1974.)

🔘 Variants

UK Variants — DJM Records (DJS 10965), 1981

• 7", 33⅓ RPM, Single — Standard issue

• 7", 33⅓ RPM, Single — Promo, DJ copy

• 7", 33⅓ RPM / 45 RPM — White label test pressing

• 7", 33⅓ RPM, Single — Alternate sleeve variations documented

(All variants confirmed as UK 1981 pressings.)

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

• Peak: No. 40

• First chart date: March 21, 1981

• Weeks on chart: 4

• Chart run:

47 → 40 → 40 → 58

🔘 Context & Notes

• Lennon promised Elton he would join him onstage if “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” hit No. 1 — it did, and Lennon kept his word.

• This was Lennon’s final full‑length concert appearance.

• “I Saw Her Standing There” is one of only two Lennon–McCartney compositions to reach No. 1 in the US by an artist other than The Beatles.

• Elton rarely performs “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” today, saying it reminds him too much of Lennon.

• The songs were later included in:

– Lennon (1990 box set)

– Here and There (1996 remaster)

• The performance appears in the 1976 documentary All This and World War II.

• The EP’s title references the exact date of the concert.

🔘 Visual Archive

A black‑and‑white photograph of Elton John and John Lennon onstage. Elton, in a sequined outfit, has his arm around Lennon, who wears sunglasses and holds an electric guitar. The text “28th November 1974…” appears in red in the upper corner.

Elton John Band Featuring John Lennon — 28th November 1974… (1981), live photo from Madison Square Garden.

🔘 Related Material

• “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975 single — first appearance of “I Saw Her Standing There”)

• Here and There (1976 / 1996)

• Lennon (1990 box set)

• Elton John & John Lennon — Madison Square Garden, 1974 (historic performance)

🔘 Discography

• 28th November 1974… (EP, 1981)

• “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975)

• Here and There (1976 / 1996)

• Lennon (1990)

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

• Nov 28, 1974 — Lennon joins Elton onstage at Madison Square Garden

• 1975 — “I Saw Her Standing There” released as B‑side to “Philadelphia Freedom”

• Mar 13, 1981 — EP 28th November 1974… released

• Mar 21, 1981 — Enters UK charts

• 1990 — Tracks included in Lennon box set

• 1996 — Tracks appear on Here and There remaster

🔘 Glam Flashback

A promise kept, a friendship rekindled, and a final burst of Lennon’s live magic — frozen forever on tape. This EP is more than a release; it’s a moment in rock history.

🔘 Closing Notes

28th November 1974… remains one of the most emotionally charged releases in either artist’s catalogue — a rare document of Lennon’s last stage appearance and a testament to the bond between two giants of 20th‑century music.

🔘 Sources & Copyright

Information drawn from user‑provided notes, historical accounts of the 1974 performance, and UK chart data.

All artwork and photography remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

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