The lyrics to "Born in a Prison" use
prison as a
metaphor for the constraints society places on individuals. To music critic
Johnny Rogan, the song reiterates themes from Lennon's earlier song "
Working Class Hero" and equates all of life to a prison sentence. Author John Blaney gives an alternative view that with "Born in a Prison", Ono abandons the abstract metaphors of her earlier work, feeling that the song represents "simple
leftist dogma". Cinema professor Jonathan Kahana claims that with lyrics such as "born in a prison/raised in a prison/sent to a prison called school," the song anticipates the disciplinary institutions suggested by
Michel Foucault in works such as 1975's
Discipline and Punish. :''Wood becomes a
flute when it's loved'' :
Reach for yourself and your battered mates :''Mirror becomes a razor when it's broken'' :
Look in the mirror and see your shattered fate To Kahana, this suggests that institutions can be transformed just as objects can, although when making these transformations it is critical to "use both love and violence creatively". On
Some Time in New York City, Ono provides the lead vocals with Lennon providing
harmony during the refrain. Lennon also plays guitar,
Jim Keltner plays drums, and
Elephant's Memory provides the remaining backing instruments. The song is particularly propelled by the
saxophone playing of Elephant's Memory's Stan Bronstein, which links the verses, and which Rogan describes as "creating a
cocktail lounge feel". ==Critical reception==