When I first heard this on the radio I thought it was a John Lennon song. Julian’s voice is different but can be very similar to John.
This was Julian’s first single in the US and his second in the UK. His next American single, “Too Late for Goodbyes,” fared even better, going to #5 in the Billboard 100.
Julian recorded this at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, which was located along the Tennessee River in Sheffield, Alabama.Jimmy Johnson who was one of the studio owners, Lennon’s lyric “Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar” was inspired by his time there.
Valotte peaked at #9 in the Billboard 100 and #9 in Canada.
The great director Sam Peckinpah directed Julian’s first two movies.
Julian Lennon: “The place where that was written, which was actually a beautiful little run-down chateau in the middle of France, which is where the label at the time decided was a good place to send their artists to work out their writing skills. I know that Thomas Dolby had been down there and a few other high-end acts at that point in time.
It was just a really tranquil, beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere, where one could get a little lonely, I guess. The song initially came from that idea of just being in this beautiful landscape and dreaming of the idea that if you found that love of your life, this is something that you’d aspire to. It’s as simple as that, really.”
From Songfacts
The album was dedicated to “My mother Cynthia and to my Father.” Julian is John Lennon’s first son. His mother is Cynthia Lennon, who John was married to before Yoko (they had a son named Sean). Julian sounds a lot like his dad, and a lot of people were surprised to learn it was not a John Lennon song when they first heard it.
On “Valotte,” Lennon was backed by bass player David Hood, and keyboard player Barry Beckett, and drummer Roger Hawkins, who were the other owners of the studio.
The album was mixed at The Hit Factory recording studio in New York City on the same console John Lennon used to record the album Double Fantasy.
Most Americans got their first look at Julian Lennon on MTV, which gave his clips consistent airplay. In the UK, he often appeared in the gossip press, but his interviews to promote the Valotte album gave the first real insights into his personality and his feelings toward his dad. In these early interviews, he stressed that he was forming his own identity, and in no way trying to emulate his father’s music. He also spent a lot of time disproving the notion that he was a coddled rich kid; he went to public schools and did not receive money from John Lennon’s estate until he was older.
As for the question of how he felt toward his dad, Julian explained that he was proud of his dad’s work, but it was very difficult growing up with an absent father. In his first Melody Maker interview, he said, “I always had something against him, but I never knew what it was… apart from him leaving home and all that. It was because I went to visit him but he never came to visit me. That’s the only thing that got me.”
Justin Clayton and Carlton Morales, who played guitar on the album, co-wrote this song with Lennon.
Valotte
Sitting on the doorstep of the house I can’t afford
I can feel you there
Thinking of a reason, well, it’s really not very hard
to love you even though you nearly lost my heart
How can I explain the meaning of our love
It fits so tight, closer than a glove
[ Chorus ]
Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar
Wonderin’ if we’re really ever gonna get that far
Do you know there’s something wrong
‘Cause I’ve felt it all along
I can see you face in the mirrors of my mind
Will you still be there
We’re really not so clever as we seem to think we are
We’ve always got our troubles
So we’ll solve them at the bar
The days go by, we seem to drift apart
If I could only find a way to keep hold of your heart
[ Repeat chorus ]
Sitting in the valley as I watch the sun go down
I can see you there
Thinking of a reason, well, it’s really not very hard
to love you though you nearly lost my heart
When will we know when the change is gonna come
I’ve got a good feeling and it’s coming from the sun
Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar
Wonderin’ if we’re really ever gonna get that far
Do you know there’s something wrong
We’ll stick together ’cause we’re strong
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
a great song. My favorite of Julian’s. I think it would’ve fit in ok with his father’s catalog, but I guess for some people that was the problem – it was TOO like John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That could have been it. Out of all of his songs…this one the lead single of his career sounded more like John than the rest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a really special song, I thought. It’s been too long since I’ve listened to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard it in years…I agree it is special. I like Julian’s music but this one stands apart for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same with me. I’m glad it hasn’t been overplayed on the radio, but a few more plays now and then would be appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can’t have that! We need to hear “Sweet Home Alabama” again! I am glad it is not wore out don’t get me wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes, and Boston’s More Than a Feeling, and Foreigner’s Hot Blooded. :p
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I fight the same lost cause…but they are the ones worth fighting for!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I vow to keep up the fight! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me also!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This song popped into my head last week. I agree with other commenters that it was the one wherein Julian sounded most like his father, which may not have helped him at all. I thought it was lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is truly a good song. I wish he would have went the way Jacob Dylan did with the Wallflowers…starting with a band instead of just him. I don’t know if it would have mattered…I guess the comparisons would have been there regardless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought this cassette when it came out (’84?) and always liked it, but hadn’t heard the whole album in probably 25 years. I found a used CD a couple years back and was glad that it had aged better than I expected. That is, the songs are strong enough to overcome that 1980’s production.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“strong enough to overcome that 1980’s production.” you said it all in that. I was surprised when I heard it again a a little while back.
I wonder if Julian would have made it with a band…like Jakob Dylan…if that would have helped make his career a little longer? Instead of all the attention just on him…but when you are Lennon’s son it may not have mattered.
LikeLike
To my mind, the best of his albums. He does sound a lot like his father, but I get the sense he’s a more gentle soul.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is the song that he sounds like John more than any other to me because it sounds more like a John song. I really liked his 90s music also but it didn’t get played much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The apple did not fall far from the tree here, as Julian sounds a lot like his dad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great track! Very talented fella but than the last name tells the tale.
Amazing he just went off the grid for years after or at least I think he did lol after this came out
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea he came out with some good songs in the 90s but no one wanted to listen. He did vanish for a while…he couldn’t win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That happens which is sad but sometimes the public can be ruthless. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julian’s album Photograph Smile is his best work, and far too under-appreciated. Well worth searching out if you have not. And apologies in advance if I have said this previously.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree…some great power-pop on that album.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He sounds like his dad but, to me, more polished. I’ve always liked his voice better.
He and I have a lot in common. We are close in age and had absent fathers. Not impressed with John’s behavior…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like his voice…but as you know I like rawness better. That is why I favor Lennon over McCartney’s voice. Thats not saying I don’t like McCartneys but Lennon’s would cut through fog…I like that.
LikeLike
Cut through fog… Yeah. He was the lead voice on “Twist & Shout.” That is certainly a fog cutter. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My favorite vocal by him is A Day In The Life. A lot of echo but it cuts right through it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was a big John Lennon fan and when I first heard this song I loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes the two of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The production kind of had that John Lennon feel about it. I liked that album a lot. Obviously he wasn’t his father but I thought he would have more success than he did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did also. I’ve wondered if he would have been in a band like Jakob Dylan if it would have helped a little.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly can’t be easy being John Lennon’s son- and being a musician also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unlike many other songs by Julian, this beautiful ballad definitely had John Lennon written all over it. While I really dig it, I guess it can be a double-edged sword when you want to be your own artist and release a song that very much sounds your famous dad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea this song sounds like a John song more than any other of his. Jakob Dylan got by with being a famous son…being in the Wallflowers I think helped divert some of the attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person