Easily one of the most fascinating covers of John Lennon’s ‘Grow Old With Me’ comes from a 1990 version by The Angel Whispers.
Between late 1990 and early 1991, there were five albums released in Japan under the name The Angel Whispers. The name is listed on the front of each as Angel Whisper and on the back as The Angel Whispers. The latter is how the music is listed on current streaming platforms.
The albums were later reissued with the title ‘Meet the Orgel’ Volumes 1 through 5. Orgel is a Japanese word for music box. Indeed, these five volumes are music box versions of songs by the Beatles along with a volume dedicated to the music of John Lennon. All of the albums were released on Eastworld, a Japanese label owned by Toshiba EMI Ltd.
The volume with ‘Grow Old With Me’ is John Lennon Angel Whisper (TOCT-5898), released November 28, 1990. On this same date, The Beatles Angel Whisper Vol. 1 was released (TOCT-5899). Subsequent volumes were released in 1991. The album was reissued as Meet The Orgel Angel Whisper Vol. 5 (TOTC-6456).
The album contains 12 songs, starting with ‘Imagine’ and ending with ‘Grow Old With Me.’ These are all fascinating covers. (I’m not sure one has truly heard Lennon’s ‘Mother’ until they’ve listened to a music box version of the song.) Personal favorites on the album include ‘Love,’ ‘Beautiful Boy,’ ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over),’ and ‘#9 Dream.’
The liner notes for ‘Grow Old With Me’ state (using Google Translate to go from Japanese to English):
A track from the album ‘Milk and Honey’, released on January 25, 1984. Rather than lamenting the process of aging, the song celebrates it as a wonderful, joyful experience. It is a moving piece—a message not only to Yoko, but to everyone—that says, "Grow old along with me," and "Whatever fate may hold, let us share our lives as we head toward our best days."
John had so much to look forward to; he was actively developing numerous musical ideas and making concrete plans, including a long-term vision for future albums and a tour that was set to begin in Japan—a place he considered his second home. This particular track is a demo version—recorded on a cassette tape with just a piano and a rhythm box—and the poor sound quality only makes the recording all the more poignant.
This is beautifully stated.
Commentary on the album and music box arrangements were done by Mutsuhiro Nishiwaki. Mutsuhiro Nishiwaki has made a career of arranging music for music box. (See a partial list of works on Apple music and a Mutsuhiro Nishiwaki YouTube channel.) This includes arranging classical music, Disney songs, and current pop songs, up to and including the present. Mutsuhiro Nishiwaki’s earliest work appears to date from 1990, the same year that the John Lennon Angel Whisper album was released.
The Angel Whispers’ cover of ‘Grow Old With Me’ is beautiful. Given the music box arrangement, one can imagine it playing as a baby’s mobile spins over a crib. The entire album can be heard as lullaby music. Having ‘Imagine’ and ‘Grow Old With Me’ bookend the album also seems right.
‘Grow Old With Me’ ends as the album begins. Shortly after the music stops, we hear a church bell ringing, children laughing, and chimes in the background. These same sounds can be heard before ‘Imagine’ starts. However, added to the sound at the end of ‘Grow Old With Me’ is the fluttering wings of birds flying off.
Listen to The Angel Whispers cover of ‘Grow Old With Me’ below. The entire album can be heard on Apple Music or Amazon Music. Other albums by The Angel Whispers that cover Beatles songs are on streaming services as well.
See a complete list of known cover versions of John Lennon’s ‘Grow Old With Me.’