By Bob Makin
originally published: 09/12/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is a cover of John Lennon’s “Oh Yoko” by Joe Normal. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE NORMAL
North Jersey-raised singer-songwriter-guitarist Joe Normal has been described by Americana UK Magazine as “An American Ray Davies,” but his latest single is a cover of another British Invasion legend.
Normal’s take on John Lennon’s “Oh Yoko” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Oh Yoko” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
Included on his 14-track covers album, “Normal’ized,” “Oh Yoko” was recorded at Montecito Music & Media with engineer Billy Burke.
Joe sings and plays guitar, harmonica and bass drum.
There are two versions of the video. One version is a green screen video. The other is a collaboration version with Nashville filmmaker Scot Sax of Philly rockers Wanderlust and co-writer of Faith Hill’s hit “Like We Never Loved at All.” Scot added a rich, nostalgic, analog-tinged visual layer to reflect Lennon’s love for wife Yoko Ono, while Joe infuses his own unmistakable flair, voice and spirit with playful, offbeat touches that complement his modern-day troubadour persona.
“I filmed on a greenscreen background to encourage engagement with other John Lennon fans to create their own tributes to John & Yoko,” Joe said. “Scot Sax is the first to follow suit, and I would like to encourage others to follow his lead.
“‘Oh Yoko!’ is one of those songs that’s both deeply personal and universally joyful,” Joe continued. “Scot picked up on that vibe and captured something that feels like a home movie but plays like a love letter. I hope other Lennon fans will want to do the same with my original video.”
Joe’s video was shot by Isabel Vogel and edited by Lamron Productions.
“Normal’ized” is Joe’s inspired collection of power pop and unplugged reinterpretations of songs by some of music’s most influential artists. From the underground cool of Jersey’s Dramarama, whom Joe played guitar and toured with in recent years, to the soul power of The Four Tops, plus timeless cuts by Prince, Bob Dylan, The Drifters, and The Lemonheads, the album is both a celebration of Joe’s musical DNA and a bold statement on the art of the cover itself.
Even Spotify has been “Normal’ized,” as they’ve featured three tracks from the album on their Release Radar and Discover Weekly playlists. Joe proves that great songs can be both reborn and reimagined through an artist’s unique lens, and that the spirit of rock ’n’ roll is very much alive —vulnerable, defiant, and always evolving.
Joe is re-grouping, recording, and rehearsing with his band, The Anytown'rs, for an upcoming release, as well as live dates that will be announced soon.
In the meantime, enjoy Joe on Spotify and BandCamp.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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