The ever greedy Yoko Ono has sold the late John Lennon out once again.  Ono has sold an obscure home recording of Lennon’s to JCPenny to be used in their Christmas TV commercials.  The song is called “Real Love.”

The spot began airing on Sunday night during ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” before JCPenney could even make the announcement.

The Beatles have had their songs licensed for commercials in the past, but with the rare exception of perhaps “Revolution” years ago, they never have allowed master recordings out. The songs are always re-recorded.

Ad agency Saatchi and Saatchi handled the deal, I’m told, with Ono directly. The much-disliked widow of Lennon has sold a number of items under her late husband’s name over the years, including glasses, art and an action figure. But using a rare, acoustic home recording — and a beautiful, haunting one at that — as the Christmas song for a department store seems particularly greedy.

Many fans of The Beatles have always credited Yoko with being the driving force behind the break-up of one of the greatest bands of all-time.  She always had John’s ear and he let her guide his career and music decisions up until he was killed by a deranged fan.