Life With The Lions was John's second solo album, and second avant-garde album written and produced by John and Yoko. The album was recorded in two separate occasions.

The A-side, "Cambridge 1969", was recorded on March 2, 1969, when John and Yoko made an unscheduled appearance at Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University to join an evening avant-garde and jazz music event. Two other performers joined John and Yoko on this piece were John Tchikai and John Stevens. It contains song segments of "Song For John", "Cambridge", "Let's Go On Flying", "Snow Is Falling All The Time", "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)".

The B-side was recorded on a cassette tape in their suite at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in London between November 4 to 25, 1968. On October 18, 1968, the Drugs Squad raided John and Yoko's apartment at Marylebone Magistrates Court, 181, Marylebone Road, London and found 219 grains of cannabis resin. The couple were arrested and took to Paddington Green police station. After this event, doctors feared tat the stress of her recent arrest might endanger her unborn child, Yoko was admitted to Queen Charlott's Hospital in London on November 4. John remained by her bedside. On November 21, Yoko suffered a miscarriage and John stayed at her side, sleeping overnight in a spare hospital bed. John later slept on the floor when his bed was needed for a patient.

The photograph on the album cover was taken by Susan Wood in Room No. 1, Second West Ward, Queen Charlotte Hospital, Hammersmith during this period. The photo on the rear cover, showing the couple being arrested, was taken by a Daily Mirror photographer outside their apartment on October 18, 1968.

A sleeve note by George Martin says "No comment."

The album was the first release on Apple Records' subsidiary label, Zapple Records.

In 1997, Yoko released a remastered CD of Life With The Lions via Rykodisc with two bonus tracks, "Song For John" and "Mulberry". Both are previously unreleased tracks.