Rock Rewind: John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
A Christmas song that has turned into a modern classic is John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over), first released in 1971. Lennon wrote it in 1969 at the height of his peace activism days, it references billboards sponsored by John and Yoko in 12 major cities reading "War Is Over! If you want it - Happy Christmas from John & Yoko".
Continuing our holiday-themed rewinds through December—another Christmas song that has turned into a modern classic is John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” first released in 1971. You don’t have to be a history buff to hear the socio-political leanings in this song, but a little bit of history will help. Lennon wrote this song in 1969 at the height of his peace activism days when he and wife Yoko Ono were protesting the Vietnam War. The song references a specific billboard campaign sponsored by the couple in which billboards in 12 major cities read, “WAR IS OVER! If you want it—Happy Christmas from John & Yoko”. He recorded and released the song two years later. After its initial release “Happy Xmas” found chart quick chart success in the U.K., but not much here in the U.S.
Source: Mimo
