John Lennon War is Over (If You Want It)
a classic Christmas single
One of the all-time great Christmas singles. Poster campaign in 1969, became a US single in 1971 and a UK hit in 1972 – John Lennon War is Over.
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John Lennon’s Christmas masterpiece
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John Lennon War is Over
By 1969 public opinion in America was very much against the Vietnam War. On 15 December 1969 John Lennon launched his “War is over if you want it” poster campaign. John and Yoko’s international peace campaign with posters proclaiming, “War is over! If you want it. Happy Christmas from John & Yoko”. As a result, posters appeared simultaneously in 12 cities across the world.
Following that, a year later he turned the sentiment into a Christmas single, when the Plastic Ono Band released Happy Xmas (War is Over) in America. John and Yoko co-produced the song with with Phil Spector.
It failed to trouble the Billboard Top-40 when it was released in America on 1 December 1971. Moreover, it never graced the chart in John Lennon’s lifetime.
A publishing dispute consequently delayed the UK release until Christmas 1972. The single peaked at #4.
The song’s melody has an interesting background. John and Phil Spector claim that the melody is based on the Paris Sisters hit, I Love How You Love Me. Phil Spector produced the song and it gave the Paris Sisters a #5 in 1961.
It’s often credited as dating back to the traditional English ballad Skewball. The song has also been recorded as Stewball. In fact, folk trio Peter Paul & Mary had a #35 Billboard hit with Stewball in 1963.
Happy Xmas (War is Over) has been a regular visitor to the British Christmas charts since its release in the 1970s. So much so, that in recent years it’s graced the charts most years.
The Vietnam War:
Peace talks began 10 May 1968.
Paris Peace Accords signed 27 January 1973.
Saigon fell to the communists 30 April 1975
