Beatles Unravelled Christmas Special - Happy Xmas (War is Over)

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John Lennon's anti-war masterpiece.
By 1969 public opinion in America was firmly against the Vietnam War.
On 15 December 1969 – John and Yoko launched their peace, poster campaign in 12 cities across the world. The posters proclaimed, “War is over! If you want it. Happy Christmas from John & Yoko”.
A year later they turned that sentiment into a Christmas record, Plastic Ono Band – Happy Xmas (War is Over), co-produced with Phil Spector.
The single was released in America in 1971. Sadly, it failed to trouble the Billboard Top-40.
A publishing dispute delayed the UK release until Christmas 1972 – when it reached #4. It’s now a regular visitor to the UK Christmas charts.
Lennon & Spector suggest that the melody is based on the Paris Sisters song – I Love How You Love Me.
It also has a strong resemblance to the traditional English folksong, Skewball.
As Stewball, it gave Peter Paul & Mary a Billboard Top-40 hit in 1963.

Lots more Beatles and Elvis stories and podcasts on my website..:


Author of Rock'n'Roll Unravelled, Derek Shelmerdine - fortnightly guest appearances on the Mop Tops and The King radio show; with his segments, The Beatles Unravelled and Elvis Presley Unravelled.