In the late sixties and early seventies, John Lennon and Yoko Ono actively defended the ideas of pacifism, close to the hippie culture. They staged public actions (remember the famous “bed interview”), called for an end to armed conflicts, participated in demonstrations and, of course, wrote anti-war compositions that corresponded to their worldview. One of them was the Christmas song Happy Xmas (War Is Over).
The story of creation and the meaning of the song Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
This glorious story began with banners that Lennon and Ono hung out in several major cities around the world. They had the slogan “War is over! If you want it. Happy Christmas from John & Yoko.” A couple of years later, this phrase formed the basis of the song.
Lennon later said that he was tired of holiday tracks in the spirit of White Christmas, so he decided to write his own New Year’s composition. By the way, he was the first of the former “Beatles” who implemented this idea.
Release and achievements
The first acoustic demo of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) was recorded in early October 1971 in a suite at the St. Regis, where Lennon and Ono lived. The studio version of the composition was created at the Record Plant under the direction of producer Phil Spector.
In the US, Happy Xmas was released as a single on December 1, 1971. A belated release and poor promotion prevented her from climbing high in the charts. And in the UK, plastic appeared in music stores only the following year. The reason for the delay was Lennon’s litigation with Northern Songs over publishing rights. The track peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. After John’s death, the composition rose to second place and later repeatedly hit the charts in many countries.
Video of Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Check out the music video for Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The video uses a documentary chronicle filmed in various “hot spots”.
And another video for the song Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon.
Interesting Facts
- As early as 1968, the War Is Over slogan was used in the anti-war songs The Unknown Soldier (The Doors) and The War Is Over (Phil Ochs).
- The composition traces the motives of the traditional British ballad Skewball, as well as the songs I Love How You Love Me (Paris Sisters) and Try Some, Buy Some (The Ronettes) recorded with the participation of Phil Spector.
- The children’s voices on the recording belong to the young members of the Harlem Community Choir.
- At the beginning of the song, John and Yoko whisper Merry Christmas to their children.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon Lyrics
(Happy Christmas Kyoko)
(Happy Christmas Julian)
Chorus 1:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just started
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
Chorus 2:
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For the rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
Chorus 2
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
happy christmas
Lyrics Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon Alternate
(Merry Christmas, Kyoko)
(Merry Christmas Julian)
Chorus 1:
So Christmas
What did you do?
Another year has passed
And a new one has just begun
And it’s Christmas
I hope you have fun
near and dear,
old and young
Chorus 2:
Have a very Merry Christmas
And happy new year
Let’s hope he’s good
Without fear
And it’s Christmas
For the weak and the strong
For the rich and the poor
The world is so unfair
For blacks and whites
For yellow and red
Let’s stop all fighting
Chorus 2
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
War is over! If you want it
The war is over now
Merry Christmas
