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Information About

Happy Xmas (war Is Over)




  Cover
  Artist John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Band
  Released 1971
  Format 7" Vinyl
  Recorded 1971
  Genre Rock / Pop
  [Length mm:ss]
  [Label ]
  Writer John Lennon
  Producer Phil Spector , John Lennon
  Chart Position #4 <small>( UK }</small>
  Last Single Imagine <br>(1971)
  This Single Happy Xmas (War Is Over)<br>(1971)
  Next Single Woman Is The Nigger Of The World <br>(1972)


Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is a song that was written by John Lennon with partial help from Yoko Ono . It was recorded at the Record Plant in New York City in late October of 1971 , with the help of producer Phil Spector . It features soaring, heavily echoed vocals, and a sing-along chorus. The children singing in the background were from the Harlem Community Choir and are credited on the song's single.

Directly following John Lennon's death on December 8 1980 , the song was re-released in the UK on December 20 1980.

Although the song is a Protest Song about the Vietnam War , it has become a Christmas Standard and has appeared on several Christmas CDs. One of the best known versions was recorded live by Melissa Etheridge .

Closely related to the song: in late , Rome , Amsterdam , and London . At the time the United States was deeply entrenched in the Vietnam War, which would later become a major political debacle.

The song is heavily covered in punk rock circles by bands such as Thrice , The Used , and Acceptance .

It was also covered by the finalists of Pop Idol 2 in 2003 .

The meter of parts of the song is identical, and the tune similar...

A very Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear


...to the verse of a traditional folk tune called Stewball , sung by various artists over the years including Peter, Paul And Mary and Joan Baez :

Old Stewball was a racehorse

And I wish he were mine

He never drank water

He always drank wine