“Happy Xmas (War is Over)”

One inspiration for this single according to Lennon was that he was “sick of White Christmas”. It’s also a protest song against the Vietnam War. Lennon and Yoki Ono wrote this single in a hotel room while they were in New York. The single didn’t chart in the US although it was released at Christmas time. The couple were active in promoting peace during the 60’s and 70’s, in 1969, they put up advertisements on Billboards in 12 major cities around the world that said, “War is over! If you want it – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko” in black and white color. Lennon said: “Now i understand what you have to do: Put your political message across with a little honey.: Two years after they published this slogan it became the basis for this single when Lennon decided to make a Christmas record with an anti-war message.

Release Date: December 1, 1971 (US) – November 24, 1972 (UK)

Songwriter/s: John Lennon – Yoki Ono

Label: Apple

Chart Rankings:
In the UK, the single entered the charts for several times during the past years; it peaked at number 4 in 1972, and re-entered the charts in 1975 reaching number 48. In 1980 it peaked at number 2 reaching the highest ever, and a year later it reached number 28. ‘Happy Xmas’ peaked at number 45 in 1989 and 14 years later it re-entered the UK Official Charts Company at number 33. Most recently the single reached number 81 in 2012 and in 2015 it entered the charts in Poland at number 63.
In the US in 1972, the song peaked at number 36 on the US Cash Box Top 100 and reached number 28 on the US Record World Singles Chart.

Artist’s age on Release Date: John Winston Ono Lennon was 31 years old andYoko Ono was 38 years old when they released this song. The band Plastic Ono was active for 3 years.

Cover Versions: Sarah McLachlan – The Fray – Andy Williams – Neil Diamond – Diana Ross – Jimmy Buffett – Celine Dion – Johnny Logan – Carly Simon – The Moody Blues – Darlene Love – Sarah Brightman – REO Speedwagon – Daniel Powter – Jessica Simpson – Vanessa Carlton – Christina Perri – Six Appeal (A Capella) – Train & Laura Pausini – The Alarm – Melissa Etheridge – Toxic Shame – Maroon 5 – Beatallica – Sean Lennon, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Harlem Gospel Choir – Sheryl Crow, Aloe Blacc and Peter Frampton. The song was also covered by amateur artists on Youtube.