Christmas Madness-Part XIII

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971 by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the British singles chart. The song's first appearance on album was the 1975 compilation Shaved Fish. Although ostensibly a protest song about the Vietnam War, it has become a Christmas standard and has appeared on several Christmas albums.


The lyric is based on a campaign in late 1969 by Lennon and Ono, who rented billboards and posters in eleven cities around the world that read: "WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) Happy Christmas from John and Yoko". The cities included New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Rome, Athens, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Helsinki. At the time of the song's release, the US was deeply entrenched in the unpopular Vietnam War. The line "War is over, if you want it, war is over, now!", as sung by the background vocals, was taken directly from the billboards.

The record starts with a barely-audible whisper of Christmas greetings to their children: Yoko whispers "Happy Christmas, Kyoko", then John whispers "Happy Christmas, Julian". The lyric sheet from the 1982 release The John Lennon Collection erroneously gives this introduction as "Happy Christmas, Yoko. Happy Christmas, John".

It was recorded at Record Plant Studios in New York City in late October 1971, with the help of producer Phil Spector. It features 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. The lyrics were written by Lennon and Ono, while the melody and chord structure were taken from the folk standard known as Stewball. The single was released in the US in December of 1971, but the UK release was delayed until the following November due to a publishing dispute. The song was re-released in the UK on December 20, 1980, shortly after John Lennon's assassination on December 8, peaking at #2.

Notable cover versions


Andy Williams recorded the song for his 1990 album I Still Believe in Santa Claus

David Cook sung it at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in 2008.

Sarah Brightman recorded her own version as a bonus track for her album A Winter Symphony.

Melissa Etheridge recorded a live version.

Maroon 5 recorded a cover version in 2007 as part of Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. This version also appears on Now That's What I Call Christmas! 4.

Jessica Simpson covered the song on her 2010 album Happy Christmas.

Céline Dion covered the song on her 1998 album These Are Special Times.

Jimmy Buffett covered the song on his 1996 album Christmas Island.

The Moody Blues performed the song on their Christmas album December.

'N Sync recorded a cover version for one of their albums.

REO Speedwagon covered the song for their 2009 release Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon. All royalties from the song benefit the John Lennon Foundation.

Neil Diamond recorded a version of this song on The Christmas Album.

Diana Ross recorded the song for her 1994 album A Very Special Season.

(http://www.wikipedia.com/)
 
Watch the music video, featuring the children of the Harlem Community Choir.