John Lennon’s Holiday Classic Became the Most Powerful Rock Christmas Song Ever

John Lennon’s Greatest Christmas Song Took On New Meaning After His Death in 1980 John LennonImage via Lionsgate By  Jazmin Kylene Published 56 minutes ago Jazmin Kylene is a Miami-bred writer and editor with a decade-long career that spans all editorial genres, though she has a particular passion for music journalism. Upon graduating Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Multimedia Journalism, she went on to write dozens for outlets and  interview counless artists.  When Jazmin isn't typing the day away, she enjoys exploring nature, taking dance classes, going to the movies, and hanging out with her besties (mom and dog.) You can find her on Instagram @JazminKylene. Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The Christmas season, beyond all else, is defined by a plethora of celebratory songs across all genres. From “Santa Baby” to “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” there are so many classics that encapsulate the holiday cheer and invoke a sense of whimsical magic. However, there’s one particular song that packs a political punch, and that’s John Lennon’s "Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”

Released in 1971, the tune is equally a protest against the Vietnam War as it is a celebration of the holidays, making it one of the most powerful rock Christmas songs of all time. Here’s a deeper dive into the history of the track and why it proved that celebrating joy should never come at the compromise of standing up for something greater than yourself.

The History Behind "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

The Plastic Ono Band, formed by John Lennon and his partner Yoko Ono in 1968, was equally a musical act as it was an art collective. Featuring a rotating lineup of musicians, including Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, and Alan White, everything that they produced was drenched in deep intention and political statement. They found creative ways to effectively communicate messages of love and peace, even expertly masked as holiday jingles.

Lennon’s seventh single outside his work with The Beatles, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” was born from the burning passion of Lennon and Ono’s anti-war activism. Their unwavering yearning for peace was a defining characteristic, infused into much of her catalog. The lyrics to the tune bridge divided sides, pleading for a unified Christmas season. Rather than being cynical or angry, it encourages people to believe in the possibility of change:

And so this is Christmas (war is over)

For weak and for strong (if you want it)

For rich and the poor ones (war is over)

The road is so long (now)

And so happy Christmas (war is over)

For black and for white (if you want it)

For yellow and red ones (war is over)

Let's stop all the fight (now)

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

A peace anthem disguised as a Christmas song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a testament to Lennon’s artistic genius. It was his special formula, as he shared that following Imagine's success, he realized he needed to “put your political message across with a little honey.” He had reached a point in his career where he knew that the only way to use his celebrity responsibly would be to meaningfully spread messages promoting peace and unity, and he always managed to do so in a beautiful and infectious way.

Phil Spector co-produced the song, while Lennon had thought to bring in 30 children from the Harlem Community Choir to sing the backing vocals, enriching it with a big, communal, hopeful feeling. He hoped to evoke the empowering notion that the people hold just as much power as their government. As he put it: people are “just as responsible as the man who pushes the button.” A touch of holiday magic, the song also secretly holds a special message from Ono and Lennon to their children from previous marriages: As the track opens, Ono whispers, "Happy Christmas, Kyoko", then Lennon whispers, "Happy Christmas, Julian"."

The Impact of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

John Lennon closeupImage via Lionsgate

When the song was originally released, it didn’t find much mainstream success in the United States. However, after Lennon’s death in 1980, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” re-charted globally and reached number two on the UK charts. Its lasting impact has moved people time and time again, serving as one of the most unique and powerful Christmas hits of all time. It was born at the height of the counterculture movement, as protests against America's involvement in the Vietnam War made people invest in beliefs that expanded far beyond themselves. It was both a scary yet unifying time, waking many up to their own humanity.

Today, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” has become a Christmas classic, though its potency as a protest song has never diminished. It’s been frequently covered by other artists, from Miley Cyrus to Diana Ross, expressing admiration for the way in which Lennon was light-years ahead of his time and devoted to a true cause. Though the Vietnam War is over, new kinds of strife continue, and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” maintains relevancy as a call home back to love.

• John Lennon
• The Beatles
• Christmas

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