The Story Behind John Lennon & Yoko Ono's Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

First released in December 1971 John & Yoko's 'Happy Xmas War Is Over' has become a Christmas standard. In this video we look at every aspect of the song, how it was written, how it was recorded and how it flopped on first release.

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Thank you & Happy Christmas!

[scally]

"So this is Christmas, and what have you done?"
Wow, has there ever been a more direct lyric to make you take a long, hard look at yourself and assess your contribution to the world?
Amazing song. John Lennon never stepped back from the edge with his work. Sorely missed.

[real]

One of rare holiday songs I cannot get tired of, no matter how much I hear it being played. Also, it is a song with a powerful message. :-)

[boomitchell]

You talked about your sadness in buying the single in December 1980. This is why I still feel sadness in hearing some of Double Fantasy. I bought the album weeks before Lennon's assassination, but I'm grateful for the wonderful songs he did give us, including "Happy Xmas, " my favorite Christmas song.

[bacarandii]

I will never forget the first time I heard "Happy Xmas" in 1971 -- in my room at my parents' house on my portable Sharp AM/FM cassette recorder (mono). I loved that he started off wistfully and skeptically, in typical John Lennon fashion ("And so this is Christmas/And what have you done...?) -- and then the song built to a joyous crescendo. John died a few weeks before Christmas about ten years later -- and that has colored my experience of the holiday permanently. But every year I thank him (and Yoko) for the good cheer. War is Over (If You Want It)!

[michaelcarpenter]

It is a great song. I am amazed at how quickly it came out after being recorded. The song will outlive all of us. Great video Andrew.

[simonhodgetts]

I’d not heard it for a while - but having listened to it several times this Christmas season while out and about, I’ve come to appreciate just how good the song is - the first verse in particular is brilliant. The best Beatles’ Christmas record (even though I love Wonderful Christmastime too).

[johnalello]

A wonderful story Andrew on my favorite Christmas songs of all time! LIKE JOHN said a Christmas song that will last forever and Beatle John did that . The song is perfect with Choir and May Pang Yoko backing vocals make the song ! I love the part when Yoko May Pang and Harlem Choir kick in there part just lovely John nailed it . This Christmas song is standard now it's not Christmas until I hear this song Happy Christmas War is over! This song will last forever! Thanks Andrew giving us the history of this great great song! Merry Christmas Andrew !

[JohnRedshaw]

The first time I heard it, I loved it. A wonderful message, a beautiful tune, similarities to other songs notwithstanding, and a good performance and production.

[vphil]

My school band performed this at our Christmas concert this past Wednesday. We did a really great job, as did you with this video. Merry Christmas, Andrew!

[abbdabs]

A christmas classic .always makes me feel good when i hear it

[five-toedslothbear]

A Christmas present from Andrew! A Happy Christmas to you too! An outstanding retrospective. I am in tears… Still hoping for peace after all of these years. And, I miss John Lennon so much. Thank you!

[canis]

I guessed right!!! Thanks for your coverage, lots of tasty details. I still have my original 45 on green vinyl and picture sleeve. 💚❤💚❤💚

[colindeer]

Great now ... Great then. Still moves me. Many thanks, particularly upon hearing John's voice once more talking about it all.

[laxmoocow]

I do wish, simply because of your credibility, you would mention what is the best-sounding version you’ve heard. But, honestly, it’s small potatoes; this is one of your very best docs, and your invocation of the melancholia around the song hit me straight in the heart. Thank you so much for all the wonderful posts you’ve made, and Happy XMas. Hopefully war is over in ‘25.

[DamGreek]

Andrew--I remember my older brother bringing a copy of the single home in December of 1971, on Green Vinyl, which we became fascinated with, as the Green seemed to glow with all of the good things we remember about Christmas' of the past. And definitely upon hearing, it evoked a melancholy feeling at the time, and even more so now, since the passing of John. For me it's still very difficult to hear it, because it just kicks up too many emotions. Especially if I'm out somewhere, like a grocery store, and it comes on. I can hardly contain myself. And as you say, there are several wonderful cover versions. I especially love the version done by the band THE ALARM, which retains the emotional impact of the original. I still have the single my brother bought. It's one of those things I keep and share with my nieces and nephews, who are just learning who The Beatles and John Lennon were. It always stops everyone at our Christmas family gathering when it's played each year. I'm sure others feel the same way about it. Happy Holidays to All, and to you Andrew, from California. Dig, DmGrk

[drmusic]

A song loved by multi generations. Even my rock music hating father loved it.

[LeoBaron]

One of the best Christmas songs ever amazing video and merry Christmas

[tonys]

Good video. I'll add that in Marc Eliot's Phil Ochs bio "Death Of A Rebel, " Eliot says that John Lennon got the idea for the "War Is Over" poster campaign when Ochs visited the Apple offices and told Lennon about his own song, "The War Is Over." It can be found on Ochs' 1968 album "Tape From California."

[timothyflyte]

Merry Christmas to you too & all reading this. I have the original 45 in green vinyl. I've always loved that song. I knew about the Paris Sisters song ( from a contemporary article interview on the recording of the song, which I still have somewhere ) but didn't know about the " Stewball " connection until I heard the Hollies version when I got their box set.
Interesting how you separated the tracks. This song is sad for me too, not only for the loss of John, but because of all the wars since this came out. I was 15/16 at the time.
Mankind should be fighting disease like cancer, etc, instead of trying to kill one another. War is never over for war mongers.
Peace to all .
Another great video .

[musicfan]

I’ve loved the song since I first heard it. I found the single at a record store I frequented in the 70s. My copy has the picture sleeve, face label and green vinyl. I am surprised how John got by without giving credit for “borrowing” the tune. Happy Christmas, Andrew!!!🎄🎁 -Roger