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Happy Xmas (War Is Over) was the culmination of two years of peace activism and bed-ins on behalf of the cause by John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono.
The lyrics, written by Ono and Lennon, are set to a traditional English ballad called Skewball.
Recorded at New York City’s Record Plant studios in late October of 1971, it was released as a single in America on December 1st – officially listed as by John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir.
The recorded was delayed by one year in the UK and not released until November 24, 1972.
The Plastic Ono Band was a group of musicians which had been formed by Lennon in 1969 to work on his solo projects and featured a rotating lineup of many musicians, including Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Alan White, Billy Preston, Jim Keltner, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, and Lennon’s former Beatles bandmates George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Various members of that ensemble played on the Happy Xmas sessions.
The Harlem Community Choir was comprised of thirty children – most of them four to twelve years of age – who were brought into the studio on October 31st to record the backing vocals.
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[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over)
John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band
with The Harlem Community Choir
(Re-Mix Version)
[1971]
https://youtu.be/RPYZZP5B4iw
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Related:
WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME / Paul McCartney + RARE Macca Holiday Track!
I WANNA BE SANTA CLAUS / Ringo Starr
DING DONG; DING DONG / George Harrison
Related:
THE BEATLES FIRST CHRISTMAS RECORD (1963)
THE BEATLES SECOND CHRISTMAS RECORD (1964)
THE BEATLES THIRD CHRISTMAS RECORD (1965)
THE BEATLES FOURTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1966)
THE BEATLES FIFTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1967)
THE BEATLES SIXTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1968)
THE BEATLES SEVENTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1969)
Related: PHIL SPECTOR’S CHRISTMAS ALBUM (Tracks 1-13)
Track #1 WHITE CHRISTMAS / Darlene Love
Track #2 FROSTY THE SNOWMAN / The Ronettes
Track #3 THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
Track #4 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / The Crystals
Track #5 SLEIGH RIDE / The Ronettes
Track #6 MARSHMELLOW WORLD / Darlene Love
Track #7 I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS / The Ronettes
Track #8 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER / The Crystals
Track #9 WINTER WONDERLAND / Darlene Love
Track #10 PARADE OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS / The Crystals
Track #11 CHRISTMAS (Baby Please Come Home) / Darlene Love
Track #12 HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
Track #13 SILENT NIGHT / Phil Spector and Artists
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Song Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Record Sleeve Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
