John Lennon’s Protest Song Arrives On the Charts As Christmas Approaches

What was the very first Christmas song that a Beatle released after the band split? Well, let me tell you. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is the one. Well, you may be thinking that Lennon wasn’t the biggest Christian around during his lifetime – in fact he basically frowned on everything that’s religious – but he obviously couldn’t say no to making a song about the merriest and jolliest season of the year.

Plus it doubled as an end Vietnam War protest song, which is something he had heavily campaigned for two years before the song’s release.

John Lennon’s – Song With Wife Yoko Ono Returns To the UK Charts

Fed up of hearing ‘White Christmas’ on the radio, Lennon decided to pen his very own Christmas song, and he may not know it at the time, but that song soon became a classic that hits the charts almost every Christmas after its release in 1972.

In the song, Lennon calls for peace and unity while we celebrate one of the grandest holidays of the year. “And so happy Christmas (War is over) / We hope you have fun (If you want it) / The near and the dear ones (War is over) / The old and the young,” he, Ono, and the Harlem Community Choir sing in the song.

We’re not that so deep into the season yet and already this classic is climbing its way up the charts.

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At the time of its release, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” was an immediate hit in the UK, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Since then it has made several appearances on the UK singles chart, including its recent listing on number 92.

It also landed at number 67 on the Official Streaming chart, though it’s possible it could climb even higher as the festivities draw nearer.

One of the most notable instances of the song on the Singles Chart was during Lennon’s death on 8 December 1980. The single peaked at number 2 – behind another reissued Lennon single, “Imagine” – and remained on the chart for nine weeks.

The song also performed internationally within the first few years of its release, entering the top ten in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Singapore.

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Editorial credit: Stefano Chiacchiarini ’74 / Shutterstock.com