A Christmas countdown in songs: 1 – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

To mark the countdown to Christmas we will feature a festive song during the ten days leading up to Christmas Day. From the well-known to the more obscure, each tune is sure to help you to get into the Christmas spirit!

25^th December 2013

1. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon and Yoko Ono

The infamous John Lennon tugs at heartstrings with his popular Christmas song contribution, which was penned with Yoko Ono and released in 1971. Reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart, it is now considered an absolute classic and included on several Christmas albums. It re-entered the charts after Lennon’s murder in December 1980 and peaked at number two.

The poignancy of the song cannot be denied, particularly with ongoing clashes of communities and countries worldwide forever being reported on the news; the lyrics “War is over, if you want it” hit home as Christmas Day is typically a peaceful one, or so we hope. The song questions our involvement with those less fortunate than us and encourages the charitable spirit of Christmas. Within the first few seconds, you also hear Ono wish happy Christmas to her daughter Kyoko and Lennon do the same to his son Julian: a touching gesture concerned with remembering those you hold dear over the festive period.

A hard-hitting classic.

Sarah Milton