HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER)

In October ’71, John recorded “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” a vigorous and engaging protest song calling for an end to the war in Vietnam, all the while wishing the world happy holidays. Joined by Yoko Ono, producer Phil Spector, the Harlem Community Choir and musicians such as Nicky Hopkins and Jim Keltner, Lennon delivered singular holiday greetings. As with his “Instant Karma (We All Shine On),” Lennon inquires, makes some points and provides a melody that in itself is cause for celebration.

Lennon wishes everyone a happy Christmas. There’s no sense of us versus them in his message; he wants everybody to “have fun,” but more importantly, he wants the fighting in Vietnam, and beyond, to cease. Years later, while chatting with David Sheff of Playboy, Lennon said the song was “that same message–that we’re just as responsible as the man who pushes the button. As long as people imagine that someone’s doing it to them, and that they have no control, then they have no control.”

Although not a Top 40 hit in the United States, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” quickly became prominent on the airwaves during the ’71 Christmas season, just as it has in the 44 Decembers since. In his book, The Heart Of Rock & Soul, Dave Marsh relates the song to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Marsh refers to John Lennon as “rock’s most Dickensian character,” claiming that on “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” Lennon comes close to pronouncing “God bless us every one.”

The perspective by Marsh is not off base. Rock critics often make literary allusions in their reviews; material by Bruce Springsteen has been called “Dreiserian,” for example. Taking the Marsh perspective a step or two further, we might look upon Lennon the “Dickensian character” as addressing the Ebenezer Scrooges of the world — as well as the Bob Cratchits. The Cratchits of the world hope and pray their loved ones serving in time of war will come home safe and sound, especially during the holidays. But the Cratchits are too often hesitant in reaching out to those who run wars and mete out violence. So the Scrooges, despite all odds, must be sought out and implored upon. As Lennon might have advised, the Scrooges don’t have to be in control. And don’t forget; Tim Cratchit asked that God bless every one.