Born in Liverpool, Lennon became involved in the skiffle craze as a teenager. In 1956, he formed The Quarrymen, which evolved into the Beatles in 1960. Sometimes called "the smart Beatle", Lennon initially was the group's de facto leader, a role he gradually ceded to McCartney. Through his songwriting in the Beatles, he embraced myriad musical influences, initially writing and co-writing rock and pop-oriented hit songs in the band's early years, then later incorporating experimental elements into his compositions in the latter half of the Beatles' career as his songs became known for their increasing innovation. Lennon soon expanded his work into other media by participating in numerous films, including How I Won the War, and authoring In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works, both collections of nonsense writings and line drawings. Starting with "All You Need Is Love", his songs were adopted as anthems by the anti-war movement and the larger counterculture of the 1960s. In 1969, he started the Plastic Ono Band with his second wife, multimedia artist Yoko Ono, held the two-week-long anti-war demonstration Bed-ins for Peace and left the Beatles to embark on a solo career.
Between 1968 and 1972, Lennon and Ono collaborated on many works, including a trilogy of avant-garde albums, several more films, his solo debut John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and the international top-10 singles "Give Peace a Chance", "Instant Karma!", "Imagine", and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". Moving to New York City in 1971, his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a three-year deportation attempt by the Nixon administration. Lennon and Ono separated from 1973 to 1975, during which time he produced Harry Nilsson's album Pussy Cats. He also had chart-topping collaborations with Elton John ("Whatever Gets You thru the Night") and David Bowie ("Fame"). Following a five-year hiatus, Lennon returned to music in 1980 with the Ono collaboration Double Fantasy. He was murdered by a Beatles fan, Mark David Chapman, three weeks after the album's release.
As a performer, writer or co-writer, Lennon had 25 number-one singles in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Double Fantasy, his best-selling album, won the 1981 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. That year, he won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2002, Lennon was voted eighth in a BBC history poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth-greatest singer and 38th greatest artist of all time. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (in 1997) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice, as a member of the Beatles in 1988 and as a solo artist in 1994).
Studio albums
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Some Time in New York City (with Yoko Ono, 1972)
Mind Games (1973)
Walls and Bridges (1974)
Rock 'n' Roll (1975)
Double Fantasy (with Yoko Ono, 1980)
Milk and Honey (Posthumous with Yoko Ono, 1984)
Experimental studio albums with Yoko Ono
Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (1968)
Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (1969)
Wedding Album (1969)
Happy Xmas
John Lennon Lyrics
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(Happy Christmas Julian)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
The rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The road is so long (now)
And so Happy Christmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
And what have we done? (If you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
And a new one just begun (now)
And so Happy Christmas (war is over)
We hope you had fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear ones (war is over)
The old and the young (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas
The lyrics to "Happy Xmas" by John Lennon are a reflection on the events of the past year and a hopeful outlook for the new year to come. The opening lines, "So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over, and a new one just begun" are a reflective statement on the passage of time and the actions that have been taken in that time. The song then takes a hopeful turn, wishing for listeners to have fun with their loved ones during the holiday season.
The chorus of the song repeats the message of a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, evoking the traditional sentiments of the season. The verses continue with a message of unity and an end to war and fighting. The repeated phrase "War is over, if you want it" is a call to action for listeners to work towards peace in the world. The final repetition of "Happy Christmas" is a joyous celebratory message, urging listeners to embrace the happiness of the holiday season.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the year that has passed, a hopeful message for the year to come, and a call to action for listeners to work towards a peaceful future.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas
It's Christmas time now, and things are going to be different soon.
And what have you done?
At this time of reflection (about a new year), ask yourself what you've accomplished.
Another year over
The year is coming to a close.
And a new one just begun
A new year has just started, and it's a chance for a fresh start.
And so this is Christmas
It's the season of Christmas, let's have some enjoyment.
I hope you have fun
I wish that you have a joyous Christmas season with loved ones.
The near and the dear ones
Close family and friends.
The old and the young
Everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy Christmas.
Let's hope it's a good one
I wish that everyone will have a wonderful Christmas season.
Without any fear
Let's celebrate Christmas joyfully and without worry.
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
This Christmas can be a time of peace and goodwill for everyone, regardless of their strength or weakness, but only if we are willing to create it.
The rich and the poor ones (war is over)
We can stop wealthy and poor people from fighting, by stopping war.
The road is so long (now)
The journey towards stopping war will be challenging, but we must embark on it regardless.
For black and for white (if you want it)
Christmas should belong to everyone, no matter what your skin color is. Let's make it happen.
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Just as we are including people of all skin colors, we must also consider those of all races and nationalities.
Let's stop all the fight (now)
We have to end fighting and violence to ensure peace on this Christmas.
And what have we done? (If you want it)
We might have missed the opportunity to make Christmas truly joyous by spreading peace and goodwill, but we can still make it happen.
We hope you had fun (if you want it)
I hope that this Christmas has been enjoyable so far, and I suggest that you join the mission of creating peace for everyone.
War is over, if you want it
If we believe in it enough, we can put an end to war and fighting.
Happy Christmas
Have a Merry Christmas!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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