Give Peace a Chance

Give Peace a Chance is a song written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and performed with Yoko Ono in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Recorded on June 1, 1969, in Room 1742 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, the song became an anthem of the American anti-war movement during the Vietnam War. After its recording, it was quickly released by the Plastic Ono Band on July 4, 1969, and became a top-20 hit in the United States.

Background[edit | edit source]

The song was written during Lennon and Ono's second Bed-In for Peace, one of their non-violent protests against wars. The couple booked a suite at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel and invited the world's press. They discussed peace all day and by night, they worked on the anthem that encapsulated their vision. The recording session included celebrities and activists who were in the hotel room, such as Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers, who played guitar on the recording.

Lyrics and Composition[edit | edit source]

The chorus of the song, "All we are saying is give peace a chance," became a universal slogan for peace movements. The verses of the song include references to various political leaders, including Timothy Leary, Rosemary Leary, Tommy Smothers, and Petula Clark, as well as a call-and-response section that mentions everyone from Hare Krishna to FBI and CIA.

Release and Reception[edit | edit source]

Upon its release, "Give Peace a Chance" was embraced by the anti-war movement and was sung at various rallies and protests. The song's simple message and catchy chorus made it an anthem for peace. It charted in several countries, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

"Give Peace a Chance" remains one of John Lennon's most enduring songs. It has been covered by numerous artists and continues to be used in peace rallies and protests around the world. The song's message of peace and its association with the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 1970s have made it an iconic symbol of the era.

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