3.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono:
“Give Peace a Chance” (1969)
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Whole list HERE
“Give Peace a Chance” (1969)
John Lennon using his fame to try to make a difference. Recorded in John’s and Yoko’s hotel room on their honeymoon, with famous friends, at a “Bed-In” demonstration for peace. Instrumentation: acoustic guitars, tambourines, and beating on suitcases, later drenched in echo by genius producer. Simple, sublime, beautiful.
The last words of the actual lyrics are “Hare Krishna, Hare Hare Krishna” (1:58), and during the extended repeating of the refrain, “All we are saying is give peace a chance”, Lennon adds “And chant the Hare Krishna” (2:56). Long glimpse in the clip of Krishna devotees singing along and dancing (2:01-13).
John Lennon (1940-1980) was second-guitarist, singer, and one of the main songwriters of the Beatles, the most famous, popular and successful band in history – further presentation superfluous.
In the latter 60's he and the rest of the Beatles became interested in spirituality and met many of the famous yogis and gurus of that time. In 1969, a year of intense search for social and personal liberation for Lennon (he had already been to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and later would enter primal therapy and left-wing politics), he and fellow Beatle George Harrison first came in contact with the Krishna Consciousness movement. Later that year they also met Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, who stayed as a guest at Lennon's Tittenhurst estate for 3 months while he was in England.
“Give Peace a Chance” is the first solo single issued by John Lennon, released on the 4th of July 1969, when he was still a member of the Beatles. It was written by Lennon during his and Yoko Ono's “Bed-In” demonstration for peace, on their honeymoon, in a hotel in Montreal, Canada. On 15 October the same year it was was sung by half a million demonstrators in Washington DC at the Vietnam Moratorium Day, and it became an anthem of the American anti-war movement during the 1970s.
The recording session was attended by dozens of journalists and various celebrities, including Timothy Leary, Tommy Smothers, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Petula Clark and Allen Ginsberg. The Krishna devotees seen in the clip had been visiting with the Lennons for several days, discussing world peace and self-realization. It is said that because of this song, people all over the world soon began to identify the chanting Krishna devotees as harbingers of a more simple, joyful, peaceful way of life.
Lennon and Ono (lying in bed in the middle of the picture) surrounded by devotees, Lennon reading Back to Godhead no. 23. Left to right: Rukmini devi dasi, Melvani the Muslim, Jayapataka das brahmacari, Baradvaja das, Himavati-Hana Kalbert, Himavati devi dasi, Yoko Ono, Sripati das, John Lennon, Hansadutta Das, Dayal Nitai das
“Give Peace a Chance” reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is one of John Lennon's most famous songs, and it's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Some of all who in one way or another have covered the song: ex-beatle Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, jazz legend Louis Armstrong, soul legend Stevie Wonder, Jazz Crusaders, U2, black funk band Hot Chocolate, Madonna, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Elton John, Bon Jovi, new romantic Adam Ant, Joni Mitchell, heavy metal-singer Sebastian Bach, boy band Bros, Terence Trent D'Arby, Red Hot Chili Peppers-bassist Flea, Peter Gabriel, ethno-techno star Ofra Haza, Bruce Hornsby, Al Jarreau, Soul II Soul-founder Jazzie B, Lenny Kravitz, Cyndi Lauper, rock'n'roll legend Little Richard, rappers LL Cool J and MC Hammer, white soul singer Michael McDonald, Guns n' Roses-bassist Duff McKagan, Alannah Myles, Randy Newman, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Prince-musicians Wendy & Lisa...
In the latter 60's he and the rest of the Beatles became interested in spirituality and met many of the famous yogis and gurus of that time. In 1969, a year of intense search for social and personal liberation for Lennon (he had already been to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and later would enter primal therapy and left-wing politics), he and fellow Beatle George Harrison first came in contact with the Krishna Consciousness movement. Later that year they also met Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, who stayed as a guest at Lennon's Tittenhurst estate for 3 months while he was in England.
The recording session was attended by dozens of journalists and various celebrities, including Timothy Leary, Tommy Smothers, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Petula Clark and Allen Ginsberg. The Krishna devotees seen in the clip had been visiting with the Lennons for several days, discussing world peace and self-realization. It is said that because of this song, people all over the world soon began to identify the chanting Krishna devotees as harbingers of a more simple, joyful, peaceful way of life.
“Give Peace a Chance” reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is one of John Lennon's most famous songs, and it's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Some of all who in one way or another have covered the song: ex-beatle Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, jazz legend Louis Armstrong, soul legend Stevie Wonder, Jazz Crusaders, U2, black funk band Hot Chocolate, Madonna, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Elton John, Bon Jovi, new romantic Adam Ant, Joni Mitchell, heavy metal-singer Sebastian Bach, boy band Bros, Terence Trent D'Arby, Red Hot Chili Peppers-bassist Flea, Peter Gabriel, ethno-techno star Ofra Haza, Bruce Hornsby, Al Jarreau, Soul II Soul-founder Jazzie B, Lenny Kravitz, Cyndi Lauper, rock'n'roll legend Little Richard, rappers LL Cool J and MC Hammer, white soul singer Michael McDonald, Guns n' Roses-bassist Duff McKagan, Alannah Myles, Randy Newman, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, Prince-musicians Wendy & Lisa...
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Follow the countdown
of the Hare Krishna Top 10
4. Marc Bolan and T Rex: “Frowning Atahuallpa (My Inca Love)”
5. Jedi Mind Tricks feat. El Eloh: “Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan”
6. Pretenders: “Boots of Chinese Plastic”
5. Jedi Mind Tricks feat. El Eloh: “Books of Blood: The Coming of Tan”
6. Pretenders: “Boots of Chinese Plastic”
8. George Harrison: “My Sweet Lord”
9. Goldblade feat. Poly Styrene: “City of Christmas Ghosts”
10. Ruth Copeland feat. George Clinton & Parliament: “Hare Krishna”
9. Goldblade feat. Poly Styrene: “City of Christmas Ghosts”
10. Ruth Copeland feat. George Clinton & Parliament: “Hare Krishna”
Whole list HERE
Next up, nr 2, is coming soon
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