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“Power to the People” – Single by John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, was included on the album Shaved Fish
B-side: “Open Your Box” (UK) (Yoko Ono), “Touch Me” (US) (Yoko Ono)
Released: 12 March 1971 (UK), 22 March 1971 (US)
Recorded: 22 January – 9 February 1971
Songwriters: John Lennon
“Power to the People” was recorded at Ascot Sound Studioson 15 February 1971, during sessions that would produce songs for Lennon’s Imagine album. The single was released on 12 March 1971 in the UK and 22 March 1971 in the US (although some sources give the British release as 8 March. The song was written by Lennon in response to an interview he gave to Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn, published in Red Mole (8–22 March 1971). As Lennon explained: “I just felt inspired by what they said, although a lot of it is gobbledygook. So I wrote ‘Power to the People’ the same way I wrote ‘Give Peace a Chance,’ as something for the people to sing. I make singles like broadsheets. It was another quickie, done at Ascot.”
It entered the charts on 20 March 1971, and remained there for nine weeks. It was Lennon’s fifth solo single, the Plastic Ono Band on this occasion comprising Lennon, Bobby Keys and Billy Preston in addition to regulars Klaus Voormann and Alan White. Backing vocals were supplied by Rosetta Hightower and “44 others”. The singers also stomped their feet to make it sound more like a political rally. Phil Spector, Lennon and Yoko Ono were credited as producers.
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as Lennon’s 6th greatest solo political song, calling it “one of Lennon’s funkiest and hardest-hitting musical achievements.”
Record World called it a “a fantastic choral chant-song that really rocks.”
“Power to the People” was a popular phrase in the 1960s and early ’70. It indicated a need for individuals to take control from governments and institutions, which is something Lennon advocated. He said of the song: “I wrote ‘Power to the People’ the same way I wrote ‘Give Peace A Chance,’ as something for the people to sing. I make singles like broadsheets. It was another quickie.”
Around the time this song was recorded and released, film cameras were constantly recording John and Yoko for the Imagine documentary. Among the footage is John Lennon giving this concise explanation of the song’s meaning: “The people are the government, and the people have the power. All we have to do is awaken the power in the people.”
John Lennon: vocals, electric guitar, piano
Klaus Voormann: bass guitar
Billy Preston: piano, keyboards
Bobby Keys: saxophone
Jim Gordon: drums
Rosetta Hightower and others– backing vocals, handclaps
Lyrics:
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Say you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the street
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
A million workers working for nothing
You better give ’em what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into town
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now
Oh well, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Yeah, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
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