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{{short description|1971 song written by John Lennon}} |
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{{Infobox Single | |
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{{Use British English|date=June 2011}} |
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| Name = Power to the People |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} |
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| Cover = Power to the People.jpg |
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{{Infobox song |
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| Artist = ] with the ] |
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| Released = UK: 12 March 1971 <br> US: 22 March 1971 |
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| name = Power to the People |
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| cover = File:John-lennon-plastic-ono-band-power-to-the-people-apple-2-s.jpg |
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| Format = 7" ] |
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| caption = US picture sleeve |
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| Recorded = January/February 1971 |
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| alt = John Lennon wearing work clothing, aviator glasses, and a white hard helmet. His right hand is seen clenching a fist with his left hand behind him. |
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| Genre = ]/] |
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| Length = 3:15 |
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| type = single |
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| Label = ] |
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| artist = ]/] |
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| Writer = John Lennon |
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| album = |
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| Producer = ], ] and ] |
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| B-side = {{ubl|"]" (UK) (])|"]" (US) (Yoko Ono)}} |
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| released = 12 March 1971 (UK)<br>22 March 1971 (US) |
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| Certification = Gold (US) |
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| recorded = 22 January{{snd}}9 February 1971 |
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| Chart position = * #5 <small>(])</small> |
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| studio = ], Berkshire |
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* #6 <small>(])</small> |
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| venue = |
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* #11 <small>(])</small> |
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| Last single = ]<br>(1970); ] (US only, 1970) |
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| genre = ], ] |
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| length = 3:15 |
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| This single = "Power to the People"<br>(1971) |
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| Next single = "]"<br>(US only, 1971) |
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| label = ] |
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| writer = John Lennon |
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| producer = {{hlist|]|]|]}} |
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| prev_title = ] |
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| prev_year = 1970 |
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| next_title = ] |
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| next_year = 1971 |
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}} |
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}} |
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"'''Power to the People'''" is a song written by ], released as a ] in 1971, credited to John Lennon/]. It was issued on ] (catalogue number R5892 in the United Kingdom, 1830 in the United States) and charted at #6 on the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=Power to the People |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/john-lennon-and-the-plastic-ono-band-power-to-the-people/ |website=]}}</ref> at number 10 on the '']'' Top 100, and at number 11 on the ]<ref name=Listen326>{{cite book|last=Blaney|first=John|title=John Lennon: Listen to This Book|year=2005|publisher=Paper Jukebox|location=|isbn=978-0-9544528-1-0|edition=illustrated|page=326}}</ref> The song's first appearance on album was the 1975 compilation '']''. |
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==Writing and recording== |
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"'''Power to the People'''" is a song recorded by ] at ] in London, England<ref name="spector">{{cite book |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Phil Spector: Out of His Head |year=2003 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=London |isbn=0-7119-9864-7 |page=160}}</ref> and released on ] ] in the ] and ] ] in the ].<ref name="blaney66-70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005 |pages=66–70| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X}}</ref> The song was written by Lennon in response<ref name="roughguide">{{cite book |first=Chris |last=Ingham |title=The Rough Guide to the Beatles |year=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides Ltd. |location=London |isbn=1-84353-140-2 |page=117}}</ref> to an interview he gave to ] and ], published in '']'' (8-22 March 1971).<ref name="companion">{{cite book |first=Elizabeth and David Gutman (eds.) |last=Thomson |title=The Lennon Companion |year=2004 |publisher=Da Capo Press |location=Cambridge, MA |isbn=0-306-81270-3 |page=165}}</ref> 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 '],' as something for the people to sing. I make singles like ]. It was another quickie, done at Ascot."<ref name="spector">{{cite book |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Phil Spector: Out of His Head |year=2003 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=London |isbn=0-7119-9864-7 |page=160}}</ref> |
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"Power to the People" was recorded at ]<ref name="spector">{{cite book |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Phil Spector: Out of His Head |year=2003 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=London |isbn=0-7119-9864-7 |page=160}}</ref> on 15 February 1971,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Madinger |first1=Chip |last2=Raile |first2=Scott |title=LENNONOLOGY Strange Days Indeed - A Scrapbook of Madness |year= 2015 |publisher= Chesterfield, MO: Open Your Books, LLC |page=226 |isbn= 978-1-63110-175-5}}</ref> during sessions that would produce songs for Lennon's '']'' album. The single was released on 12 March 1971 in the UK and 22 March 1971 in the US<ref name=ATN>{{cite book|last=Castleman|first=Harry|title=All Together Now – The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975|year=1977|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York|isbn=0-345-25680-8|edition=Second|author2=Podrazik, Walter J.|page=|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/alltogethernowfi0000cast/page/100}}</ref><ref name="blaney66-70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005 |pages=66–70| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X}}</ref> (although some sources give the British release as 8 March<ref>{{cite book |first=Keith |last=Badham |title=The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970−2001 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=London |year=2002 |page=32}}</ref>). The song was written by Lennon in response to an interview he gave to ] and ],<ref name="roughguide">{{cite book |first=Chris |last=Ingham |title=The Rough Guide to the Beatles |year=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides Ltd. |location=London |isbn=1-84353-140-2 |page=117}}</ref> published in '']'' (8–22 March 1971).<ref name="companion">{{cite book |editor-first1=Elizabeth |editor-last1=Thomson |editor-first2=David |editor-last2=Gutman |title=The Lennon Companion |url=https://archive.org/details/lennoncompanion00thom |url-access=limited |year=2004 |publisher=Da Capo Press |location=Cambridge, MA |isbn=0-306-81270-3 |page=}}{{dead link|date=July 2024}}</ref> 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 '],' as something for the people to sing. I make singles like ]. It was another quickie, done at Ascot."<ref name="spector"/> |
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It entered the charts on ] ], and remained there for nine weeks. It was Lennon's fourth solo single and it was credited to John Lennon/], which on this occasion comprised Lennon, ], ], ] and ].<ref name="blaney70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X |page=70}}</ref> Additional backing vocals were supplied by ]<ref name="blaney70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X |page=70}}</ref> and "44 others."{{Fact|date=August 2008}} ], ], and ] were credited as producers.<ref name="blaney70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X |page=70}}</ref> |
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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, ] and ] in addition to regulars ] and ].<ref name="blaney70">{{cite book |first=John |last=Blaney |title=John Lennon: Listen To This Book |year=2005| publisher=Biddles Ltd. |location=Guildford, Great Britain |isbn=0-9544528-1-X |page=70}}</ref> Backing vocals were supplied by ]<ref name="blaney70"/> and "44 others".<ref>Castleman & Podrazik, ''All Together Now'', p. 172.</ref> The singers also stomped their feet to make it sound more like a political rally.<ref name=ucr/> ], Lennon and ] were credited as producers.<ref name="blaney70"/> |
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'']'' called it a "a fantastic choral chant-song that really rocks."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Picks of the Week|magazine=Record World|date=March 20, 1971|page=1|accessdate=2023-04-22|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/71/Record-World-1971-03-20.pdf}}</ref> |
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Lennon's perception of the song changed during the 1970s. In '']'' he called the song "rather embarrassing" and supported ]'s claim that the anthem was "ten years too late."<ref name="skywriting">{{cite book |first=John |last=Lennon |title=Skywriting by Word of Mouth: And Other Writings, Including "The Ballad of John and Yoko" |year=1986| publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=0-06-091444-0 |page=25}}</ref> In 1980, he stated that the song "didn't really come off" as it had been "written in the state of being asleep and wanting to be loved by Tariq Ali and his ilk."<ref name="cadogan">{{cite book | first=Patrick |last=Cadogan | title=The Revolutionary Artist: John Lennon's Radical Years| year=2008 | publisher=Lulu| location=Morrisville, North Carolina | isbn=978-1-4357-1863-0 | page=137}}</ref> |
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The ] featured "]" in the UK and "Touch Me" in the US. Both songs are by ]. |
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Lennon's regard for the song changed during the 1970s. In '']'', he called the song "rather embarrassing" and supported ]'s claim that the anthem was "ten years too late".<ref name="skywriting">{{cite book |first=John |last=Lennon |title=Skywriting by Word of Mouth: And Other Writings, Including "The Ballad of John and Yoko" |url=https://archive.org/details/skywritingbyword00lenn |url-access=registration |year=1986| publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=0-06-091444-0 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Thompson|first=Hunter S.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41049769|title=Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream|date=1998|publisher=Random House|others=Ralph Steadman|isbn=0-679-78589-2|edition=Vintage Books (2nd)|location=New York|pages=21|oclc=41049769}}</ref> In 1980, he stated that the song "didn't really come off" as it had been "written in the state of being asleep and wanting to be loved by Tariq Ali and his ilk".<ref name="cadogan">{{cite book | first=Patrick |last=Cadogan | title=The Revolutionary Artist: John Lennon's Radical Years| year=2008 | publisher=Lulu| location=Morrisville, North Carolina | isbn=978-1-4357-1863-0 | page=137}}</ref> |
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] recorded a version of the song for the 1995 tribute album '']''. |
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''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."<ref name=ucr>{{cite web|title=Top 10 John Lennon Solo Political Songs|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-lennon-solo-political-songs/|author=DeRiso, Nick|accessdate=2023-01-08|date=9 October 2013|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref> |
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The song was also covered by ] on the album '']''. |
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==Cover versions and other uses of the song== |
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In 2000, ], ] and ] released a live performance of this song.{{Clarify me|post-text=: what was released?|date=May 2009}} It was featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture ]. |
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] recorded a version of "Power to the People" for the 1995 tribute album '']''. In 2000, ], ] and ] recorded the song for '']'', a film about ].<ref name=RSE269>{{cite book|last=Harry |first=Bill |title=The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia |year=2004 |publisher=Virgin Books |location=London |isbn=978-0-7535-0843-5 |page=269}}</ref> |
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The song has been used as a theme song of the ] and ] US presidential campaigns of ].<ref>{{Citation|title=End Corporate Greed Rally in Iowa City| date=25 October 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIwwp8Iiytc&t=806 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/iIwwp8Iiytc |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-10-31}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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==Personnel== |
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==Personnel== |
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The musicians who performed on "Power to the People" were as follows:<ref name="blaney66-70"/> |
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The musicians who performed on "Power to the People" were as follows:<ref>''Imagine: The Ultimate Edition''</ref> |
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*] - vocals, guitar, piano |
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*] - vocals, electric guitar, piano |
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*] - bass guitar |
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*] and other singers - backing vocals |
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*] - saxophone |
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*] - saxophone |
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*] - drums |
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*] - piano, keyboards |
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*], ], ], ] and others - backing vocals |
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*] - bass |
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*] - drums |
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==Chart history== |
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{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-2}} |
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===Weekly charts=== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
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!Chart (1971) |
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!Peak<br />position |
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|Australia (]) |
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| style="text-align:center;"|21 |
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|Canada '']'' Top Singles |
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| style="text-align:center;"|4 |
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|Germany |
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| style="text-align:center;"|7 |
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{{singlechart|Ireland2|7|song=Power to the People|access-date=16 July 2019}} |
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|Italy ('']'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=]|language=it|access-date=27 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "John Lennon".</ref> |
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|align="center"|15 |
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|Japan |
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| style="text-align:center;"|66 |
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|Netherlands (])<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1971 |publisher= ]. Hung Medien |access-date= 2 March 2018 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1971&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref> |
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|align="center"|5 |
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|Norway |
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| style="text-align:center;"|3 |
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|Switzerland |
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| style="text-align:center;"|5 |
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|]<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Charts Company |url=http://Officialcharts.com |access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> |
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| style="text-align:center;"|7 |
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|US '']'' ]<ref>''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990'' - {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref> |
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| style="text-align:center;"|11 |
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|US ] Top 100 |
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|align="center"|10 |
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{{col-2}} |
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===Year-end charts=== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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!Chart (1971) |
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! style="text-align:center;"|Rank |
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|Canada<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.7590&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada|work=collectionscanada.gc.ca}}</ref> |
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| style="text-align:center;"|71 |
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|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref></ref> |
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|align="center"|88 |
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|US (]'s ''Pop Annual'')<ref>{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |year=1999 |title=Pop Annual |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research Inc. |isbn=0-89820-142-X}}</ref> |
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| style="text-align:center;"|99 |
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{{col-end}} |
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==References== |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band}} |
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{{John Lennon}} |
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{{John Lennon}} |
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{{John Lennon Singles}} |
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{{John Lennon Singles}} |
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{{Plastic Ono Band}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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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.
US picture sleeve