Today is election day in these barely United States of America, the day that, at least in theory, gives ultimate power to everyday people throughout the country. It’s fitting, then, that today’s classic song of the day is “Power to the People” by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.
John Lennon wrote “Power to the People” and released it as a single in March of 1971. He attributed the single to John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. The band on this track included Bobby Keys on saxophone, Klaus Voormann on bass, and Jim Gordon on drums; Lennon himself played guitar and piano. Background singers included Doris Troy, Madeline Bell, Nanette Workman, and Rosetta Hightower. The song was recorded during the same sessions at Ascot Sound studios that resulted in Lennon’s Imagine album.
“Power to the People” was a pretty decent hit at the time. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on the Cash Box Top 100. It also hit #7 on the UK charts.
Despite its impact, Lennon became less enamored of the song over time. In a 1980 interview, he said the following:
“Well, that came from a talk with Tariq Ali, who was sort of a ‘revolutionary’ in England and edited a magazine called Red Mole. So I felt I ought to write a song about what he was saying. That’s why it didn’t really come off. I was not thinking clearly about it. It was written in the state of being asleep and wanting to be loved by Tariq Ali and his ilk, you see. I have to admit to that so I won’t call it hypocrisy. I wouldn’t write that today.”
That said, if you’re a citizen here in the U.S., today is the day that you have the power to choose who runs the joint for the next four years. Election day is the ultimate power of the people—so get out and VOTE!
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, guitarist Tom Morello (backed by Leland Sklar on bass and Kenny Aronoff on drums) performing a really hot version of “Power to the People” at the all-star John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert on December 5th, 2015, at Madison Square Garden. Power to the people—right on!
