To be accurate, “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” is credited to “John Lennon, Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band, with the Harlem Community Choir…and it was the culmination of more than two years of peace activism by John and Yoko in the midst of the Vietnam War.

Interestingly, the song was released in the US a little too close to Christmas in 1971 to have much impact, and it took a few holiday seasons before it caught on. In the UK, however, they waited until 1972 to release it, and it became an instant hit. From that point on, “Happy Xmas” slowly became a Christmas standard in more than 30 countries–proving that a hope for “peace speaks a universal language.

Over the years, “Happy Christmas has been covered by many artists, including Celine Dion, John Legend, Maroon 5, and Miley Cyrus with mark Ronson and Sean Ono Lennon–all of whom have charted with it. You can hear those covers– and the original–by clicking the links below.

And here’s some trivia for you: John & Yoko began their version with Christmas greetings to their children from previous marriages:Yoko whispers, “Happy Christmas, Kyoko”, then John whispers, “Happy Christmas, Julian.” Listen carefully!

Celine Dion:

John Legend:

Maroon 5:

Miley Cyrus/Mark Ronson/Sean Lennon:

–Mike Cook