WhenJohn Lennon wrote “Give Peace a Chance,” the anti-war song was a cry for one thing only: “All we are saying is give peace a chance,” the track echoed throughout its nearly five-minute runtime. Recorded 57 years ago today on June 1, 1969, it was released on July 4 in the U.K. and July 7 in the U.S., and became a historic peace anthem—without ever hitting No. 1 on the charts.
Despite never reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at No. 14, enjoying a nine-week tenure on the chart overall. It spent four weeks within the Top 20 and six weeks in the Top 40, records show.
Credited to the Plastic Ono Band, the track itself was created in the moment during one of Lennon’s and wife, Yoko Ono‘s, famous “bed-in” protests, sparking a movement during the anti-Vietnam War era of the late 1960s/early 1970s.
“Lennon and Ono were well-known members of the anti-war movement. They even created the method of protest known as a “bed-in,” involving occupying a hotel room for a week at a time as they did on their honeymoon in Amsterdam. This song was actually recorded during one of their “bed-ins” in Montreal,” according to Genius.
While the Montreal bed-in was in progress, the Beatles band member got the idea after inviting celebrities and media representatives into the hotel room to discuss the political climate. It is reported that Lennon kept repeating the phrase “give peace a chance” in various interviews, sparking what became the tune, which was recorded live by producer André Perry, per Song Facts. “Using four microphones and a portable 4-track cassette recorder he borrowed from a local studio,” the song came together, featuring a chorus of contributors including Petula Clark, Allen Ginsberg, and Timothy Leary.
“Give Peace a Chance” still stands as a landmark moment in popular music history, marking the first solo single released by a member of the Beatles while the group was still active.
Related: 1979 Ultimate Classic Ranked Among ‘Greatest Duets in Rock History’ Never Hit No. 1