Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon – ****

First released: 1969

As said in other books, this is more of a chant than a true song, but it performed quite well as John Lennon’s first solo single. A live version appeared shortly thereafter on "The Plastic Ono Band – Live Peace in Toronto 1969" album released in 1970. A severely shortened version and also a live edit version (called "Give Peace a Chance: Reprise") made it onto Lennon’s "Shaved Fish" album in 1975. The first album release for the full-length version was on 1982’s "The John Lennon Collection", the "Imagine: John Lennon" soundtrack from 1988, 1990’s "Lennon", "Lennon Legend" from 1997, and "Working Class Hero" from 2005. "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" version from 2006 contains dialogue from the film.

Lennon also performed this live in 1972 and this version was released in 1986 on "Live in New York City". I believe it is this version that the live edit came from. This version was also on "Instant Karma" from 2001. The import only collection called "Peace, Love & Truth" from 2005 contains two interesting variations with new rapping and singing by others with the original chorus line intact. One is called "Give Peace a Chance Remix 2005" (Featuring the Voices of Asia) and the other is "Give Peace a Chance Y2K". There is also a remixed version of the original track included as well. There’s also a demo version released on 1998’s "The John Lennon Anthology".

Paul plays it live as part of a John Lennon medley in 1990 on the b-side of "All My Trials" CD single along with "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Help!" and later as a medley with "A Day in the Life" on 2009’s "Good Evening New York City".