What was it about that scruffy working class guy John Lennon? Why do his songs remain so popular, the message just as compelling today as when it was written? Here's another version by the three tenors, Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras in Vienna. Worth a listen.
But now it gets interesting. There is a new popular singer, David Cook, winner of American Idol. I like his voice and think he's very talented. He was asked to perform at Rockefeller Center this year for the lighting of the big Christmas Tree. And he chose to perform this same song by John Lennon.
Good version in most respects, except: What happened to the ending? Why was it deleted? How many years ago was it that Nelson Rockefeller ripped down a Diego Rivera mural from Rockefeller Center because he was offended by the art -- the depiction of labor struggling for freedom and justice. Is this just more censorship by the Rockefellers or their successors?
I love the fact that this popular young singer would choose to perform this song at this time. But what happened to the ending? Why was it removed? You know. The lyrics that say:
War is overWere those simple lyrics really so threatening that they had to be removed from the song? Who at Rockefeller Center or NBC was so concerned that this young singer not even speak these words of truth, that the wars will end when the people demand it, and not before.
If you want it
War is over
Now...
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