I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama
| "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" | |
|---|---|
| Song by John Lennon from the album Imagine | |
| Released |
9 September 1971 (US) 8 October 1971 (UK) |
| Recorded |
c. 11–16 February, 24 May, 4July 1971 Ascot Sound Studios, Surrey |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 6:05 |
| Label | Apple |
| Writer(s) | John Lennon |
| Producer(s) | John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Phil Spector |
"I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama" (also known as "I Don't Want To Be a Soldier") is a song written and performed by John Lennon, and released in 1971 as the fifth track on his second studio album, Imagine. The song is a rant against the expectations of society.
Recording
This song was first recorded, along with "It's So Hard", during the February 1971 sessions that also yielded the "Power to the People" single. The song began as a studio jam. Take 2, described as a raw, funk version of Lennon's song "Well Well Well", was included in the John Lennon Anthology box set. Lennon was unhappy with this version and re-recorded it during the Imagine sessions.
The final version of the song is the only song on Imagine to feature Phil Spector's Wall of Sound effect to its full extent.
Lyrics
The song contains only 25 different words, very similar to Lennon's song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".
Personnel
- John Lennon - vocals, electric guitar
- George Harrison - slide guitar
- Nicky Hopkins - piano
- Joey Molland - acoustic guitar
- Tom Evans - acoustic guitar
- Klaus Voormann - bass guitar
- Jim Keltner - drums
- Alan White - vibraphone
- Mike Pinder - tambourine
- Steve Brendell - maracas
- The Flux Fiddlers - strings
References
- "I Don't Want To Be a Soldier". The Beatles Bible.