Now or Never
1971 · Apple 1853 · USA
- Artist
- Yoko Ono
- Title
- Now or Never
- Release
- Now or Never / Move on Fast
- Year
- 1971
- Label
- Apple # 1853
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Genre
- Singer Songwriter · Singer Songwriter
- Primary theme
- Peace, Protest & Anti-War
Annotation
The picture sleeve of the single "Now or Never" (Apple Records # 1853) featured a photo of the well-known and horrific photo of the My Lai massacre, taken by the US army photographer Ronald L. Haeberle, which must be one the most graphic images to appear on a Vietnam War single / album (it is also seen on Pete Hamill's Massacre at My Lai). (1) (2) Released in 1972 by Yoko Ono, a Japanese born artist who lived in New York, she married John Lennon (1969-1980), performing with him in the groups Plastic Ono Band and John Lennon & Yoko Ono. The lyrics revolved around a series of questions, beginning with "are we gonna keep", and with each verse ending with "people of America, when will we stop?". The second verse below drew attention to Uncle Sam "sending our youths to war". She also observed the "scaring of rice fields and infants", and "watching dead bodies over dinner" (on TV or in the papers), presumably refering to My Lai and the Vietnam conflict.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Artist and musician, born 18 February 1933 in Tokyo, Japan; long based in New York City. [Source: Wikipedia]
Themes
In collections
My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs