John Lennon

Released: June 12, 1972

Songwriter: John Lennon Yoko Ono

Producer: John Lennon Yoko Ono Phil Spector

[Verse 1]
What a waste of human power
What a waste of human lives
Shoot the prisoners in the towers
Forty-three poor widowed wives

[Chorus]
Attica State, Attica State, we're all mates with Attica State

[Verse 2]
Media blames it on the prisoners
But the prisoners did not kill
"Rockefeller pulled the trigger"
That is what the people feel

[Chorus]
Attica State, Attica State, we're all mates with Attica State

[Verse 3]
Free the prisoners, jail the judges
Free all prisoners everywhere
All they want is truth and justice
All they need is love and care

[Chorus]
Attica State, Attica State, we're all mates with Attica State

[Verse 4]
They all live in suffocation
Let's not watch them die in sorrow
Now's the time for revolution
Give them all a chance to grow

[Chorus]
Attica State, Attica State, we're all mates with Attica State

[Verse 5]
Come together, join the movement
Take a stand for human rights
Fear and hatred clouds our judgement
Free us all from endless night

[Outro]
Attica State, Attica State
We are all mates with Attica State
Attica State, Attica State
We all live in Attica State
Attica State, Attica State
Attica, Attica, Attica State

As the founding member of The Beatles, John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) is one of the most recognizable cultural icons of the 20th Century. He is also the other half of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, alongside fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney.

As a solo artist and through his relationship and collaboration with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, he became just as recognizable for his political activism.

Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, outside of his New York apartment, The Dakota. Since then, his music and message remain timeless.

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