The Beatles album John Lennon used to bash America: “It’s as relevant as Vietnam”..

John Lennon was never one to shy away from political commentary, and one of the most pointed examples of his critique of America came through The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album, commonly known as the White Album. While not overtly political throughout, Lennon used songs like “Revolution 1” and “Revolution 9” to express disillusionment with the political unrest and social upheaval of the time. In later interviews, Lennon described the album’s chaotic tone and content as reflecting the state of the world—particularly America—during the Vietnam War era.

Lennon reportedly said the album was “as relevant as Vietnam,” referencing the cultural and moral crisis he saw in U.S. society. “Revolution,” with its questioning of violent protest, directly addressed the radical movements emerging in response to American imperialism. Lennon’s biting lyrics and experimental approach echoed his growing frustration with U.S. politics, consumerism, and militarism. His critique only deepened in his solo career, but The White Album marked a turning point where his discontent with America began to influence his music more openly.

The record, fractured and sprawling, mirrored a fractured world, and Lennon ensured that its message—sometimes cynical, sometimes hopeful—was impossible to ignore.