Woman Is the Nigger of the World

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"Woman is the Nigger of the World"
"Woman is the Nigger of the World" cover
Single by John Lennon
from the album Some Time in New York City
Released 1972
Format 7" vinyl
Recorded 1972
Genre Rock/Pop
Writer(s) John Lennon
Producer(s) Phil Spector, John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Chart positions
  • #57 (US)
John Lennon singles chronology
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"
(1971)
"Woman Is the Nigger of the World"
(1972)
"Mind Games"
(1973)

"Woman is the Nigger of the World" was a 1972 song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The phrase was originally coined by Ono during a magazine interview in 1967. Lennon later said it took him until 1970 to 'dig it'.

While John Lennon is responsible for the single, his phrase was not at the time deemed to be racist, nor was it his intent.

The song lambasts the traditional role of woman's subservience to man across all cultures. It was banned from radio airplay because of the word 'nigger' although many prominent blacks, including Dick Gregory, spoke out in defense of the song.

The b-side features Yoko's "Sisters O Sisters," also from the Some Time in New York City album. A shortened acoustic version appeared on the 2004 album 'Acoustic'.