"Power to the People" was recorded at Ascot Sound Studios[3] on 15 February 1971,[4] during sessions that would produce songs for Lennon's Imagine album.

The song was written by Lennon in response to an interview he gave to Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn,[8] published in Red Mole (8–22 March 1971).

It was Lennon's fifth solo single, the Plastic Ono Band on this occasion comprising Lennon, Bobby Keys and Billy Preston in addition to regulars Klaus Voormann and Alan White.

In Skywriting by Word of Mouth, he called the song "rather embarrassing" and supported Hunter S. Thompson's claim that the anthem was "ten years too late".

In 2000, Eric Burdon, Billy Preston and Ringo Starr recorded the song for Steal This Movie!, a film about Abbie Hoffman.