[1] Recorded at EMI Studios on 27 September 1970,[4] the song features only Lennon, singing and playing an acoustic guitar as his backing.

The chord progression is very simple, and builds on A-minor and G-major, with a short detour to D-major in one line of the chorus.

[5] The tone and style of the song is similar to that of "Masters of War" and "North Country Blues" by Bob Dylan, a known influence of Lennon.

"[8] Stereogum contributors Timothy and Elizabeth Bracy rated it as Lennon's 3rd best solo song, calling it "a stark, acoustic ballad reminiscent of Bob Dylan's 'Masters of War'" and "a painful recognition that the Age of Aquarius has meant less than zero.

The manager of the station, Ken Sleeman, faced a year in prison and a $10,000 fine, but defended his decision to play the song saying, "The People of Washington DC are sophisticated enough to accept the occasional four-letter word in context, and not become sexually aroused, offended, or upset."