John and Yoko performing "Woman is the Nigger of the World" on August 30, 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, backed by Elephant's Memory.
1972, Some Time in New York City
Before launching into the rip-roaring version above, John explained, "The next song is one of those many songs of ours that get banned. It's somethin' Yoko said to me in 1968; it took me 'til 1970 to dig it." He wasn't the only one who couldn't immediately dig it, as it was excluded from radio airplay and caused controversy for its use of the word "nigger" in conveying the message that the chauvinistic patriarchal society in which we live condescends to and manipulates women for its own (distinctly male) needs. Some people just don't like to hear the truth. For those of us who don't mind, it's an exciting and incendiary tune with some kick-ass saxophone.
John giving an in-depth and entertaining explanation of the song on The Dick Cavett Show in 1972 before ripping it up with Yoko and Elephant's Memory.
