In 1967, as many as 700 million people worldwide watched Our World, the first ever live international satellite broadcast. The show featured segments by 14 different countries, presenting scenes of their choice (Japan showed the construction of the Tokyo subway system, while Canada showed a rancher herding cattle).

The United Kingdom won the night by offering up The Beatles, at the height of their popularity, debuting a new song. John Lennon wrote ‘All You Need Is Love’ for the occasion, deliberately penning a tune so simple that anybody in the world could easily sing along.

Their broadcast, which included guests Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and many others, was instantly iconic, and the song was embraced by the counterculture. The track was released later that year, with overdubs, on the Magical Mystery Tour album.

Despite its significance to the peace movement, I’ve always been annoyed by this song. The opening verses are great, but once the chorus kicks in it’s all downhill. I don’t need to hear anybody, even The Beatles, singing “love is all you need” for what seems like 15 minutes.