"I'd Love To Change The World" was by far their biggest hit and most enduring song.
This song was written by guitarist Alvin Lee, who was the centerpiece of the group. "I'd love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do and I'll leave it up to you. I'm just saying the world does need changing," he said of the song in Vintage Rock. "I'd love to do it, but I haven't got the talent. I don't think I'm a world changer."
Formed in Nottingham, England, Ten Years After made a huge impact when they played the Woodstock festival in 1969 - their performance of "I'm Going Home" made the film. They released two albums in 1969, two more in 1970, and one in 1971 - A Space In Time, which contains "I'd Love To Change The World."
Their albums sold well, typically charting in the Top 25 in America, which was their stronghold. Hit singles were not a concern; Alvin Lee had almost a disdain for them because he didn't want his songs edited down and then talked over by a DJ. "I'd Love To Change The World" was by far their biggest hit and most enduring song. Their other charting songs in America were "Love Like A Man" (#98, 1970), "Baby Won't You Let Me Rock 'N Roll You" (#61, 1972) and "Choo Choo Mama" (#89, 1973). The group stopped performing in 1975 but regrouped every now and then. Alvin Lee died in 2013, but the band had been playing without him for about 10 years by that point.
Lyrics
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more?
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Songwriters: Alvin Lee
I'd Love to Change the World lyrics © BMG Rights Management