I’d Love To Change The World (Live 2018)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the psychedelic vibes of I’d Love to Change the World (Live 2018) by Ten Years After from their album Naturally Live, and the Zoo Freaks are grooving to its timeless message. This iconic track, originally released in 1971 on the album A Space in Time, was written by frontman Alvin Lee during a turbulent era of social upheaval, reflecting frustrations over Vietnam, civil rights struggles, and environmental issues. In a 2023 interview with Forbes, drummer Ric Lee (no relation to Alvin) shared that the song captured Alvin’s exasperation, with lyrics like “I’d love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do” expressing a heartfelt plea for sanity amid chaos. Ric recounted recording at Olympic Studios in London, where he dubbed his drum parts in just two takes despite being ill, thanks to Alvin’s encouragement from the control room. Interestingly, Alvin was reluctant to perform the song live, citing its acoustic-to-electric transition and key as restrictive, a sentiment Ric confirmed when Alvin refused to adapt it for concerts.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s cultural footprint. Its gradual build and Alvin’s searing guitar solo have made it a go-to for Hollywood, featured in films like Tropic Thunder and Fahrenheit 9/11, as well as trailers for Seven Days in Entebbe and HBO’s White House Plumbers. A 2019 post on Reddit’s psychedelic rock community by user SleepyMarijuanaut92 sparked nostalgia, with one fan recalling their father introducing them to the song at age 12, describing it as the “heaviest” they’d ever heard. The song’s relevance endures, as noted in a 2025 X post by @JustRockContent, which highlighted its commentary on ongoing societal issues. Jetta’s 2014 cover, remixed by Matstubs, also gained traction, amassing over 125 million streams and appearing in trailers for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Terminator Genisys.

Ten Years After began in the Nottingham/Mansfield area of England in the early 1960s as Ivan Jay and the Jaycats, a local act playing rock and blues. By 1962, they became the Jaybirds, with Alvin Lee on guitar and vocals, Leo Lyons on bass, and later Ric Lee on drums after replacing Dave Quickmire in 1965. The band relocated to London in 1966 to back the Ivy League, adopting the name Ten Years After in 1966, a nod to the ten years since the birth of rock and roll in 1956. Their breakthrough came with a blistering performance of I’m Going Home at Woodstock in 1969, cementing their reputation as a powerhouse blues-rock act. Between 1968 and 1973, they scored eight consecutive Top 40 albums in the UK and twelve on the US Billboard 200, with I’d Love to Change the World becoming their only US Top 40 single, peaking at number 40 in 1971.

Fans can connect with Ten Years After through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and tributes to their legacy. The band’s website offers a deep dive into their discography and history. For Zoo Freaks looking to join the fandom, the Ten Years After Fans Facebook group is a vibrant community sharing memories, rare photos, and discussions about the band’s music. Another fan hub, Alvin Lee’s official website, celebrates the late guitarist’s contributions, featuring archival content and tributes from devotees worldwide.