The song was written and sung by Alvin Lee (born Graham Anthony Barnes). 10 Years after was formed in 1966. They took their name because it was 10 years after what they considered the birth of rock and roll. Lee: "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." The song is a good look at what were considered the big problems in the world in 1971: overpopulation, economic inequality, pollution, war. Alvin Lee often said in later interviews that the song remained just as relevant despite the passage of time. The band didn't play this song live while Albert Lee was a member, as he felt trying to re-create it on stage would be "too restricting." 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.