Yesterday, I re-blogged David Prosser’s post about a philosophy of humanity called Ubuntu. A short time later, a fellow-blogger asked me to look at her post, and this video was on it. The connection between this song and David’s post struck me almost like a lightening bolt, and I knew I had my music post for tonight.
The original goal of this song was to combine the love of all nations displaying the possibility of hope and peace as a common denominator in the world. This was played at Party at the Palace, a British music concert and celebration held in London in 2002. Artists, including Paul McCartney, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, and many more contributed to this extravaganza. The song is originally a Beatles’ classic that in and of itself is quite meaningful …
The Beatles played this for the first time on the “Our World” project, the first worldwide TV special. Broadcast in 24 countries on June 25, 1967, the show was six hours long and featured music from 6 continents, with The Beatles representing Britain.
The concept of the song was born out of a request to bring a song that was going to be understood by people of all nations. The writing began in late May of 1967, with John and Paul working on separate songs. It was decided that John’s “All You Need Is Love” was the better choice because of its easy to understand message of love and peace. The song was easy to play, the words easy to remember and it encompassed the feeling of the world’s youth during that period.
Joining in 2002 at the Buckingham Palace Garden, the stars of the generation gather to spread the message of hope, peace and unity to London, England.
Ubuntu … the philosophy that we are all connected, the idea of humanity, and this song about love … put it together, and then ask yourself what is keeping us from living in this world?
All You Need Is Love
The Beatles, et al
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game
It’s easy
Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown
There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
Love is all you need
(Love is all you need)
(Love is all you need)
(Love is all you need)
(Love is all you need)
Yesterday
(Love is all you need)
Oh
Love is all you need
Love is all you need
Oh yeah
Love is all you need
(She love you, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(She love you, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Love is all you need)
(Love is all you need)
Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul Mccartney
All You Need Is Love lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lovely, Jill. Thank you. —- Suzanne
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I’m so glad you liked it! It’s not one of my faves, but I love the meaning.
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A great song! There is a children’s book with the words to the song and terrific illustrations. I “sing” the book all the time in my classroom. ❤️
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Glad you liked it! I think I wish I had had a teacher like you when I was a kid! 😊
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That’s so nice, Jill. Thank you! 🙂
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Jill, well said. The song is purposefully simple, yet profound. I recall Mick Jagger and other artists surrounding The Beatles as they recorded live. This was a huge event. Keith
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Thanks … yes, the message, the purpose is so cool that whether one actually likes the tune or not becomes irrelevant.
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A great song, Jill. The Beatles’ version is still the best.
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I agree that musically, the Beatles version is better, but this one tugs at my heart … just so many people coming together with such a cool message.
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I get that, but just like with John’s IMAGINE people love the song but do nothing in the world and their lives to make it come true. I read somewhere some person saying because John had millions Imagine was a hypocritical song, and therefore worthless. lt was because he had millions that he was able to take a real look at the world and see what was wrong. And Mark David Chapman shot him not for his money, but for his philosophy. And for fame. He got his 15 minutes of fame, and the world lost a great philosopher and promoter of peace. I doubt that Mr. Chapman cares, he got what he wanted…
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To those who call “Imagine” hypocritical on those grounds, I would suggest they look into his philanthropy, for he gave much to organizations that helped feed the poor throughout his lifetime. Why is it that it’s always those with a good heart who get killed? They assassinated Martin Luther King, John & Bobby Kennedy, John Lennon … but nobody has yet gone for the evil Trump? Sigh.
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As I have said before, the crazies are on Trump’s side. If a credible opponent were to show up on the left, I don’t doubt but they would be murdered within days of showing their hand. No one can be allowed to stand up to Trump if there is any chance Trump might lose…
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Sadly, I believe that what you say is true. And quite honestly, I cannot take another 5+ years of him, and I don’t think we will have a 2024 election if he wins next year. Sigh.
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The chances you are right are high, so we have to try and shut him up now! What is Congress waiting for. Impeach him. Win or lose, his reaction to being impeached will show how insane he really is. He cannot stand opposition. Hopefully he cannot sign any executive orders while he stands accused.
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I’m not sure what the House is waiting for, but only about 1/4 of the House seem to be in favour of impeachment at this time. I presume because they know that the Senate will not convict and remove him from office, and it might end up being more controversy. But, as you say, we need to show the people of this nation how inept and corrupt he is, and the best way to do that is through the investigative process of an impeachment inquiry. To your last point, though … oh yes, he will still be able to do everything he can do now … there are no restrictions.
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THAT is a travesty. His judgment cannot be trusted now; what will it be like if he is striking out against those who think he is incapable, and culpable.
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Funnily enough not an era of Beatles music I like though I never until now, knew the reason for this particular song. But, I digress, I was listening to a CD of their Number 1’s on the bus on Tuesday, (All You Need is Love was number 18). I didn’t skip it and I was singing along in my head. Perhaps like you I will associate this song with Ubuntu from now on.
Cwtch
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It was never my favourite Beatles tune either, but when I saw this version and read about it … I liked it better than before. And I thought it meshed perfectly with Ubuntu. Funny coincidence that you heard it on the same day I did. Sort of like “Imagine”, which I’m strongly considering playing again tonight.
Cwtch
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I regret you will listen alone.A beautiful song but I won’t endure Lennon’s voice.
Cwtch.
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You may note that I changed direction so that I would not have to listen alone! 😉
Cwtch
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Excellent choice! It brought to mind “We Are the World” from USA for Africa in 1990. (Good golly, am i old or what?) Seems to me it has meaning for today’s world, perhaps more than ever.
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Indeed! In fact, I played “We Are the World” here almost exactly a year ago … perhaps I will reprise it next week. And another is “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. I don’t know about you, but I forget I am old until I pass by a mirror and wonder who that ol’ hag is and who let her in! 😉
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John was a poet and a philosopher, perhaps we didn’t recognise that at the time, if only more listened to those simple words. How excited we all were watching that 1967 broadcast in Australia, now we take it for granted we’re going to watch the Olympic opening ceremony live and regular updates from our commentators at The White House!
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I think my favourite Lennon song is “Imagine” … I play it on here from time to time, for it speaks to me. You’re right … he was a philosopher, and if we had all followed his philosophy, the world would be much different (better) than it is today. Sigh.
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Jill, I agree. I think “Imagine” is one of the most impactful songs written by any performer. Keith
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That one, and “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder (see tomorrow’s post)
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Such a simple concept
Why so hard for the world to grasp!!.
Beatles music is always great! 🙂
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You know that, and I know that, but it seems to be an elusive concept to too many in this world. Materialism gets in the way, I think.
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Wow what a performance! Hard to believe that was 17 yrs ago, Paul McCartney still had his boyish good looks. *Swoon* 🙂
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