♫ Imagine ♫

Posted on by under 9/11, Global Issues, music, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

I tend to play this song when … well, when I need to … imagine.  When I need to imagine that there is hope for this world, when I need to believe that humans will eventually find their better side, will begin to care someday, care about others, care about the land, about all living creatures.  Today is the 18th anniversary of the horror that would become known as 9/11.  2,977 people died on that day, more than 400 of them police and firefighters.  Since then, hundreds more rescue workers have lost their lives as a result of the toxicity at Ground Zero. But, we lost more than human lives that day.  We lost … I think that was the day we all came to realize, though even today we would deny it, that “Peace on earth” is a myth that will never be realized.  We came to realize, I think, that … nothing would ever be quite the same again, and that no, it won’t all be okay.  But we want to still believe … I think we must still believe, else … what is the point in it all?  And so, my friends, I give you John Lennon and his view of … a better world.

Imagine
John Lennon

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today (ah ah ah)

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Songwriters: John Winston Lennon
Imagine lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management

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41 thoughts on “♫ Imagine ♫”

  5. Having been raised Southern Baptist, my Mom always to.d me there would never be peace on Earth until Christ came again to make a new heaven and earth. I never quite bought into the religious teachings I was raised in but I do believe in a higher power, a force that emanates pure love. This power does not interfere or choose sides. How could it if all living beings are equally regarded? What confuses most people is that their own ideas of love influence what is expected from a “God” of love and all expect to be chosen accordingly. I feel this life is my gift, a chance to enjoy being in a physical place. All the World’s a stage and each of us merely players. The Bard had a good grasp on the meaning of life. To sit and pray for peace or fear for disaster while remaining immobile and voiceless is the only thing I think is a sin. Peace begins within and maybe it is the only place one can find it. But every peaceful soul walking this Earth is is like a light in the dark. Our greatest mistake as humans is to want control over everything. We imagine we are all supposed to think alike, be alike and if not that we must take action. Can you even imagine living in a world where you wake up not knowing if you will live through the day, find food or keep a fire going, outrun a wild animal or have somewhere to lay your head? We have come so far materialistically and yet the evolution of our souls seems to be stuck. There are actually rabid survivalists holed up in the mountains who long for an apocalyptic event, still unable to see how truly good their lives have been. 😔😫😖🧘🏼‍♀️

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  11. A truly excellent choice for today’s memorial of 9/11. Dreams are good. They give us hope and something to strive towards. I live in hope that the agents of good, will prevail. Depression and hopelessness are easy; keeping dreams and hope alive is tough – it is the work of real women and real men!

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  12. The word “imagine” is a verb that that has two definitions : 1) Form a mental image or concept of…envision, visualize mentally, conceptualize. 2) Suppose or assume…expect, surmise, conjecture. It would appear from the lyrics that John Lennon was going for the first definition in his song. If memory serves me correctly, an archive would be helpful here…but I digress. If, as I said, memory serves me correctly…Imagine was featured three times towards the later months of last year. I vividly recall the last time was on New Year’s Eve, an excellent choice if I had not said so then. On one of the previous times, I hazily recall that my P for L went on and on about peanut butter and candles…even I cannot recall what prompted that episode! The point here, and there is a point coming forthwith…is that I do not recall you ever providing your oft used Songfacts in any of those posts. Now it could be that you had featured “Imagine” prior to my becoming a follower back in April of 2018…need I mention that an archive would, well you know! If that is indeed the case and you did post some facts from Songfacts, just skip to the Thank-you at the end and save yourself the agony of reading this tome. You cannot possibly begin to “imagine” all of the facts that are listed! I will limit the list to two that seemed most outstanding to me. First, the song is a strong political message that is sugarcoated in a beautiful melody. Lennon realized that the softer approach would bring the song to a wider audience, who hopefully would listen to his message. I dare say all can agree that his approach was successful! Second, Lennon took sole songwriter credit on this track. This, even though, he later said that wife Yoko Ono should have been credited as well as he got the idea from her book “Grapefruit”. For whatever reason, ego or male pride, Lennon omitted her contribution and failed to correct his omission. On June 14, 2017 the National Music Publishers’ Association announced that Yoko would finally be added as a songwriter for “Imagine”. This took place at a ceremony where Yoko was given the Centennial (Song of the Century) award for her contribution. I notice that on this post where the blue highlighted word songwriters appears, the name Yoko Ono is missing?!? In truth, I could not say that this was that same way on the previous three posts…yes, an archive…! This is where I will say…”Imagine” can never be heard too often! Thank-YOU!! P.S. I apologize if my banter is offensive given the solemn occasion that “Imagine” is commemorating today. It was not intended to do so.

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    • Good Grief! It would have been better had I listened to this version of “Imagine” prior to posting my comment. I am mortified to say the least. Please, please, please delete my comment! Thank-you!

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      • I was so hoping that this disrespectful and unforgivable comment had disappeared by a stroke of your fingertip. Like Rudy Francisco, I’ve been “trying to convince my shadow that I’m someone worth following.” My shadow remains unconvinced. Thank-you!

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        • Dearest Ellen … I was not home to honour your request, but in truth, I wouldn’t likely have anyway, for I found nothing offensive in the least about your comment! I’ll respond more fully when I get caught up in a couple of hours, but PLEASE stop worrying! It’s all good, my friend! ❤

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    • An archive??? What a novel idea!!! I do wish you had mentioned it before! 😊
      Now, about that song. I love this song, for it speaks to the things that I would most like to see in this world … acceptance, lack of religious bigotry and intolerance, compassion, humanity. Etc. It could have been Lennon, or it could have been Johnny-Bob from down in the hills, and the song would still resonate with me. Of course, Lennon was able to use his fame to make the song go far and wide. I use a source for lyrics, and take them at their word unless something looks way wrong, then I will double check. I wasn’t aware that Yoko Ono was now credited with the song. And with that said, yes I did play it 3 times last year … and I don’t think I ever did any background trivia on the song … likely I thought it stood for itself. Like you, I think this as well as “Ebony and Ivory” by Wonder & McCartney, can never be heard too often! Your banter is fine, my friend. It is a solemn day, but we must also remember to include some laughter in our day … it cannot be a day dedicated only to tears. Hugs ‘n love! ❤

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