Imagine is one of the most iconic and famous songs ever written. It moved generations and was covered by numerous artists. Written by the legendary John Lennon, it is the quintessential anthem for peace and harmony. Spiritually uplifting, it presented a unique vision and message to the world, and still continues to impact it today. But did John Lennon write Imagine as part of The Beatles, one of the most legendary rock bands of the twentieth century?
The answer is no. Although John Lennon was indeed a member of The Beatles from 1960 to his leaving the band in 1970, Imagine was written after this period while he was pursuing a successful solo career. While it has been speculated that several of the songs created by The Beatles drew from Lennon’s solo works, Imagine was definitely not part of the collaborations created under the band.
Lennon wrote the singer in 1971, while he was living in the suburban town of Tittenhurst Park, England with his second wife Yoko Ono. Together, they lived in a secluded estate, filled with art, music, books, even their own private recording studio. Here, Lennon was able to focus all his attention on his craft and became a true master at creating timeless works of art. In his own words, “everything I wrote was me”, and this was certainly true for Imagine.
Musically, the song was a piano ballad that featured the notorious voicer of Lennon’s. With just an acoustic guitar, a string quartet, and a piano, Lennon and Yoko produced what was described by music critics as “a breathtakingly beautiful, shimmering melody touched by an aching sense of longing”. Despite its simplicity, it stands the test of time and its messages remain current even today.
Lyric-wise, the song is described as the ultimate declaration for harmony and world peace. The mellowed voice of Lennon and the apocalyptic choice of words turn it into an anthem that whatever their political stance, these ideas were still the essentials of what they believe in. It became one of the hymns of the counterculture and captured the spirit of a generation towards a culture of peace and global understanding.
Although the song encountered some criticism for its utopian representation of the world, it has since become a global symbol of hope and the aspiration of a better tomorrow. It has been translated into over fifty languages and featured in numerous international campaigns and films. Even after John Lennon’s death in 1980, the song has remained in the hearts and minds of Beatles fans all over the world.
Did The Beatles Have Any Impact On Imagine?
Even though John Lennon wrote Imagine without the involvement of The Beatles, there is no denying that the influences and contributions from the rock band years certainly impacted the song. Especially considering the fact that Lennon spent a good decade writing and recording rock music with Paul McCartney, The Beatles certainly delivered substantial knowledge on what constituted rock music.
It is also important to take into account the psychedelic aspect of The Beatles. They were a very influential band during the sixties and had a great influence of music styles: from Beatles to blues, which could have had a kind of influence on Lennon’s writing. Additionally, the process of collaboration between Lennon and McCartney in the creation of classic songs like ‘Drive My Car’ or ‘Here Comes The Sun’ could have permeated their creativity into Imagine and other songs.
Moreover, already emancipated from The Beatles, Lennon still experienced strong mutual influence with Paul McCartney. Countless songs of each of them were inspired by the other’s songwriting, and the music of The Beatles often supplied hints on what would be the creative next step for Lennon. After Lennon’s solo work, it is obvious that The Beatles shaped his style and interpretation of music.
Does Imagine still Reverberate Today?
As mentioned previously, Imagine is still hailed as an anthem for peace and harmony worldwide. Its message still reverberates to this day, although the current divisiveness of the world makes it more difficult to achieve. Notably, the song was played in the vigil for John Lennon after his death, and it has also been performed hundreds of times in a real-time memorial context.
The song also continues to be a source of inspiration. It was performed in protest events in Russia and in a Ukrainian World Cup match. Its messages of breaking barriers and the promotion of unity have been echoed in multiple speeches, including those given by Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and Nelson Mandela.
The song particularly impassioned a generation of musicians, some of which covered the song later on. From Smokey Robinson to Tori Amos, even Lady Gaga, some of the most famous and beloved artists have covered the song. But did they get the message? It certainly looks so: multiple sources and comments have suggested that musicians revere the song and consider it to be a sacred classic.
John Lennon’s broader musical Legacy
John Lennon and The Beatles were a major influence on the rock music of the sixties and seventies. Lennon’s distinct voice, lyrics, and style of music created a unique sound that resonated with a generation. Without Lennon and The Beatles, rock music would have been completely different. After The Beatles, Lennon released several solo works that ranged from introspective singer-songwriter ballads to more experimental psychedelic rock songs.
Furthermore, Lennon’s influence extended to multiple musical genres. He had a great admiration for classic and jazz music, and often experimented with different genres. He also was an activist for human rights andpeace, and often incorporated the themes of justice and human equality in his work. As a result, his songs and his messages still remain relevant and influential to this day.
The Impact of John Lennon on Music
John Lennon is one of the most influential musicians of all time. His work forms a large piece of the musical landscape of the twentieth century and will continue to do so for years to come. An icon of rock music, Lennon was and still is held in high esteem by his peers and fans alike. His music, lyrics, and ideas have changed the world and provided an inspirational path to follow.
Even though John Lennon did not write Imagine as part of The Beatles, its message was certainly influenced by both the style and ideas of the rock band, and several of the other Beatle’s works had an impact on it. Beyond that, it impacted generations of fans and has been a source of inspiration for many years. This is proof of the brilliance of John Lennon and his lasting legacies on the world of music.
The Lasting Legacy Through the Covers
The most famous cover of Imagine is undoubtedly the one performed by Elton John and performed for the occasion of Lennon’s funeral. Since then, the song has become a classic worldwide and had a substantial amount of covers with various interpretations. Paul McCartney covered the song in his 2002 album ‘Driving Rain’ and several famous jazz and hip hop interpretations have been made.
Interestingly, several covers have been labelled as a pioneer in the genre. Notably, Imagine has been covered by many Trans artists and the song serves to spread positivity to the trans community and a reminder of their value and worth as individuals. This immense number of covers is testament of the power of John Lennon’s song and the influence that it still has today.
What Would John Lennon Think About His Song Legacy?
John Lennon has famously said that his songs belonged to him and his artistry: “Every song I wrote was me”, he once said. This is an indication of his commitment and passion for the craft and the world of music. His legacy has lasted through his music and continues to be an influence to this day.
It is impossible to know what John Lennon would think of his song legacy today. He was both a critical and self-critical individual, and he was always looking to improve his work and use art for a cause. This might have been the same for Imagine, and it is likely that he would have been astonished by the amount of covers and the impact it had.
The Relevance of Imagine Today
It is easy to see why the song continues to be relevant today. It speaks to any generation and carries a powerful message that rings true even in times of national and international tensions. The world is
