Imagine

If we all imagine, but find the secrets of our conduct. Then we resolve ourselves. Try, try ... for what we see has to become our brotherhood. Remember.

Imagine, What a Wonderful World, Blowin in the Wind, Amazing Grace and a handful of other songs still give me chills each time I hear them.

This is one of the most overrated pop songs in history. This hippy anthem is dreary rather than uplifting; it is lyrically heavyhanded and sonically dull.

Beautiful song. And well-intentioned. Too bad it is about communism and is misguided. Man's evil didn't start with nations, possessions or religion. We were stealing from each other and slaughtering each other well before any of those things existed. We started those things to try and CHANGE that. Our goal isn't to have NO nation. Our goal is to have ONE nation. Maybe on that day, we will have peace.

live n life in peace would be wonderful. but sad to say the brotherhoods dont share the same concept.

This song is great, the lyrics are powerful yet subdued, the melody is timeless and despite some critics the message is absolutely positive. If you take the words in this song at their text book definitions and refuse to read between the lines than you may get offended and never truly understand the big picture. Take a moment to think about living in a world as imagined by John Lennon in this song, take away Material Possessions (wealth, status, greed, envy....etc.) Religion (holy wars, terrorism, religious persecution...etc.) Countries (war, tyranny, oppression...etc.) If the world truly lived as one your only responsibility would be to wake up and breathe, enjoy your life.

"Imagine" is a very special song. It's hard for me to review it because it isn't my favorite John Lennon song an yet I believe it's probably, ultimately, his most powerful. This is a unifying song that people all over the world love and sing. Even when I hear those opening chords my mind stops and I get very misty-eyed. It really is a deep song. Absolutely one of the greatest classics ever written by anyone.

Imagine and Christianity
Lies are best believed when you mix a little truth into them. Lennon’s mixing of truth and non truth at first appearance gives some credence to his song Imagine.
“Imagine there’s no heaven”.
Those who believe that Jesus is God are not burdened by him but liberated by him from worldly things. Jesus taught us to wipe the dust off our feet as evidence against those who would not believe the Word of God – not to harm non-believers. Lennon suggests that religion is responsible for man’s inhumane actions to his fellow man. Though this may be true of those with twisted concepts of their religion, it is not true of real Christians.
“Imagine no possessions”. You might as well imagine no food because enough of it does not spring from the Earth without our cultivating it with machinery. You also might want to imagine no roof over your head or clothes on you back. I would prefer not to imagine a world impoverished by lack of basic human sustenance. It is part of the human condition to want more - Lennon himself exemplifies this rule.
To imagine there is no heaven is more than just a void of faith, it is a void of hope. Our good wishes will never change the hearts of men. Why would it. Only God can make this transformation and if you do not believe in him then you are without hope as well as without faith.
Countries are not the cause of bloodshed; they are the result of bloodshed. The violence perpetrated goes beyond the existence of borders. It is the result of culture, fear and the lack of true moral and spiritual guidance.

God bless Lennon, as he shows his images through music in the soul.

happy 71th birthday John Lennon

This is so beautiful! Everytime I hear the piano in the beginning, it makes me want to cry. I absolutely love this song:) "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." The lyrcis are amazing and John Lennon is a freakin' genius!!!

When Neil Young covered this song, just after 9/11, he changed the lyric to "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if I can..." In this way, Young was acknowledging his own wealth. People claim that Young was taking Lennon down from his high horse, in the sense that people think that John was implying that he was above everyone else, that he could imagine all these things. I don't believe that's true. The fact that Young covered this song (rather than sing one of his own peace tunes) tells me that he thought it was inspirational at a time when America felt injured. I think he changed that lyric to express his own ambiguous attitude to wealth. And his rendition his beautiful.

Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only sky.... Why would you want to imagine no heaven?...heaven is the only place where this utopia of John's exists. This is nothing more than an 'Imagine there's no God and we can all do what we like' - song. People are far too selfish to exist together in harmony without laws with sanctions. Let me quote a Keith Green song that tells it how it is. "..so many laughing at Jesus, while the 'funniest' thing that He's done, is love this poor stubborn, rebellious world, while their hate for Him just goes on...." God wants to SAVE you from your sins and take you to heaven, not join a religion. John was just imagining heaven. Ironic.

you know that you can play this on Rock Band 3, right?

john Lennon is a grest person who just wanted every person to be equal . He truley was a saint .

I love this song dearly and it has a lot of meaning to me(strip the world and all human beings of religion, government, money, greed, etc. and we are all equals trying to create life within mother nature) but according to Geoffery Givlian in his book, 'Lennon in America', John Lennon said, "Imagine was an anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic song, but because it is sugar coated, it's accepted."

I don't see Imagine as John's attempt to push a communist regime or anything of the sort. When he says to imagine life without all the things that divide us...religion, wars, etc....he was hoping that the listener would instead start focusing on all the things we have in common with our fellow human beings who populate this planet with us. As long as we're focusing on the ways we are different and ignoring all the ways we are alike, we can never reach a true peace with each other. We continue to sort and section off various cultures for exclusion of some sort.

No one ever wrote a more beautiful song

If anyone else out there has read 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, put this song on your customized soundtrack to it!!! it goes perfectly with Major the pig's vision!!!

All he is doing is trying to inspire people. Inspire Peace. Make the world as one. Make everyone as one. John Lennon was a great man. I am a dreamer.

once i heard this song i've got a peacefull feeling

One thing that bothers me is that when Lennon got killed a lot of people were upset because it meant no possible Beatles reunion.This angers me because people should be upset that a young non violent man that had a wife and children and was against violence had to die like this.Lennon was in his 40's I forget exactly what age he was but he was in his his 40's I don't care if you are a Beatles fan or not this is an event that should anger everyone.I think that dead musicians tend to be lumped together.Jimmy Hendrix Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin all died of drug overdoses.Kurt Cobain Killed himself.Lennon however was not responsible for his own death.I have trouble thinking about this because it makes me so angry.Even the wrap stars[I dare not call them musicians] that died violently should not be put in the same catagory as Lennon.Most of the Wrappers came from a life of violence and still associated themselves with the low lifes from their past.I am actually glad that the Beatles never got back together.They went out on top.Too many bands stay together that should not

John Lennon wrote many more songs that are much better than this It is amazing to me how this is the first song most people associate with him.Much in the same way Hey Jude is the first song associated with the Beatles.I find it hard to believe that anyone that is a real Beatles fan could consider these songs among their best.I encourage everyone to fimiliarize themselves with all of the Beatles music and not to be limited by the overplayed selections of an oldies station.

"Imagine"...Lennon's "Let it be".

I agree with Adam, New Orleans. John wasn't an atheist or a comunist, he just was against war and wanted peace. He beilved that God was different for differnt people.

I only wish that one day the song could be renamed from "Imagine" to reality. That one day we will all reach out to one another and know that we aren't here alone. There are billions of people in this world. why can't we all just help one another out? Why can't we just live in peace. I only wish that the world could see itself through the eyes of John Lennon. A legend forever in my eyes.

Yeah, John Lennon wasn't an Atheist. He was a Christian. So before you go spouting "jon lenen wuz a athyist hurp durp." do some research.
This song wasn't meant to be Communist at all, it just happened to come off that way.
If you actually think about it, this song fits Anarchism a lot better. Communism still divides areas as countries. Anarchism is the complete lack of government or political system, which means only geographical areas, not politically defined areas.

Anyway, that's not what this song is about anyway. This song is just asking people to think. It seems like nobody thinks anymore, everyone just accepts their life and what they are told. Just live your life, and allow others to live theirs.

I almost cried.

This is just a beautiful song. There isn't anything else I can really say about it except that I love it, and that Lennon is dearly missed.

Lennon was complex. IMAGINE's melody is soft but his words are heavy, POWERFUL. Lennon was a walking contradiction and he wanted it that way. His influence over the years with the Beatles illustrates this point: just when you think you've figured them (Beatles)out, they changed directions musically, philosophically, spiritually, politically. I don't agree with his politics (assuming I understand his politics) but he seems to be the only musician celebrity to transcend generations that I know. We can't figure him out but we love him. "Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try..." I can't imagine it and I get pissed when I hear him sing that, yet he seems so sincere that without heaven (and therefore, Hell) we'd be in a much better place. Love the tune, don't understand the message completely and don't be fooled by those who THINK they know. Impossible. Too complex for us.

This is not Lennon's best song, but it's beautiful. So simple and inspiring. I love it.

This is an amazingly beautiful and inspiring song.

I was listening to the Radio years ago. A man was telling a story of an Englishman on trial for drug possession and facing deportation. When the accused was given his chance to speak, he said that it was ridiculous that some should have the power to expel a man from a country because he possessed and used a herb. This man began to question the validity of power structures, justice, the law. He used the opportunity to invite all those who had ears to listen to imagine something different than what is. He pulled from his pocket a white handkerchief and proposed the formation of a new nation for which this traditional symbol of surrender would be it's flag. It would be a nation not under God, but free of one. A nation that recognized the notion "private property" to be nothing more than feeble attempt to sanctify hubris, and so would have none. He said he knew that imagining such a place would be hard, but asked all those listening to try and imagine this place. I listened to this narrative and it was revealed that this is what took place at the trial of John Lennon when he was busted for pot. It was suggested that this became the inspiration for his song, "Imagine". I don't know if this is true, but I can see how it could have been. Imagine being threatened with being banished from your adoptive country for smoking a weed? Imagine all the people in prison right now because of some people feel it just to legislate morality? How can we let this be?

While preparing for my son's memorial service, I ran across this song title on a list of proposed songs for a funeral. It just goes to show how many people think it's a really sweet song without actually thinking through the lyrics. On the other side, many people think Lennon drew a picture of hopelessness and despair, justifying their "eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die" philosophy. Overall, it made John a lot of money, but it doesn't appear to have been an influential song in the way he wanted. Oh, well. It's not as if he's looking down from heaven, getting all depressed about it. He can't even compare himself to Jesus, anymore. Dead is dead, right?

It's sad that somebody has to go shoot the man because he expressed what he beleived. John, we miss you!

This song is the focus of the WKRP in Cincinnati episode where Mr. Carlson is faced with the dilemma of listening to the organization called CURB (Clean Up Radio Broadcasting) and removing the song from their play list or taking a stand against censorship. He decides to play "Imagine" and other rock and roll classics that the organization demands he ban. When the president of CURB reads the lyrics to "Imagine" he calls it communistic and puts it on his list of songs that would negatively influence the youth.

Hey Alif, I don't think John's discribing hevan, seeing as the first line of the song's Imagine there's no hevan!
Anyway, this is a beautiful song and is just timeless the world really need's a John Lennon right now, Imagine if he were still around(no pun intended).

i hate how people are being so negative. the point of the song is imagining how different the world would be if there was none of this. and, yeah, the millionaire talked about having no possessions. LIKE YOU DONT!!!

Sorry about your poetry contest Tay from San Diego, I realize your frustration. The reason they didn't "get it" is because they're too afraid to change the channel from the christian rock station, so they wouldn't know anything about this song. Even if they had taken a chance and listened to the world outside their little shelter, they still would hate the sing because they wouldn't understand the "no religion too" thing was all hypothetical. They'll refuse to listen to anything that makes them question their religion, or even imagine a world without it, for just a second. And this is all coming from a christian, just one who doesn't support the fundamentalist dogma seen in most Christian schools today.

Tears fill my eyes as I read some of the hateful comments posted here by certain idiots who are unfortunately exactly the kind of people that will keep John's hopeful dream in this song from ever coming true, at least not in my lifetime or for several generations. R.I.P. John Lennon 1940-1980

Yoko's costume in the Imagine video is not meant to be Native American (and "squaw" is a derogatory term). She is wearing traditional Ancient Egyptian attire. She had Egyptian motifs in their homes, too.

the perfect peace anthem whatsoever.....the world really needs people like him nowadays.....

Reading through these comments, seeing the beliefs of others and how peace is way too far-fetch, makes me realize why our world is so messed up.
It's because of people who are unable to be peacefull while writing a simple comment.
It's not about the millions of people in this world working against peace, it's about the millions of others who work for peace throughout there everyday lives. "You may say im a dreamer, but im not the only one" It's real, it's wise, and it's among us.
So I ask you, are you part of the disease, or part of the cure?

True salvation is fullfillment, peace, life in all its fullness. It is to be who you are, to feel whithin you the good that has no opposite, the joy of being that depends on nothing outside itself. It is felt not as a passing expirience but as an abiding presence. In theistic language it is "to know God" -- not as something outside you but as your innermost essence. True salvation is to know yourself as an inseperable part of the timeless and formless One Life from which all that exsists derives its being.

True salvation is fullfillment, peace, life in all its fullness. It is to be who you are, to feel whithin you the good that has no opposite, the joy of being that depends on nothing outside itself. It is felt not as a passing expirience but as an abiding presence. In theistic language it is "to know God" -- not as something outside you but as your innermost essence. True salvation is to know yourself as an inseperable part of the timeless and formless One Life from which all that exsists derives its being.

This is one of the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my entire life.

Lennon was not asking us to imagine a heaven, seeing as part of the song is "imagine there's no heaven"

i very like this song. but, you know, this song describe heaven. In heaven, there's no country, no religion ( you know we already death in there, so we don't need to pray in there ), no need for greed or hunger, etc. lennon imagine this world is heaven

And to all those who speak so high and mighty about commnunism not ever working. Think of this: early man for thousands of years were communists. The community was heir to all sacrifices. The community needed to survive. The community or tribe or clan or herd was all that mattered. Share and all survive. Be stingy and die in the end. That is communism. The problem, now, is that the community is a vast track of land full of millions of people. The concept is ideal but over burdened. That and man's nature to strive for authority and to keep it at any means necessary. It comes down to leadership. You have to ask yourself, "what is a leader?" And, how much power should he have, and for how long. The native americans had elders who had much sway on matters, but their word was not final. The youth usually wanted to fight while the elders said to be diplomatic. Conflict. But,all were free. There was no control. "Communism" as shown by the communist world in modern era is all about control. it's really despotism. Just like our(america) democracy, well, that's a joke. My voice is never heard. the president, congress, judges do whatever the hell they want to anyway. Who's free? I don't feel free. It seems everything's the "consumer's" fault anyway. Bah, humbug. GOOD SONG, JOHN.

You know, I think John just wanted people to open their minds and think. Use your imagination. Lord knows, he had one vast and seemingly endless. What if, ask yourself. Shoot, there are other possibilities. Imagine them. Imagine.

John himself said "Life is what happens when you're making plans", well, life is passing you by when you are sitting around "imagining".

One of the US music magazines put this song on the list of songs that should never been written,because Lennon-a multimillionaire says ,imagine no possesion (no private property)!

Hey John, we're still imagining.

I was writing a post on my blog about the Israel-Palestine conflict, and this song was playing. There was just something about the contrast between the reality I was reading and writing about and the song I was hearing and singing that nearly made me break down in tears.

The song is powerful, and if more people listened to Lennon's message the world might be just a bit more peaceful.

Imagine a world without this song? The pure genius of Lennon, the simplicity of the songwriting and the timeless nature of the melody. This song is without question the finest piece of music art ever constructed and recorded. Imagine if he were still around today what other joy and artistry he would have brought to the world. Imagine ....

I would like to thank everyone of you for helping me understand imagine a bit more better than when i first started. I am a student and studying English,well war poetry at the moment and John Lennon is on my paper that i have to study. All of you have your own views on lennon which is great because it has helped me to understand him through your posted comment's So a big Thankyou.

With or without religion, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion. That's a qoute from Steven Weinberg. So sorry about your poetry contest, Tay!

good idea but i think John Lennon wrote that based on Hitler & how he killed Jews.

I think that to criticize someone who is trying to make people see what could happen if the world was at peace is wrong. John Lennon never said that he had no possessions, and never said that he was perfect, he said 'imagine'. The world would be such a better place with no religion, wars are caused by religion, and the sad fact is the bible was the best book ever written. So I am join lennon, in hope that the world can be as one, and I think rather than criticising everyone should do the same.

Perhaps it would be served better if you actually did what the song suggests.. instead of trying to analyze everything about it..
Try to imagine the world without Religions.. the idea of heavens (all types) comes from religions.
What if when you die, you die!! Perhaps it would serve you well to live each day as best you can.

i tried using this for a poem contest at my christian skool, ya i couldnt use it because "no religion to". i was so mad because its beautiful i mean why? Why? they didnt get the point of that verse.

It's funny that this song is all about peace and stuff and when Lennon went to New York he commented about how peaceful it was in the sense that he could walk down the street without being bombarded. He could 'feel more like a normal person'. The killer had actually been a massive Beatles fan and 'followed the Beatles', meaning that he agreed with what they said etc, etc, etc... He was angry that John Lennon was living in this luxurious apartment block. He says '...then John stepped out [of the car] and he looked at me also. There was a little voice in my head...saying "do it, do it, do it..." it was like the inner me...' He goes on about how he pulled the revolver out of his pocket '...took a what's known as the combat stance and fired five steady shots into John's back...'
Jimmy Barnes remembers the time he heard the news of John Lennon's death. He was doing a show in Tawoomba (Queensland, Australia) when he heard on the radio. He says that he 'was devastated...was glued to the T.V. waiting to see if he survived...it changed my life'.
Obviously John Lennon did not survive. He was dead by the time he got to the hospital despite several attempts to resusitate him. (I think I spelt that wrong).

the concept of this song is basically the principle i live my life by ... we are all just human beings ... the arbitrary separatist institutions ie. religion, politics, class, etc. that's all man made and thus doesn't have to be. great song!

He is simply asking us to imagine a world in complete peace. That the world could be as one. and not be divided. its a truly inspiring song. john lennon hade a voice that needed to be heard..he is a founder of all music. rip john.

Imagine a man with as much money as John Lennon singing about having no possessions.

Imagine how much more money he made from the people who thought his song was a profound statement.

Imagine a man who didn't believe any of this nonsense enough to actually live it.

Most people seem to have never listened to the words of this song, except for "Imagine Living Life in Peace." I worked at a Catholic school where we sang this on Good Friday! Imagine no religion--send the kids to public school, then!

Most of the things Lennon imagines getting rid of are things that most (though, of course, not all) people like. Most people want to imagine their loved ones in heaven looking down at them, for example, and wouldn't the Olympics be boring without countries? How this somewhat bizarre song became one of the "best of all times" on various lists is beyond me.

John from Lackawaxon, PA, don't talk about things you don't know. Christianity is NOT anti-homosexual. Yes, we say homosexuality is a sin, but we hate the sin, not the sinner. Jesus has far more to say about divorce than homosexuality, in fact. Just the hate and ignorance of the world causes many christians to hate homosexuals, but some of us know that some homosexuals can't control their sexual orientation. Some christians say, "Don't be gay," but others know you can't oversimplify things like this. And all passages in the bible that "support slavery" are aimed at a specific audience, as slavery was a common and unquestioned part of life. Don't take things out of context and twist God's arm to fit your own agenda.

There are many, many great songs written by amazing minds that were way ahead of their time. This is one of those songs. And to me, it's the best song ever written.

wow!!! it sure takes a lot of talent to bash religion and promote the perfect communist utopia!!! john lennon was a elitist moron who had no idea what he was talking about. as for the religious conflict parts, some religions teach that you should kill those who arent like you, but the vast majority teach peace. some whackos make everyone with religion look bad and then whackos like john lennon want to create the perfect communist dictatorship.

Imagine a world...so boring...you...wouldn't...want....toliveinit.......yoohoooooo.....

Anyone who has a problem with the religion part, please read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins! Besides, religion so often has the most socially destructive morals that completely defy the natural being of human kind! Think about the Taliban for instance!

yes, i couldn't have said it better, AuðurV.

I love this song. The meaning and lyric's are very strong.

thank you soooo much david, youve helped me alot ... thanks!!

Thank you, Sky! I appreciate being backed up on this. Also, AuðurV, I like you're comment. Very insightful.

audrey-if you're going to mock john lennon, i'd appreciate if you took the time to actually use the right grammar. i think what you were trying to say is that "john lennon was one of the most irritating, stuck up PEOPLE in the universe".
which is entirely wrong, as pointed out by shamomo.

Every single line of this song is a basic prerequisite for a genuine socialist society as envisaged by Marx and Engels, which has nothing to do with the repressive regimes that arose in Russia, China, Cuba etc.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
*Religion is the opiate of the masses, Karl Marx

Imagine all the people living for today
*Marx believed religion is used to suppress the fight for a better existence in this life for the promise of paradise in the after life. This line signifies the struggle for a better life in the here and now--instead of waiting in hope for a paradise that does not exist in some amorphous after life.

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
*The abolition of hostile nation states competing for limited resources and markets that is the cause of all wars is one of the most basic tenants of Marxism (highlighting the fact that individual states such as China and Russia cannot possibly be Socialist/Communist as they fail this basic criterion.)

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
*This means the united international working-class working as one.


You may say 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
*"I'm not the only one" is not an abstract comment, as John Lennon donated funds to the Workers Revolutionary Party who were dedicated to revolutionary overthrow of capitalism and the unification of the international working class. They are now called the Socialist Equality Party.

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
*Can't get more Socialist than this. Imagine no possessions in Socialist terms mean everyone owns the means of production and all the resources of the earth. No company or individual has the right to withhold basic food stuffs and the necessities of life for his own personal enrichment. This is what is meant by "sharing all the world." Can't happen under capitalism where we are about to have a world food crisis because of futures trading in food commodities on the Chicago stock market.

BTW. Personal property is a right of every individual as is the size and type of car and home they have etc. "Each according to their own ability, each according to their own need"

You may say 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

If you think I am exaggerating, Lennon's Power to the people is overtly revolutionary.

this is incredible.. look at all the conflicts and competitive conversations this song has sparked. speaks for itself really

If there is no heaven, no hell and no religion....Had there been in the heavens and earth gods besides the Lord of the universe, then verily both would have been ruined.
Glorified be the Lord of all that exists, High is He above all that evil they associate with Him.
If the Lord had so willed, He could surely have mankind one community following Islam, but they will not cease to disagree, except him on whom the Lord has bestowed His Mercy, and for that did He created them, and the Word of the Lord has been fulfilled:" Surely, I shall fill Hell with jinn and men all together.

John from Lackawaxen, PA I totally agree with you. Religion has sparked so many wars and so much hatred in this world. Anybody who criticizes the religion part should think twice about it.

Has anyon else noticed the repetition of "IINAIL" in all the verses except for the last one, which has "IINAIS"? I have a feeling it means something, and as soon as I figure out what, I'll come back to this site and post it.

In the meantime, all of you people saying, "this is a good song except for the religion part." Don't you realize that that is probably the biggest thing that needs to be changed? We have all these religions, Christian, Muslim, Jewish,and we have all this descrimintion!

Look at the Middle East and Al Qaeda! They hate everyone that isn't Muslim!

And the Christian bible also descriminates! It's against gays and, arguably, for slavery!

People really need to stop over analyzing this song. Lennon meant he imagined that we as one, could make this world a better place. in my opinion, the line "and no religion too" means that people in this world arent fighting over god, they are fighting over religion, call me stupid but isnt God suposed to be the important thing, he doesnt mean that we should get rid of all religion, but its sad when we fight over it. and the guy who said he didnt think lennon is a christian is ridiculous. if you claim to be a christian then you should know not to judge someone elses heart, you didnt even know him...

I think the message of this song is simple: peace is good and love is good. I agree that "no religion" is a bit extreme but if people were completely perfect, religion would not be needed and this song is about imagining a perfect world.

Kim could not have said it any better. Although i dont really agree with the whole god thing, but thats just a personal belief.

John wasn't a hypocrite. When he was younger he was very angry at the world, but people change. He would have been able to give up his possessions, he proved it when he lay in bed for a week with nothing but his clothes (and wife) for his cause. It's funny how people sitting at their Interent-enabled computers judge him for having a fancy car. And someone (I can't find who) says this song is against what God wanted? It is exactly what God wanted. If you'd ever read your Bible, you'd know that in the 'perfect world' God created in the beginning, 'Imagine' was what it was like. There was no religion either, just God, and people's relationships with him.

...got a bit carried away there...

attention all Beatle fans pllease checkout Her Majesty I wrote a story that I want people t read. Thanx!

And it's NOT a communist song!(Obviously I can't state that as a fact,but I REALLY don't think it is!)It's about how it would be if these obstacles an causes for violence are simply removed and people could co-exist!'I hope someday you'll join us and the world can live as one'.I've joined him and 'I'm not the only one'. I wish more people would,but no!'Lord,what fools these mortals be!'(That's a quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream,though the context was totally different)I have a poster of 'Imagine'. Really nice poster.It has the lyrics on and a black and white photo of John in the background.

Thank you,Mike from Kansas!I agree with you! The reason (in my opinion) why he said 'imagine no religion' is because it often makes (or motivates it) people like Mark David Chapman do downright STUPID THINGS!Also agree with Victor from Vienna.And Tim from Marinette,people without religion can definitely also have MORALS!I'm an atheist and I don't go and kill people, in fact I'm a total pacifist.Though I do acknowledge that religion can also be very good for people.(i'm not TOTALLY biased on that point)And to that other bloke who said that he's 'just telling people to imagine it and that's all', that's not true! His message is that people should actually make it HAPPEN!Brilliantly inspiring song!!!Don't know where the world would be without John!Damn Chapman!!!How can anyone want to kill someone like this?!?It makes me want to cry!

Great song, it's one of my favorites. But one thing I'm not too sure about is why everyone blames Yoko for the Beatles disbanding. Sure she was a factor in it, but not as big a factor as everyone keeps saying. The Bealtes were coming apart gradually anyway. You can tell by their albums and how each Beatle was becoming more and more independent. Maybe not George and Ringo as much as John and Paul. Also, Yoko made John happy, I don't see what's wrong with that. "All great things must come to an end."

I LOVE this song! John's voice is so sweet! I miss him terribly! I hope Chapman rots in jail and goes straight to hell! I always cry when I listen to this song, especially with all that's going on overseas. Such a beautiful ballad. My cousin danced to this song with his mom at his wedding. I was almost in tears when I heard what he had picked. Just a note to those who read this- I highly recommend seeing Strawberry Fields in Central Park. It's so beautiful and one of two nice things Yoko has done. She's trying to make up for tearing our Beatles apart and it's kinda working. I truly believe that this is John at his best. RIP John!

There has been more killing in the name of communism in the 20 century than any crusade or any religious war. The thought of religion causing war is just ignorant to me. If you think this song is not a communist propaganda piece than your not paying attention.By the way, A great song.

Yoko did not think John was a very good piano player and told him to have Nicky Hopkins (who played electric piano on "Revolution" and was a session player on the "Imagine" album) to play the piano lead on this song. John overruled her, saying he wanted to do it himself.

John's best solo work and it ranks up there with "Strawberry Fields" and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" in the top level of Lennon songs. Such a great melody and the lyrics, WOW! Just listen to what he is saying, all of us would be so much better off if we lived in peace and harmony with each other, OK, I know I'm a dreamer too but what has caused most of our wars and conflicts, super nationalism, religion and greed. As we approach the anniversary of the death of one of the greatest men of the 20th century let us contine to live by his words in this magnificant song.

This song is a description of a perfect utopia seen through John Lennon's eyes. Its a world where people aren't divided by religion, killing, greed, and all other problems in the modern world.

This song can make you cry when you really listen to it and think about everything he did. It''s so sad!

With or without primal scream therapy, perhaps the main foundation for John's "peace" was that he wanted the Golden Rule to rule. I wish he had included a line that is the title of a recent book, Imagine No Superstition. Superstitions of many stripes create religious sects, and sects cause horrible sectarian strife of today. "Imagine No Superstition"! Google that!

This is my all time favorite song. He is simply asking us to imagine a world in complete peace. That the world could be as 1. and not be divided. its a truly inspiring song.

On October 9th my sis and me go to her room and put on her John Lennon rcord on the flip side and Have a moment of Silence fir the entire song of Imagine, And all we play is John Lennon and some Beatles music. This song makes me cry!.

It's just a simple song about IMAGINING a world without all the things that divide people...that's all.

this song has changed the way i think...

To Will of Midland, MI: Yes, John was a flawed human being, like the rest of us. If someone commits violence but later realizes the error of his way--or who simply comes to understand his own capacity for violence--should he not warn people that it's not the answer, and counsel them to peace? If you have some time, look up an essay called, "War Is A Racket," by Smedley Butler. Know who Smedley Butler was? A career Marine Corps officer.

This is the greatest song not performed or written by Bob Marley. So it's #3 on my all-time list (after "Redemption Song" and "Coming In From the Cold"). As for all the people who think it's about communism or satanism or "hippie b.s.," take another look and listen and the lyrics. He's only asking us to imagine a world without all the things that people fight over, and to realize that, yes, the world, and all of us in it, can function quite nicely without them. And, even though the lyrics are what's really important, neither Lennon nor anyone else could've come up with a more suitable melody and arrangement to accompany it. It's feels sad because it conveys something none of us has ever known, but conveys the warmth and compassion of someone who realizes that whomever he's speaking (singing) to has the capacity to contribute to the beginnings of making such a world. Peace to all of you, especially those of you who disagree with (or even hate) me for writing this--or for putting down the Doors!

If you think about it this song is pro new world order: one government, no religion "the world can be as one".
Which is not a good thing really

Sorry John from Liverpool, but love is not all you need, although that would be nice. As it is, people do stupid things for love, even kill for love. Clearly we need understanding, humility, and patience just as much as we need love. John was a brilliant man, but his ideas changed daily and he was emotionally immature. I'm sure if he had lived longer (and he should have) he would have come to see the ideas in that song as very simple, even child-like.

im tempted to cry as i listen to this...its impossible how th e guy who wrote this got shot...
I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE PUT PINK FLOYD OVER LENNON AND THE BEATLES!
this isnt good its great

The people who view peace as impossible are wrong. We as humans have the ability to shape the world into whatever we want. It is people that view it as a lost cause that slow its development down. When people start bringing up their children properly with love, we shall have peace. We need to see the error in our ways and make a change; we could have peace in a second if we really wanted it. I hope someday people will realise that we are all humans living on the same world in which we need to all live as one, as John said. All you need is love.

This song is hippie bullsh*t, made by an idiot who thought he was changing the world by taking acid and hallucinating, while frying his brain. Its about a Communist Utopia, and is a a joke.

Jacob there ahd been more people wanting world peace before John. But back then in the early 70's and late 60's it was a hippie period were everyone wanted peace. So you kind of have to think back to when he wrote it. World peace doesn't seem very realstic but maybe like 50 or 100 years from now might have it. Who knows it could happen sooner. Or we may never have it nobody knows for sure. But we always have to think the best. This is just an amzing song.

first of all let me just say i like this song..but i hate the meaning behind it..i am a christian and i believe john lennon was not..if he was then he would understand that this song is the exact opposite of what God wants the world to be and what God made the world..nobody including a musician named john lennon can change that..there is no way in hell there would ever be peace on earth..but you can go ahead and dream if you want.

To Linda in London Alabama: You and your grandfather are both right, John and everyone else would say anything to make money. Even today
s so-called artists. However, he did say it, and words have meanings. You can't just say something and then say "Oh, I didn't mean anything by that". He was asking people to do what he was not ready to do. He was asking people to give up what he himself was not ready to give up.

Many people think that this song is about giving up religion and living life like a communist blah blah blah... actually, if you actually break it down- Lennon was just saying that leave your religion in a private place, don't worry about heaven or hell and just live for today, don't live for the fear of going to hell or for the promise of heaven, live today with your fellow human beings. Don't worry about your material things, the only things that truly matter in life are human connections and right now there are so many blocades like religion and class in the way of our connections. Live life for today.

Never have understood why this song's considered one of Lennon's best. The melody's very pleasant, but the lyrics are vague & elementary; the sentiment of the song is fine, but by 1971 so many different artists had expresed this same sort of message that it lost much of its originality. With this song Lennon followed the crowd rather than lead it.

Linda, Yeah Blake Lewis sang it on American Idol. It was pretty good the way he sing it. But nothing is as good as the way John Lennon sang it. It is such a beautiful song.

Jay from Atlanta, Georgia, why do you hate "Imagine" so much? You say that John didn't even believe in the song, but then why would he write it, and other songs like it like "Give Peace A Chance"? I doubt John would give up his possesions like cars just because of a line in the song. I mean, everyone loves possesions, and if you wrote the song (which, not to be rude, but I doubt you or anybody but John could have wrote it) you probably wouldn't give up nice things like cars for it. But I think people are getting way too worked up about what this song is all about. It's just a song about peace and love, which John greatly supported. Many things I've read about John and the Beatles say that John thought it was strange people tried to read so much into waht his lyrics meant. In fact, that's why he wrote "I Am The Walrus" during his days with the Beatles - a kid sent him a letter asking what one of his songs meant for a school project, so John wrote "I Am The Walrus", which meant absolutely nothing, to annoy people that tried to figure out what it meant. It's just a song, and as my grandfather says "I don't think they [the Beatles] were trying to do anything but sell albums." He meant that they, at least in the beginning, didn't get into making deep meanings for their songs. Just listen to the song an enjoy it, don't get all worked up about what it really means! It's just a song! (a great one, by the way!) Give Peace A Chance!

I absolutely love this song! It is so beautiful. Didn't Blake (I don't know his last name) sing this on an episode of American Idol? It nearly made me cry when I read the fact that George Michael bought the piano John Lennon wrote this on and then gave it to the Beatles museum in Liverpool. Not that many people would probably give something so valuable away. That was so nice of him! Anyways, I love this song and I love John Lennon and Paul McCartney and George Harrison and Ringo Starr and the Beatles (well, they were the Beatles, but I mean I love them as separate people and I love all their solo music too). In the words of John Lennon, Give Peace A Chance!!!

a truly awe-inspiring and beautiful song. The lyrics are so empassioned and moving. Some day people might see what he tried to say and realise that, that is how the world should be; an oasis of peace and love.

This song is so beautiful.

"He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty." -Proverbs 28:19

You are absolutely right, it's about a "relationship" with Jesus Christ, not "religion". However Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together".

I was just doing some research on this song for a reflective essay I am writing for my english 101 class because I think it embodies critical thinking. I have to analyze the social, historical, and political context of the song and all these comments really helped. If anyone has anymore useful information I would appreciate it. Also I think this is a good song and there is nothing wrong with imagining or wishing the world could be a better place. I also just wanted to comment on some of the other comments about religion; I don't think John meant it in a bad way because although I am catholic I believe you don't need to practice any particular religion to beleive and/or worship God. Would God not hear our prayers just because we don't belong to a religion?

Even John himself said "Life is what happens while you're making plans". So, while you're "imagining" the world will be passing you by.

John, people hate Yoko becuase they think she is y they broke up. Even though it's a big arguement still y they broke up. A lot of people blame Yoko. Because it's theye asy thing to do. But if u read books and interviews there a plenty of reasons y. But nobody will listen. I must say I am not crazy about Yoko either. Sorry.

Gabrielle, explain that last comment in detail. What exactly are the similarities?

BUSH IS THE NEXT HITLER.

This song is communist propaganda. Lennon didn't even believe the words himselg. "Imagine no possessions" as he rides around in that huge white mercedes. Wake up!

I love this song. I am a teen and I understood what he trying to say. He just wanted people to live in peace and love each other. John will always be remeber and he will always be with us.

I am writing this because I'm getting tired of John being warshiped so much. I am a big Beatles fan and I think John was a great song writer but think of it. Was John a great musician? Yes. Was John an intellegent man? Yes. Should John be warshiped and idolized? No, because John although he talked of peace and love, started many fights including the time he kicked his friend Stuart Sutcliffe in the head which may have lead to Stuart's fatal brain haemorrhage, beat and cheated on his wife Cynthia, ignored his son Julian, eventually left Cynthia and didn't care about her feelings or Julian's, claimed to be bigger than Jesus, and supported drug use. Remember Lennon was a great songwritter, but that he shouldn't be warshiped or idolized.

John Lennon was a good man who taught this world alot of things and he will live forever

This song was written about imagining the world without discrimination. He describes in each verse what the world would be like without things like heaven, hell, countries, religion, possessions and rich or poor. He does this to express his opinion of a perfect world or utopia, in which all humans form one brotherhood of man. Lennon describes the people living in this perfect world do four things; these are the last line of each verse, ?living for today?, ?living life in peace?, ?living as one? and ?sharing all the world?. Lennon realises some peoples reactions to this song would be that it is ?just another hippy anthem? so he counters this with the chorus ?You may say 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?. By saying this Lennon is expressing tho the reader that this idealistic view of the world is shared by many people, and the more people that believe this the closer it will come to being realistic.

This is my (rather long) opinion on John's Imagine @ Nooventures [http://wit.110mb.com]

## GOD, FREEDOM AND SURVIVAL. COMMENTARIES ON JOHN LENNON'S "IMAGINE" ##

** Ideals, understanding and life **

This surely is one of the greatest songs of our time.

Heralded by peace activist around the globe for its captivating simplicity, the lyrics actually depict how perplexing human nature really is. Beauty and hostility interchanges in our history through the expressions of religious zeal, patriotism and the struggle to survive. Properly expressed, beauty shine through. Overtly expressed, calamity erupts.

Yet, just exactly how does the same roots produces such paradoxical fruits ? What went wrong ?

The most fundamental reason probably lie in the fact that humans seems to possess ideals as a built in feature. We need to live for something, to strive for something, and to die having done something of worth in life. The belief we have in our ideals will take us to the far end of strife and sacrifice, even when that would mean to die or to kill trying. And clearly, god, freedom, and survival, supply three of the most powerful ideals a man can aspire for in life.

Everythings fine with ideals, until one forgets that most of the times, our understanding of them are anywhere but perfect. And things deteriorate rapidly when men understand them differently and willingly strife to enforce their understanding to others.

** In God we trust . . . . . for God we kill ? **

In God alone men believe perfection and perfect bliss are attainable. Yet, as theologists and philosopher have reasoned, it is impossible to attain perfect understanding of God, and to attain perfection in God during our mortal lives here on earth. Perfection is to aspire for, they say. . . . . and attainment is beyond our effort, though certainly is not despite of our effort. And religions, have indeed shown the way, each to each people in each time and each place, and if we are wise enough, I believe, each to all people in all times and all places.

When one dwelves into the depths of Buddha, Lao Tze, Confucius, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed or Gandhi for recent example, it is simply unimaginable that they would meet and then mock and throw bombs at each other, let alone command their followers to nuke each other. Yet, precisely because the devoters forget that each religion teaches no enforcement on beliefs to others beyond their consent, wars and conflicts were precisely what happened here and there throughout history.

The unity in God simply can not produce divides. Itâ??s our imperfect understanding and actions alone that produce the divides and blinds us from the unity that binds us. And it seems to me, diversity is Godâ??s way of saying, â??unite all believers of the world !â? in the style of the Marxian version for workers. This is so apparent when one reads the sacred scriptures of the worlds religions. One would find so many overlapping essence throughout, expressed in different wordings, in different languages, and in different contexts, with the prime example being the â??Golden Ruleâ? : Love thy neighbour.

So I would say, religions are expressions, the diversity. While towards God and in God, essence and unity emerge. Meaning, we should be humble in our imperfection, in our imperfect understanding of God, in our imperfect strife towards God, and learn from our mistakes and from each other. This should apply for any open minded atheist too, since they too are destined as imperfects, with their own ideal and their imperfect understanding of it, or more precisely, of religion and the Ultimate Reality.

** â??Freedom and prosperity for our people and our nation !â? . . . . . How about the others ? **

Another ideal the world grew up with is that we should strive for what is ours, with our people and our nation among our most precious.

In schools and the media, teachers and politicians preach this line of thinking to innocent minds. In times of struggle for a counryâ??s indepence, it might have been sufficient, but for the world that we now live in, it simply is not enough.

Peoples and nations has become so interdependent, that the sole prosperity and freedom of ours can no longer serve justice to all of us. And with recent development in the crisis the planet is experiencing, the freedom and prosperity of humanity can no longer violate the freedom and prosperity of other species and the earth itself. And thus we come to the culprit of our ignorance : war and economics.

Wars served our egoes well in the past and present, while economic prosperity seems to serve our egoes better in the present. War is inherently destructive for life, yet some nation canâ??t shake of the addiction of building up military prowes, even with mutual destruction staring back at us from the future to be. On the other hand, economic progress, or to be more precise, economic growth, with so many inherent paradoxes entailing, becomes the unofficial religion of the world, carried ever forward with the fervor a staunch religious devotees would have by the professional work we carry out in society. The link in the deterioration of earthâ??s life-support systems and our economic activities grows ever clearer by the day.

While nukes can blow humanity out of existence in a single blow, economic growth sucks the life out of earth, and leaves us dying glimmering with money, and with pride of our material wealth. And yet still, we compete, wage war, and kill directly with bombs or indirectly through wrongly accumulating and using money.

We feed our fears and insecurities by saying that â??the othersâ? hates us and wants us to suffer, with the Russians a little while ago, and with Osama bin Laden recently, as the prophet of destruction. We take for granted the statement that our nation and our people must remain competitive to survive and to thrive, forgetting that in a competition, some win, and some lose, and that we can no longer afford to survive and thrive alone.

We strike and preempt, but forget to fix and to prevent. We compete and become professionals at that, but forget that in cooperation lies the harmony of life, in humanity and in the entire planet.

Life surely is worth more than killing and competing.

** To survive, to have, or to be ? **

Life entails survival. Life seeks to prolong itself, the best way it can, or any way it can.

It is very natural that each person, each family, each people, each nation wish to live on and prosper. We want enough food, enough clothes, a roof over our head, a comfortable spot to sleep on, a fulfilling and meaningful work, the warmth of relationship and time for leisure, art and spirituality . . . . in esence, to be.

Things used to be tolerable, until humanity multiplies unprecedently and compete mindlessly.

With six and a half billions of mouths to feed, bodies to clothe and cover, jobs to provide, and others eager to beat us to survival, â??to beâ? simply is not an option anymore. First and foremost, to survive, next, to have, and if we made it through and manages to remember, to be.

Yet reality wakes you up from your dream and bites you in your real life.

Money is the blood of the economy, and the economy is the life of everyone. Thus, to survive, one must earn enough of it, in ways and jobs often far from the path to be. Conditions seems to prescribe nations to follow that path, the path of economic growth. Our jobs often divides families and communities, and destroy nature, but more than anything, they destroy our soul.

To have becomes our next goal after survival, and most of the times, they become our last. Thus, we become insensitive to the needs of others, humans or not, and ignorant to the needs of the planet.

Poverty and diseases persists despite the tremendous growth in the size of our economy. Garbage, waste and pollution, literally are the by-product our world economy excrete to the air, to the water, to the soil, and to other life on earth.

We refuse to except the reality that if they deteriorate, humanity goes down the drain into the abyss. Thus we end up with the chicken and egg kind of paradox. We survive they die. They die, we die. But we must survive, and they must survive. What to do . . . . . what to do ?

** Questions . . . questions . . . questions . . . and imagination **

Maybe what John really meant for us to do on hearing his song, was not to become atheists, anarchists, hippies, or communists for that matter, since a man of Johnâ??s stature should long ago have lost the interest in the glitter of isms.

Maybe heâ??s just trying to make us question, question so hard to the point that the fantasy of our world, the waking dream we are living, the half truths we behold as ideals, will crumble, so we can start rebuilding the foundations peace should rest upon. Meanwhile, hoping time will have mercy on us in getting the job done for our posterior to build upon.

Competition and cooperation have their proper places. We just need to figure out where for each.

Religions, nation states and the economy merely are tools . . . . . means. We should never become a tool of our tools. We should never mistake the means from the end. The means should never and can never become the end.

What will be your end ? Your ideal ? Make sure itâ??s worthy of your life.

What should we have as our means ? as our tools ? Letâ??s make sure we have the right ones.

Imagination rule the world, as Napoleon and Einstein would agree.

Letâ??s all spend a little more time to imagine what our end should be, and beware of the things that blinds us from the unity that binds us.

Permalink @ Nooventures -> http://wit.110mb.com/2007-03-12-god-freedom-and-survival-commentaries-on-john-lennons-imagine/

A really good song. Nuff Said.

I don't understand while people are refuting the fact that this song is about a communist utopia.

The song starts off on a C chord..so does about every other song ever. Most basic chord on a piano or guitar.

The BEST Song Ever

Correct me if I'm wrong but this song's foundation piano chord is the same as the one used in The Who's Getting In Tune. I'm no piano player and I'm guessing the chord is a prevalent commonly used one, but the rhythm in which it's played is exactly the same to The Who's Getting In Tune. I also believe both albums came out in the same year. So, did one of the artists steal the song from the other?

Very good :P on the other hand you did give a good argument for what you heard and for that I congratulate you...but im 16 and everyone I told about this thought that the argument was funny lol

Nowhere in the lyrics did I see anything about living in fear, and i'm sorry but it seems you don't have your own interpretation. Show me which line says anything about living in fear and I might believe you, all i've seen is a line mentioning living in peace...if thats fear then someone wasn't paying attention when they listened to the song miltiple times or read the lyrics multiple times to figure out what it meant. Until then I think that you've been brainwashed by the capitalists. And i'm not willing to engage in a battle of wits with someone who is so woefully unarmed.

For now Comrade Sven signing out.

I'm sorry, but your argument does not match the lyrics. It does, however, match what everyone else has said. This is simply my own interpretation, which I feel matches the lyrics exactly. Like I said, the lyrics are symple, but so many others have engrained their ideas into your mind that it complicates things. I'll leave you with this: If this song was about a true Utopia, why would people be living life in fear? He says that with no country or religion we would live life in fear. I don't know about you, but living life in fear isn't something I would want to do in a utopian society.

Brandon, this song refers to a perfect world, and in a perfect world Religion and Nationalism have no meaning so you would be wrong with your assumption, this song is how ever about a perfect world which is the only way "Pure Communism" would work, but the only argument I see is that made by the Capitalist pig-dogs, who refuse to believe that a legend such as John Lennon could possibly sing about a Communist Utopia.

wrong, wrong, wrong, Brandon

Please listen to the song or read the lyrics before posting. I have been listening to the song for years and NEVER have I gotten the impression that he was downplaying religion and nationalism. Here's my opinion:
The first verse he asks you to imagine "no heaven...no hell below us." He then says "imagine all the people LIVING FOR TODAY." I take this as saying that without the fear of religion and what comes after, people would go crazy living life one day at a time, never thinking about the reprocussions. The second verse he says "imagine there's no country...nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too." He then says "imagine all the people LIVING LIFE IN FEAR." I take this as saying without a country (or a creator) to fall back on, people would be fear for their lives all the time. Country and religion keeps us from fear, which is why religions and civilizations were invented in the first place. The final verse he says "imagine no possessions...no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of Man." He then says "imagine all the people SHARING ALL THE WORLD." This is the only verse that may have anything to do with Communism (which by the way is a great idea ON PAPER). It may deal with communism, but the overall view this verse takes is "we will have peace when we all can get along and learn to help our fellow man." The lyrics are very simple. I don't understand what the big debate could be about. He isn't defaming religion OR nationalism, but rather accentuating the reasons that we need them in the first place.

I can see where you would gather that opinion, Aylin, but when you think about it, good old universal love is like a glass of water...it's pure. There's no real depth to it; it's just a feeling we all have but sometimes choose not to embrace. This song (in my opinion, at least) is beautiful because it's so simple, so accessable. It's like having a good cold glass of water: Not too much flavor, but somehow just right.

Of course who am I to speak for John Lennon, you could be 100% right, this song could just be a 'pop music paycheck'. I maintain what I believe though, and I believe this song is great...

I could never perceive this song as "beautiful." I find most music beautiful. Without music, there can be no beauty in existence. Yet I hear nothing more than a saccharine tune, sounding as if it was written with the express purpose of becoming popular, becoming a hit. This, of course, makes sense, because Lennon was trying to convey a message that he believed to be important, and therefore the song was more about this message than about the music. I think John Lennon was an incredibly brilliant songwriter and I completely respect his right to expression of opinions, but I cannot bring myself to share his vision. The world he describes seems to me a world without colour, without life -- without music. Somewhat like this shallow, empty song.

It's funny how atheists call John Lennon a God... Anyways, the song has more to do with utopian socialism then anything else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopian_socialism

This is one of the songs that made Lennnon more than a popular singer/songwriter, but a legend.

There was also a billboard a few years ago and it said gone... but not forgotten and there is a picture of Frank Sinata, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, John Lennon, John Denver and Hary Chapin. Under each of their pictures is the years of how long they lived.

This song has gotten me through alot in the past year or so. The interpretation for it is so to the point that there is no way else to see it. It's clearly stated. Without this song, and john, i would not be looking forward to the future and time soon.

heh, I hear so many pessimistic remarks about this song. Maybe mankind wont get along until doomsday or whatever......(wether there is or isnt a doomsday) Just because we cant do too much to remedy the world in conflict doesnt mean we can't dream,does it? I mean seriously....he literally says "It isnt hard to do" just IMAGINE. He just wants us to imagine the world without political boundries. He's not necessarily telling anyone to take action, although it could be implied, but its not direct. Simply IMAGINE. I work with so many people who just dont ever dream anymore...they take what can be touched and felt and accept it as reality and anything else an impossibility. Tis a shame :(

Nathan...World War II, its called Ethnocentrism, countless wars were fought over religion over the past 4000 years, as man developed his hate against himself( both as two seperate beings).This song seems to be based on imagination...

actually Ringo did not play on the song Imagine....It was Allen White from Yes

How do you explain the fighting between Israel and the Palestinians? And also, please give us a list of the similarities of the religions of the world. Factual statements only, please no opinions.

No war is fought over religiononly the ignorant say that as an excuse for politics and to let politicians be 12 year old kids with a temper tantrum. The religions of the world are so identical. Ive always that this song is the idealism of perfect impossibility, if all that John Lennon hopes for happened the world would be in harmony yet having 6.2 billion people have the same ideology would be impossible.

Didn't Jone Baez cover this? I remember seeing a cd, maybe the Best of Jone Baez, that contained her version of this song.

And...Riley from SC I agree. Also what I must add is that at that point John was becoming in a certain way, aware of all this fighting and that was the strongest point of his peace activism. Catherine from Glasglow I have seen your comments elsewhere and most of them seem to be what I would say. So anyways no doubt this is a really nice song.

He may not have known what it was like to be poor, maybe, but he knew what it was like to not have peace and have fighting. His childhood wasn't the greatest memory, etc. And although I do not usually stick up for Lennon in this way, I feel pity for him in this respect. I mean come on its just what he wanted. Sure, we all like our money and our possesions. Admit it. But he was wishing we DIDNT! See the point of the song, then?

John Lennon wasn't my favourite Beatle but this song has a POINT. Calling him hypocritical is hypocritical, etc. Just imagine. Maybe these *imaginings* are not the most realistic things in the world, but thats why we have imaginations. So we can imagine a better relationship with our fellow humans. This song has a meaning and I am not going to hesitate to prove it.

These things that set us apart are possesions and class. We can't live without them but if we could then there would be no stereotpes and prejudices.

I'm not caucasian and I live in Canada, which makes me enjoy this song more. I think John lennons songs were good, and he was a very intelligent person if you should know what I mean.
If you have ever been cast out because of differences you will know what I mean.

Well thats enough. Bye

I understand that after this song was released John was so against materialism that instead of making people pay for tickets to his concerts he just asked that everyone bring a covered dish. (rumor has it his favorite was chicken casserole with the corn flakes on top, can't say I blame him)

Its funnie that the original version the line "But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us" John sings it in a deep voice.

The other night I started listening to all these kinds of songs, and I listened to this song a lot, both by Lennon and APC. I find the original Lennon version is extremely calm, compared to the APC one. APC's is more desperate, which does seem more fitting. Which makes me wonder why Lennon would choose such a calm approach to the song. I guess the subtle differences in the tone of his voice contributes to the impact of it; almost as if trying to tell the listener that he wishes that the world could be like this, but it will never happen because people are selfish and too focused on material things instead of peace and love. We'll never get to this state in our society, which is horribly sad.

To Jay, Atlanta, GA, yes, its quite obvious, im just typing stuff fast, because i was in a rush.

Do you mean "know" instead of "no" and "anyway" instead of "andyway"?

wow, i no all of you will probably hate me after bringing this subject up, but if you play the song backwards you hear "the people war beside me"
andyway this is a great song, i love the piano

Where "pece" prevails(?) What about a world where peas prevail. Now that would be utopia.

John was a great singer and a great songwriter. Personally, I can't think of anyone better. I'll say Paul was equally as good. But don't deify the guy. Imagine is a great song with a nice sentiment. It wouldn't have prevented World War II, however. In fact, it's possible that TOO many people were imagining peace in the lead up to WWII and let Hitler become too powerful. It cost about 50 million people their lives. Imagine what those 50 million people and their offspring could have given the world had they not been killed.

Did you listen to the song? It's about more than posessions. He wants everypne to imagine a world where pece prevails. Him living in a mansion, in this case, is immatterial.

Lennon didn't believe this himself. He didn't practice what he preached. He lived in a mansion and drove a huge white Mercedes.

"Communist Utopia." Right.

I agree, very excelent message
I love it

after you read this, I would also like to ask you to just "Imagine" a world like this

it really gets you thinking

This song is about the here and the now. John Lennon was saying imagine you had no possessions. Imagine we have no religions, no heaven, no hell.. pretty much nothing to live your life for. Or imagine there is no God to look up to and impress. Imagine none of this exists.. how are you going to treat people? Are you going to be a nice person? Will you still be a good person and be generous, even though there is no God that you will need to impress, or no heaven to go to if you follow the commandments? This is merely the message that was getting across. It is all about getting you to think if none of these things exist, would you still treat people with respect. It is an excellent song with an excellent message. John Lennon was an amazing man.

The world that John Lennon wished for in "Imgine" will never exist in our lifetimes and I am/was not offended by him being rich and me being poor. He only wished that there would be no more hunger in the world and that everyone would be able to have their needs supplied - not their wants. I wish I could fine peace and contentment in my own life amidst all the turmoil and turbulence.

"Imagine no possessions" very easy for many people but not for John Lennon; I suppose he never knew what it is being poor. Nevertheless this song is beautiful, especially Phil Spector's
"Wall of sound". Listen very good and you'll hear it on the background.

it;s "I was the dreamweaver, but now im reborn, i was the walrus, but now im john."

Lennon was a hypocrit. he preached the a idealistic communist state while he reaped the benifits of capitalism. this is still a great song though.

Wow, thanks Kevin. I didn't know that. Makes me feel a lot better, also makes the song more credible to me.

VEry well said Maria. You hit the nail on the head on that one. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Nicely said, Maria.

I totally agree with Charlie in the middle. If there was one religion, it would just be like a natural way of life, not just another religion. Also, Matt, I don't think God never intended there to be peace. He intended life to be a test, but He wants peace. Saying God never intended there to be peace kind of contridicts Christianity. But... I guess I do see your point.

Hey kika, it's "I was the dreamweaver, but now I'm reborn," not "I was the dreamer, but now I'm John". And anyway, "God"'s not that sad of a song in relation to Imagine, considering "God" was released in 1970 and "Imagine", 1971. So apparently John re-gained his dreamability.

You call a person like that 'John Lennon', Christina.

This was the first song I ever performed. My accompaniment was an acoustic guitar, which is also lovely, but I love the piano melody in the song. I have only three points to make: It's a beautiful song; John Lennon was not naive - on the contrary, he was a brilliant man, and not just musically; and this song is not anti-religion. Religion can be a beautiful thing. John Lennon was against the preversion of religion, against those who take advantage of it to further their own agendas; against those who use religion to shatter peace. Jesus was a huge hippy, after all. No one denies that religions like Christianity hold great truth and comfort - however, people will always take it too far. Utopia is when people no longer need a mythology along with their morality, when people do what is right merely because it is right, and not because they are afraid of an angry God (or even of a disappointed God). John Lennon understood that. And that is why Imagine, this beautiful, almost minimalistic song, is great.

I totally praise this song but without religion in times of hardship sometimes religion will help you through it. What do u call a person without creed [personal beliefs/they dont have to be religious] or an opinion?

"I was a dreamer, but now, i'm John"-God sad isn't it? what are other people's opinions on this?

This is a beautiful song with a beautiful message. its sooooo awesome. "You may say 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"
thats the best line

Theres been a lot said about the lyrics to the song, what does anyone think of the music. I love the chord arrangement, especialy the intro and the chorus, the E F G C F E E7 chord change is very powerful.

I don't think Lennon really wanted to bring the inadequacies of religion into this. But, since we're on it, religion in it's most basic sense is a way for people to comfort themselves with the concept of death. I'm catholic, and i see a lot of the monarchy etc. that can be associated with the church, but i still like the community, and the morals that come along with it. I would also like to point out that it's Islam not Muslim. There's a difference. The point of Imagine is a place where nobody would feel the need for religion anymore. But it's wrong to tell people to be more like you and critical of religions. Most people interperate they're religion metaphorically anyway.

I just wanted to know if anybody had any comment on what john later sang in the song God.

To anyone who thinks that the ideas Lennon expresses in this song are "naive," you are wrong - at least concerning religion. Some moron made up the nonsence in Christianity, that's caught on pretty well. Some moron made up the nonsense in Judaism, thats caught on pretty well. Some moron made up the nonsense in Muslim, thats caught on pretty well too. The difference is, John Lennon is not a moron. I know I may have offended you if you are religous, and this probably isn't the place to do that, but this song gives me some context for it. I beg you, to actually look at your religion as non-objectively as you can. Judge it not as though your life depends on it, but as you would judge anything else, with logic and reason. I'd be surprised if you didn't find that what you think for sure is the truth is sketchy at best. Free your mind. We don't know all the answers yet. Until we do, be an agnostic like me.

Yeah! I'm a sci-fi geek too. That episode of Quantum Leap used this to very good effect. Very good moment. Imagine singing this to your Beatle fanatic little sister way before Lennon recorded it?

But an amazing song...I love it!

I think John Lennon would be not only disapoineted by the world today, but also how no one truley listened to his message.

I'd also just like to say that people get caught up way to easily by saying this song is naive, and the utopia it forsees will never happen. John's message is just to imagine this utopia, and maybe if we all work towards imagining it, it will come true.

Possibly the most beautiful song in human history. Lennon identifies and makes us see the negative effect that religion, posessions, borders, et cetera, have had on humanity. I think just by listening to this song, we realize the possibilities the human race can have without these things. Once we all take this song to heart, the world will finally be healed.

I get your point, but John Lennon was always one who stood for peace. He would be disappointed at what's going on in the world to day. All of the violence.

lennon was one of the most amazing men who has ever written lyrics in history. "Imagine" is never to be forgotten and i love listening to it and wishing for peace. one of the greatest songs ever written by lennon i must say.

This song is incredibly moving, and we should all take it's meaning to heart, as well as simply be moved by it's beauty, but i feel it's also important to consider that john later writes God, which i thought basically took back a lot of what he said in imagine. it really upset me.

Okay. I just spent about 45 minutes reading all of the comments posted here. But the one that I simply have to address is way down towards the bottom and was penned by Mark in Ridgeland, MS. Mark, my friend, if John Lennon is rolling around in his grave, it's not because of A Perfect Circle's version or anyone else's version of the song "Imagine."



((( Editor's note - this is the last time I shall edit or delete this comment. This is a board about songs and facts and informative thoughts about them, not personal insult slinging and political bashing. Please respect everyone's right to an opinion without resorting to namecalling. Thank you. )))

My senior class voted "Imagine" as our class song in 1975 but it was nixed by the principle who didn't understand that John Lennon was only telling us that if we all tried and cared just a little, we could all live in a better place.

Hey Lynn from Hawaii you asked why modern songwriters don't write like this. I think if you look at the type of crap that is popular now, you can see why no one can write anymore. Ashlee Simpson probably can't even spell Imagine, let alone write a song anywhere as good as it.

Dave Matthews covered this song at a concert of his. He took the first verse and chorus followed by a harmonica solo by John Popper of Blues Traveler, who continued on to sing the second verse. Great version by Dave and John.

I totally agree with MATT.....
I really dont enjoy any song from my heart if it has anything against my religion....
But still it is a great song , just by his voice and his guitar, not the lyrics....
But i respect his works...

Well, matt, he really wasnt an athiest, he was just saying, wouldnt it be nice to live without having to be judged.

i love john lennon's music..... but... he was an athiest and i am christian which really disappoints me ... it would be nice if we could have world peace but God never intended it... life is a test... if you do good here you will eventually live in a perfect utopian world called heaven.

i can't believe some people don't like this song. Whether or not John Lennon was a multimillionare, it still spreads a good message. Also, it's not like he asked for all that money, he earned it through something he did well, MUSIC. And saying that the instruments are too easy? Sometimes simple sounds beautiful. Just respect Lennon for the peace he tried to share while he was here, he deserved it.

The title of this masterpiece is Imagine. Most of the people on here seem to be forgetting that. Imagine. Simple as that. Imagine no possessions, no heaven or hell, no religion, etc. Imagine it. The song is not saying this is how it should be but rather how life could be. I don't think John would have wanted us to be fighting over what it meant and bashing one another's views however misguided or whatever one may think. That was not his point. "Imagine all the people living life in peace." Can't we all just sit back and think about what this song is saying. This is exactly why Imagine can not come true because if we fight about little things like a song's lyrics, then what hope is there for us? Imagine is one of the best songs ever written and John Lennon truly was a man of hope and genius.

John was such a brilliant musician, he sings from his heart. He means what he is saying, he wants peace and love in this world and I think that people should listen to him, it is all so true. I love the Beatles but I do not think that I would love them so much if John wasn´t in the band, infact I think that the band wouldn´t be nearly as popular as it was and stil is. He was a great guy, witty, funny, very smart and kind. At first "Imagine" went through my head like any other song, you know? It was a song about peace. Stop. I didn´t care. Then later as I grew up I heard it again and it was an almost magical moment.....the world WOULD be a better place if everyone was equal and there wouldn´t be any religion, no heaven or hell, no killings or violence or country borders. Just one big beautiful and happy place for everyone. I got it now. I understood the message he had been trying to deliver to me in the past. If there would only be peace and freedom this world would be a better place to live in. But his death was tragic, a horrible thing. Who would kill such a man? A man who was trying to make us all feel better! I think that his death made his point even clearer, people saw how stupid violence was (and still is) and then the message was clear. John had in a way succeeded, there wasn´t peace but the people knew and understood. I think that John changed many lifes including mine. He is the greatest song composer and artist the world of all time. No-one can replace him, or top him. There will only be one John Lennon. Peace in this world

It is irrufutably pathetic that all these people have done covers of this brilliant piece. On behalf of all the worlds late musicians I say to you, 'Write your own music!'

Wes from Springfield, VA: Sounds like you're a little jealous to me. His brilliant talent made him a multi-millionaire; he deserved it; it still doesn't mean he didn't want peace because if anyone did, it was John Lennon.

This is awful. Everyone saying that this song is insincere because John Lennon was a multi-millionaire is completely missing the point of the song. You're allowing money to put barriers between people. Just because he had money means he was emotionally fulfilled? He figured that because he wasn't destitute that the problems of the world didn't matter to him? If you think that, you don't know Lennon. Life isn't about money...

The worst historical coincidence in Forrest Gump was when they tacked on Forrest's 'influence' in the writing of this song. "No religion too!?" Woeful.

This was also wonderfully covered by Eva Cassidy, on her album Imagine

There is actually two videos. The most well known one of an indian, but the other one is a little boy going into a room to get a toy on the ground, then walking into another room, every time he goes through a door he gets older, until he is an old man with a stick, walking in and putting a toy on the floor and vanishing and the boy trying to get in again. It's my favourite video ever. Whenever Lennon is coming on TV I watch incase they show us that video. Does anybody else remember?

In 2004 a poll conducted and televised by CBC ranked this song as being the greatest song of all time.

Lennon was dead on in recognizing that the three most divisive and destructive influences in the world today are greed, national divisions and religion. As far as religion goes, his solution would be a world without religion. You can't blame him in a way, because, as other commentors have noted, the religions of the world, including mainstream Christianity, have for the most part failed to live up to the teachings of the Bible and Jesus and have dishonored God. But how about a world in which there is only ONE religion, one that truly promotes the teachings of the Prince of Peace? That would be a unifying factor in the world. (Isaiah 2:2-4) The Bible promises such a time here on earth. Not only that, but a world in which there are no national boundaries and which every resident will be prosperous. Before you dismiss this as a pipe dream, why not actually read for yourself what the Bible has to say?

It's just a beautiful song. But Lennon's idea of a perfect world is quite naive. This song carries a very strong message to all of us and if this could actually happen in the future I would be very surprised because there is so much greed and propaganda in this world and its been carried from generation to generation and in my opinion it will never end. Thanks for trying John but this world will end with people killing each other. Peace out

my motto: A mind is opened by an abstract thought...is closed by an unjustified opinion.

In the song, John Lennon outlines a utopian society which he doubs "a Brotherhood of Man," i see it as a call to Utopia, not neccesarily communism. He probably wanted to spead an idea that, with the outlined sacrifices (religon, countries, etc...), we could better mankind.

Now then, for the record, communism is great, capitalism is great, socialism is great, and utopias are excellent, but not without a good government. Communism, in its purest form should be an anarchy -not chaotic, but relying on the goodness of mankind. the reason communism is so "bad" is because the only communistic economies have been under a dictatorship. USA's capitalism only functions because of democracy.

again, for the record, Dictators are bad, Anarchies dont work because the human race cannot function without a leader, monarchies are dictators (exept constitutional monarchies, which are... acceptible) republics dont work, empires are bad, and finally, democracies are good.

people who are quick to label, accuse, and blame others without knowing what the hell they are really saying disgust me. if you are only relying on your misjudged opinions to form unjustified arguments over how bad the good things are, than you disgust me. go ahead and compare me to hilter, you only show your incompetency to grasp ideas.
I am not a Nazi or Hitler or Stalin etc, I am tired of people using that cliche to throw mud at otherwise clean people.

::back to topic::
John Lennon created many beautiful songs in his carreer, Imagine is one of my all-time favorites.

I love this song so much! Its beautiful and had a great message- if only people would listen to it!

This is my personal favorite song of all time. It's such a great song. The simplisity of it is amazing. And the message that it passes along is so great. If even half of the world could live by this song the world would be a great place to live.

This is a beautiful song. Only if everyone could feel this way.

ok, imagine a world with no possessions. easy for him to say? maybe. this is coming from a guy that can have it all materially, have you ever thought that MAYBE, just MAYBE he realized now that possessions are not what's important in life? he used to think they were but once he got them, they weren't salvation. how can anyone say this songs lyrics are not powerful or beautiful? they're the essence of the song. A perfect world living in peace. and for those dissing religion. i don't think it should be banned because a true religion should not be what it is these days. people are being hypocritical and stupid when they say that they kill in the name of god. they are using religion to justify their evil. no religion in the world justifies murder!!! they may not believe in the same god but they consist of the same concept, love and peace. it's hypocrits that misinterpret this that ruin it. oh, yeah, you say you're christian yet you are sigining up for the armed forces.

According to an article in Rolling Stone, The "beefy" piano sound on Imagine was actually produced by Lennon on his grand piano and Nicky Hopkins (Jefferson Airplane, The Who, et al.) doubling his part on another grand. Listen to the right and left channels on a stereo recording and you can hear the differences in their performance of the lines.

This is a beautiful song written by a beautiful man who was kind enough to share his vision of a world where everyone could live together without hatred, war, fighting, bickering and name calling over petty differences. (Are any of you commentators feeling just a lil' bit guilty?)

Neil Young preformed this song in "A Tribute to Heros".

Madonna destroyed the song and her already low popularity when she attempted to sing this song for NBC's Tsunami Relief concert.

Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" makes this song of John Lennon so beautiful, just listen and you can hear it, it's just there.

I think this is a very good message and everyone should listen to it.Even though it is not my type of music i still like the message

I like the remake by A Perfect Circle better, but it's a beautiful song.

Numerous number of people here have tried very hard to dig out different meanings of this song and, in my opinion, have done a good job. So, it is futile for me to go on explaining the different aspects of this song. What would explain, however, is how I feel about the song itself. I feel it is the best song ever written. Yes, I have not heard each and every song written in each and every language ever written, but if i really think about it, I just cannot "imagine" any song being better than this. People might say I'm a fanatic. Maybe I am, maybe I am not. But this is what i genuinely feel about this song

This was Rolling Stone's third best song ever made

This is a truly awesome song...the cover by A Perfect Circle however, is horrendous. John would probably roll over in his grave if he heard it.

Ironic isn't it that we have all these people saying about peace and love yet right here we have people arguing about communism and the meaning of this song. Great song though

this song means a lot to me and people in my family. it proves that there are celebs who care about people who are less fortunate than others ad that world peace is more than just a dream. as in the line "You may say I'm a dreamer/But I'm not the only one" means that the ones who care need to speak up, not just dream. or, at least, they should.

isn't music a way to express yourself and if he wanted to express his political views why not, he loved music or else he wouldn't of expressed himself in that outlet. i don't believe this song is communist at all, i believe it is trying to make us invision a world where everyone wouldn't let themselves be divided over every issue. religion, and politics are such big issues in our lives but they also are they most dividing ones, and they make us fight more than anything

Imagine is a great song. The best. All you Kerry fans out there, however, I suggest you shut the hell up because your guy lost! We should be talking about the brillance, the greatness of John Lennon, and not stupid things such as how bad our President is. 59 million people disagree with you...get over it! Move if you hate our President...damn I hate all you people who have to make it a point to bring down our President...go to a Kerry fansite you damn frauds and root for Hillary in 2008 losers!!!!!!

also on the song "Kiss, kiss , kiss" by yoko on double fantasy, she says some giberish and it u play it backwards she says "i shot john lennon" very weirdly but it makes out to say that, this was after he got killed

If you play the part in the song "Imagine all the people" backwards he says "The people war beside me"

If John Lennon were around today I think he would be very disappointed in us, Americans. We all know John Lennon's lyrics will never come true. Thats why its called Imagine. I think he wrote this to not only let us imagine a land of peace, but to also motivate us to make this a reality, but we don't care. We are selfish pigs who only desire good to come to ourselves. We are not open-minded, but we need to be in order to survive because if we dont we will end up killing off ourselves. It will happen, eventually. Anyway, great song. John Lennon's a genius. I'm done.

To Roman in Germany: Yes, he was a multi-millinaire and it was his musical talent and writing ability that brought him there. He just happen to make a great living off of what he liked doing best; like any other artist. People sing about what they believe in regardless of their monetary status. By your cutting remarks you don't really sound like you want peace; you sound bitter or jealous or both. And peace train was great,but this was truly the best song ever written; and obviously not just my opinion.

I could barely believe my eyes as I was reading through these posts and saw someone comparing president Bush to Robert Frost. I know that doesn't have to do with Imagine, because there is no way in hell I could imagine a connection between Bush and Frost. Hahaha.

You people totally miss the point. What's the title of the song? "Imagine"

It's not about Communism, nor is it promoting communist ideas. It's not saying, "let's toss out religion and borders" it's about thinking about the reasons of war and strife, and fixing it, and believing in peace. It has nothing to do with the most prevelant of communist principles, which often have aspects of religion and social strata (ie "borders").

It's not about action itself, it's about thinking of and solving the problem, and people coming together to have peace. Thus the title, "Imagine."

On one of the last episodes of the show "Quantum Leap," Sam's little sister asks him what happens to John, because he's her favorite Beatle. He doesn't tell her about his death, but plays her this song instead.

Absolutely beautiful song. Doesn't seem to have had much impact in the world, however.

You know I was thinking; reading this over I saw a few comments that ran something like "With no religion people would kill each other all the time because they have no fear of an afterlife," etc. etc. All I wanted to say is that it is quite sad where our moral values are based on whether or not we will be 'punished' for our actions. Anyone who is a good person because they 'want to get into heaven', cannot truly be a good person.

As for the song (I lied, that wasn't all I wanted to say), this song is pure song about how great life would be without all of these differences between us. I'm getting tired of people saying how unrealistic it is; of course it is impossible, I gave up faith in the human race long ago. However, the name of the song is "Imagine", if you recall. Imagine how great it would be if such a thing could come into being.

And lastly, anyone who makes the comment that John Lennon was a hypocrit because he spoke of 'no possessions' because he was multimillionaire, are not truly seeing his words for what they are. He was a Beatle who made millions of dollars doing what he loved, yes, but does that make him greedy? I think not. You would have no idea if he would or would not have given up his belongings for this utopia he imagined, and neither do I; no one will ever know.

Imagine... Because that's all pathetic mankind can ever do.

A beautiful, pure song.

i think the purpose of the song is just to make you think, what is the role of religion and countries et, whilst not directly advocating communism. we can apply these feelings all the time, not just in revoloutions, but supporting charities, and protesting against wars. however, if everyone thought about these issues, then perhaps a utopian socialist community might not be such a far off idea.
p.s, to the george bush fan, i think you must have been watching far too much fox news

I had to sign up once I read what some of the people said about Lennon. The lyrics were more important than the music? How do you figure that Music was the most important thing to John. Imagine was an extremley personal song, and if being against death and war is something that you cant agree with John on then good for you. I dont believe John had communism in mind when he wrote this song, you guys just seem to think that since he opposes war and violence he's a communist? Why would he want a communist world when if it were communist he wouldnt be able to sing freely like he does in this song? Its like this
"and no religion too"
"...COMMUNIST!!!"
Without religion most wars wouldnt have been started, with possessions people wouldnt be homeless or go hungry, without Countries people wouldn't be divided. Some of you people just try to hard to find a deep secret meaning in such straight forward songs.

Everyone is missing the point, many wars are fought over religion. Many are fought over patriontism and nationalism, and many are fought over possesion. For Ex. Bush's war was fought over posesion of oil. 911 happened because of religion, and WWII over (at least partly) nationalism. Lennon desribes a world without these three, in his opinion the only way for world peace.
Now as for the dumbf**ked idiot who claims that this war is not brutal. Tell that to mothers whose children and husbands have died because some stupid american in a tank did not want to take the time to aim. Tell that to inocent people tourtured at abu garade and to the othe 100,000 dead Iraqies.

This is a beautiful song with a great message. I agree that it's too idealistic and the world imagined by Lennon will probably never exist. Yet there's nothing wrong in believing it could. The world would have been even a more horrible place without people who at least promote the mere idea peace and unity. And so what if it's sang by a multi-millionare (I think he deserved it). He knows a world without "posessions" does not exist, he's just asking us to take a moment and imagine what it would be like...
And also, a world without relision does not neccessarily translate into communism. I personally think that religion has been nothing but destructive to human societies. It divides people us into groups, feed them with "super" natural explanations of the world, prevent, give them something to believe in and something to be afraid of, in order to be able to control them in communities. And all in the name of "GOD". I'm teling you, if there is a god he wouldn't himself approve of "religion" the way it is practiced today. Religion promotes narrow-mindedness and prevents people from using their own cognitive abilities to fullfill their roll as human beings. Sure religion was a good way of providing blind guidance for savages three thousand years ago, since their human rationality and morality had not been matured enough for them to be able to make sensible social and personal decisions, and the only way to control them was "if you do this and that you go to hell". I would like to thing human race has evolved from that. If we leave in houses, shower every day, and have concepts such as "Laws", "Moral Codes" and "Human Rights", then we should also be able to realize that certain religous saying and acts are to be understood and not to be blindly followed. For example lying and stealing is wrong because it has a nagative affect on the life of us and others, not becuase we are going to hell because of it. Or confession has a positive psychological effect by making you face your own actions and its consequences. but insisting that god created the earth in 7 days is just rediculous and in opposition to evolution. My point is, I think people nowadays must be able to use their own judgments to see the right and wrong of everything including religion.
Anyway sorry if I went on and on about religion, I think John Lennon himself didn't look into this as much as I have. Nevertheless I admire this song simply for its capability to influence its listeners enough to pause and think about an ideal world, even if for a second.

Wtf exactly. I agree. I can't enjoy a song to it's full potential if I know the person singing it isn't sincere. Anyone can put any combination of perfect words together to make themselves sound so caring and thoughful but to really mean it is a whole other issue.
Which is a reason I'm not too into Imagine. I think John Lennon stood for Peace and he wanted most of the things he said. But some of the lyrics, like the references to possessions for example, you could tell he was only saying coz he knew he would never have to give his up.

John, I agree with you about this song being kinda funny coming from a multi-millionare. It's kinda like the song "Yesterday" by Paul Mccartney. "Yesterday", he was a poor kid from Liverpool who dropped out of school and was really happy to be getting 15 pounds a week. "Today" he's a multi-millionare who has hundreds of screaming fans chasing him wherever he goes. wtf man!!!!

Profoundly simple.

So many people go on about Imagine being the peace anthem...but it's not. 'Imagine a world with no possessions' coming from a multi millionare? That's easy enough for him to say lol. Peace Train by Cat Stevens was so much more genuine and sincere, and was overall a better song. Peace Train *IS* the Anthem of Peace.

Everyone goes on about 'Imagine' this and 'Imagine' that. They all think it's the best song ever because of it's message. What they all seem to forget is 'Peace Train' by Cat Stevens, with a much better peace message and it was overall a better song as well.

ok. Here we go. Karl Marx was a genius. Communism, if the human psyche would allow it to ever be put in place, would be the most successful form of political organization the world has ever seen. Banning religion, although harsh, would create an entirely peacful society. No more claims of "My God's better than your God!" I can't se how that would be bad at all. Mark, what kind of freaky news have you been watching? How on freaking earth could anyone ever consider this war not brutal?? Unless you happen to find mindless slaughter fun and entertaining. Also, where in the constitution or any other political document does it state that the purpose of foreign policy is to displace bad leaders? We can only hope the English or the Germans don't have the same kinda idea, because, if they do, we're screwed. If you want to argue about WMDs, the best thing to do is shut up. If you want to think about a ruler torturing and tormenting people, call president Bush's telephone a weapon of mass destruction. Pause a moment and think about that. Hey wait, do you by any chance LOVE the 700 Club? Because, if you do, its not your fault you're so closed-minded and pathetically uneducated in the ways of politics.

How can you say the world would be better without religion? Granted many people die over religion, but if you truely ponder a world without religion what are you left with? People who kill and fight because they have no morals or soul because they have no direction from a greater power. This is why leaders like Bush are hated by many failing to see the BIG picture.

Anyway, this song is great! Communism is a good idea, but impossible. The only way it would be possible is if an entire country reached nirvana (not the band, the idea in Hinduism of reaching a state where the person does not want/desire any material possesions, in which the soul goes directly to the Brahman), which doesnt happen very often.

Oh yea, and I just heard A Perfect Circles cover of this song. I cried. They completely butchered it. They made it such a depressing song. John Lennon is probably rolling in his grave

The problem with most of these comments about anti-communism is that they are written by people who don't realize what true brillance john had. Communism is the idea of sharing and equality, yet it has provin itself flawed in the past since it has always been overshadowed by greed. But this is no reason to give up hope for the future. Through evolution we are growing in our interlectual ways, but we are not done yet. The want and need for the accumulation of material possesions is a primitive idea that goes hand in hand with the thought of lust and the possible loss of the possesions which ultimatly lead to greed. johns idea of of this paradise is realistic yet not in are time. hell, when the most powerful country in the world elects such an ignoranus as bush not only once but twice, how are we supposed to e3ven dream of lennons theory. But john is not talking about steriotypical communism, he is talking about a whole world sharing and living together, no man better then the other, a total state of equality. Lennon was just way before his time, maybe in a couple hundred years when human kind learn from their mistakes they will be capable of maintaining such a lifestyle. Or keep on destroying one another physically and mentally untill we self destruct. Yet again, mabye that is the better outcome, and life will start again into somthing beautiful, somthing treasured, somthing like john imagined.

Imagine was chosen as "the song of the century" in brazilian radio contest in 2000

Alexandre Medina - São Paulo - Brazil

The theory of communism is brilliant. The fatal flaw in it in the past has been the greed of man. It COULD work someday, I think, if there were checks and balances. Communism doesn't have to be a dictatorship. It can be a democary! Communism NOT a political system, it is a financial one. But I don't see Communism working any time soon in the world... although it could some day. Capitalism creates too many 'classes' and no matter how much money I have or get, I don't like for anyone to feel 'below' me because of it.

-=The Prynce

I don't think there's anything wrong with religion personally, but I think that organized religions tend to get way out of hand. This song kind of promotes that thought. If we are one, and stop fighting with each other for no reason, then we don't need all these bylaws to tell us how to be.

The political idea of communism does not work. It's impossible for it to work. That's why it hasn't worked yet, and never will.

"Imagine no possession...", this line was written and sung by a multi-millionnaire!!! Very reliable and authentic... Let´s wait ´til Michael Jackson sings us the Blues: "Yeaaaaah, I was born a poooooor man´s son, mama..." ;o)

this is the greatest song of all time. Why? Because of the message it represents. I agree completely that possessions, religion, and political separation have accounted for the injusticies and greed in the world since the beginning of time. I'm not saying, however, that communisim is the way to go, because we all are different, and everyone would like have a nice car and make progress. There's nothing with that. What is wrong is when one gets involved in only those posessions and religion to where they don't help others but rather put material things first for their own benefit. Having a democratic society, yet one which protects peoples' rights (not only in the US but all over the wolrd) and doesn't allow for a drastic and excessive difference in social and economic classes, in other words a hybrid of capitalism and communism, in my opinion is ideal.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is one of the greatest songs ever written. It is no wonder so many people all over the world love it. In it, Lennon sings about a world that doesn't exist and may never exist, a world with no religion, no possessions, and no countries. Unfortunately, a utopia like that will most likely never come about. It?s sad, but true.

I think that's partly the reason the song is called "Imagine." We can easily imagine a utopia like this, but actually bringing it about would be near impossible.

I also disagree that this is a good song. Lennon's voice is great, the piano is fantastic, but the lyrics ruin it for me and anyone else who chooses to remain a citizen in the only free country in the world. I find it ironic that for thousands of years people fought for freedom, and revolutionized government... only to want to throw it away in the only country where freedom is not a dream.

there is nothing wrong with the theory of communism. the only thing wrong is that it hasn't worked correctly in any society yet. John Lennon was right, and I agree with Martin when he says that there is no better song about peace. The melody and the lyrics just make people listen and understand...no one has to talk about it. As for Bohemian Rhapsody vs. Imagine, it's hard to choose...both are incredible songs, i don't think it has anything to do with the number of hits of each band.

This song was used in an Amnesty International promotion. I can't think of another song matched with an institution with such accuracy. Possibly could be the only "official" use in such a format by Yoko Ono. Thoughts...?

if there were no religion, the world would be a better place

Shortly after John Lennon died and "Imagine" was No. 1 in the UK, a reverend went on the radio to castigate Lennon for the line "Imagine....no religion too", missing the point that all the world's ills are caused by...wel, all the things mentioned in the song (religion, countries [borders], possessions...). There is no better song about peace.
As for finishing 2nd to "Bohemian Rhapsody", there is a website which did an amalgam of all the end-of-millenium polls, and Imagine came out on top! Don't forget that Queen fans only ever vote for one song, whereas Beatle fans have a hole smorgasboard to choose from!

Alan White is credited on the album sleeve. Ringo isn't on the album at all. George Harrison is, but not on the track "Imagine".

It said Ringo Starr played the drums on this track...
I heard Alan White of Yes played... Any feedback???

John Lennon was like Roger Waters in that he was more concerned with the lyrics and progressively became less concerned with the music. Paul McCartney and David Gilmour carried on the musical legacies of the Beatles and Pink Floyd, respectively.

And I'm sure calling him a God with reference to him making a song against religion would offend John

To begin with, in addition to the piano use by Oasis, I stumbled across Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonight" which also opens with that piano. As far as pure music is concerned, this is a great song, but it's also evidence that Lennon's solo career was more about politics and less about music. To claim that he is a "God" is unfair, considering he is advocating communism, which claims more lives than religion does in countries that profess it (Russia, China, etc.). As far as being "brilliant", I believed that Lennon's "brilliance" is fading from here on out. Songs to him became more about politics than music, and it's truly a sad thing considering his ability to write some damn good music.

No number of word or emotions can really describe this song. Sometimes the only thing to express the inexpressible is silence.

I'm listening to this song right now as i'm writeing this and it really does make me cry. (sob)It's got to be one of the most beautifull songs i've ever heard. Peace forever x

This song is the only song that ever made me cry when I heard it. Peace and love forever.

This song is a beautiful and pastoral memory hung in time of what has been and van be... Organized religion, material possesions and self absorbed comercialism is not what John Lennon imagines for this world in the future and for his and my grand kids...

A beautiful, yet haunting melody by John Lennon. Possibly, one of the most beautiful works of art ever created.

Yes, Imagine is a song about a certain degree of a communistic state of being, but it says what many people feel but are afraid to voice.
While I don't agree with communism, I often wonder what life would be like without religion, and many of the other things that has people killing each other by the millions in the name of God or some other idelistic nonsense.
There's an old saying: "For bad men to do wrong requires only the opportunity. For a good man to do wrong requires religion." In other words, when a person thinks they have the almighty God on their side they are capable of things like the Holy Crusades; the Spanish Inquistion, or 9-11.
John, I think, understood the horrible things that had been done for the sake of the so-called righteous, which might account for the incredible passion he felt for the song. Of course I don't know since I'm not John, but he did have a real love for peace and understanding adn the hope that people could some day look beyond their disagreements and love one another above worldy concerns.

Mike

This is the best ever written! Beautiful but haunting melody but it is much deeper than people whould think. John Lennon is the God of all music.

On the soundtrack to the movie "Imagine", which is basically a musical chronology of John's career, there is a demo take of this song in the middle of the album. At the end of the song, the producer in the studio can be heard to say "That's nice." As the track fades out, you can hear John say "Yeah, that's the one I like the best."

this was late astronaut ilan ramon, who died in the columbia disaster, favourite song. it was played in his funeral.

Lennon wrote this after a couple of months of primal scream therapy, which accounts for the placid feeling about the song. He's actually trying to get people to imagine a communist utopia. The song was used to great effect at the end of the movie Killing fields.