Imagine

Album: The Imagine Project (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a jazz-styled update of John Lennon's classic 1971 track "Imagine." Featured vocalists on the track are P!nk, Seal, India.Arie, Oumou Sangaré and the African group Konono N1.
  • This is the title track from The Imagine Project, an album by Jazz musician Herbie Hancock, which was recorded in many locations throughout the world and features collaborations from various international artists. The project was inspired by a PBS documentary Journey of Man, which traces the human migration out of Africa through genetic markers in the population today. After viewing the program, Hancock was awed at the biological interconnectedness of mankind and started crying. He immediately decided he had to explore this theme in his next project.
  • Hancock worked with English guitarist Jeff Beck on this track. He told Billboard magazine about the collaboration: "He and two of the members of his current touring band - [drummer] Vinnie Colaiuta, who has also been working with me, and Tal Wilkenfeld, a bass player from Australia - she's great, she's 22 or 23 and she can play. Anyway, Jeff is really good. I knew he was good, but when I got a chance to actually work with him? He's really good. Just playing a melody, every note has its own personality, and it's not as though everything is predetermined - it's all in the moment."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.