Imagine there’s no countries/
And no religion, too.
For all his work in The Beatles, Lennon might be best known for “Imagine”. While we think of “Imagine” as a song promoting peace (which it is), it is also very radical. Lennon is advocating socialism, eradication of religion and borders and countries. I think a lot of people like this song and think “yay peace”, but don’t get down to the nitty gritty and think about what he is actually saying.
Are you willing to consider a society with no possessions? Where everyone “owns” the same amount of wealth? I bet you wouldn’t. Would you consider a world without countries? I don’t think you could. Some of you may have imagined no religion.
That is not a knock against you or me necessarily. It is not like Lennon gave up all his possessions and lived his life like a monk. However, let’s really consider what he is saying in “Imagine”. A more egalitarian society is necessary and I believe it will come about in one way or another.
I could imagine borders becoming less meaningful someday, but we are a long ways away from that. The power of this song is in the ideas it suggests. Let’s think about how things are and how things could be.
The melody and Lennon’s voice carry the message perfectly on practically just a piano. Though, of course the full band and strings comes in about halfway through. The piano arraignment is original and iconic. The slow pacing allows us to focus on his words and we realize how far a way we have to go to reach his ideal of: “A brotherhood of man/ sharing all the world.”
Imagine Lyrics
Imagine there’s no heaven,
It’s easy if you try.
No hell below us,
Above us only sky.
Imagine all the people living for today.
Imagine there’s no countries,
It isn’t hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for,
And no religion too.
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you…
You may say I’m a dreamer,
But I’m not the only one.
I hope some day you’ll join us,
And the world will be as one.
Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you…
You may say I’m a dreamer,
But I’m not the only one.
I hope some day you’ll join us,
And the world will be as one.