Imagine (song)

"Imagine" is a utopian song by John Lennon, with elements of atheism, in reference to solutions to people having conflicts between religions, a common start of hatred. Lennon also references nonviolent anarchism as a solution to cure conflicts between governments and countries.

Related Topics:
Utopia - John Lennon - Atheism - Hatred - Nonviolent - Anarchism

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Written and performed by John Lennon, it appears on his 1971 album Imagine. Unlike some of Lennon?s prior singles, "Imagine" went straight to the top of the charts. While numerous versions have since come to light, the original's haunting piano and solemn vocal continue to send ripples through the airwaves. The utopian world gives way to self-doubt and insecurities lingering inside the former Beatle.

Related Topics:
John Lennon - 1971 - Imagine

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As Lennon himself has acknowledged, the lyrics have strong overtones of anarchist communism. In the song Lennon asks us to imagine his view of a utopia. In this utopia there are "no countries", "no religion", and "no possessions", thus there is "nothing to kill or die for". There is only people "living life in peace" and "sharing all the world".

Related Topics:
Anarchist communism - Utopia

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Some writers see this song as intentionally self-satirical, as the multimillionaire songwriter is depicted in a film of the song playing a white grand piano in an enormous country house, while inviting us to "Imagine no possessions".

Related Topics:
Satirical - Grand piano

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Although the music video is a little contradictory, the song is often used as a celebration of peace. It has often been cited as one of the reasons for causing conflict in the American Army during the Vietnam War.

Related Topics:
Music video - Peace

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When the Liverpool airport was named after Lennon, a phrase from the song, "above us only sky", was painted on the ceiling of the terminal. George Galloway quoted the line I'm Not the Only One for the title of his autobiography. The song was used in the last sequence of the film The Killing Fields and was performed during a show commemorating the 30th anniversary of Star Trek.

Related Topics:
Liverpool - George Galloway - The Killing Fields - Star Trek

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A mosaic was constructed as a part of the Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park, Manhattan, near Lennon's final home, in memory of the singer. In the center of the mosaic is the word Imagine.

Related Topics:
Strawberry Fields Memorial - Central Park

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For the duration of the 1991 Gulf War the BBC banned airplay of "Imagine" in the UK. The song's peaceful message was not considered appropriate during a period of military conflict.

Related Topics:
1991 - Gulf War - BBC

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"Imagine" is the official song of the human rights organization Amnesty International.

Related Topics:
Human rights - Organization - Amnesty International

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