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https://theconversation.com/john-lennons-imagine-at-50-a-deceptively-simple-ballad-a-lasting-emblem-of-hope-167444>
"1971 was a tumultuous year. The counter-cultural movement of the 60s was still
being felt. Demonstrations were held opposing the Vietnam War and in August,
Australia and New Zealand withdrew their troops.
Apollo 15 landed on the moon. Feminist Gloria Steinem made her first address to
women in America. Switzerland held a referendum on women’s suffrage. In New
York, John Lennon sat down at a brown model Z upright piano and began to write
what would become an inter-generational, transnational phenomenon — and perhaps
the gentlest of protest songs —
Imagine.
Imagine was recorded on May 27, at Lennon’s new home studio. The song was
released to the world as part of the album of the same name (co-produced by
Lennon, his wife Yoko Ono and Phil Spector), on September 9.
For three minutes and three seconds, the lyrics of this gentle ballad present a
vision of unity and of hope. It is a space in which to dream of real change in
the world.
As with all songs, the interpretations are as broad as the listeners. For many,
it is a call for peace; for others it is a prayer.
The verse lyrics, partly based on poetry by Ono, remove all the central
components that seem to separate us: violence, hate, borders, poverty, greed,
governments, religion, consumerism and capitalism.
The final verse offers a vision of a unified world at peace."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
