I am writing a song review in the middle of a public health crisis in order to put the spotlight on one of my favorite songs and how it can help people through the pandemic. At this point, more than 25,000 people have died in the United States as the result of an outbreak of Covid-19. John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ has a message about how to live life that is not only a dream, but something that we can apply to our lives especially during people’s time of need.
We all know Lennon as a member of the The Beetles-the most famous rock band ever assembled. His solo work is just as creative and significant as any of the music the band has ever made. ‘Imagine’ was originally released in 1971. The lyrics and instrumentation produced a song that is as socially relevant now than when it was released.
Lennon’s goal was to bring the world together. Some critics found his lyrics to be controversial, particularly the portions about religion. He did not subscribe to the idea that his song lyrics were detrimental to anyone. He deliberately used words that were divisive, and artistically broke down those barriers between people. In this track, Lennon discovered a prescription for world peace.
The artist maintained a consistent vocal that did not overshadow the song’s message. The song has a steadiness to it that invites listeners to sing along. The vocals made the song catchy and delivered powerful messages simultaneously.
The instrumentation was heavy on the piano and light on the drums. When you combine the instrumentation and vocal it creates the perfect method of telling his story.
‘Imagine’ is one of the best songs ever recorded due to its simplicity, musicology and message.
In today’s world with so much uncertainty, songs like these remind us that if we change ourselves, we can change the world.
