1960's Protest Music Imagine - john Lennon
- Who is the artist? John Lennon
- What is the name of the song? Imagine
- When was the song recorded and released? 1971
- What other famous songs does John Lennon have? Instant Karma | Watching the Wheels | Working Class Hero | Stand by Me
- What do you think the lyrics mean? The lyrics mean that there were many people during this time period that wanted world peace. John Lennon was trying to explain how if people set aside religion and material possessions, maybe the world would be a happier place.
- How do the lyrics relate to / reflect the time period? The lyrics in this song reflect how many people felt about the Vietnam War, and how many people wanted peace during the hippy movement in the sixties and early seventies.
- What was taking place in history when this song was created? In the sixties and early seventies, the hippy movement was at its peak as the baby boomer generation strove for world peace. Many people joined the peace movement to protest the Vietnam War.
- What was the overall inspiration and message of the lyrics? John Lennon's main message was to not worry about war, or religion, or any other controversial ideas. He used this song convey the feelings of many Americans during the sixties and seventies, as lots of people wanted to live happy lives, day by day, in a unified world.
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