Throughout this semester we have learned about various musical styles that

developed in history, starting with monophony and Gregorian chant, finally ending
with modernism and 20th century music. At first there was only one type or style of
music with nothing else to challenge the popularity of that particular musical style.
However we came upon a crossroads of sorts with Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Mahler
and determining the course of musical style in the 20th century. From there on out,
different people had different opinions of what music was considered popular. In my
opinion, the true popularity of music is the extent to which it shapes and affects
peoples lives. When people think of music that changed history they think of Elvis
Presley, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, etc. My chosen piece of music runs along
similar lines. It was a hard choice, but I think Imagine by John Lennon should have
been included in the syllabus. These people are icons, legends, and they and their
works will be remembered throughout history. Just the fact that he was a member of
the prominent Beatles band would be enough to garner him fame but his solo works
are just as popular if not more so.
John Lennon was an English musician and singer-songwriter that was born in
1940. He had a tragic childhood, his father was mostly absent for the majority of his
life. He lived with his aunt, Mimi, and her husband, George. In 1958, Lennons
mother was fatally injured in a car accident which greatly traumatized him. Elvis
Presley was a great inspiration to a young Lennon with the start of the rock music
scene. In 1957, Lennon met Paul McCartney and thus begun one of the most
prevalently successful songwriting partnerships in history. In 1960, Lennon formed
the iconic Beatles rock band together with McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo
Starr. After a decade, the Beatles broke up just after releasing their famed Abbey Road
album and Lennon struck out into the music world on his own. He released a few

albums with his second wife, Yoko Ono. In 1980, Lennon was assassinated by a
crazed fan and his death is commemorated to this day. He was one of the spearheads
of the Rock n Roll era and shaped 20th century music like no other.
Lennon released Imagine in 1971, where the albums title track is arguably his
most famous solo work of all time. Imagine was composed with the help of
Lennons wife, Yoko Ono. In fact, some of the lyrics in Imagine were taken from
Onos 1964 book, Grapefruit. For example, the first line of Imagine Imagine
theres no heaven. This song is known for its anti-war characteristics and is a call to
idealism that has provided solace and inspiration at every moment of social and
humanitarian crisis since it was written. (JohnLennon.com) The common belief is
that Lennon was stoutly against the unpopular Vietnam War and that partly inspired
him to write Imagine to express his beliefs of equality despite race, religion and
economic class. Imagine then grew in popularity to become the universal anthem
of peace. I think a big part of why this song gained almost a cult following was
because it offered hope to the masses in times of despair. No one can argue that by
listening to Imagine, it doesnt inspire a feeling of peace and unity. A favorite line
of mine in Imagine:
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
The lyrics beckon the listener to join and share Lennons beliefs. The soothing piano
melody seems to calm any violent thoughts or feelings one might have, almost against
ones will. The composure with which Lennon sings the lyrics add to the pull of the

music. The simple chords played on the piano do not detract from the impact of
Imagine, if anything it highlights the plain-spoken lyrics.
This song embodies the everlasting faith in humanity. The one thing that is so
special about this song is the feeling and hope it inspires in people to believe that
better things will come of our dreams. It is the enduring hymn of solace and promise
that has carried us through extreme grief, from the shock of Lennon's own death in
1980 to the unspeakable horror of September 11th. (Rolling Stone) To this day, there
is no other piece of music that is so universally, not only accepted, but praised as
something that brings people together as equals. I feel that this is a very important
feature of Imagine, especially in light of recent events in this day and age. Perhaps
if Lennon had composed more similar songs, he could have impacted enough people
to change more of the world.

"John Lennon." Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.

"John Lennon, 'Imagine' - 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Rolling Stone. N.p., n.d.
Web. 06 Dec. 2014.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2014.
"Imagine" Lyrics." JOHN LENNON LYRICS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.