I love diversity. I love not agreeing with my friends on things and having conversations about them. I'm afraid of a world in which we all just agree. I don't think that's that hard to imagine. Take away the romance of Lennon writing the song, and now Eddie covering it, and seriously think about the lyrics. I know that won't happen, but imagine depicts a world I don't think any of you people woukd like
I love diversity. I love not agreeing with my friends on things and having conversations about them. I'm afraid of a world in which we all just agree. I don't think that's that hard to imagine. Take away the romance of Lennon writing the song, and now Eddie covering it, and seriously think about the lyrics. I know that won't happen, but imagine depicts a world I don't think any of you people woukd like
That's the problem here, it's the lyrics that you are stretching. Your imagination is running wild and leaving the lyrics behind. It's "Nothing to kill or die for", not "Nothing to disagree about" "And no religion too" not "and nothing to believe in". You don't think John believed in the power of music and altruism?? "No need for greed or hunger" not "you have to use the same toothbrush"
You are stretching like a yoga instructor...please illuminate us as to how the lyrics break down into us all being automatons
In addition to what rgambs said... If ever there was a song which indicated that it should not be taken as 100% literal, it's probably one called "Imagine".
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
If you're getting a 1984, Brave New World-y, The Hunger Games, Obamacare death panel type of dystopia from the lyrics of John Lennon's Imagine, I'm going out on a limb and saying you're in the minority. Good luck with that argument. To me, it doesn't make sense.
In addition to what rgambs said... If ever there was a song which indicated that it should not be taken as 100% literal, it's probably one called "Imagine".
Yes there is such a thing as art, and it is different from essays which are taken literally...golly geez
That's the problem here, it's the lyrics that you are stretching. Your imagination is running wild and leaving the lyrics behind. It's "Nothing to kill or die for", not "Nothing to disagree about" "And no religion too" not "and nothing to believe in". You don't think John believed in the power of music and altruism?? "No need for greed or hunger" not "you have to use the same toothbrush"
What I find humorus is I've listened to the song. Many many times. Great song. Great idea. Great melody. But when I imagine the world that is described, it's a world I don't want to live in. It's my opinion. It's what I take from the song. Imagine someone interpreting a song, a bit different from you? Are you going to argue, or just shake their hand?
You are picking and choosing what is in depth vs what's just a line. It's picking and choosing. Seem some just fit the lyrics around their beliefs? "Oh yea, no religion. But hey, no possessions? C'mon he didn't really mean no possesions". I find many of these replies and peoples arguments here hilarious.
It's amazing what fans/self appointed intellects/ and people that just argue things will ignore and standby.
What I find humorus is I've listened to the song. Many many times. Great song. Great idea. Great melody. But when I imagine the world that is described, it's a world I don't want to live in. It's my opinion. It's what I take from the song. Imagine someone interpreting a song, a bit different from you? Are you going to argue, or just shake their hand?
I'm going to argue, then shake their hand when we have said our piece. Not going to slug 'em and go to war. Sounds like there is room for this in Imagine.
What I find humorus is I've listened to the song. Many many times. Great song. Great idea. Great melody. But when I imagine the world that is described, it's a world I don't want to live in. It's my opinion. It's what I take from the song. Imagine someone interpreting a song, a bit different from you? Are you going to argue, or just shake their hand?
I'm going to argue, then shake their hand when we have said our piece. Not going to slug 'em and go to war. Sounds like there is room for this in Imagine.
Yea, I was kind of thinking man, that's actually a pretty awesome line. Haha
In addition to what rgambs said... If ever there was a song which indicated that it should not be taken as 100% literal, it's probably one called "Imagine".
) And I thought I was a cynic... Even if this song WAS meant literally, it says nothing about taking your possessions, it doesn't say anything about ideology, or about group think. But if anyone points this out to you matts, you get pissy and call them know it alls?
Personally, if I was the only person who saw an issue my way...if not one person agreed with any of the premises I used to form my opinion...I would not continually lash out and double down. But I'm a know it all, so maybe I take basic logic for granted.
What I find humorus is I've listened to the song. Many many times. Great song. Great idea. Great melody. But when I imagine the world that is described, it's a world I don't want to live in. It's my opinion. It's what I take from the song. Imagine someone interpreting a song, a bit different from you? Are you going to argue, or just shake their hand?
I'm going to argue, then shake their hand when we have said our piece. Not going to slug 'em and go to war. Sounds like there is room for this in Imagine.
Much to take in throughout the thread, but I like this nutshell. Plus, it doesn't have to (shouldn't be) either/or - argue or become a sycophant, have animosity or hug, etc. There will, thankfully, always be differing views, practices, actions. It's how we choose to deal with them.
Living in peace is in no way equal to complacency or being a bunch of Stepfords.
look at everyone up on the porch. "dear Pear Jam, play my favorite song, no play MY favorite song., no play my favorite song PLEEEEAAASSSEEE" All people do is want, want, want. Good luck with that imagined world
In the film "Imagine", there's a scene that struck me from the first time I watched it. A homeless man walks up to Lennon's house (nothing like would happen today - imagine that!), talking to him about his interpretation of one of John's songs. They chat for a bit, then Lennon asks if the man is hungry.
Next scene is the man sitting at John's table (George was there too), sharing a meal with all of them.
Possessions does seem to be the hang up, but look where it is in the structure of the song, the hardest pill to swallow comes in the last verse. The more I think about this song, the more I like it. Plus...every time I open the site (in October of 2014) it says IMAGINE with Ed's hand sticking up in a peace sign.
Nothing wrong with possessions; we've worked hard for what we have, both needs and (some of) the wants. Not stolen from anyone but earned. They're not my world, but I appreciate them unapologetically.
rollings, I agree with you on the "want want" side of things. I also wonder about the idolization of, say, lots of pop stars who flaunt themselves with all that money can buy. The jewelry, cars, homes...even that stupid bling shit for the teeth. It's ironic, I guess. Maybe hypocritical too.
All songs are open for individual interpretation, of course. But John Lennon did NOT intend it to mean anything that the OP thinks it does.
Open you mind, man, instead of closing it completely. Which you are doing.
I would say I'm more open minded to the song and lyrics than most. Im getting bashed for actually having a different interpretation than others. Yes, I am closed minded...
You are picking and choosing what is in depth vs what's just a line. It's picking and choosing. Seem some just fit the lyrics around their beliefs? "Oh yea, no religion. But hey, no possessions? C'mon he didn't really mean no possesions". I find many of these replies and peoples arguments here hilarious.
It's amazing what fans/self appointed intellects/ and people that just argue things will ignore and standby.
See, I have no problem with your interpreting anything in any way you see fit. It IS "Imagine", right?
It's the kind of response I quoted that's kind of irritating. Not what you say, but to belittle in the process? Not sure why.
Possessions does seem to be the hang up, but look where it is in the structure of the song, the hardest pill to swallow comes in the last verse. The more I think about this song, the more I like it. Plus...every time I open the site (in October of 2014) it says IMAGINE with Ed's hand sticking up in a peace sign.
You are picking and choosing what is in depth vs what's just a line. It's picking and choosing. Seem some just fit the lyrics around their beliefs? "Oh yea, no religion. But hey, no possessions? C'mon he didn't really mean no possesions". I find many of these replies and peoples arguments here hilarious.
It's amazing what fans/self appointed intellects/ and people that just argue things will ignore and standby.
See, I have no problem with your interpreting anything in any way you see fit. It IS "Imagine", right?
It's the kind of response I quoted that's kind of irritating. Not what you say, but to belittle in the process? Not sure why.
Comments
"And no religion too" not "and nothing to believe in". You don't think John believed in the power of music and altruism??
"No need for greed or hunger" not "you have to use the same toothbrush"
You are stretching like a yoga instructor...please illuminate us as to how the lyrics break down into us all being automatons
Do you ever reply with a real answer or just an entrenchment?
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Open you mind, man, instead of closing it completely. Which you are doing.
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 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
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 may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Sounds miserable. Fuck that shit.
It's amazing what fans/self appointed intellects/ and people that just argue things will ignore and standby.
I'm going to argue, then shake their hand when we have said our piece. Not going to slug 'em and go to war. Sounds like there is room for this in Imagine.
And I thought I was a cynic...
Even if this song WAS meant literally, it says nothing about taking your possessions, it doesn't say anything about ideology, or about group think. But if anyone points this out to you matts, you get pissy and call them know it alls?
Personally, if I was the only person who saw an issue my way...if not one person agreed with any of the premises I used to form my opinion...I would not continually lash out and double down. But I'm a know it all, so maybe I take basic logic for granted.
Living in peace is in no way equal to complacency or being a bunch of Stepfords.
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 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
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 may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
we do want for ourselves
we do want for our families
we do want for our towns
our states
our countries.
If there was another whole world to fight, maybe THEN we'd all get along
A brotherhood of man
This too.
In the film "Imagine", there's a scene that struck me from the first time I watched it. A homeless man walks up to Lennon's house (nothing like would happen today - imagine that!), talking to him about his interpretation of one of John's songs. They chat for a bit, then Lennon asks if the man is hungry.
Next scene is the man sitting at John's table (George was there too), sharing a meal with all of them.
Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try
then
imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do
but for
imagine there's no possessions
he says
I wonder if you can
......or maybe it just rhymed real good with "man"
rollings, I agree with you on the "want want" side of things. I also wonder about the idolization of, say, lots of pop stars who flaunt themselves with all that money can buy. The jewelry, cars, homes...even that stupid bling shit for the teeth. It's ironic, I guess. Maybe hypocritical too.
i was asked this in 2nd or 5th grade. the school bell rang, i ran to the bus & tripped over a bicyclist
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
It's the kind of response I quoted that's kind of irritating. Not what you say, but to belittle in the process? Not sure why.