"Imagine" (John Lennon, 1971). Co-produced by Lennon, Ono, and Phil Spector, “Imagine” is one of the best and most recognizable anthems for peace of all time. Part of the song’s success is that its progressive lyrics are paired with a commercial sound, making it more accessible to a large audience. In one of his final interviews, Lennon said the song was “Anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic, but because it is sugarcoated it is accepted. Now I understand what you have to do. Put your political message across with a little honey.” His politics may sound like a utopian dream, especially in light of rampant contemporary religious extremism, but perhaps we can make this dream possible if we unite in spreading this message: “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.”
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