There aren't many songs that stand the test of time. Music comes and goes with trends, as there is always a need to follow the newest styles. This is especially the case with songs that have a purpose other than entertainment. Songs can serve as commentary on the world at a specific moment in time; Whether highlighting morals, trends, politics, or social change, song lyrics reveal and influence real-world events. John Lennon's "Imagine" called for radical change during the Vietnam War and the Cold War, a time of general social unrest, through a series of thought-provoking scenarios, effectively communicating the message of peace during a time of war and leaving a Lasting impression even as far as today's time seen from the modern usage of the song. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay John Lennon was a singer and songwriter who along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr was part of the Beatles. The Beatles were an English rock band who achieved international fame in the early 1960s. The band has sold over 800 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Although the group disbanded in 1970, each of the members continued their musical careers as solo artists. That same year, Lennon released his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and a year later released his second album Imagine. With both albums receiving high praise, it was his song "Imagine" from his second album that became his signature song and best-known solo work. “Imagine” was released in 1971. The Cold War had been ongoing since 1947 and the Vietnam War since 1955. Both events created an atmosphere of tension, with the Vietnam War resulting in millions of casualties and the Cold War it caused mass hysteria due to the threat of nuclear annihilation. John Lennon, along with his wife Yoko Ono, attempted non-violent protests and began to promote world peace following the wars and general violence occurring in the world around them. The first of these was the “Bed-Ins for Peace” where they invited the media into their hotel room during their honeymoon. Groups of journalists arrived, fully expecting some form of controversial spectacle, but the couple sat in their bed, discussing world peace for two weeks. An experimental form of non-violent protest, their "Bed-Ins" sparked public interest and have since been used as a way to promote peace by many artists. It's common for big celebrities to use their fame to promote products or raise awareness, and they often get paid to do so. This is not the case with John Lennon; he was sincerely passionate about anti-violence efforts and was involved in vigorous political activism. He took his passions and used his platform to inspire others to follow him. He and his wife were interviewed in 1969 by David Wigg for a BBC Radio-One programme. When asked how he would like to be remembered, Lennon replied "Like the great pacifists". He would have chosen to be remembered as a pacifist before a musician despite his great musical success. Despite the income from his music career, this was a volunteer role that had deep meaning for him. He and his wife continued their work as activists, followed by the release of "Imagine," which called for world peace through song. ANDIt's clear that time and place, in this case the United States in the 1970s, greatly influenced the lyrics of "Imagine". ”. Alongside what causes wars between nations, Lennon addresses the issues that cause conflict between people. Specifically, Lennon chooses to sing about religion, politics, possessions, and the existence of countries. These problematic topics, according to the song, could be eliminated, so that “the world will be one.” In a world without countries, there would be no opposing teams to fight. In a world without different political or religious opinions there can be no disagreements. In a world where no one owns property, people cannot lose themselves in greed and jealousy. The chorus is what sums up Lennon's main point: a call for world peace. He sings, “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope that one day you will join us and the world will be one." He faces the fact that even though the ideal world he is describing is nothing more than a dream, he knows that there are others in the world who share this dream with him If enough people worked together, this unthinkable dream world could become reality. Interviewed by Dave Sholin and Laurie Kaye in 1980, shortly before his murder, Lennon explained how imagination is a strong power and the basis of society. modern He said, “Well, humanity's other great dream, one was to fly – which may have taken a long time, but it took someone to imagine it first. Second was to reach the moon, right? we have achieved.” He provides these examples as proof that the peaceful world he dreams of is not entirely impossible. “Imagine” evokes a peaceful atmosphere, mainly with piano and soft drums calm rather than the higher energy mood presented by a faster tempo. It is in the key of C major, which is common in Western music. Lennon's voice resembles the feel of the music, as he sings softly and calmly. In a sense, the peaceful tone of Lennon's voice functions as a word-music relationship, exemplifying the peace he urges listeners to live by. This would not have the same effect if he sang forcefully or at a higher volume. The tone increases every fifth line, which helps capture the listener's attention and allows them to absorb the lyrics. For example, this difference can be heard in the fifth line: "Imagine all the people living for today." The dynamics remain constant until the chorus where the volume increases slightly. This is the part of the song where Lennon states that he is not the only one who dreams of peace and invites listeners to join this movement. Changing the dynamic at this point in the song emphasizes its overall purpose and draws listeners in with the hope that they will be inspired to help change the world. Of all his songs, John Lennon's "Imagine" has had the greatest influence worldwide. For example, President Jimmy Carter stated that in the hundreds of countries he had visited, “'Imagine' was used in much the same way as national anthems.” For him, comparing the song to a national anthem means that “Imagine” was not just a popular song, but one that evoked history and was respected by people. The two places Lennon called home, New York and Liverpool, brought the song to mind. In New York City's Central Park, a mosaic of the word "Imagine" serves as a place to mourn Lennon and celebrate what he left behind. Liverpool Airport has been renamed John Lennon Liverpool Airport and has lyrics from the song "Above us only the sky" written on the ceiling. To celebrate the International Day of Peace in 2017, the lyrics of "Imagine"..