Wednesday 16 May 2012

Music Week #3 - "Imagine there's no heaven..."

I wanted to talk about music that envisioned a better world, music that made you feel that, despite everything, it was possible.  I looked through all my records, making lists, making notes, but when I found Imagine, I realised that there was no better way of expressing everything in one song.  So, even though it has become some sort of shorthand to describe the life and attitudes of a very complex man, it's a song that resonates with so many people, for its simple encapsulation of so much.
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 live as one
Sometimes, it's not enough to think your way through something; the world is too full of distractions, and you have to turn inwards, feel your way to the answer.  There are many great pieces of meditation music out there - this is my favourite.


Tomorrow, I'll hand over to Charlotte, but I'll be back on Sunday to share with you my favourite environmental song of all time... If you have a favourite, why not leave a comment and let us know?

2 comments:

  1. Dear Jon,

    Really enjoying your music posts this week (love that Tracy Chapman song!)

    Looks like you're not the only one with this one. One of the bloggers on the Social Reporting pilot, Rachel Savage, used it as a springboard to discuss Transition:

    http://www.transitionnetwork.org/stories/rachel-savage/2011-10/you-may-say-i-m-dreamer-i-m-not-only-one

    Looking forward to the riff tomorrow!

    Take it away, Charlotte

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    1. I also mentioned that song on one of my most recent posts: http://transitionnorwich.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/review-quiet-power-of-introverts.html

      Good song!

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