Remembering John Lennon - Imagine

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You may say I'm a dreamer... but I'm not the only one...

John Lennon's anthem of peace and hope has been one of my favorite songs since college. This is a collection of many different versions of one of the greatest songs of peace of all times "Imagine."

This year, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of his untimely and senseless death.

News of his sudden death in 1980 came during finals week for me. Starting that year and for a decade after his death, no matter where I was, on the anniversary of his death, I would stop, light a candle and remember his message of peace. I would light a special candle, focus on the burning flame, play this song, and "Imagine." I would reflect, remember, hope and dream.

I would imagine a world that could be better, where things could be different, where there was peace and we could all live as one.

In honor of what would have been his 70th birthday, I have updated the lens with new Imagine Video clips. I've also included Sir Paul McCartney's moving tribute, "Here Today" and George Harrison's Tribute, "All Those Years Ago."

Take a moment, light a candle, share your thoughts and imagine with me.

You may say I'm a dreamer... I hope you'll join us.

Image Source: V Manninen. Imagine. Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved.

Imagine - By John Lennon

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...

Light a Candle of Hope

Image by mmagallan

Light a Candle of Hope...and Imagine

Happy Birthday John

October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

Google's Imagine Birthday Doodle Tribute

powered by Youtube

Imagine -The Video of John Lennon and Yoko Ono

On YouTube

A live version of Imagine played in Madison Square Guarden.
Imagine Live - John Lennon - 72
by ohshaith | video info

11,553 ratings | 4,211,157 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine - Strawberry Fields Central Park


Source: ezbz. Imagine. Some rights reserved.
Creative Commons License.

Paul McCartney - Here Today

Paul McCartney's emotional song "Here Today" dedicated to John Lennon. Back in the US Tour 2002.
powered by Youtube

You were the one who Imagined it all

George Harrison's Trbute to John Lennon

    You were the one who imagined it all
    All those years ago.

    Deep in the darkest night
    I send out a prayer to you
    Now in the world of light
    Where the spirit free of the lies
    And all else that we despised.

    George Harrison
    All Those Years Ago

George Harrison - All Those Years Ago

George Harrison with Eric Clapton in Japan...several years ago.
powered by Youtube

Share Your Thoughts on John Lennon

What would you say if John Lennon were still "Here Today"?

  • Naoma Jan 12, 2011 @ 4:37 pm | delete
    That is an amazing song -- and if only the words could be realized. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place? But, glad we had John as long (or short) as we did. We have a musical instrument museum here in Phoenix and it has John's Steinway Upright piano where you can hear him play and sing on a record. Beautiful
  • Heather426 Oct 9, 2010 @ 7:04 pm | delete
    My favorite song of all time, bar none. Beautiful tribute lens. Yes I remember that day. It was the end of childhood for me.
  • tagsforkids Oct 8, 2010 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    A day I remember well as I was working for a record company in those days. Truly a sad day for the music business and fans with talent that has been truly missed. This is a nice tribute.
  • SofiaMann Oct 8, 2010 @ 5:06 pm | delete
    He put the love and hope ahead of everything and we owe thanks. Great lens...

Imagine there's no countries

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

Imagine - Josh Groban Rendition

On YouTube

Josh Groban sings "Imagine" with Herbie Hancock from the MLK Day of Service 2009.
Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban - Imagine, MLK DAY OF SERVICE WASHINGTON D.C. 1/19/09
by hhood87 | video info

48 ratings | 10,040 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine - the John Lennon Memorial

Strawberry Fields, New York on Flikr

Images of the John Lennon Memorial used under Creative Commons license from ahisgett, Andrew Baron, elestedeloeste, mjs_2009, buggolo and rockinfree.

Imagine John Lennon tribute Strawberry Fields Central Park by ahisgett
Strawberry Fields by Andrew Baron
Strawberry Fields by elestedeloeste
Imagine Strawberry Fields by mjs_2009
Imagine @ Strawberry Field by buggolo
Strawberry Fields by _rockinfree
curated content from Flickr

Join the Dreamers

Imagine by John Lennon


Source: Ngader. John Lennon. Some rights reserved. Creative Commons License.

News on John Lennon

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John Lennon 70th Birthday Wishes on YouTube

Everyone is invited to celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday by submitting a video to www.youtube.com/johnlennon
Ringo Starr - John Lennon 70th Birthday Tribute
by johnlennon | video info

5,228 ratings | 917,372 views
curated content from YouTube

John Lennon Birthday Wishes on YouTube

View the latest YouTube videos uploaded to celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday.
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Imagine - David Archuleta - 2008

American Idol finalist with his take on John Lennon's "Imagine."
David Archuleta - Imagine - American Idol
by Avenger444 | video info

535 ratings | 220,072 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine there's no Heaven 

Image Credits: Lynne Lancaster. Night Sky. Royalty Free Use.

Imagine - The Voices of Children Around the World - 2007

A beautiful new version of "Imagine" featuring children from around the world singing John and Yoko's anthem of Peace.

Yoko Ono introduces this video clip to benefit the Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur.
A message from Yoko Ono
by savedarfur | video info

268 ratings | 55,091 views
curated content from YouTube

International Day of Peace Featured Lenses

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Imagine with Katee and Will - 2008

A beautiful number from Katee and Will from So You Think You Can Dance.
Katee & Will (Pas de deux) - Imagine
by MsMovieBuff4REAL | video info

3,408 ratings | 1,177,855 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine all the people

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

Imagine - Nobel Peace Price Performance 2002

On YouTube

imagine
by xanadu87 | video info

46 ratings | 14,483 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine - the Song

Available from Amazon

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Imagine - Peter Gabriel Performs at the 2006 Torino Olympics

On YouTube

peter gabriel imagine opening ceremony torino 2006
by bpjmm5 | video info

148 ratings | 48,129 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine no possessions

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine - John Lennon and Yoko Onon Live on YouTube

A live 1972 performance by John Lennon and Yoko Ono of Imagine done on the old Mike Douglas show in 1972 along with an interview.
John Lennon - Mike Douglas, NEW( HQ) ON THIS SITE.
by beatlesmac7363 | video info

124 ratings | 65,739 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine - A Live Performance by Neil Young 2001

On YouTube

From the Tribute to Heroes Concert following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Neil Young - Imagine
by SlevDeViv | video info

4,505 ratings | 2,207,818 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine all the people

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

Imagine - Queen+ Paul Rodgers Live - 2005

Queen- Imagine- Live 7/15/05
by Kevinrm15 | video info

1,188 ratings | 326,021 views
curated content from YouTube

Imagine - Blake Lewis - 2006

On YouTube

Blake Lewis : Imagine (John Lennon)
by drkuya | video info

461 ratings | 154,327 views
curated content from YouTube

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

Imagine by John Lennon

    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

Source: Modified Microsoft Image

Imagine - Elton John's Version Sung in 1980 Central Park

On YouTube

Elton John - Imagine
by reginaldkenneth47 | video info

6,542 ratings | 5,248,317 views
curated content from YouTube

I hope someday you'll join us

Imagine Sung by Josh Groban

I hope someday you'll join us
I hope someday you'll join us
I hope someday you'll join us
I hope someday you'll join us

At the end of the Josh Groban version, he sings the line "I hope someday you'll join us" several more times.

Imagine - Masters of Chant

On YouTube

An amazing rendition by Gregorian chanting monks.
Gregorian - Imagine (Live at TV Channel RBB)
by gregorianmusiccom | video info

262 ratings | 135,560 views
curated content from YouTube

Masters of Chant in the Amazon Spotlight

Masters of Chant V.4

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

The Masters of Chant, Gregorian album that features their version of John Lennon's Imagine.

The Making of Imagine on DVD

Available on Amazon

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Imagine...Strawberry Fields New York...in the Snow

From Flikr

Source: Vipeldo. Imagine. Some rights reserved. Creative Commons License.

Imagine - Version by Eva Cassidy

On YouTube

Audio version of Eva Cassidy's Imagine.
Eva Cassidy Imagine
by CachopaLinda | video info

715 ratings | 194,894 views
curated content from YouTube

Blog Posts on John Lennon

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Imagine - Roberta Flack

On YouTube

Roberta Flack -Imagine-
by mamettype3 | video info

296 ratings | 215,577 views
curated content from YouTube

More Squidoo Lenses on Imagining a Better World

Free Hugs Campaign

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Imagine - Former President Clinton and Liel

On YouTube

President Bill Clinton Sings John Lennon's Imagine
by Shortarmguy | video info

3,306 ratings | 1,345,418 views
curated content from YouTube

More Squidoo Lenses on John Lennon

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Imagine one of the Inspirational Lenses for the Imagine Peace Group

John Lennon's song Imagine, one of my all time favorite songs, was one of the primary inspirations behind the Imagine Peace Group.
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Imagine Peace Group and Gifts

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Featured Lenses on Yoko Ono and Other Yoko Ono Projects

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A Squidoo Lens to Imagine Peace

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A SquidWho Lens on John Lennon

Another Squidoo Lens with more information about John Lennon.
John Lennon
The SquidWho lens on John Lennon.

Reader Feedback on Imagine...

Your place for thoughts, comments, reminiscences and feedback

What are your memories of "Imagine"?

Are you ready to join the dreamers?

  • tagsforkids Oct 8, 2010 @ 5:42 pm | delete
    One of the songs that really defined my "hippie" days and the mood of the generation at that time! Great tribute to one of the greatest writers.
  • SofiaMann Oct 8, 2010 @ 5:08 pm | delete
    John Lennon back to my childhood. Of the learning to live creatively without putting limits on the possibilities of creating and loving.
  • TheWhistler Oct 8, 2010 @ 4:11 pm | delete
    Excellent.
  • arncyn Nov 5, 2009 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    Very nice lens! Did you know that there was a musical called "Imagine", based on John Lennon's life? I caught it on Broadway sometime on '05 and cried buckets when they sang the song towards the end. Featured your lens on my lens on his son Sean Lennon. 5* (:
  • Aquavel Nov 24, 2008 @ 7:42 am | delete
    Inspiring lens! 5 stars, favored & lensrolled. Loved the video with Yoko - "Imagine - The Voices of Children Around the World - 2007" and all the others! (BTW, I also wrote a lens on the Strawberry Field Memorial- not yet published - but reading yours has upped the ante, to to speak. I need to do more research so I can make a lens that will take a slightly different perspective and compliment your lens. I don't want to repeat info, although some of the Flickr photos of the mosaic will be similar. BTW, I was living on West 72nd in NYC when Lennon was shot. I heard the gunshot, the sirens, the terror.... He was an amazing human being.
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