He sang Imagine there's no country, not no people. He also changed the original lyric. Instead of no immigration, it was "and no religion, too" And instead of "sisterhood and man" it was just "a brotherhood of man".
And then four years later in December 1980 the Cia assassinated him after he won his green card in 1976,they were scared of his political views 😮RIP truth speaker and fellow scouser John Lennon. @StanSwan
That's why first reactions should be on the original album version because of the originality of composure, lyrics, ideas,sound,instruments and the vocalist probably best performance. After move on to the live versions. A lot of lives have problems with amplifiers, sound, lack of some musicians required and vocalist might not be at his best. Some are great but I would listen to the original first.
When he said no immigration I believe he was referring to the dept of immigration since they were trying to kick John out of the country for a long time.
Think he said before that something like imagine if there are no countries. That would mean that there is no immigration since countries wouldnt exist but rather just our earth.
@sliceofheaven3026 You beat me to it lol. The immigration line was improvised; the original line was "and no religion too." John was expressing his frustration with the US government's attempts to kick him and Yoko out of the country.
@@timpwhityou are correct about that immigration line. It was a tongue in cheek slap at his immigration problems at the time. Lennon sometimes could not resist tweaking someone’s nose.
Thank you for this, Britt. This song has resonated with so many all of these years. John is my favorite Beatle since the 60s when I was a kid. I recently heard Chris Cornell sing this on a video during a Howard Stern show. Just stunning RIP John and Chris ❤❤❤
What a great reaction. I love ❤❤ this song. It is inspirational, has beautiful Message & we all should try a little harder. I remember where I was the exact minute he departed this earth. I swear the earth stood still for a minute, just like when elvis departed this earth. It's a shame to lose such beautiful souls so young. Peace & Love to all. ✌️✌️✌️
You got my subscription after this strong reaction. This album, where this song comes from, has been my oldest record ever and i love this song in particular. My grandma bought it for me when i was 11 years., i think 1971. Thanks grandma!
The immigration line was thrown in because he was in the middle of a battle with US immigration, who, under the Nixon administration, was trying to deport him, an English man living in NYC.
John wrote this in 1971. All these years later, and nothing has changed really. Actually, society has gotten worse and the world is falling apart. Especially the USA. This song always makes me cry. 😢 Great reaction, Britt! ✌🏼❣️
We listened to this song back in the early 70s. We felt it was part of the peace and love vibe, coming just two years after Woodstock which was all about peace and love and drugs and vomiting and rain and mud and overflowing porta-potties and food helicoptered in. Imagine was very much a statement. I have never seen a video of it being performed. This is the first time I've seen that. Way back then we listened to Imagine on records- black vinyl platters played with a needle creating sound when the platter spun. The olden days. 🙂
I was in elementary school when Lennon was shot and killed and I will never forget going to school the day after, and seeing all the teachers faces. It was like the world ended. I didn't understand until I got into my late teens, how significant that day was. The Beatles changed music forever and Lennon changed people not just with his time in the Beatles, but also his solo career. Maybe even more so.
You're very intuitive, I've noticed that before. You also really listen to the lyrics, and try to make sense of them. You've gotten things that I've seen other's not even have a clue! You also make all this very entertaining to us, for that, I thank you. Thank you for bringing back songs of my time and appreciating them as much as we did.
He sang all three of the original verses, he just changed ' no religion ' to ' no immigration '. He also changed ' imagine no possessions, I wonder if YOU can ' to ' imagine no possessions, I wonder if WE can ', in response to the people who accused him of being a hypocrite.
after John Lennon's murder this song was played around the world at a prearranged time. It was the first time over a billion people listened to the same song at the same time.
Like a poetry reading and the author does a couple/three adlibs beyond the original text like adding "sisterhood" (likely Yoko's influence). Julian is his oldest son is now in his 60's and sounds much like his father. He recently did 'Imagine" because he could emotionally finally actually record it.
There’s a story that while he was in grammar school. The students were assigned a task by the teacher to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up. The only thing he wrote on the paper was HAPPY. The teacher told him he didn’t understand the assignment and he told her that she didn’t understand life.
Its a very simple message , get rid of all the causes of conflict and war, no religion, no borders, no things to own, everything that people fight and die for. Just live for each other and today.
Enjoying your reactions Britt, especially to John Lennon. You’re very perceptive and really do ‘get’ John’s honesty in his music and his character- its those traits that have really drawn so many fans. By no means was he perfect, he made many mistakes, but he always wrote from his heart and its his soul you feel through his voice and music. ❤ ✌️🕊️
You should have seen John in the early 1960's leather jackets, ray bans, and generally a pretty cool dude. You could never tell the master genius that was lying underneath.
Hey Britt! This is by far my favorite John Lennon tune, as a peace and love for all type of guy myself. I would love to see you react to "Here to Love" by my man, Lenny Kravitz! He was awarded his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, which is great, and he is nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. I love him so much, can you tell? I love you too, girlfriend.
This song is John Lennon in a nutshell -- he's preaching peace and love, but doing it in a really challenging and thought-provoking way. He's basically questioning the very foundations of civilization that we all take for granted: Countries. Religions. Possessions. What would society look like if we could rebuild from the ground up, with 20-20 hindsight, and leave out all the things that separate us from each other?
He is saying if the things people war over were removed (religion, nations, wealth and resources), the people of the world could live together in peace. Its a wonderful impossible dream .
It´s certainly his most iconic solo song. Lennon was a very interesting person. He was a quite dark person with an aggressive past, but tried hard to change himself and the world. It´s worth watching interviews with him, he´s very intelligent and brutally honest.
look at the version of him and Yoko playing in a big white room and he is playing the piano and you can understand the lyrics. He was shot and killed outside hs apartment in NYC
He's not suggesting that we give up all possessions leaving everyone with nothing, Quite the opposite. He's saying that every one should have everything, and share everything. A beautiful vision, indeed.
No he's not. He admitted that these are his communist beliefs. He was a known communist. He literally says no countries, no possessions, no religion. His beliefs are hidden in a beautiful melody.
It's one of his lesser songs actually. None of the attitudes in the song are in any way related to the way rank and file humans live their lives. It's an anthem for those who preen and posture in public, but don't walk the walk. One of the positive developments in Lennon's attitudes, at the end of his life, was his complete disgust with the way President Jimmy Carter was driving the country into the ground. He expressed to several people that if he had the vote in the US he'd vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980. That is one thing about Lennon that I very much "imagine" with satisfaction.
After learning the lyrics to this song the scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest appears on a late night talk show with John Lennon makes more sense. Go back and watch that scene again.
This is such an amazing song. The lyrics are so so good. You should watch the Pentatonix version. I know you love them as much as I do. John would be proud.
Every government agency wanted to deport John Lennon and he had to fight to stay here ironically if he was deported he may still be alive!!!There were several reasons they wanted him out but ultimately there is no money in peace
Just great... I think you would also enjoy John's work in the Beatles. For The first ever live worldwide broadcast John wrote and sang All You Need is Love... Check it out. Across the Universe is another great one with the Beatles in terms of his poetry. Another great Lennon solo tune is Working Class Hero
John had a tendency of changing lyrics in his songs at concerts. His is the actual lyrics for Imagine: Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky Imagine all the people Livin' for today Ah 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 Livin' life in peace You 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 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 Songwriter: John Winston Lennon
Pulling up the lyrics always helps clarify word confusions!😊 John’s most gorgeous song is All Across the Universe- but listen with the incredibly poetic lyrics! ❤
one of the best songs ever written......unfortunately people who dare to preach peace , love and harmony between all ......get murdered . says a lot about humans!
Lennon had always had a critical perception of what he symbolized and how he felt he appeared to the general public. You might want to check out his song, "Working Class Hero". (FYI: In the original Phil Specter version, the words "...and no religion too" was changed in this version to "...and no immigration too", interesting choice and very topical to the current politics of our era.)
Have you seen the video of his song, #9 Dream (Ultimate Mix 2020) with the Plastic Ono Nuclear Band? The opening guitar solo was played by Native American Indian Jesse Ed Davis.
The 60's was one of the most socially progressive times ever, in a good way. Everybody wanted to love everyone, no matter religion, politics, race, or country your from. The 60's was about love. It's like everyone forgets we did better 60 years ago than what the media thinks we are doing today. YES I know this is a 70's song, but JOHN told me himself he wrote this five years ealier. He wrote it with Yoko, and she isn't the devil you think she is.... she was right. John by himself with one album was better than the beatles with a decade (I AM JOKING, but I would like to hear rebuttles anyways).
Love John Lennon! But you haven’t heard Imagine until you’ve heard the original studio, or official video❤️🔥
I agree. However , I really enjoyed hearing the twist on his different lyrics in this version as well.
I totally agree!
Not just a song but a way of life. Lost my wife 3 yrs ago .... The inscription on the headstone..... IMAGINE .....peace and love
Soo Sorry for your loss!! I Lost my identical twin brother in November and We Always Loved John Lennon / The Beatles❤
Sorry for your loss. The inscription on her headstone shows she was an amazing person. It seems you and her had it all figured out. ❤
I'm so sorry for your loss ❣️
I'm so sorry for your loss and it's so cool that that is what is on the headstone.
My condolences.
He sang Imagine there's no country, not no people. He also changed the original lyric. Instead of no immigration, it was "and no religion, too" And instead of "sisterhood and man" it was just "a brotherhood of man".
He was referring to US immigration laws when he wanted to move to NYC. He had a drug bust on his record so they kept him out for many years.
John lennon was a socialist if you didn't know. Praise all socialism.
And then four years later in December 1980 the Cia assassinated him after he won his green card in 1976,they were scared of his political views 😮RIP truth speaker and fellow scouser John Lennon. @StanSwan
That's why first reactions should be on the original album version because of the originality of composure, lyrics, ideas,sound,instruments and the vocalist probably best performance. After move on to the live versions. A lot of lives have problems with amplifiers, sound, lack of some musicians required and vocalist might not be at his best. Some are great but I would listen to the original first.
I’m stunned that there’s people in this world still that never heard this song.
Or Rapper's Delight!
Parents are responsable. Having a child and not tell him/her about jhon Lennon is a crime. Point
One of the best songs ever and everytime when it comes on the radio, it still make you pause and listen❤
In the original, he says... and no religion, too.
And I'm giving Britt some context of the man and the times. John Lennon also wrote Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Yes
Jesus Christ 🙏🏻☦️
When he said no immigration I believe he was referring to the dept of immigration since they were trying to kick John out of the country for a long time.
Think he said before that something like imagine if there are no countries. That would mean that there is no immigration since countries wouldnt exist but rather just our earth.
@sliceofheaven3026 You beat me to it lol. The immigration line was improvised; the original line was "and no religion too." John was expressing his frustration with the US government's attempts to kick him and Yoko out of the country.
@@timpwhityou are correct about that immigration line. It was a tongue in cheek slap at his immigration problems at the time. Lennon sometimes could not resist tweaking someone’s nose.
Thank you for this, Britt. This song has resonated with so many all of these years. John is my favorite Beatle since the 60s when I was a kid.
I recently heard Chris Cornell sing this on a video during a Howard Stern show. Just stunning
RIP John and Chris ❤❤❤
What a great reaction. I love ❤❤ this song. It is inspirational, has beautiful Message & we all should try a little harder. I remember where I was the exact minute he departed this earth. I swear the earth stood still for a minute, just like when elvis departed this earth. It's a shame to lose such beautiful souls so young. Peace & Love to all. ✌️✌️✌️
This song always makes me cry.
Its like we’ve lost being deep and thoughtfull in present time compared to old times🙏😘
Thanks!
You start to understand what we all lost when he was killed
This is written while the Vietnam war was still going. Just peace.
You got my subscription after this strong reaction. This album, where this song comes from, has been my oldest record ever and i love this song in particular. My grandma bought it for me when i was 11 years., i think 1971. Thanks grandma!
The immigration line was thrown in because he was in the middle of a battle with US immigration, who, under the Nixon administration, was trying to deport him, an English man living in NYC.
John wrote this in 1971. All these years later, and nothing has changed really. Actually, society has gotten worse and the world is falling apart. Especially the USA. This song always makes me cry. 😢
Great reaction, Britt! ✌🏼❣️
Agreed 💯
We listened to this song back in the early 70s. We felt it was part of the peace and love vibe, coming just two years after Woodstock which was all about peace and love and drugs and vomiting and rain and mud and overflowing porta-potties and food helicoptered in. Imagine was very much a statement. I have never seen a video of it being performed. This is the first time I've seen that. Way back then we listened to Imagine on records- black vinyl platters played with a needle creating sound when the platter spun. The olden days. 🙂
I was in elementary school when Lennon was shot and killed and I will never forget going to school the day after, and seeing all the teachers faces. It was like the world ended. I didn't understand until I got into my late teens, how significant that day was. The Beatles changed music forever and Lennon changed people not just with his time in the Beatles, but also his solo career. Maybe even more so.
He was murdered by tge CIA in a (successful) attempt to end the hippie culture which was in their way to their war-mongering imperialistic agenda.
and Britt ,,do NOT forget ,, he wrote all those words ,,and that was from the heart !!!
Yeah - he just showed up as is - take it or leave it. WOW. Frigging GREAT song.
You're very intuitive, I've noticed that before. You also really listen to the lyrics, and try to make sense of them. You've gotten things that I've seen other's not even have a clue! You also make all this very entertaining to us, for that, I thank you. Thank you for bringing back songs of my time and appreciating them as much as we did.
Wow, I thank YOU! 🥲
Listent to the version of IMAGINE when he walks in the dark with YOKO and then into a white room playing the piano
talented man, love your reactions.
Imagine, we thought this was going to change the world. Great job Britt.
There’s another verse in the original recording. Check out the official video of the tune. It’s great.
He sang all three of the original verses, he just changed ' no religion ' to ' no immigration '. He also changed ' imagine no possessions, I wonder if YOU can ' to ' imagine no possessions, I wonder if WE can ', in response to the people who accused him of being a hypocrite.
after John Lennon's murder this song was played around the world at a prearranged time. It was the first time over a billion people listened to the same song at the same time.
You should hear his #9 Dream. Oh my God it's so lush and beautiful and positive and celebratory, and it itself was a hit.
John Lennon released this during the Vietnam war. It was played in many countries and the lyrics were on billboards
This is one of the most beautiful and lyrically perfect songs ever! John was a true genius.
This song means so much to me. And this is a great version.
Best song ever!!! So many great Lennon music. Working Class Hero, Mother, God, Isolation, Cold Turkey, Jealous Guy.....and more. RIP John.
The day after he was killed, I happened to be in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, where a large crowd of us sang this song.
Watching the Wheels is another great Lennon song.
Like a poetry reading and the author does a couple/three adlibs beyond the original text like adding "sisterhood" (likely Yoko's influence). Julian is his oldest son is now in his 60's and sounds much like his father. He recently did 'Imagine" because he could emotionally finally actually record it.
My all time favourite song and artist. I remember vividly the night he was killed. 😢
You, Britt, are a psychic!
Good one, Britt )) Interesting perspective
There’s a story that while he was in grammar school. The students were assigned a task by the teacher to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up. The only thing he wrote on the paper was HAPPY. The teacher told him he didn’t understand the assignment and he told her that she didn’t understand life.
And that’s exactly what it is… just a story.
Its a very simple message , get rid of all the causes of conflict and war, no religion, no borders, no things to own, everything that people fight and die for. Just live for each other and today.
That hippie mentality is what got him assassinated by the CIA
About the glasses - in my native language that style of glasses, small with round lenses is called after him :)
The man was Fifty years ahead of his time.
The greatest song ever written
I was lucky enough to live in California and get close to his star on the Hollywood walk of Fame thousands of us sang this on his Bday
This is one of my two favorite Lennon songs. The other is Working Class Hero. Check it out.
A great message to the world!
Peace and love
You've never heard "Imagine" ??? Not possible. One of the most famous songs in the history of music.
Enjoying your reactions Britt, especially to John Lennon. You’re very perceptive and really do ‘get’ John’s honesty in his music and his character- its those traits that have really drawn so many fans. By no means was he perfect, he made many mistakes, but he always wrote from his heart and its his soul you feel through his voice and music. ❤ ✌️🕊️
Before it can be done it has to be imagined. He questions if its possible
“Watching the wheels” is another song you will love and understanding his true nature even more
You should have seen John in the early 1960's leather jackets, ray bans, and generally a pretty cool dude. You could never tell the master genius that was lying underneath.
"Living for today..." "Go and have the day you deserve". You get it Britt.
Hey Britt! This is by far my favorite John Lennon tune, as a peace and love for all type of guy myself. I would love to see you react to "Here to Love" by my man, Lenny Kravitz! He was awarded his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, which is great, and he is nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. I love him so much, can you tell? I love you too, girlfriend.
GREATNESS!
It's a way of life 😀 😊
One of my favorites❤
One hell of a song that will live on long after we are dead
You are absolutely psychic. Intuitive for sure.
Britt
This song is a masterpiece. It’s as profound as the deepest ocean, but still the words are simple.
It’s political above just being a dreamer
Very insightful reaction. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Any video with John Lennon with no Yoko, is going to be great!
We lost such a special man.
This song is John Lennon in a nutshell -- he's preaching peace and love, but doing it in a really challenging and thought-provoking way. He's basically questioning the very foundations of civilization that we all take for granted: Countries. Religions. Possessions. What would society look like if we could rebuild from the ground up, with 20-20 hindsight, and leave out all the things that separate us from each other?
Communism
Such a masterpiece.
He is saying if the things people war over were removed (religion, nations, wealth and resources), the people of the world could live together in peace. Its a wonderful impossible dream .
Humanity wouldn't exist to begin with. I get his sentiment though.
It´s certainly his most iconic solo song. Lennon was a very interesting person. He was a quite dark person with an aggressive past, but tried hard to change himself and the world. It´s worth watching interviews with him, he´s very intelligent and brutally honest.
A few years ago I showed the official video with the lyrics to my classes of 7th grade Chinese students. They loved it!
An anthem for humanity.
This song is hell on earth
The commie anthom lol
Thank god! You've finally watched this!
look at the version of him and Yoko playing in a big white room and he is playing the piano and you can understand the lyrics. He was shot and killed outside hs apartment in NYC
And the CIA was at the scene
He's not suggesting that we give up all possessions leaving everyone with nothing, Quite the opposite. He's saying that every one should have everything, and share everything. A beautiful vision, indeed.
No he's not. He admitted that these are his communist beliefs. He was a known communist. He literally says no countries, no possessions, no religion. His beliefs are hidden in a beautiful melody.
It's one of his lesser songs actually. None of the attitudes in the song are in any way related to the way rank and file humans live their lives. It's an anthem for those who preen and posture in public, but don't walk the walk.
One of the positive developments in Lennon's attitudes, at the end of his life, was his complete disgust with the way President Jimmy Carter was driving the country into the ground. He expressed to several people that if he had the vote in the US he'd vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980. That is one thing about Lennon that I very much "imagine" with satisfaction.
After learning the lyrics to this song the scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest appears on a late night talk show with John Lennon makes more sense. Go back and watch that scene again.
The Immigration line isn't the original. It was "No Religion Too" He said Immigration because the US was trying to kick him out at the time.
This is such an amazing song. The lyrics are so so good. You should watch the Pentatonix version. I know you love them as much as I do. John would be proud.
Oh, please. Pentatonix' version is mediocre & John would be indifferent to it. GREAT REACTION Britt
✌️&❤️4🌍
@@oscarwilde6649But the Official video to get the visual references.
Liverpool airport is John Lennon airport, Above us only Sky!
If you've seen Forrest Gump, you'll recognize these words when he was on the talk show. ❤😊
Rest in peace, John
the real lyrics are....
...Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too........... not imagration
I think he used the word "immigration" in this live version because he was in the middle of a 10 year fight for the right to live in the USA.
Every government agency wanted to deport John Lennon and he had to fight to stay here ironically if he was deported he may still be alive!!!There were several reasons they wanted him out but ultimately there is no money in peace
Just great... I think you would also enjoy John's work in the Beatles. For The first ever live worldwide broadcast John wrote and sang All You Need is Love... Check it out. Across the Universe is another great one with the Beatles in terms of his poetry. Another great Lennon solo tune is Working Class Hero
John had a tendency of changing lyrics in his songs at concerts. His is the actual lyrics for Imagine:
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah
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
Livin' life in peace
You
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
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
Songwriter: John Winston Lennon
A great song 🔥🔥
john lennon was the greatest spiritualist in rock history...!!!!
Another John Lennon classic. "Give Peace A Chance" You have to check it out. Hope you see this or others let you know.
Pulling up the lyrics always helps clarify word confusions!😊
John’s most gorgeous song is All Across the Universe- but listen with the incredibly poetic lyrics! ❤
You should do the video where Lennon goes on stage at Madison square garden with Elton John
You are insightful😊
Gotta hear the official video this live doesn’t do it as much justice lol
one of the best songs ever written......unfortunately people who dare to preach peace , love and harmony between all ......get murdered . says a lot about humans!
Lennon had always had a critical perception of what he symbolized and how he felt he appeared to the general public. You might want to check out his song, "Working Class Hero". (FYI: In the original Phil Specter version, the words "...and no religion too" was changed in this version to "...and no immigration too", interesting choice and very topical to the current politics of our era.)
Have you seen the video of his song, #9 Dream (Ultimate Mix 2020) with the Plastic Ono Nuclear Band? The opening guitar solo was played by Native American Indian Jesse Ed Davis.
"When are you people going to realize I am a psychic?..." Well... you should already know the answer.
For a story song out of the 70s, you should try Harry Chapin's "Odd Job Man", "The Mayor of Candor", "Sniper" or "Bummer".
A world without possessions doesn’t mean we have to give up everything; it just means we share everything openly.
He was studying with Buddha so, yeah, maybe no possessions wasn't a metaphor.
The 60's was one of the most socially progressive times ever, in a good way. Everybody wanted to love everyone, no matter religion, politics, race, or country your from. The 60's was about love. It's like everyone forgets we did better 60 years ago than what the media thinks we are doing today. YES I know this is a 70's song, but JOHN told me himself he wrote this five years ealier. He wrote it with Yoko, and she isn't the devil you think she is.... she was right. John by himself with one album was better than the beatles with a decade (I AM JOKING, but I would like to hear rebuttles anyways).
Yes, you definitely need to see the original video that starts with and Yoko walking toward the house and watch the sweet ending.
You should listen to the other one ,when he’s playing the piano. Both are great 😊
No possessions!? What a Commy! (what a beautiful thought), he doesn't know how the world works (he knows how the world could work!)....tears.
No crony capitalism. Bet you complain about inflation.
You are psychic Britt. You just said what Watching the wheels go round is all about.