I’m amazed that John Lennon‘s original version of “Imagine” only reached #3 on the Billboard charts while he was alive (it later reached #1 after his death). At the same time it is a universal, classic song of hope and peace that has been covered by numerous artists such as Joan Baez, Dolly Parton, Rick Springfield, and Tracie Spencer. In New York‘s Times Square, what a sobering moment it was for me to hear “Imagine” playing just before the stroke of midnight as has become the tradition. I was watching on television, and can only imagine (no pun intended..ha ha) what it must feel like actually standing out in Times Square in that moment.
Released in 1971, “Imagine” is as relevant today as it was then. My first exposure that I can readily recall was when Tracie Spencer was having her moment in the music spotlight back in 1989. She was a product of the original “American Idol” style singing competition called “Star Search” (it pains me to know that some of you may never have heard of that show nor watched it). There’s a talented singer that seemed to disappear into thin air. I need to do some research on her and see what she’s up to these days.
Anyhooz, I digress…
Happy New Year, folks…
If hearing this song over the past few days leaves you wanting more of the late John Lennon, check out “Nowhere Boy” about Lennon’s teen years now playing in UK Theaters and set to be released in the US in Spring 2010.
Related Links
- Ifelicious Thoughts– all of my Throwback Friday posts
- Entertainment Daily– Up to 1 million revellers at Times Square to usher in 2010
- IMDB– Nowhere Boy
- The Observer– Nowhere Boy (film review)
- Beatlepress Blog– John Lennon early life bio “Nowhere Boy” coming to US theaters
- John Lennon official website– Hard Rock International Announces “Imagine There’s No Hunger Campaign”
- Imagine Peace– information about Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Justice Building– Imagine
- BBC News– In pictures: Lennon remembered
Bonus Track
“Imagine” as covered by Tracie Spencer
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