Ashwani Kumar Bhardwaj

What ticks in America

Date-July, 21, 2015
IMAGINE
This is interesting time when America was at finish of War and had new
challenges at home waiting for returning soldiers, more intellectual started
debating about social issues at home, so music composers and singer like
John Lennon addresses the song- "Imagine" (1971), which later became one
of the most recognizable and well-known songs of the past half-century or so.
It was made famous by an already loved musician, it's catchy, and it evokes
feelings of hope and happiness. Yet, it's also an extremely powerful piece of
protest writing. He at that time was trying to take peoples attention if they
want to alter perceptions of the present, as well as the future, in order to
inspire change. One of the song's verses goes:
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing for the world

Lennon is presenting his audience to picture how the world could be without all these
differences that divide people and turn others against each other. "Imagine" is simply a big "what
if?" question. Its similar idea we saw President Obama to use CHANGE in his election
campaign in 2008 to win mandate. The song presents an idealized "today," but it could also be
interpreted as a hopeful view of the "future." Lennon manages to point out everything wrong
with society and suggest a new, idealized one by using the same language. The song suggests

that a world without war, differences in religion, and greed/poverty would be the only way to
live. He also manages to do this in a hopeful, positive way--though the song is full of awful
circumstances. This is why the song is such a powerful protest tool. People are likely more
willing to listen to something that isn't angry or depressing. "Imagine" is a pleasant alternative to
traditional protest music.