The Cavern
Rock & Words
IMAGINE (John Lennon, 1971)
Artist: John Lennon (C)
Recording Dates: Feb – Jul ‘71
Release Date: September 9th, 1971. UK
Record Label: Apple
Producer: John Lennon, Yoko Ono & Phil Spector
Rating: 10 (MUST HAVE, ICONIC ALBUM)
Era: The Great Transition (1970-1980+)
Subgenre: The Great Transition
Best Song: Imagine
Tracklist: 1) Imagine; 2) Crippled Inside; 3) Jealous Guy; 4) It’s So Hard; 5) I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier; 6) Give Me Some Truth; 7) Oh My Love; 8) How Do You Sleep; 9) How; 10) Oh Yoko!
I heard Imagine even before any Beatles studio album. At that time, my knowledge was limited to a couple of compilation albums and that box set of eight acetates of the Fab Four 's best tracks that came in a Reader 's box set. Digest , which a friend lent me. Until then, Imagine was just a jingle from a Whirlpool commercial to me. Listening to the album was a shock. From the cover, where John stared at me, ethereal, among clouds, from that heaven where he belonged. The music that came out was nothing like what I was just getting used to with the quartet. Imagine stopped being a washing machine commercial and enveloped me in its warmth, in lyrics I was still trying to decipher, but which I sensed were something profound. You don't need to be an expert or older than 11 to recognize the gentle power of that song, which has become an anthem, not just for a generation, but for humanity itself. The rest was strange. The country feel of " Crippled Inside," which I still couldn't quite grasp as an attack on Paul. The delicate beauty of " Jealous Guy"; the ferocious blues of " It's So Hard"; the echo-laden despair of "I Don't Want To Be a Soldier"; the brutal honesty of “ Gimme Some Truth”, the heartbreaking minimalism of “ Oh My Love”, the also misunderstood fury in “How Do You Sleep? ”; that kind of innocent tenderness in “How?”; and the enchanting melody of “Oh Yoko!” whose simple title already caused me some anger.
A short album, barely 40 minutes long, diverse, charming, addictive. A showcase of John in all his facets: the utopian, the politician, the one who makes mistakes, the lover, the fearful one, the philosopher, the angry one, the vulnerable one… How can such a small album be so great? Because Lennon reveals himself here as the man he is, with his flaws, with an enormous range of emotions. It's easy to identify with each song, because John doesn't speak from the perspective of an icon, but from that of an ordinary man, and that's what makes this work so colossal and universal.
Lennon was in a very vulnerable stage. The Plastic Ono Band had been critically acclaimed, but not all fans understood its minimalism, so he decided his next album would have more instrumentation. While in New York, he ran into George Harrison, jammed for a while, and John invited him to play on his album, the sessions for which were starting in a week. George gladly accepted, and he even arranged for his old friend from his Hamburg days, Klaus Voormann, to play bass. Unfortunately, Ringo was busy, so he declined the offer. Phil Spector once again served as producer, and although his Wall of Sound wasn't fully present , his touch was much more noticeable than on the previous album. Alan White and Jim Ketner were brought in for drums. Nicky Hopkins joined at the last minute to play keyboards on some tracks.
Another point to consider is undoubtedly Ram. Paul had once again jumped the gun, releasing his second album in May , halfway through the Imagine sessions. John couldn't help but get furious at the attacks, real or imagined, that Paul was launching at him. The truth is that " Too Many People" was too obvious to be a misunderstanding. I wonder if Paul would have dared to release it had he heard "Imagine" first. Perhaps not, which I'm grateful for because, as I've already mentioned, I really love that song. John wrote "How Do You Sleep?" the very night he heard Ram. A furious track, but it must be said, a masterpiece. What other stuff we could What to expect from him ? “I heard Paul’s messages in Ram - yes there are dear reader! Too many people going where? Missed our lucky what? What was our first mistake? Can’t be wrong? Huh! I mean Yoko, me, and other friends can’t all be hearing things… What am I supposed to do, make you laugh? It’s what you might call an ‘angry letter,’ sung - get it? ” George would also feel targeted by “3 Legs,” and he gave one of his best performances here, with a furious guitar and a solo that must have hurt Paul almost as much as the lyrics. “ Crippled Inside” would also be a direct and pointed dedication, and if it wasn’t clear enough, John appears on the back cover holding a pig by the ears, parodying the Ram cover.
The iconic front-facing photo was taken by Andy Warhol with an instant camera. The album was released in September and immediately shot to number one. Curiously, the song "Imagine" wouldn't be released as a single in England until four years later. Reviews were mixed, but generally positive. "Imagine" returned to number one in December 1980—we all know why—becoming from then on more than a song, more than an anthem, the ethereal voice of a John who refuses to leave.
The album opens with “Imagine”. You could write a master's degree dedicated solely to this song. Seriously. The piano line is iconic, delicate yet powerful. It was recorded at their home in Tittenhurst Park, on the living room piano that appears in the video, with subsequent studio overdubs . Yoko would say that John composed the music almost in one sitting, just playing around one morning at the white piano. In the studio, Voorman 's bass , White's drums, and a string arrangement were added, highlighting the hopeful vocals. The piano itself evokes a sense of peace, tranquility, and optimism, with those C notes and that short, swift scale leading to F. The song, despite its political themes, is very melodic and catchy, especially the chorus. Everyone knows it. I once saw a video of an airport waiting area at Christmas, with people fed up with a delayed flight. Suddenly, “Imagine” starts playing, and one person here, another there, and by the bridge, everyone joins in, singing “Imagine all the people , living for today …” and at the end, they applaud and hug each other and forget their bad moods for a while. And the way he finishes the bridges, with the “Uh- Uhhh, ” is brilliant, a hook that even McCartney wouldn't have thought of. This isn't a song to fill stadiums, but to unite the world, and people react to it wherever they are. John was heavily criticized, not for the song itself, but for owning a Rolls Royce, buying an apartment in the Dakota, having millions and millions, and talking about equality. Perhaps there's some truth to that, but John earned that money with his talent. What's important, in any case, is his message. A world without everything that makes us hate each other, without everything that's supposed to make us different: religion, nationality, materialism, without that fear of hell instilled in us from the cradle, without reasons to kill, which is basically the opposite of what TV, politics, and the Church try to teach us every day , no matter what country you're in. More than an anthem, for me it's a creed, the utopia of a world that will never be, set to music. John himself acknowledges it as almost impossible, as a dream, but at the same time he extends that invitation: “I hope someday you'll join us , and the world will " Live as one." If we all came to think like this, if our leaders came to think like this… It's an ode to humanity, to peace, to equality, to breaking down the barriers we've created. At some point, they asked for permission to use it in a campaign, but they asked him to change the lyrics to "And one religion." "Too, " and John exploded, saying no, that if they wanted to change that line, they hadn't understood anything. That's why it's become such a powerful theme, returning with every massacre, with every illogical act of man against man, whatever the reason. That's why it wasn't #Prayforparis, but #Imagineforparisandlebanon. When we seem to need him most, John's figure, like a cloud, resonates everywhere again, as if saying, I'm still here. I don't know what to believe about Lennon's death, whether it was just a deranged man or a conspiracy theory behind it, but what I am sure of is that, to a large extent, his death was due to the powerful message of "Imagine."
“You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one.”
Next up is “Crippled Inside”, where he goes all out for McCartney’s jugular, despite the song’s carefree, country feel. It has to be said, though: if Paul used some of Lennon’s biting lyrics on Ram, John used a plethora of McCartney-esque melodies and hooks on Imagine. It’s incredibly catchy , and like “ Too Many People,” you can’t help but feel a certain guilty pleasure while singing the chorus. Harrison makes his first contribution here with the dobro , a kind of steel guitar with which he creates those distinctly Southern slides and arrangements. Hopkins shines with those saloon -flavored pianos , while Klaus uses a double bass to further emphasize that rustic feel. John didn’t hold back in his response to Paul, and perhaps it was better that this one appeared on the album first, rather than the even more scathing attack he had prepared. Without mincing words, he spits at Paul:
“you can shine you're shoes
and wear a suit
You can comb your hair
and look quite cute
You can hide your face
behind a smile
one thing you can't hide
“is when you're crippled inside”
The worst part is that it's adorable, and that innocent country disguise along with the great melody is part of the slap in the face. It's not one of John's epic tracks, but it's a good song, and quite clever.
Then comes “Jealous Guy”, one of the most beautiful ballads in the world. It’s almost unbelievable that this song emerged in Rishikesh, after a reading by Maharishi . Paul wrote “ Mother’s Nature Son” that day, and John, trying to do something similar, composed “Child of Nature,” which we can hear as a demo on the Anthologies. The song was shelved until Imagine, where it was completely reworked with new arrangements and lyrics. Nicky Hopkins provides the delicate piano arrangement that drives the song. A harmonium and string arrangement are added. The bass enters with a riff leading into the chorus, “I didn’t mean to hurt. ” "You …" and the drums kick in until the second verse, at 1:10. Voorman delivers a formidable, understated yet powerful guitar line that adds depth and personality. The melody is spectacular, and John sings with infectious emotion—tender, pained, unafraid of sounding vulnerable. Instead of a solo, he adds a bridge with a piercing whistle. The lyrics are again outstanding, unafraid to reveal his weaknesses. It was long debated whether the song was written for Yoko, given his well-known infidelities, though not the other way around. Legend has it that it was written for Yoko after he once asked her about her lovers before him and forced her to list them and rate them from 1 to 10. The relationship nearly fractured that day, and John wrote this monumental poem as an apology. The truth is, it's a beautiful song, about jealousy, regret, pain, and love. John opens up completely. did in the Plastic Ono Band created a song that resonates deeply , one that you hope you'll never have to dedicate to someone. There are also countless versions, perhaps the best known being Roxy Music's, released shortly after the murder, but I personally prefer Collective Soul's.
We continue with “It's So Hard”, a straightforward blues track where John plays distorted guitar, very much in the style of “ Yer Blues” and other rhythmic pieces he did with the quartet. A response to “3 Legs,” perhaps? In other words, if he can make a rustic blues, why can't I? It's very simple, with a prominent bass line and string arrangements with oriental undertones that miraculously don't sound out of place, as does King Curtis's sax . The lyrics speak of the simple things in life, which suddenly become very heavy when you're depressed. It's not monumental, but even the less powerful tracks sound great and full of character.
“I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier” is another strange song; I don’t know if it’s political, one of those introverted ones, or a satire. The most emblematic line is “Well, I don’t wanna be a Soldier mama, I don't " Wanna Die," in a kind of schizophrenic blues jam that has barely two or three notes, in the style of the third disc of * All Things Must Pass*. John resorts to lyrical simplicity, reminiscent of "I Want You," using the same line and melody , but changing the last words: from soldier to lawyer, from rich man to poor man, from beggar to man of the Church. The session took place on the same day that "Power to the People," which would be released as a single , was recorded , and therefore has a similar feel, reminiscent of Spector's "Wall of Sound ," with lots of echo, a very pronounced rhythm section, and Curtis's sax . As a side note, John wasn't satisfied with the studio version, so he took his band to his house, where he had recorded *Imagine*, to try it out. That's why it sounds so full of echo. Alan White played the vibraphone in the bathroom, which is why it sounds so distant with even more echo. At one point, he jokingly considered ending up with the sound of a flushing toilet. Paul's debut, but thankfully he forgot about it. It's the longest track on the album, at almost 6 minutes, but somehow it manages not to sound too repetitive and it works with the mood .
The B-side opens with “Gimme Some Truth”. John began composing this track during the “ Get Back” sessions, but it still needed some refinement. It's a hard-hitting song, again featuring memorable melodies. The main riff is a three-note drizzle that adjusts to the key changes, creating a circular and psychedelic feel. The rhythm section is raw, but it contributes to the song's simultaneously aggressive and mellow aura. George delivers a great guitar solo at :45, with his signature style. John sings with a rage Unusual : “I'm sick and tired of hearing things, From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites .” The lyrics are a direct slap in the face, this time to the American political class, which had John fed up with the media manipulation of the Vietnam War, which was still far from over. He even takes a jab at “ Tricky Dicky” Nixon. John uses his peculiar lyricism and cynicism to go for the jugular and demand some truth from the pigsty that Vietnam had become, bringing back a generation addicted to cocaine and heroin, which would ultimately destroy the organic hippie movement. The song is very good, with protest lyrics, that riff like a bittersweet tide (which was supposedly based on a lullaby), and that furious way of singing that I think we'll never hear again. As it fades away in a slow fade out , the last thing you hear is supposed to be “ This "is the truth ," referring to the next topic.
“Oh My Love” is a beautiful ballad, with George’s guitar and John’s piano creating a delicate dialogue. Hopkins adds an electric piano that blends in perfectly. It was also one of the tracks worked on during the White Album sessions , but was obviously left out. Despite being earlier, it was already dedicated to Yoko, and the lyrics also allude to that awakening of consciousness they were trying to achieve in India: “Oh my lover for the first time in me My life " Eyes Can See ." I think it attempts to achieve the minimalism and beauty of "Love." It doesn't quite reach it, but it's still a beautiful song, conveying peace and tenderness, and its vocal style contrasts sharply with the previous track. It's the most minimalist song on the album.
And speaking of contrasts, we arrive at the controversial point with “How Do You Sleep?”, John's virulent response to Ram. Unfortunately, it's very good, leaving nothing to chance. It begins with the sounds of an orchestra tuning up, similar to Sgt. Pepper, which it references from the very first line : “So Sgt . Pepper took “You by surprise …”. Starostin is right to say that he doesn’t know how Paul slept before this song, but it surely kept him up for at least a week. The Wall of Sound reappears with a very deep bass line, which fits Voorman ’s basic style very well . It’s not a bass guitar masterpiece, but it manages to carry some tracks with very practical lines. Hopkins’ piano and George’s guitar add licks and embellishments while John unleashes his echo-laden venom: “ Those freaks was right when they said you was “ Dead ,” he says, alluding to the legend that Paul had died in a car accident in 1966. Then the chorus kicks in, with a spectacular orchestration tinged with Eastern influences, and the guitar and bass build that almost destructive two-tone riff. “Ohhhh how do you "Sleep at night ?", and after the second time he sings it, a maraca with a jingling effect sounds... At 2:40 comes the most spectacular solo on the album, with Harrison doing a spectacular job with the slide and a touch of wah . A top-level solo that must have hurt Paul almost as much as the poisonous lyrics: "The only thing you done was Yesterday, And since you've gone It's just another “ day .” The second line was suggested by Allen Klein, who remained as his manager , in reference to Paul’s new single , and to avoid a potential lawsuit over the line John had originally added. At the end, Nicky launches into an electric piano solo, closing with an elegant touch. The worst part, just like “ Too Many People,” is that it’s a great track, very well constructed, tense, with a melody you won’t get out of your head for months, and perhaps the best instrumental work on the album. Legend has it that Ringo stopped by the studio precisely when they were recording this track and declined to play drums, saying, “ That’s enough , John", and returning home. Some time later , John would minimize it : "It's not about Paul, it's about me. I'm really attacking myself. But I regret the association, well, what's to regret? I have lived through it. The only thing that matters is how he and I feel about these things and not what the writer or commentator thinks about it. Him and me are okay .”
Lennon takes another sharp turn with "How?", a philosophical ballad, with John playing the piano, and showing himself vulnerable, with the fears that tormented him even after the breakup of the Beatles: "How can I go forward when I don't know which way I'm facing ?”. It was inspired by Primal therapy, in which she had detoxed from heroin and from which Plastic resulted. Ono Band. It's minimalist, perhaps with a bit more instrumentation than that album, but it fit well on that record. Here it provides balance, showing the human John, singing with a tender, tired voice, which he doesn't hesitate to acknowledge: “ Sometimes I feel I've had " Enough ." It's very simple, but the piano and string arrangement elevates it and makes for another very good John ballad.
Imagine closes with “Oh Yoko”. It’s simply adorable. The melody is like gum stuck to your shoe for a month, the catchiest on the album and perhaps in John’s entire catalog. If you catch yourself singing “Oh Yoko, Oh Yoko, my love will turn you "on ," and you feel tremendous guilt, you're not the only one. The lyrics are a kind of cliché upon cliché, I don't know if trying to copy the syrupy ballads that Paul dedicated to Linda: "In the middle of a shave , in the middle of a shave I call your " Name ." Hopkins' almost childlike piano playing is also catchy, very melodic, and infectiously joyful. Spector contributed vocals for the chorus harmonies. In short, it's one of those songs that, no matter how hard you try to hate it, you just can't. The melody is irresistible, and that's what keeps me from marking it in blue. A guilty pleasure .
In short. An iconic album, John's most representative, the album that those unfamiliar with his work should start with, and that those who are familiar with it should revisit from time to time to remember why it's so great and why it remains so relevant. It's not just a portrait of the emotions he was experiencing at that time, after the Beatles' breakup and the falling out with Paul. It's a glimpse into the more human side of John, and that's why it's so easy to connect with each song. With much greater production and instrumentation than its predecessor, it still maintains a certain minimalist approach before fully embracing sonic walls. Intelligent, diverse, more accessible, with enormous melodies, excellent arrangements… John was also at a great creative peak, simply because he makes it seem effortless to achieve what he did here. The only difference with its close cousin, Ram, is that not all the songs maintain that Beatlesque aura ; here, John seems to have already found his own identity and sound that would guide him in his short solo career, although he would never again reach this level, not on a full album. John left a great legacy, and there are definitely many other great songs, but I think Imagine is and will remain HIS quintessential album, the one that best defines him, and not just because of the title track, but because of the high quality of all the songs.
“You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one..."
By Corvan
Dec/27/2015
