John Lennon’s song “Imagine” released in October 1971. Imagine was the most successful single that Lennon produced and is debatably the best song in music history for its strong message. He wrote this song during the climax of the Vietnam War as an anti-war song. At this time in history peace movements were popular because of all the wars happening with the country and its people. His song is timeless as it still applies today. It is true that everyone wants peace, but this picture Lennon illustrates is a fantasy. The song “Imagine” is a fantasy imagination of John Lennon that pushes the ideology of communism through its resemblance.
The first verse of the song begins with challenging people to imagine. “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.” Lennon starts out by removing thoughts of religion by removing heaven and hell. Religion is a hotly debated topic of whether one is right or wrong over another. In the past and present day, religion has divided people in society because of the controversy behind it. Imagining no religion would eliminate people’s question of the afterlife and essentially allow them to live peacefully in the moment, not fighting over what happens after life itself. He says we must try a little. Most people are taught about religion growing up, and so it is hard to think about their life without a religion that revolves around what happens after life. The
For my rhetorical analysis paper I chose to use one of the most influential British singers of all time, John Lennon. In his song Imagine, the very first line, "Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try," (John Lennon, Imagine), causes the listener to automatically begin thinking. The song is emotionally filled and full of instances where a listener is forced to think of what Lennon is saying in the song. Lennon was considered a very influential leader in efforts of world peace during his time, and still to this day his messages reach across the world in his music. Songs such as “Imagine” which still have a strong and powerful message decades after its first release. Lennon had a simple style and approach which left nothing for deliberation, leading the listener straight to the point of his messages. "Imagine" is one of the best examples of this, Lennon establishes his point multiple times throughout this song and it creates a bond with his listeners which in turn creates a trust within himself and his words.
In “Let Prisoner’s Take College Courses”, John Lennon argues the concept of online educational programs for inmates. In this article, Lennon explains how workers in prisons support and allow the use of TVs in cells because TVs reduce the amount of time to create violence. Though, the televisions could have a much better use, such as free, pre-recorded university lectures to help the prisoners learn. Years ago, educational programs for inmates were a key component, but legislation squashed out the ability for prisoners to learn. Currently, very few prisoners are able to participate in these classes, though, the prisoners rarely are reincarcerated because of taking these courses. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo attempted to create more educational programs
There is no doubt that war is evil in every way. It is full of hatred and conflict and nothing comes out of it. It brings death, destruction, and the worst out of people. In a pacifistic yet desperate tone, Dalton Trumbo promotes anti-war ideals by explaining the life of a young soldier after he got affected by war in his novel Johnny Got His Gun. While some individuals’ point of view match with Trumbo’s, others may disagree with his reasoning. The controversial issue of the acceptance of war is talked about everybody, even popular artists. Some singers express their opinions on war via their songs, like George H. Cohan in his song “Over There (Johnny, Get Your Gun)”, and the band Metallica with their song “One”. Each sends different messages depending on the setting, their music’s genre, and diction used in the making of the lyrics.
Many large concerts occurred throughout America in the summer of 1969, but none were as well known and symbolic as Woodstock. Its message was clear; three days of Peace and Music. Its impact on America’s culture and society as well as its youth will not be forgotten for many years to come.
There have been many people, known as artists, who have tried to change the world through their art. “Art” can be paintings, music, dances, sculptures, literature, or photography. There are many ways to communicate and express ones feelings but The Beatles did it through their popular music. Although they didn’t focus on changing the world of politics or try to protest through their music they have songs that focus on those exact two things.
"Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," recorded in 1967, is to date the number one Rock and Roll album ever recorded. Sgt. Pepper's is considered to be the first concept album. There are many things that brought about the creation of The Beatles most influential album. Before The Beatles began the recording process of Sgt. Pepper's they had retired from touring. This gave the group ample time to experiment with different instruments, recording techniques and drugs. The album cover also sparked a revolution in itself. Many bands took notice of the creative elements of Sgt. Pepper's and learned from them.
Throughout all the anti-war protests and marches during the Vietnam War, it is interesting to note the changes in the music of that time. From the beginning of the war, where support and loyalty from Americans was present in songs, to the end of the war, where anger and distrust was evident in musical lyrics, American’s opinion changed about the war. This change in opinion was easily recognized by the altering of musical lyrics about the war when Americans grew tired of the constant sending of U.S. troops to Vietnam. The growing dissatisfaction with the Vietnam War led to increasing levels of anger and hostility in the popular music of the time.
War, a brutal, barbaric and animalistic concept that contradicts the essence of being human. War by Edwin Starr, and Happy Christmas by John Lennon are songs promoting the anti-war movement. Released in 1970 and 1972, whilst the war of Vietnam continues, both of these song depicts tone and mood through the themes love, peace and unity. Both artists has incorporated literary devices within the lyrics to convey the message and resonate it towards the audience.
John Winston Ono Lennon was born under the name John Winston Lennon well before he was married. He was born on the 9th of October 1940 and died on the 8th of December 1980 was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the band The Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. After his marriage to Yoko Ono in 1969, he changed his name to John Ono Lennon as said. Lennon disengaged himself from the music business in 1975 to raise his infant son Sean , but re-emerged with Ono in 1980 with the new album Double Fantasy. He was murdered three weeks after its release.
The British invasion began with the popularization of the rock group “The Beatles”. Their fame created an open door for other rock groups from england to make their debut in America. Although more intense, the music from the british invasion, and music influenced by it, also reflected the peace loving counterculture that was incorporated in folk music. Songs like “Revolution” by The Beatles and “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones clearly express the concerns that the public had for their own safety during war times. “Revolution” is about exactly what you would expect with the lyrics “We all want to change the world / But when you talk about destruction / Don't you know that you can count me out.” These lyrics, and akin lyrics found throughout this popular rock age, pushed many people to realize that it is better to be pacifist and fight anger with peace, rather than put american lives in jeopardy. Not only did these tunes reflect popular sentiment, they educated people on the importance of unity over segregation and
The Beatles: Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) was born in Liverpool on 7 July 1940. Drums and vocals. John Lennon was born in Liverpool on 9 October 1940. He was shot dead in New York on 8 December 1980. Rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals. Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool on 18 June 1942. Bass guitar, keyboards, lead guitar, drums, vocals. George Harrison was born in Liverpool on 25 February 1943. Lead guitar, sitar, keyboards, vocals.
The song “imagine” was written in a period of war and more specific in the 70s when the war of Vietnam was taking place. John lennon pathos’ main concern is to show to the audience how the world will look much better if people live in peace and away from any crisis and conflicts as he said, “Imagine all the people living in peace”. He tried to take listeners in a journey plenty of imagination. Peace for john must everyone's priority because no one will like to live in war, this is why he called the
the Beatles. And they had to go to Germany to do it. In order to
INTRODUCTION “Everybody loves you when you’re six feet in the ground,” was once said by John Lennon. “The finest day I ever had was when tomorrow never came,” - Kurt. Though they died in the midst of their career, John Lennon and Kurt Cobain amazed people with their successes, obstacles, music.
In his first anthology of poems entitled “Song of Myself”, Walt Whitman reveals some of his views on democracy through the use of symbolism and free verse poetry. His use of symbolism and free verse poetry creates indeterminacy, giving the reader hints rather than answers about the nature of the poem. In the sixth part of “Song of Myself”, a child asks the narrator of the poem, “What is the grass?” (Whitman). Instead of simply giving an answer, the narrator cannot make up his mind, and stumbles on how to explain the grass to the child. Through the use of specific symbolisms, Whitman, as the narrator, explicates his views while remaining under the façade of explaining grass to the child. The views Whitman conveys remain indeterminate and