Lennon was known as an anti-establiment agitator. I am not sure, had he lived, that he would not have been considered an inovator. His music was diverse, his lyrics inspiring. As noted in SlantBlog, Lennon
"had a rare ability to move people.....he challenged people to change; to take a chance on a life based on something better."
I don't know if John Lennon thought of himself as a leader but people followed, they listened. The words of John Lennon still ring true, a testament to the timelessness of lyrical wisdom.
"All we are saying, is give peace a chance."
While I am as big of a Beatles fan as then next guy, I think Lennon's political views and philosophies were at best naive and at worst pernicious.
I know he has a huge following and there are many tributes to him today.
The melody of Imagine is captivating and at first glance is a beautiful message -
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...
But if you really take the message of the song for what it stands for, it is a message against taking a stand for a belief (no countries, no religions) or against the concept of right and wrong (no heaven or hell).
I dream of a utopia, and I can "Imagine" what it might be like to live as one, but I do not agree with how we arrive there.
I believe peace comes from strength and being willing to die, if needs be, to protect liberty and freedom and in defense of those countries that promote these God-given rights.
Posted by: Tim Stay | December 8, 2005 9:44 PM | Permalink to Comment