1971 Hit Piano Ballad, Never a No. 1 Hit, Considered Artist's 'Greatest Musical Gift to the World'
The best-selling single of his solor career, "Imagine" by John Lennonis an iconic, prolific, well-known piano ballad depicting a world filled with peace and harmony. Co-written by Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, "Imagine" is a song that has a true legacy. Called Lennon's "greatest gift to the musical world" by Rolling Stone, the song has gone on to to be covered by more than 200 artists, and it was listed at number three on the ranking of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" by the same publication.
When discussing the lyrics and composition of "Imagine," Lennon often credited a 1964 poem called "Grapefruit" by Ono. He also credited the idea of praying for the song saying:
"The concept of positive prayer ... If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion-not without religion but without this my God-is-bigger-than-your-God thing-then it can be true ... the World Church called me once and asked, 'Can we use the lyrics to 'Imagine' and just change it to 'Imagine one religion'?' That showed [me] they didn't understand it at all. It would defeat the whole purpose of the song, the whole idea."
"Imagine" was composed on a Steinway piano in Berkshire, England. The piano today is owned by George Michael, who bought it in 2000. Ultimately released in 1971, the song would go on to be the best-selling single of Lennon's entire solo career.
The lyrics of "Imagine" have been subject to controversy since its release in the early 1970s. The lyric "Imagine there's no heaven" has particularly upset different religious groups, while Lennon's hypocrisy as a very rich musician promoting wanting no material possessions was also subject to conversation.
Ultimately, "Imagine" has become one of the most recognizable songs of all time. Even so far as memorial with the exact title was erected in Lennon's memory in Central park following his death.
The legacy of "Imagine" has lived on in numerous ways. Since 2005, the song has played at 11:55 PM in New York City on New Year's Eve prior to the ball dropping in Time's Square. It has been covered by more than 200 prolific artists including David Bowie, Lady Gaga, John Legend, and Lennon's own son, Julian Lennon. Subsequently, the song has reentered the charts numerous times throughout the years.
In 2023, the song was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 2:10 AM.