Music Therapy: Jack Johnson “Imagine”
October 21, 2009
I know you’ve heard it… but have you LISTENED to it? Really?
I know, I know… you don’t have time… you’re at work… you’ve heard the song a bunch of times… who the heck cares about idealistic, hippie crap, like World Peace? Not like it will make a difference, right?
You never know. Music is magic…
Original Lyrics by John Lennon:
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…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
*
Are YOU a dreamer? Or, am I the only one?
Just this once, Imagine… REALLY IMAGINE:
All the people living for today, in peace, sharing all the world.
AS ONE.
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Nothin’ like some Jack Johnson to brighten anyones day. In Between Dreams ’twas the first ever album I owned.
David Turnbull´s last blog ..How to Win the Ovarian Lottery
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No religion would be a good start. Swapping it for a balance of rationalism and spiritualism would do the world so much good.
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..Did You Know There Are So Many Online Tools For Lifestyle Designers?
@ David: Good morning! You’re up bright and early today. It’s great to see you here, David. I’d gotten used to seeing you pretty regularly over at ZenHabits; now that Leo doesn’t have comments, I miss seeing his tribe!
I’m glad this brightened your day. Imagine his been my favorite song forever, and Jack Johnson my favorite singer. When I heard he’d done this cover, I was instantly in heaven!
@ Gordie: Swapping religion for a balance of rationalism and spiritualism, huh? Just to play devil’s advocate, I’d say the problem isn’t religion per se, but our tendency to follow without questioning, or knowing what we believe. How about a balance of individuality and compassion?
Great to see you too, Gordie. That smile always brightens my day.
I always have time for Jack Johnson. I’m a dreamer. You’re not the only one. My dream is to live my life free, and that by living free others will join in. Thanks for sharing this song.
Jill´s last blog ..Humility is a gift
Thanks, Jill… it’s always nice to mingle with other dreamers. I’ll join you in living free and inspiring others to do so. Have a wonderful day!!
Lisis,
Oh, what a great rendition of this song. And your right – I am at work, and still – these lyrics – have I really and deeply let them sink in before? Have I? Not like today. Lisis, I let these words enter my soul…I let the dream live… And that’s so good. I am a dreamer. Do I dream enough, though? Or do I slip too often into reality? Well….not that I can avoid reality (or that I should) – it’s just – I think it becomes easy to let dreaming moments go – and focus on some task, or thing, or project.
I’m going to do a little extra dreaming today….and you too, my friend…keep on dreaming…
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
Thank you, Lance! I was thinking that if even a small fraction of my readers actually did what I am asking and took a moment or a few moments today to really imagine a world like this, then collectively we might get a little closer to manifesting it, right?
We have to first imagine what we want, and be specific about it, and then want it with all our hearts, and then maybe… ? I’m just saying, when I was growing up in Costa Rica, I used to tell people I wanted a blonde-haired, blue-eyed son. Everyone thought I was crazy, but guess what? That’s exactly what I got.
If we don’t ask, how will the Universe know what to provide?
Mmmmm. Music is magic, indeed. In fact, I think it might be the highest form of magic. I know it’s the highest form for me; nothing (to me) is more magical than the muse flowing through one heart to many others, bringing them all together in a way that no one fully understands.
Music has a way of crossing all boundaries, and bringing all people together, regardless of race, color, language, or any other “divisive” characteristic. I’m not sure that anything else has that power. John Lennon recognized that, and I’m so glad that other people have taken that message and spread it even further.
You’re speakin to my heart, dear one. Loved this post! (But then again, you knew I would, didn’t you)
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Memories Best Left Forgotten
This post, Jay, was specifically for YOU.
Hey Lisis,
Thanks for showing me this song (and author)! Somehow I was missing on Jack Johnson goodness until now. Imagine is a wonderful song, it’s among the first (together with let it be and another brick in the wall) that I ever played in public on the drums. I love this song.
Peace,
Zoli
Great post! I particularly love the line about “living for today.” So important to live in the present!
OH, Zoli! If you were missing out on Jack Johnson then this post was a MUST. Time to bring his mellow vibe into your life, my friend. There’s a neat video of Jack Johnson and Ben Stiller you should see while you are at it (Taylor).
Dani, I think that’s my favorite line too… or the “live as one” part. It’s a toss up, but the whole song is incredible… like much of what John Lennon did.
[...] As posted on Quest For Balance I know you’ve heard it… but have you LISTENED to it? Really? [...]
No Lisis, you’re not the only one. Thankfully there are many of us out there. Just working my way through my favourite blogs and it seems to me there are a LOT of us dreamers out there. Just not many mass media voices … we need a few more ‘Imagine’s to tip the scales and start getting attention. But I’m hopeful we’re all moving in the right direction.
Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..A World Where Conflicts Are Solved Peacefully
This song never fails to give me chills. Thank you for this.
Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..The Familiarity Factor and What it Means For Your Success
@ Ian: I have noticed that too… there seem to be a lot more people who actually CARE about making the world better, or believe it can happen. But I also wonder if it has more to do with my perspective. Now that I care, I notice more people who also care… even though they were there all along.
Like, when I learned the phrase deus ex machina for the first time (from the Lemony Snicket books), I started noticing it in movies, conversations, novels, and all over the place. But it’s unlikely that everyone just started using the phrase… it was there all along, and I just didn’t see it because I wasn’t aware of it.
I’m not sure if this should motivate me, because caring people have always been around and always will be; or if it should depress me, because it means nothing is really going to change just because I care now. At least I know I am moving in a better direction and I’ll gladly bring anyone along with me who is headed where I’m headed.
@ Hayden: Me too! I spent part of a day listening to all sorts of covers of Imagine, and this was my favorite. Some other highlights: David Archuletta’s angelic voice, and Eddie K. (from Live) with a soulful rendition… oh, and Freddy Mercury, with his inimitable style and flare.
Hi Lisis,
This is one of my favorite songs. I think such a world could exist if we all did our best when we are out in the world. So often we talk of a utopia and expect it to just happen without considering our own role.
As Gandhi so wisely stated “be the change you want to see in the world”. So as a fellow dreamer, it is my goal and hope to be that change every day. Some days are easier than others but I try.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Dependent Origination: Get Ready For Enlightenment, Baby
Hi Lisis!
This song never fails to warm my heart! And Johnson’s version is fabulous! I am SO the dreamer! I wouldn’t have it any other way! It has taken me a long time to be able to be totally informed on the world’s happenings but not upset by it all. Ain’t nobody gonna take my dream of peace and love away!
suzen´s last blog ..Cinderella at the USO Ball
Music is magic! I love it!
Lisis, I discovered Jack Johnson when I first moved to San Diego almost ten years ago, and I just LOVE the guy. I mean, really, really adore him and his chillax demeanor.
You can just tell the guy is full of groovitude.
More importantly, I love this song. Almost every time I hear it I get a little weepy. I have so much hope and desire for all of us to see each other as we really are – beautiful brothers and sisters living on/in Gaia together.
Great post today, sister Li!
~xo
Lori´s last blog ..How to Not Blow Up Your Blog in Disgust After Three Months
Jack Johnson is great. A coworker saw me listening to Chris Isaac, and mentioned that I would probably like Jack Johnson also… and I did! It is great to see positive lyrics like these. Too often today, songs play upbeat tunes, but are full of negative lyrics.
Eric´s last blog ..Vacation Rage – Eight ways to reduce theme park stress
@ Nadia: Hello, fellow dreamer! You are right, some days are definitely better than others… but if we keep trying and don’t give up, it’s bound to make a difference. Wouldn’t you think?
@ Suzen: I know what you mean. For a long time I couldn’t watch the news or hear about “stuff” around the world without letting it make me bitter, or fearful, or upset in some way. Now those things don’t phase me as much. They are moments in time, but my big picture is still optimistic.
@ Lori: Thanks, Lo! I’ve often thought if I could hang out with one famous person, it would probably be this guy because he seems so mellow and awesome. Wouldn’t it be something if it was just his stage image, and he was actually a stressed out, type A control freak? Ha!
@ Eric: Good point. Kids today are dancing around to fun melodies with horrible lyrics. I will say that the Black Eyed Peas has done a great job of mixing in socially responsible lyrics and messages to their upbeat music. Will.I.Am has a different vibe, but still a positive effect.