The five greatest covers of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’
There were a number of factors that led to The Beatles splitting up, but one of the most overpowering was their continued creative differences.
John Lennon, despite becoming one of the most famous vocalists and songwriters on the planet, always felt as though he had to lie when he was performing with The Beatles. Not blatant lies, but rather, he had to subvert honesty, persistently compromising on his truth in a bid to continue to appeal to the masses. He didn’t want to just be a pop artist, but he was being forced into that box, and by leaving The Beatles, he also shook off this label.
When he left the band, he took full advantage of his newfound freedom, and in doing so, started writing music that was more of a reflection of his political views and takes on society, rather than just pandering to the masses. He did this most effectively with the track ‘Imagine’, a song which spoke of a world with no possessions, money, religion or war.
It was met with controversy, as some called the song hypocritical, coming from a millionaire who doesn’t want for anything. You can understand this point of view; however, regardless of your opinion on Lennon’s right to put together such a song, there is no denying that it’s a beautiful track which has stood the test of time.
Its fame has brought with it plenty of covers, as many artists have felt desperate to put their own spin on the classic. Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of the song’s release, it seems fitting to celebrate the track itself and some of the best cover versions of it.
The best covers of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’:
Neil Young
Neil Young offers no thrills with his rendition of ‘Imagine’. Instead, he decides to play the piano, a subtle string section peaks its head in the background every now and then, while Young’s iconic voice takes centre stage. It sounds beautiful, a great testament to Lennon, but equally a gorgeous original take.
The beauty of this rendition is elevated when you have the context for when it was played. During a fundraiser that raised money for families of victims of 9/11, a plethora of musicians played heartfelt renditions of different tracks. It was here that Young opted to play ‘Imagine’, a brave move that resonated beautifully. Truly one of the greatest and most moving covers of all time.
Joan Baez
It’s no secret that John Lennon was influenced by folk music. There was something ingrained in the unrelenting honesty of artists like Joan Baez that never failed to influence him. As such, having an artist like her cover his song is already iconic in itself, the fact that she does it such justice only makes things better.
Baez doesn’t do too much different with the song. She recognises it as a track famed for its heartfelt simplicity, and so she champions that, with a guitar and vocal rendition that stays true to the original. She carries it off tremendously, her gorgeous voice doing the thought-provoking words justice in every single syllable.
Willie Nelson
Has there ever been an artist who can convey beauty and emotion in simplicity better than Willie Nelson can? There is something about his voice that greets you like a long lost family member, something which you don’t come across much and yet sounds familiar the moment you do. This vocal tone on ‘Imagine’ works perfectly, and that’s what makes it one of the best covers of the song.
Of course, there is slightly more to it than that. Nelson plays around with the instrumentation a little bit, not too much, but enough to ensure it feels more reminiscent of the sound that he became famous for. The song is still perfectly recognisable, just with a slight Nelson twist, and who doesn’t want a piece of that?
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder’s cover came at one of his shows. As he sat on stage with nothing but a guitar and a microphone, the crowd erupted when the iconic notes of ‘Imagine’ started playing. Vedder went on to deliver a deep-sounding rendition of the track, one where he missed out the high notes and allowed the crowd to fill those in for him. It’s not the greatest sounding version of ‘Imagine’ but it’s beautiful for another reason… Let me explain.
When people are watching Eddie Vedder, chances are they’re a fan of grunge music, which is far removed from what The Beatles and John Lennon did as solo artists. However, when those opening chords are played, even at an Eddie Vedder concert, people instantly recognise them as a thing of beauty. There is no cover of ‘Imagine’ that highlights the expanse of this song better than Vedder’s rendition.
Ray Charles
How can Ray Charles’ version of this song not make the cut? One of the most soulful and heartfelt voices on the planet singing some of the most honest lyrics ever written? Sign me up. And Charles doesn’t disappoint in his layered and atmospheric version of ‘Imagine’.
Charles completely makes the song his own, with the instrumentation, swagger and vocal inflexions on the track. It doesn’t diminish the meaning, it instead just presents it in a way more in keeping with Charles’ style. It highlights the excellence of Charles and the adaptability of John Lennon’s songwriting.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Beatles Newsletter
All the latest stories about The Beatles from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.