The objective of the following text is to discuss the song “Imagine” by John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band.

Just considering the title the intelligent reader/listener expects the song to be about someone who imagines, and maybe is dreaming something very difficult to manage. He or she understands that the song is referred to somebody that the singer invites to imagine but we do not know yet what exactly.

The song starts with few seconds of only instrumental: the careful listener can hear that there is only a string instrument: a piano which beats the rhythm. The rhythm is quite slow and radiates a sense of calm and positivity. This is suggested by the association of the calmness of the singer’s voice and the rhythm given by the piano.

The song is arranged into three verses. After the first two, there is a chorus which is also repeated at the end of the third verse. At the beginning of each verse the word “imagine” is repeated. The anaphora, also with the title of the song, gives the idea that the singer is dreaming. Moving forward listening to the song the intelligent reader understands the singer is dreaming of what he thinks would be the perfect world, without the heaven and only with the paradise, without the need of hungry, without wars and conflicts between the human being. The singer is dreaming a world of peace; indeed, the main topic of the song is peace.

In the third to last line of each line the phrase "imagine all the people" is repeated. This anaphora also contributes to the idea of a perfect world. It is also connoted by the choice of the colour white. In fact, a world where everything is white, connote the idea that there is no fear, no war, no conflict but also calm, peace and harmony.

In the opening line, the listener is expected to take a moment to think about a world where nobody believes in heaven or hell; at first, religious minds may be appalled by the statement, but delving deeper, especially in further lines, we find the meat of Lennon’s thought.

In the third verse, when you destroy a need for material goods, you also eradicate any need for greed, and in turn war and suffering; there is no desire to hoard and hide things that are of no value, and in turn, all people can share in a beautiful utopia. Obviously, not everyone is ready to accept this message, and thus we continue to have war and suffering.

Moving forward analysing the chorus is obvious that not everyone is willing to accept Lennon’s message of peace, especially at the time the song came out, during Vietnam War. However, John responds to this by saying he’s not the only one who feels this way. In the music video, you see both John and a girl staring out, almost dreaming. John knows he is not the only one, because the girl is also a “dreamer”.  The presence of the girl underlines that John Lennon thinks everyone is at the same level, there are no gender differences, like race and religion ones.

John hopes those listening to his song who don’t agree with his recommendations will eventually come around and embrace them. He believes only then, once we agree on these things, will we find worldwide peace and unity.

The song's message is about peace and creating a perfect world. This poem was written during the Vietnam War, so it also takes on a deeper meaning. John Lennon hopes that everyone starts dreaming and hoping for a better world in which peace, tranquillity, calm and carefree reign.