I would think that would be screamingly obvious, but apparently not. Then again—actors.
As regular readers here know, John Lennon’s pompous, simple-minded and hypocritical (a mega-millionaire extolling “no possessions”) anthem to the joys of anarchy is a lifetime irritation for me, and anyone who argues that it’s profound or moving has provided signature significance that they can’t be trusted with moderately complex tasks or, for that matter, to prevail in Trivial Pursuit games against 4th graders.
Now, as you can see above, a group of Hollywood celebrities, including Gal Gadot, who apparently organized it, Will Ferrell, Mark Ruffalo, James Marsden, Lynda Carter, Jamie Dornan, and Amy Adams , all mansion-bound, made a video with each of them singing bits of John Lennon’s disgrace. People are guessing that the intended message was “we’re all in this together,” or “it will all be OK” or “if society is destroyed and nobody has any jobs, that’s a good thing” or “Ramalama ding-dong” or something.
Predictably, the “imagine no possessions” line attracted the most venom on social media, considering the average income of this group, but that’s unfair. Personally, I’m happy to have any celebrity publicly announce, “I’m an idiot!” on the web. It’s useful information, especially when these same deluded dufuses start telling us about the Green New Deal.
Ethics Alarms 
lol….Jack you cranky ol buzzard.
I’ve never liked this song either – because musically it’s boring.
Not that it bespeaks of an intellect beneath that of the average lemur?
nah – during my college days I was heavy into the jam band scene, so I’m mostly impervious to bad lyrics.
Most under 70 are. They grew up with Strawberry Alarm Clock and Rod McKuen. No Stephen Sondheim show was as successful as Grease. John could write excellent tyrics. His brain was the problem with “Imagine.” (and it is a boring melody)
The one thing about “Grease” was there was no pretentiousness about it and as a nostalgia musical it kind of works. Not so with “Imagine” with it’s pseudo profoundness. Kind of on the same level as “We Are The World.” .
We are the World” was moronic, but “Imagine” makes it look like Rodgers and Hart.
Saw this post coming like the Russian winter the minute I saw a piece about “Imagine.” As an exemplar of Utopianism, it’s a nice lyric. The melody is very minimalist and Phillip Glass-like. So, I find it kind of engaging. Words to live by? Uh, no. An interesting, small, minimalist work of pop art? Sure.
What a kidder!
I found a long time ago that I could either ignore the actual meaning of most song lyrics or stop listening to music. I chose the former. I can enjoy the melody and the singer’s voice even if the actual lyrics are stupid.
For exmple, I like “Ribbons” by Sisters of Mercy, but “I tried to tell her About Marx and Engels, God and Angels” irritates me a little every time I hear it. It works ok lyrically though. If you like that kind of music.
That’s really a lyric? Hilarious. What’s the rest of the line? “But I didn’t get her into bed anyway?” And this is put out by … an order of nuns?
Well, you could click the link and listen to it. I recommend it. The next bit is “I don’t really know what for”. I like the sound, but I dismissed the group as communist fools a long time ago.
As far as the band name goes, it is a rock group… They apparently actually named it after a leonard cohen song.
Stephen Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Celebration on BBC Proms. I watch it whenever my soul needs soothing. The performance of “Sunday” will take your breath away.
Whenever I complain to her about an inane lyric, Mrs. OB invariably responds, “What difference do lyrics make? No one but you listens to them!” We’re both almost seventy, so we’re in the “Incense and Peppermint” demographic Jack has identified. But being essentially a writer/poet/wordsmith, it drives me NUTS.
I feel you.
Can the virus be retro-engineered to only attack Sarah Silverman? That would be a bio-technological achievement IMO. 🙂
We are in absolute agreement, Alizia! Sarah Silverman is an awful, awful, clinically depressed (and should get treatment and isolate– i.e. stop speaking — until she’s healthier). Self destructive people should not be given megaphones.
Well, that is one thing. Not sure if it is an adequate foundation for other agreements but we can try!
There is something about that woman that really really rubs me the wrong way.
We’re facing a pandemic of epic proportions, the most heavily affected are literally drowning in their own fluids, entire communities cannot leave their houses, food, while being restocked, is still being bought out clearing shelves, work has ground to a halt, and people’s work and livelihoods are all perilously in jeopardy.
The celebrities have banded together to serenade us with this iconic song.
Haven’t we suffered enough?
For decades, I’ve cringed every time I’ve heard that Lennon song. I have refused to listen to it for at least the last decade or so unless forced to.
Anyone who wants to get on my “Okay, you’re an idiot” side has but to praise that song as worthwhile in it’s desires. All those above have done just that.
But then, to be fair, most of them have already been comfortably ensconced in that zone for a while now…
The question for the ages: Which is dumber, that, or “Give Peace a Chance”?
Great use of rhythm in “Give Peace a Chance,” though. Super catchy.
That’s like asking which Stooge is the smartest.
Oh, Moe was clearly the smartest, if only because he was hit in the head less often as he did most of the hitting.
I’d go with Larry as the most astute. Moe was angry and did stupid things. Larry was crafty and avoided most of Moe’s abuse. I’ve come to appreciate the Larrys of life. “With a little bit of luck, someone else will do the work.” Not that I was ever astute enough to deploy that strategy. I always led with my chin.
At least Curly had the sense to shave his head. Larry’s crazy doo was an invitation to Moe to yank it—there was even a special sound effect for it. And it’s not like the porcupine-do was stylish.
Hmm… Tough call.
Could have been worse. They could have bloviated their wisdom with Pachelbel’s “Canon in D major” playing in the background. Unlike much of Pachelbel’s great organ music, that monotonous piece of musical excreta will make your ears bleed.
Is it ethical to imagine vastly disproportional punishments for these people?
Next we’ll have a resurgence of “From A Distance”. It grated every time I heard it during Desert Storm. The theology is horrible and Bette Midler should stay far away from anything political.
Why did you have to remind me of that vile earworm?????????
Mea culpa. During that period I survived by having Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Song Book on constant play.
Nooooooooooo!
Living in Portland it’s almost impossible to not hear this piece of shit song in every coffee shop, restaurant, and wherever else you’re trying not to loose your lunch. Once I was so aggravated at hearing it, I unethically told a fib to our waiter, that my (non-existent) sister committed suicide to the song. He turned it off and I enjoyed the rest of my meal…until Yellow Submarine came on. Karma indeed.
Imagine there’s no Imagine.
You owe me a keyboard! And now I may have to write “Imagine There’s No Imagine’!
Yellow Submarine was the favorite marching song of the kindergarten teacher at the school I once lived beside. For a short, unhappy two months. The only lease I ever broke.
Over-popular novelty song to give Ringo an excuse to sing. Great, great movie.
Agreed. Even the title song — at least the first ten times I heard it.
title song (titlt is the Inuit translation)
That was hysterical!! I laughed as I read it, then tried to read it – without laughing – to my wife. I failed. The last quip was priceless…
I have begun rewriting the lyrics and ask all to assist and improve.
Imagine there’s no Seven-Eleven
It’s easy if you try
No Big Gulps for the thirsty
Just whole wheat and rye
Imagine all the people
Living for today
So what else is new (ew ew)
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to plan or hope for
It’s just a fuckin zoo
Imagine all the people
Living life on the streets
They do (hoo hoo hoo)
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
the Bernie bros will welcome you
And the world will be covered in pond scum
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
that means no one can steal from you
Cause your home’s under the bridge span
Imagine all the people
Huddlin to stay warm
(hoo hoo ooh ooh)
You may say that I’m a dreamer
I’m not the only one
There are other nuts among us
Just put your possessions in that box over there
and I will dispose of them when I can.
That was a pretty awesome attempt!! Well done!
How about this for the fifth stanza:
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
There are many more just like me
And we’re witless, dull, and dumb.
I love it! Great job!
I was in grade school when it came out, and it took me a few years to realize what a bad song it is. Billionaires singing about no possessions, as they create tax havens overseas while singing about ‘no countries’, and making a yogi rich while warbling about no religion, on top of a depressing, boring, repetitive melody. Nails on a chalkboard! I have been subjected to it over the years as it’s one of my siblings’ favorite songs. Do you know how many covers of it there are? If you love it, you have to know and listen to those, too. And heaven help me, one of my mother’s favorites was From a Distance. I’ve been musically tortured for decades!
I think Nancy Griffith’s cover of “From a Distance” (I want to say in the late 80s) is actually pretty good. Folk singers tend to be understated, so the delivery is minimalist. Interesting voice, too.
Ugh! Nanci Griffith…