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Hope Crawford

Professor Jan Rieman

English 1103-002

January 20, 2011

Writing to Explore 1: My Favorite Words

Growing up, I was one of those weird kids who enjoyed listening to music by artists other 

than The Spice Girls or N*SYNC. I much preferred music of a man who had been dead for over 

twenty years - John Lennon. Thanks to my mother, I was introduced to John Lenon’s infamous

music when I was a toddler. I imagine my mother’s love for John Lennon came from her ultra-

liberal political views which have rubbed off on me throughout the years. I remember singing to

songs such as “Instant Karma” before I even knew what the word “karma” meant. My third

grade teacher once caught me humming the tune to “Watching the Wheels” and gave me a lemon

drop for being so “well-versed at such a young age.” Although I love all John Lennon’s music

and have most of his songs on my iPod, the most played song on my iPod is most definitely

“Imagine” by John Lennon. “Imagine” was released in the United States in 1971 and almost

immediately hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 although the country was neck-deep in the

Vietnam War. Lennon’s songs produced a wide array of controversy largely due to his anti-war 

 philosophies. but all he had to say about this was "if someone thinks that love and peace is a

cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are

eternal." Sadly, John Lennon was murdered outside of his New York apartment in 1980 without

getting to see his dream of world peace realized.

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This iconic song was written to express John Lennon’s feelings that a world with no

 barriers (countries, religions, possessions, etc.) between people, the world would be a much

 better place - something that I very much agree with. “Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard

to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.” When I hear these lyrics, it makes the hairs

on the back of my neck stand up because these words are so powerful. It makes me think, what

if there we no barriers between people? There would be nothing to fight over,

millions of lives would be saved, humans could love one another more easily,

peace would be thought of more than just a symbol worn by teenage girls

and seen in necklaces sold in Clair’s. “No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of 

man.” These thoughts make me smile and they also make me cringe because even though I want

these things so badly, this world is far from being ready to adopt some of these principles. This

song is a strong political message that people desperately need to pay more attention too.

When people ask me what my favorite song/poem is, I always respond “Imagine” by

John Lennon. Some people accept this and move on, but others call me a “hippie,” “communist”

or a “tree-hugger.” If wanting the world to be a peaceful and loving place, then I guess I am a

tree-hugging communist hippie. Hopefully one day our world leaders will pay attention to the

 powerful message this song holds and strive for peace but until then, I will remain a dreamer, but

I’m not the only one.