John Lennon, the Romantic
Imagine. The word in and of itself leads one to far off places beyond reality, surreal places that envelope the mind. Imagination was the component lacking in the music industry until the 1800’s, the Romantic era. This era created the illusion of freedom and a demand for a fresh interpretation of humanity and nature (Wold et al 243). John Lennon was the leader of this interpretation. As a master lyricist, John incorporated a musical style that embraced a nation. In every element of the word, romantic, the non-conformist Lennon made it a priority to develop the spirit of individualism. John Lennon encompassed the true meaning of Romanticism, the freedom to give voice to passions, fears, love, and longing. Lennon’s poetically political ideas harmonized in music during his tumultuous life create a convincing connection with the core themes of the Romantic Era.
“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.” (Lennon, John. “Imagine”) "Imagine there's no heaven - was an outrageous dare, a far more direct challenge to organized religion”, stated Blaney. (Blaney 59). The essence of these lyrics cried out freedom and passion. John balked at the very nature of organized religion and the imagery it stifled. Lennon, until his death on Dec 8, 1980, maintained his perception of transcendence and the probability that humanity can further
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augment itself. This mystical concept against the context of traditional philosophy and religion was one of the many romantic indulgences of John Lennon.
“Imagine there's no countries/It isn't hard to do/Nothing to kill or die for/and no religion too/Imagine all the pe...
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...aimed at promoting peace, in spite of the criticism he faced.(Blaney 310) Just as Jean Jacques Rousseau asked that” the taboos and artificialities of civilization be aside”(Wold et al 243), John Lennon constantly compelled himself and others to accept, change, and reject pre-existing systems. In the close, I am obliged to deduce that John’s work reflected the era of Romanticism and perhaps the best synopsis would be, “Imagine”.
Works Cited
Wold, Milo, Gary Martin, James Miller, and Edmund Cykler. "Chapter 10." An Introduction to Music and Art in the Western World. Boston Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill, 1996. 240-267. Print.
Blaney, John. John Lennon: Listen to This Book. Toronto: John Blaney, 2005.
Makela, Janne. John Lennon imagined: cultural history of a rock star. New York: Peter Lang, 2004
Lennon, John. “Imagine”. Imagine. Ascot Sound Studios, July 1971
Stolba, M. K. (1998) The Development of Western Music, A History, Third Edition. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill
Howard, John Tasker, and George Kent Bellows. A Short History of Music in America. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1957. 342-3. Print.
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Sussman, Al. "Lennon's Legacy." Beatlefan Nov. - Dec. 1997: 12-13. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.