Imagine by John Lennon – ****

First released: 1971

The definitive John Lennon song. It has appeared as a single and on the album of the same name and a movie of the same name (twice!) and on every Lennon compilation ever released. It’s great. So is the video of Lennon at the piano while Yoko opens the drapes. A highlight of the 1975 "Shaved Fish" compilation. It’s also on "The John Lennon Collection" from 1982, the "Imagine: John Lennon" soundtrack from 1988, 1990’s "Lennon", "Lennon Legend" from 1997, "Working Class Hero" from 2005, 2006’s "Remember", and "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" from 2006. A remixed version is on the import only "Peace, Love & Truth" from 2005. A demo version of this appeared in the movie and on the soundtrack of "Imagine: John Lennon" with the title of "Imagine (Rehearsal)" in 1988. Lennon also performed this live in 1972 and this version was released in 1986 on "Live in New York City". A 1971 live version appears on 1998’s "The John Lennon Anthology" and 2004’s "Acoustic". A demo version called "Imagine (take 1)" appears on 1998’s "The John Lennon Anthology" and "Wonsaponatime".