“Imagine,” covered by David Bowie … (Rock / Pop – Music to Your Ears, Covers–1)

majes.tytyty in #music • 6 years ago (edited)

This tribute to Lennon becomes particularly poignant when Bowie sings “Imagine … nothing to kill or die for.”

David Bowie – “Imagine”

“Imagine” (1983 – original from 1971)

Exactly 3 years to the day after John Lennon was assassinated, David Bowie sang Lennon’s anthemic song “Imagine” at a concert in Hong Kong.

Do the Best

Both Bowie and his guitarist Earl Slick had been friends of Lennon. Coincidentally, the final show of Bowie’s 1983 tour fell on the 3rd anniversary of Lennon’s death, so Slick suggested that they pay tribute to the fallen star by singing his song “Across the Universe.”

Bowie replied that if they were gonna cover one of Lennon’s songs, they might as well do his most famous and best-selling song, “Imagine”. _{(Image source)}

David Bowie

If there’s anyone who could do justice to both Lennon’s memory and one of his masterpieces, it was his good friend David Bowie.

Bowie was always able to do fine covers of songs by other artists of different genres, imbuing them not only with the original meaning and message, but also with his own sense and moods. He did that so wonderfully on this evening in Hong Kong.

This tribute to his late friend is particularly poignant when he sings “Imagine … nothing to kill or die for.”

Just 2 Guys, Travelling the World

To keep things in perspective, Bowie related an interesting anecdote about 2 guys travelling the world and exploring a local market in a far-off city. It reminds us that both Lennon and Bowie were regular guys. Brilliant artists and major rock stars, but nevertheless, incredibly decent, regular guys. _{(Image source)}

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 ... Aha-ah...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace ... You...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world ... You...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.

        John Lennon – “Imagine”
          _{_{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

Lyrics by John Lennon / Yoko Ono, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – YouTube.com

Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"

          Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"}

#music2ears #lennon #bowie #imagine

6 years ago in #music by majes.tytyty

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fitinfun 6 years ago (edited)

This song is so sad and poignant to me now in any version. Glad to see you are keeping up with the songs.

I just sent May lease payments, @majes.tytyty. I was in Singapore until late on the 1st and then came back to a dead wifi gadget! All is well now and my new gadget seems to have done the trick. I hope everything is going well with you :)

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majes.tytyty 6 years ago

I agree that it's very sad. I used to be quite optimistic (and maybe still am, by nature). But if I look at the utterly horrible condition that the world is in these days, it's almost impossible to "IMAGINE." Or, maybe, that's all we can do, is "IMAGINE" a better world.

Cuz if we look at reality, it seems like a better world is not coming, or is still far far far away.

Anyway, we can still do what we can to make our own little portion of the world better. I know you try to do that in your own way, and commend you for your campaign.

I happened to notice your payment. Thanks!
......
p.s. I got another 1-year Thai education visa, but it had to jump over a few large obstacles. Took me 10 days of waiting in Vientiane. After having my initial applicaiton rejeceted by the Vientiane consulate, I found a roadside agent, who I discussed my situation with for a few hours. He offered me several options, helped deal with various obstacles, and finally we agreed that the best option was that he would take my revised application to the other Thai consulate in Laos, in the city of Suvanakhet.

I gave hime my passport, the visa fee, his fee, and waited 4 days while he drove there, applied, picked up my passport/visa, and drove back to Vientiane. But he did it all, successfully, and I made my way slowly back to Chiang Mai. (It was Songkran, and all busses were full, so I had to spend 2 days in the city of Udon Thani.)

Whatever, all's well that ends well. I'll stay here for another 11 months or so, then plan to move on, probably.

Cheers, and hope all continues to go well.

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straighttalk 6 years ago (edited)

These words are evergreen... I heard a lot about both guys and their great talents growing up as a child.
May their souls continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord!

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majes.tytyty 6 years ago

Yes, we all herd lots about them, cuz they were major rock/pop stars. But as I mentioned above, they were also very decent men.

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juanmolina 6 years ago

Dear, appreciated and respected @majes.tytyty.

I have not been able to reach the rhythm with which you make your publications.

I commented when you made the launch of this new idea of yours from the MTYE series a few days ago. Now I check your blog and I realize that you have 5 deliveries.

I loved this part of the covers.
This especially with a theme so emblematic and made by artists that perhaps at first glance seem not to have much in common and actually were good friends.

With much respect I would like to make my contribution to this series of covers.

And it is that there is a theme that was covered by an emblematic artist of Rock and Roll but who is original of the icon of Jamaican music: Robert Nesta Marley.
There is a chain of curious events that have to do with this version.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

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majes.tytyty 6 years ago

Thanks for your comment, Juan.

I'm planning to post 5 MTYEars posts every week. I hope you can find time to look at them occasionally, If not, don't worry, they'll always be here!!

The category "COVERS" will be a very common one. I have hundreds of covers bookmarked, and I continually find more great ones that I would like to include in this series.

And for sure, a number of them are covers of Marley's song. Are you talking about a particular song of his, or a cover of one of his songs? I'm not sure which one you're referring to.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the series. (It will run for a year or 2, at least.)

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juanmolina 6 years ago

Friend: I love this series, it fascinates me.

The song that I'm referring to is: "I shot the sheriff" originally from Marley in 1973 and was covered by Clapton in '74. It was his only # 1 on the Hot 100, either with a band or solo. He approached in 1992 with "Tears In Heaven", which reached number 2.

Clapton spoke with Marley to request authorization to record the song.

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majes.tytyty 6 years ago

Aaaah, yes. Of course, I remember hearing Clapton's version way back then, even before I ever heard Marley's original. Clapton's version was a pop hit in 1974, but it pales in comparison to the great original. Of course!!!!

Thanks for your input. I'm gonna add a bookmark to that song, as it will make a great addition to the COVERS series.

Cheers!!