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Post by SharksFan99 on Mar 21, 2018 9:27:37 GMT 10
I've never actually disliked this song, but it's undoubtedly one of the most overrated in history. Like Lennon himself stated, it's basically just the Communist Manifesto in song form. To my ears, it's idealism that celebrates not so much difference of origin and culture, but rather utopian homogenization. It disrespects the fact that in a world as complex as our own, people's lives are motivated by their precious personal beliefs, possessions, or lack thereof, and that by taking those away, you're depriving individuals of their identity, which they need to ferment a meaningful place in society. Maybe in 1971, amidst all the political turmoil in the world and the Vietnam War, a world without conflict sounded attractive to many people, but even as I sit here in 2018, a time probably even more turbulent than the late '60s and early '70s, I just can't bring myself to positively imagine whatever Lennon is preaching because it basically sounds like a world with absolutely zero flavour. I'm of course all for the idea of harmonious coexistence, but the way this song demands the loss of basic fundamentals of practical social life is just too hard for me to buy. I know the song suggests more of a mindset rather than a feasible end-goal, hence its title, but it's not a mindset that truly resonates with me, at least not in the way it's delivered. The composition itself may be beautiful, but it's such a cliché to call it the greatest song of all time that I'm just sick of it. Personally, I'd rather listen to "Woman", "Nobody Told Me", and "Watching the Wheels" from Lennon. As far as peace anthems go, there are others that move me a lot more because they're much more willing to acknowledge the individual and are not so myopically self-important. While I respect your opinion, of course, I personally believe the song deserves the critical praise and appreciation it receives. "Imagine" is one of John Lennon's greatest legacies and the message conveyed is something that influences everyone in some shape or form; achieving peace and solidarity. It's a common pursuit that unifies us as people. To be honest, I don't think ideologizing homogeneity was what John Lennon had in mind when he composed the song, even if it may appear so on face value. The line, "Imagine there's no countries", suggests that we should remove the "barriers" which divide us and we should all be as one. Losing the basic fundamentals of life isn't a focus of the composition and I'd argue that it's not suggesting we should give up our own respective identities. Rather, it's about how man's pursuit of materialistic goods and greed is detracting from the pursuit of peace and unity. "I wonder if you can" essentially challenges how reliant people are on their possessions and addresses how many individuals have a hunger for goods than benefits one self, not the greater society. I know you suggested that the song doesn't truly acknowledge the individual, but that's because it's not the motive behind the lyrics. It's a composition about unity, not individualism. It wouldn't make sense for the composition to mention differences in origin and culture, because it detracts from the purpose of the song. However, with that said, "Imagine" isn't conveying that we should just give up individualism and not stay true to ourselves. As such, it's purely focused on coming together as one and to achieve that, we should give up the aspects of life which hinder the ultimate pursuit of solidarity. Personally, I can understand why religion is conveyed in the manner that it is. With no disrespect to people who are religious, religion is a concept derived from people's desire to believe in something better. If we achieved unity and worked towards a common goal (peace), we wouldn't need to be religious, or to want to kill or die for something. "Imagine" may be too abstract and unrealistic for it's own good, but the reason why it's universally appreciated, is because the message it conveys influences everyone in some way. You could live in the poorest country in the world and the song would still have relevance. While I agree that it isn't the greatest song of all time, I believe it would have to be up there as being one of the greatest.
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Post by #Infinity on Mar 23, 2018 14:23:57 GMT 10
While I respect your opinion, of course, I personally believe the song deserves the critical praise and appreciation it receives. "Imagine" is one of John Lennon's greatest legacies and the message conveyed is something that influences everyone in some shape or form; achieving peace and solidarity. It's a common pursuit that unifies us as people. It's a noble message, but I think it's pretty common knowledge that world peace would be a serious relief. It's the way Lennon delivers that message, speaking from a moral high ground that overlooks certain aspects of life that are just too personal and too core to so many individuals' lives, that makes it difficult for me to completely swallow. The world is certainly in no shortage of greedy arses who exploit others' lives because they can't look far beyond themselves. However, by erasing the concept of possessions altogether, Lennon takes away not simply the obstruction towards natural compassion and empathy, but also the very value of materials and goods in life that are worth appreciating and thus sharing in the first place. Yes, it's important for people to look within themselves to share with one another, but at the same time, they grow some level of personal attachment to the homes, the toys, the activity supplies, and essentials for survival that they can't just trade away to everybody else on the planet without end. "Imagine" may shed light to a level of selflessness that has been mostly lacking over the past several decades, but it's also too radical because it glorifies complete socialism, rather than a world of various economic backgrounds with enough of a common good to function harmoniously. It doesn't explicitly condemn the individual in its lyrics at all, but there's still a sort of implied homogeny, not just in the way Lennon imagines there being no religion, no countries, and not even any heaven and hell motivating good deeds, but also the way he asks his listener, "I hope someday you'll join us", a truly questionable request to somebody who clearly doesn't share the same views or understanding of the world as he does because it's posing such chauvinism, failing to properly integrate different voices into his own vision. Yeah, there are religious extremists who are so literal in their beliefs that they fail to respectfully coexist with others of different backgrounds, but for most, it's also both a moral compass that encourages people to do good in the world, to positively hope to be blessed for such greatness, and, frankly, a core aspect of their identities. People are shaped into individuals by religions, and while some have clashed on technical principle, there's no reason these different beliefs cannot find at least some common ground while still respecting each other's differences. Lennon takes away all of that, trying to undermine what makes people human. In fact, his statement is a hypocrisy in some way because you could just as easily argue that his own proposal in "Imagine" is a religion. After all, he advertises it as a cult that others should join, and like any religion, it's shaped by philosophical principles about the meaning of life. His vision of peace isn't necessarily superior to others' vision of peace, depending on their experiences and worldviews. I can appreciate a song that tries to distance people from the petty conflicts that tear us all apart, but to me personally, it just places far too much of a focus on specific details that undermine the human experience and even comes across as condescending. I listen to it and find myself feeling a bit uncomfortable and preached to, that the very people Lennon's trying to win over are going to just respond with backlash, and that distracts from the spiritual pureness that the track is obviously trying to evoke.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2018 10:03:42 GMT 10
'Over The Rainbow' - any version. Overrated and speaks to neither my head nor my heart. 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' - Kylie. Boring
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Post by #Infinity on Sept 13, 2018 15:39:39 GMT 10
Definitely this.
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Post by SharksFan99 on Sept 14, 2018 21:09:44 GMT 10
* "Can't Stop The Feeling" - Justin Timberlake * "Shape of You" - Ed Sheeran * Anything released by AC/DC * "November Rain" - Guns 'N Roses
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Post by SharksFan99 on Oct 21, 2018 16:37:03 GMT 10
Kind of ironic for an Australian to dislike something as patriotic as "Down Under", but for some reason, I've just never been able to take an interest in it. I actually don't like any of Men At Work's singles.
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Post by al on Nov 5, 2018 10:31:10 GMT 10
This song is so boring and generic. Idk if people like it but I hear it everywhere.
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Post by SharksFan99 on Nov 5, 2018 10:37:51 GMT 10
This song is so boring and generic. Idk if people like it but I hear it everywhere. I agree! Thankfully I haven't heard that song in a couple of months now, but back in Winter, it was played obsessively by the Top-40 radio stations in my local area.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 0:50:16 GMT 10
'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin. Boring and overrated.
Telso likes this
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Post by al on Nov 8, 2018 10:49:07 GMT 10
I agree! Thankfully I haven't heard that song in a couple of months now, but back in Winter, it was played obsessively by the Top-40 radio stations in my local area. I thought it was gone but unfortunately it seems to have made its way on to store playlists ugh. Throw this song in as similar. It's so...bland? Monotonous?
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Post by SharksFan99 on Nov 8, 2018 11:10:43 GMT 10
Throw this song in as similar. It's so...bland? Monotonous? Yep. Not only is it bland and monotonous, I personally don't like the country influences in it either.
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Post by Telso on Nov 8, 2018 12:17:23 GMT 10
I can't stand "Bohemian Rhapsody" lately. The novelty of it wore off a long time ago due to overplay, and what's left is quite grating and frankly an exercise in smarminess. I also don't have the best experiences with proclaimed Queen fans where this song is constantly brought forth, as if it's the only thing they ever made of worth.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 7:20:18 GMT 10
'Vienna' by Ultravox.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 8:35:51 GMT 10
In My Feeling - Drake
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Post by .savage on Jan 16, 2019 9:55:54 GMT 10
I hate this, but everyone around me seems to like it.
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