For the first time, John Lennon's son played 'Imagine' in support of Ukraine
Key Takeaways:
- Julian Lennon played a cover of his father's legendary song "Imagine" for the first time this week in support of fundraising efforts for Ukraine.
- Julian Lennon is the son of the late musician John Lennon, who rose to fame as a member of the Beatles. He released the song "Imagine" in 1971.
In support of fundraising efforts for Ukraine, Julian Lennon performed a copy of his father's classic song "Imagine" for the first time this week.
Julian uploaded a video of himself performing the song to his YouTube page on Friday. He sings the song in a room filled with candles while another musician plays guitar beside him in the video.
Julian is the son of John Lennon, the late musician who rose to popularity as a member of the Beatles. In 1971, he released the song "Imagine."
Julian has recorded what is undoubtedly his father's most well-known song as a solo artist for the first time, despite following in his father's footsteps to become a musician.
Julian stated in the description that he has always believed that he would only "consider singing 'IMAGINE' [...] if it stood the 'End of the World.'"
However, he opted to sing the song for the first time to support Ukraine "since his lyrics express our collective wish for global peace."
"We're taken to a space, where love, as well as togetherness, become our reality, if only for a moment in time," he wrote. "The song expresses the hope for a light at the end of the tunnel that we all have..."
The performance was part of Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine campaign, a social media campaign that aspired to raise awareness of the plight of Ukrainians who are being attacked by Russian soldiers and encourage fundraising and prompt action from world leaders.
"Millions of guiltless families have been forced to leave the comfort of their houses to seek sanctuary elsewhere due to the continued terrible bloodshed," Julian added. "I'm urging international leaders and everyone who shares IMAGINE's sentiment to stand out for refugees everywhere!"
Julian did not elaborate on why he had previously stated that he would not perform the song, although he had previously discussed his troubled connection with his dad, who died when Julian was 17 years old. Julian stated there was a 10-year period when he scarcely spoke to his father, who had left his mother and started seeing Yoko Ono when he was five years old, in a Guardian in 2020 that interviewed the children of renowned parents.
Julian's debut album, Valotte, was released in 1984, and it was his first foray into the music industry. He's released five more albums since then. His first album in a decade, Jude, is scheduled to be released later this year.