Imagine (1971) 10/19/20

I urge you to check out my links today. I promise a somewhat different “Great Song” experience. (“Oh Boy.”)

One of my favorite TV series of all time was “Quantum Leap.” It was the story of Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), who traveled through time, leaping into the bodies various people who were at a crossroads in life and helping them make important decisions that would keep them from changing the historical time line. He was assisted by a hologram named Al (Dean Stockwell) that only Sam could see. There was much more to it than that, and you can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Leap

I also invite you to stream the series, if you can find it, and enjoy the show.

I am well aware that this month (October) marks the 80th birthday of John Lennon. In looking for a way to highlight his greatest song—and one of the “Greatest Songs of the '70s,” I kept coming back to the 1990 “Quantum Leap” episode (“The Leap Home, Part I)” where Sam leaped into himself as a young man back on the family farm.

He saw this as a chance to change some things about the lives of his family, all in a loving effort to keep them from harm and/or their eventual deaths—although Al was adamant that he should NOT be changing history, especially for personal reasons.

Ignoring him, Sam told his sister Katie he was from the future. Naturally, the young girl was skeptical, and to test him, she wanted to know what the Beatles were doing in his time—especially, John, her favorite. Sam was about to tell her, when Al strongly objected.. Instead, Sam told her that John had written his favorite song, and sang a beautiful version of “Imagine,” with Al eventually joining in. At first, Katie was impressed...but then...well, you can watch the scene for yourself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QKRm5mkOKQ

Scott Bakula did a wonderful job with the song (with a little help from Dean Stockwell), but NOTHING will ever top the 1971 Lennon original.

Chartwise, “Imagine” was Top 10 in 8 countries, including #1 on Canada's Top 40 and #3 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song has been covered by over 200 artists, and has won numerous kudos and awards.

It ranks at #30 on The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) list of the “365 Best Songs of the 20th Century.” Rolling Stone Magazine has it at #3 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” It earned a Grammy “Hall of Fame” award, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame added it to their list of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll.”

With all of those kudos, it's easily a “Great Song off the '70s,” and of all time.

But in the end, the beauty of the song and the message of peace the lyrics (co-written by Yoko) bring, have stood the test of time, and will continue to do so...in the future.