Imagine - John Lennon (Analysis)

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...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 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 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

            If you don't know what song this is, it's "Imagine" by John Lennon. John Lennon was one of the most influential people in the music industry to date. He achieved international fame in the 1960s as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist in one of the most successful bands ever; The Beatles. Since its release, "Imagine" has been a part of many "most influential" and "greatest songs ever" lists. So what were the reasons behind writing this motivational song? Legend has it that John had recently read the story of a young girl's experiences  throughout world war two.  It inspired him to write this song of peace and really imagining what it would be like if the entire world was peaceful.  Coming from a Christian perspective i agree that imagining ultimate peace is worthwhile.  But the way he words certain lyrics is not what Christians visualize in an ideal world.  Such as "imagine theres no heaven...no hell below us...no religion too".  It's not that Christians are simply so stuck in our ways that we can not imagine these things.  Rather we choose not to imagine these things because
we know that our God is so powerful and amazing that imagining a world without him would not be a paradise at all.  Yes, i realize that this entire song is not about everyone imagining a world without God.  The rest of the lyrics are very inspirational to all religions.  Lyrics like "imagine no possessions, i wonder if you can, no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man" speak to each individual, no person can say that this song does not relate to them.  On the television show glee they had a deaf choir sing/sign this song.  I know many people who cried during this song because of the words plus the additional meaning with the singers being deaf.  To them "Imagine was more than a song, it was their way of life.
Glee - Imagine

You raise me up - Josh Groban (Summary/Reflection)

Josh Groban is a very talented artist.  In an era of auto-tune and video vixens, he has managed to remain pure.  Though his the public is unsure of his religion, he is know to sing some Christian songs.  One of those being "You raise me up".  This song is about how God can raise you up to be so much more than you thought you could be. How when you are at you very weakest He is there to give you strength.  The lyrics are not very difficult, their meaning is clear.  This song was meant for when someone has been weakened by their situation to the point where their heart is heavily burdened.  I remember this song was very popular when my grandmother died.  She had been sick for a long while having multiple heart attacks and strokes.  After she passed, i listened to this song and imagined her being lifted up to be with God.  I remember listening to this song on repeat during that time.  This song got me through a difficult time when i really needed God to lift me up, and He did with the help of Josh Groban.