Among the vast collection of songs left behind by The Beatles, John Lennon’s “Imagine” stands out as a huge favorite. Its meaningful words and timeless message have touched many people over the years, making it one of the most famous songs ever.
But despite so many singers covering it, one big name has never given it a try: Paul McCartney. So why hasn’t the other half of the famous songwriting team tackled “Imagine”?
McCartney has sung many other people’s songs, but “Imagine” has always stayed off his list. It’s not because he doesn’t like the song or doesn’t respect it. In fact, in a 1990 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he talked about how much he admired the song and wanted to honor Lennon’s memory in the right way.
At first, McCartney thought about doing a big tribute to Lennon, maybe with a giant picture of him and a heartfelt message. But he felt that would be too flashy and not genuine enough.
Fans kept suggesting he should do “Imagine,” but McCartney felt like everyone was doing it already. He mentioned singers like Diana Ross and how even they had covered the song. By 1990, so many artists had sung “Imagine” that it had become kind of overdone, losing some of its special meaning along the way.
McCartney explained that he wanted his own songs to shine when he performed. He believed that if he did his own music really well, that’s what people would remember him for.
Despite not covering “Imagine,” McCartney still deeply respects Lennon and their shared musical history. In another interview in 2002, he praised Lennon for creating such an incredible song, even after their songwriting partnership ended.
As for whether McCartney will ever cover “Imagine,” it doesn’t seem likely. He thinks the song is already so popular that adding his own version wouldn’t add much. Instead, he might explore some of Lennon’s other songs that aren’t as well-known, like “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night.”
In the end, McCartney’s decision shows his respect for Lennon’s legacy and the unique impact “Imagine” has had around the world.
Are John Lennon and Paul McCartney one of the BEST duets in rock HISTORY? 👇#TheBeatles pic.twitter.com/0olpWQMuZc
— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) December 17, 2023