Carlos Santana – “Imagine” Live
Santana Tips His Hat To John Lennon
“Imagine” is the best-selling single of John Lennon throughout his entire career. It contained a strong political message despite the sweet melody. It was Lennon’s musical gift to the world. It didn’t just top the charts, it also became one of the most loved timeless classics. It even ranked number 3 in the Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“It’s not like he thought, ‘Oh, this can be an anthem,'” Yoko Ono said, looking back at that morning 30 years later. “Imagine” was “just what John believed: that we are all one country, one world, one people. He wanted to get that idea out.” — Rolling Stone
There’s something about the song — whether the lyrics or the tune — that easily makes one feel emotional. It’s beautiful and magical in every way. Lennon has poured his heart out when he wrote it and the listener can feel that. It doesn’t matter who covered the track — the effect is the same.
The serene melody; the pillowy chord progression; that beckoning, four-note figure; and nearly all of the lyrics, 22 lines of graceful, plain-spoken faith in the power of a world, united in purpose, to repair and change itself. — Rolling Stone
In this version , Santana pays tribute to the immortal Lennon song. He’s joined by many other artists and his guitar solo may not be as electrifying as his other performances but it was just as amazing.
