Imagine

I liked the ‘Imagine’ track very much. I listened to it (the album) just to see if there’s anything I can pinch. The album was John doing what he does best.

Paul McCartney – From “The Beatles: Off The Record 2 – The Dream is Over: Dream Is Over Vol 2” by Keith Badman

The last track we’re going to talk about is John Lennon’s Imagine. Why have you picked this?

It’s just one of John’s great songs. There are so many tracks you can choose when you start with John — and what about George, George has got some incredible ones — but you’ve got to slim it down for the program. I just think that song of John is magical, and a lot of other people do too. It’s one that people like to sing. Having worked with John so often, I can kind of see him writing it, see him doing that piano part. And I just think it’s a beautiful vision of how the world could be. Unfortunately, when I hear that, the back of my mind thinks it’s not going to happen. Or — wouldn’t it be great? How lucky would we be if all those things happened? But never mind. It’s a beautiful dream, it’s a beautiful ambition. And I think a lot of people love to think about that, love to imagine that kind of reality, particularly with a lot of stuff going on these days. It would be beautiful for things to be more like that. I just think it’s a great song.

Paul McCartney – Radio interview for BBC Radio 2, May 25, 2026

Bootlegs

Live performances

“Imagine” has been played in 1 soundchecks.