My John Lennon Diary
Where to begin...
Imagine
Working Class Hero
Give Peace a Chance
Merry Xmas, War is Over
Songs that shaped my childhood, their titles are sharp and to the point.
The music is beautiful. He has pain and intelligence in his song, his voice crackling with emotion like only the best gospel singers can. John Lennon has soul and his music buries it's way into yours.
He speaks the truth.
He speaks of love and peace.
He admitts his flaws openly and sincerely.
He loves his fellow man.
He wants to help the human race evolve.
Death didn't stop John Lennon's message, it magnifies it.
John is many things myth/icon/angel/saint, but mysterious is one thing he will never be. All you need is the music and you know who he is and how he feels. In his music, he invites the world into his psyche and his personal life: primal scream therapy, singing about the joys of being a husband and father, the oppression of the poor, the vulgarities of war, his own insensitivity, his fued with Paul, Strawberry Fields Forever. John Lennon is alive and well and powerful as ever, in his music.
With the power of music, he made Nixon quiver. "They" tried to deport him because he wrote Give Peace a Chance and it was being sung at every protest against the Vietnam War. 25 years after his death we still sing it at protests. Death did not stop his truth from being spoken to power.
As a man, John wasn't perfect, but at least he owned his imperfections and actively tried to become a better person. He did everything in his power to make the world a better place.
The World is sad today because he's physically gone. I've personally been preparing myself for today for a while.
If he had lived...
"What if John Lennon were still alive today?"
That "what if" is the most uttered hypthetical situation in the last 25 years. His presence is still so strong that we still can't even comprehend his death.
Today people in every single country on Earth will spend a moment thinking about John Lennon, his music, his life, his activism, his message. It comforts me to think that, for today, hundreds of millions of people are going spend a moment of their time honoring a man that preaches hope and goodwill.
I was 2 when he died, I don't remember living at the same time as he did, but his words changed my life for the better.
We Love You, John. You are a great hero. Thanks for existing, your presence made and makes the world a better place. Till we see you again, Rest In Peace.