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Antony and the Johnsons Take John Lennon's 'Imagine' to the Future

Antony HegartySebastian Mlynarski

Antony and the Johnsons will release the 'Thank You for Your Love' EP on Aug. 24 as a precursor to their fourth album, 'Swanlights,' which is due Oct. 12 . Even though the EP's title track is the album's first single, it's the only cut culled from 'Swanlights.'

"It's its own beautiful little project," Antony Hegarty tells Spinner. "We thought if we are going to make a single we may as well put some other songs on there. So, it's a little compilation of songs that I haven't released until this moment. It's not totally in keeping with the feel of the album. There are two cover songs and two songs I didn't put on the album. It's a separate little piece."

Those covers, as Spinner previously reported, are reinterpretations of Bob Dylan's 'Pressing On' and John Lennon's 'Imagine.' "I was actually asked to do a cover of 'Pressing On' in conjunction with a project someone was working on with Bob Dylan, so I always had the cover in my back pocket," Hegarty says. "It's a funny one -- it's less known than much of his catalogue. It just appealed to me."

"The 'Imagine' track was also at someone's request. I ended up asking my friend William Basinski to collaborate with me on it. It's audacious to do a cover of 'Imagine' to start off with, so I had to squirm my way through that," Hegarty says bashfully. "I had to think about what could I bring to it. I thought 'sing it from a first-person perspective and also a futuristic perspective,' because it's so much a time capsule from the past. It's very much of a certain place and time and from a very singular perspective, which is john Lennon's perspective. I though I'd re-contextualize it, almost as a song from the future."

With its ominous tone, Hegarty admits the song is bleaker than Lennon's iconic original: "I suppose it's not the most hopeful version of the song you can imagine."

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Susan

I think when Lennon penned the words to 'Imagine' he was putting down religion not Jesus. If anything his words follow pretty closely with what Jesus spoke of. Living for today...Jesus spoke of this. Having no countries or religions would lead to a world of peace, because there would be nothing to kill or die for. Look at where our world is today...countries trying to take over other countries, religions that say suicide in the name of your god is a good thing. Cults. Giving up your possessions-Jesus told the rich man to do that if he wanted to follow Him. No greed or hunger-Jesus taught against that. 'Imagine all the people living life in peace..' Did not Jesus teach peace and love? People who take a holier then thou attitude is why non-Christians don't believe. God is love and love is described in 1 Corinthins 13. If we all lived this way the world would be a better place, instead of uncertainty and death.

August 14 2010 at 4:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
willyboom

im no expert on john lennons religious beliefs, but i do know that he did more for peace than most.

August 14 2010 at 4:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michele

Anti religion doesn't mean one has no faith in God. So many different religions and interpretations of the Bible, turn people aainst religion, and can cause them to lose their faith. Everyone thinks they are right, and other religions are wrong,etc,etc...There are alot of people who believe in God, and serve him,who are anti religion.You can't win someone to Jesus by knocking on their door, and telling them that their religion is the wrong one, and they are going to 'hell',etc.. just live the life. People will notice. Don't be judgemental.

August 14 2010 at 4:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steven R. Russell

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

We see what happened to John Lennon when he "imagined" life without religion, etc. "Kablooey!"

Some people will never learn, as the Bible tells us that wide is the path that leads to destruction, and many there are who go therein.

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

"But enter in at the narrow gate, for straight and narrow is the path which leads to life everlasting, and few there be that find it."

"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6).

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16,17).

"The thief (Satan), cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus), am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Imagine life with no Devil, and imagine life with Jesus!

No Jesus, no peace.

Know Jesus, know peace!

August 14 2010 at 3:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply