The Most Unusual Covers of ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon

How many covers of “Imagine” can you think of? There are dozens out there, and one of the very first I heard and put on repeat is on this list. The covers of “Imagine” by John Lennon are plentiful and range from country to R&B and rock to a cappella. No matter who sings it, the message remains as powerful as when Lennon sang it.

Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, wrote “Imagine” together. It’s a simple, melodic song with a powerful message about accepting each other, despite our differences. It’s about living in harmony. Sadly, Lennon’s murder in 1980 increased the hope that maybe someday people will simply stop and embrace a peaceful existence. “No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man.” Sad words considering his killer’s motive was allegedly anger and greed over Lennon’s wealth.

Despite the tragic events, the lyrics in “Imagine” remain just as meaningful today. As a result, it’s one of the most covered songs there is. Many artists have covered it for charity events or to raise morale during hard times, such as the sing-along cover Gal Gadot created during the COVID pandemic. It’s not one of the best covers, but it was fun to watch during the lockdowns, so it served its purpose of bringing joy to some who felt isolated.

My list of 20 unusual covers of “Imagine” by John Lennon is based solely on my favorites that do something a bit different. It covers all music genres and is in alphabetical order. (Long before his murder, Lennon also acted in movies. Learn more by reading “The Best Movies Starring Real-Life Musicians.”)

2CELLOS

2CELLOS is a duo from Croatia featuring Stjepan Hauser and Luka Šulić. They perform cello covers of popular songs, and their cover of “Imagine” is poignant and powerful. If you’ve never listened to their work, I recommend it.

• Year: 2018
• Album: Let There Be Cello

Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler

This isn’t the only time Atkins and Knopfler (The Dire Straits) teamed up, but it’s one of my favorite performances. It’s a quick instrumental cover of “Imagine” by John Lennon, but it’s remarkable work from both guitarists.

• Year:1988
• Album: Chet Atkins Certified Guitar Player

The Bergamot

Featuring the husband-wife duo of Nathaniel Paul and Jillian Speece, The Bergamot is an indie folk duo out of New York. They may not be a household name, and the harmonies on their “Imagine” cover aren’t perfect. However, the passion and hope for better days are clear.

• Year: 2017
• Album: Live at the Morris

Cindy Blackman Santana

Most people know Carlos Santana and his band Santana. His wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, is a talented drummer with a unique, bluesy voice. Backed by her husband’s guitar, her vocals stand out as raw and powerful in her “Imagine” cover.

• Year: 2020
• Album: Give the Drummer Some

Eva Cassidy

Cassidy’s talent is clear, but her life ended far too soon. After having a cancerous mole removed when she was 30, the cancer spread to her bones. She died of melanoma in 1993, but not before recording her version of Lennon’s famous song that would be released on a posthumous album. Emotion pours out of her in this cover of “Imagine.”

• Year: 2002
• Album: Imagine

Ray Charles

The distinct tone of Charles’ voice is easily recognized, and there are times that it’s like his preaching his message of peace in this rendition. It’s smooth and so embracing.

• Year: 2021
• Album: True Genius (Compilation)

Chris Cornell

Most know of Cornell as the late lead singer of Audioslave, Soundgarden, and Temple of the Dog. Before his death, he also recorded a live version of “Imagine” for Easter that went onto his live “Songbook” album six years before his death.

• Year:2011
• Album: Songbook

Sawyer Fredericks

 

New York’s Fredericks is a singer-songwriter who is best known as the Season 8 winner of “The Voice.” His breathy, almost pleading cover of “Imagine” hits hard. The pain is there.

• Year: 2015
• Album: The Complete Season 8 Collection (The Voice)

Alex G. and Gustavo Guerrero

Alex G now goes by Alex Blue, and she’s about to release a new album. Based in Michigan, she recovered an American and Spanish folk version of “Imagine” with Gustavo Guerrero, a Latin Grammy nominee. Their harmonies are gorgeous.

• Year: 2016
• Album: Covers Collection

Herbie Hancock & Guests

The guests appearing on Herbie Hancock’s cover are big names. It starts with a very emotional P!NK performance and moves to Seal, India Arie, Jeff Beck, and many others. P!NK and Seal together is an experience not to be missed. It won two Grammys for a good reason.

• Year: 2010
• Album: The Imagine Project

Sébastian Hogge

Hogge is a folk guitarist from Belgium who started playing at the age of 14. His instrumental cover of “Imagine” is a favorite. It’s soothing.

• Year: 2019
• Album: Guitar Covers

Peter Hollens

Hollens was part of Oregon’s first collegiate a cappella group, On the Rocks. In this a cappella cover of Lennon’s “Imagine,” his vocals shine through and are incredibly powerful in the places where it matters most.

• Year: 2020
• Album: Legendary Covers, Vol. 1

Etta James

The game “Firewatch” introduced me to James. Her song “I’d Rather Go Blind” skyrocketed to the top of my favorite list. Her cover of “Imagine” is almost as good. It features her lush voice and some spoken phrases, too.

• Year: 2005
• Album: All the Way

Jack Johnson

Johnson’s breathy vocals help make “Imagine” one of the more unusual covers for me to have put on my list. I’m not a big fan of his music generally. Instant Karma came about when Yoko Ono donated his songs and publishing royalties to Amnesty International. The songs were used to raise awareness of the brutal attacks during the Darfur conflict.

• Year: 2007
• Album: Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

Junity

This jazz singer has a gorgeous voice, but I’ve found little information on her, which is a shame given her talent. She does have several albums available, however.

• Year: 2022
• Album: Reimagined

Chris Kläfford

Kläfford is from Sweden and was in the 14th season of “America’s Got Talent” and the 13th season of “Swedish Idol.” His cover of “Imagine” from his “Idol” performance made it to #8 on the charts. His high notes are impressive.

• Year: 2017
• Album: Treading Water (EP)

Julian Lennon (Featuring Nuno Bettencourt)

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 25: Julian Lennon attends the amfAR Cannes Gala 2023 Sponsored by Aston Martin at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images for Aston Martin)

It seems fitting that Lennon’s oldest son would cover his dad’s song, and he does it well. The emotion in his voice is clear. He’s angry his dad was murdered. He’s sad that a peaceful world doesn’t exist. It’s a gorgeous tribute to his dad with Extreme‘s Bettencourt accompanying him on guitar and harmonies. He performed the song for Global Citizen’s Stand Up for Ukraine.

• Year: 2022
• Album: N/A

Willie Nelson

Nelson is another very distinct voice, and he’s an artist I admire for his talent and desire to live life his way. He does his cover of “Imagine” his way, and it works well. The guitar and piano shine.

• Year: 2019
• Album: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert (Live)

A Perfect Circle

This is probably the most unusual cover on my list as it’s haunting and almost sinister. I like to think of it as the postapocalyptic take on what could happen if the world’s people can’t learn from past mistakes. A Perfect Circle is a supergroup formed by Tool’s lead singer, the drummer for Primus, and a guitar technician for Nine Inch Nails and The Smashing Pumpkins.

• Year: 2004
• Album: eMOTIVe

Emeli Sandé

Why do I love this cover of “Imagine.” She sounds heartbroken that world peace will never happen. She’s a Scottish singer-songwriter who performed at the London Olympics in 2012.

• Year: 2012
• Album: Our Version of Events

Now that you know my picks for the most unusual covers of “Imagine” by John Lennon, find out more about some more of the music I grew up listening to as a kid in “50 Rock Stars Who Are Over 75 Years Old.”