Perhaps one of the most prominent arguments against John Lennon's "Imagine" is that the song lacks reason. Clearly evident within the lyrics "You may say that I'm a dreamer/ But I'm not the only one" the piece obviously portrays certain ideas that one may deem fanciful, even impractical. "Imagine" doesn't necessarily contain any logos pertaining to hard facts and statistics. It simply acts as a consolidation of peace and a message of awareness for what counterculture stood for as a world movement. Of course a world without nations, religions, and any conflict whatsoever doesn't adhere to any actual realistic outcomes.
The very reason "Imagine" has obtained such universal acclaim is due to its lack of logos, or rather, its simplicity as a whole. "Imagine" doesn't offer any data or solutions to support its claim. Instead it acts more like a plea. A plea for morality and brotherhood. It chooses to speak directly to its audience in an intimate and personal way. There are no signs of pretension, conceit, or preachiness. Its message is basic. Let's all work together to end suffering, hunger, oppression, and lets gain freedom for all of humanity. Yes, it's understandable how one could find these sentiments a bit too saccharine. However there's no denying the feelings of unity, humanity, and hope that it can evoke from its listeners. In doing this, it goes without saying that "Imagine" appeals to an audience's pathos much more than their logos. But the logic can stem from what the listeners can discover to be their own truths. The fact is: Why wouldn't people what to achieve a world like this? As Lennon himself so eloquently put it:
"Because the best stuff is primitive enough and has no bull----. It gets through to you, it's beat, go to the jungle and they have the rhythm. It goes throughout the world and it's as simple as that, you get the rhythm going because everybody goes into it…It gets through; The thing about rock and roll, good rock and roll – whatever good means and all that s--- – is that it's real and realism gets through to you despite yourself. You recognize something in it which is true, like all true art. Whatever art is, readers. OK. If it's real, it's simple usually, and if it's simple, it's true. Something like that."
I believe I read somewhere that John Lennon wrote "Imagine" based off of the Communist Manifesto. I think the logos of his message comes from that text as there are numerous similarities between the two.
ReplyDeleteRhetoric in music is generally lacking in logical argument, and I think that may help this song's message. After all, you can change someone's mind with logic, but you can only change the way they act with feelings.
ReplyDeleteRhetoric in music is generally lacking in logical argument, and I think that may help this song's message. After all, you can change someone's mind with logic, but you can only change the way they act with feelings.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think that the lack of logos in the song Imagine was purposeful because it would help gain more support for a hippie style movement. The entire hippie movement was a peaceful, seemingly nonlogical to the public, and so the addition of this song seemed to boost the movement's potential.
ReplyDeleteI think that the lack of logos in the song Imagine was purposeful because it would help gain more support for a hippie style movement. The entire hippie movement was a peaceful, seemingly nonlogical to the public, and so the addition of this song seemed to boost the movement's potential.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is the perfect amount of logos. Its simple message is, "why can't we just have peace?" which when you think about it is logical enough. Why is it that we must fight and bicker. It seems as John's logos is great and combined with the pathos and the emotion that it draws from its listeners it truly is a wonderful song
ReplyDeleteIt may be a bit counter intuitive, but I think the lack of logos in this song is more effective than if there were to be logos. In fact, it actually makes sense, given the title of the song, "Imagine." The song is not trying to be realistic, it's trying to be optimistic, and a lack of logic and an abundance of pathos and kairos are what make Lennon's argument all the more powerful.
ReplyDelete