The ULTIMATE Imagine Chords And Guitar Lesson

Here’s a moving song that’s often been associated with peace and anti-war movements. 

After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon went on to keep creating original music. The song I want to share with you today, he wrote in the 70s and it may be one of his most monumental tunes.

In this blog post, I’m going to break down 2 different versions – an easy version and a more advanced one. 

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Imagine” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Imagine?

"Imagine" was written by John Lennon, and released in 1971 on an album with the same name. The song came out of a period where John was reflecting on a deeper philosophical level. He was picturing a world without war, possessions, or religious and nationalistic boundaries. 

The lyrics were influenced by his wife, Yoko Ono. Lennon initially took sole credit for the song. But later recognized Ono's contribution as a significant influence on the song's lyrics and philosophy.

“Imagine” was recorded in May of 1971 at Lennon's home studio, Ascot Sound Studios, in Tittenhurst Park, England. It was co-produced by Lennon, Ono, and Phil Spector, who helped to create the song's distinctive sound. The recording features Lennon on piano and vocals, Klaus Voormann on bass, Alan White on drums, and some overdubs, including strings.

The inspiration for "Imagine" came from a combination of Ono’s art and poetry, particularly a book she published called Grapefruit, and a Christian prayer book given to Lennon by comedian Dick Gregory. 

"Imagine" quickly became a cultural anthem for peace and anti-war movements. It has been covered by numerous artists and has appeared in countless films, commercials, and public events. The song earned its place in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and has often ranked high on lists of the greatest songs ever written. 

For example, it ranked third on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" and was again included in the updated 2021 version. 

The song is built around a simple, moving piano arrangement. One memorable performance was by Peter Gabriel at the 1991 tribute concert for John Lennon in Liverpool.

Another interesting note is that in 2009, "Imagine" was played in space to wake up astronauts on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, symbolizing peace and a hope for global unity. 

After Lennon’s assassination in 1980, "Imagine" surged back onto the charts as fans used the song as a mourning anthem. It remains deeply associated with Lennon's legacy and ideals.

Let’s now take a look at the…

Imagine Chords

To play “Imagine” on guitar you’ll need to know 9 main chords C, Cmaj7, F, C/E, Dm, Dm/C, G, G7. and E7. These chords can be primarily as open position chords, except for F. Let’s take a look at a few examples of how they could be played on the fretboard.

C is played from the 5th string down like this:

Cmaj7 just makes one subtle change to the C chord and gets a jazzier sound:

F is played as a bar chord in first position like this:

C/E is just like the C chord above however, this time we INCLUDE the low E string. 

Dm is played from the 4th string down like this:

Then I simply change the bass note for Dm/C. (This is called a slash chord. A slash chord in music is a chord where a specific bass note, different from the root of the chord, is written after a slash.)

G can be played as any G that is comfortable for you. I use this folk-style shape:

The G7 chord I play is another very rootsy, folk-style chord shape in open position like this:

Finally, E7 is played using all 6 strings like so:

If you struggled to understand chords on the neck and navigate the fretboard for rhythm and lead then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here:

All right, if the above 9 shapes are too many to learn for you at this moment. You can also simplify it a bit with this…

Imagine Chords Easy

For this lesson, you only need to know 6 chords, and I’ve removed several of the more advanced slash chords and walking bass lines. 

All right, now that you have a solid understanding of the “Imagine” chords, let’s next answer the question of…

What key is Imagine in?

“Imagine” as recorded by John Lennon is in the key of C major. The main scale for the song is the C major scale which uses the following notes:

C - D - E - F - G - A - B

There are no sharps and no flats in the key of C major. All the chords in the song fit into the diatonic scale of C major except for E7. The E7 comes in during the final section of the song and adds a nice lift of tension. Here’s a quick look at how all these chords relate to the key of C major.

C (C major): This is the I chord (tonic) in the key of C major. It serves as the home base and is the most stable chord, providing a sense of resolution.

Cmaj7 (C major 7): This is an extension of the tonic (I) chord, adding the major 7th (B) to the chord. It gives a slightly more complex and jazzy sound than the plain C major chord. It can still function as the tonic but with a softer, more sophisticated feel.

F (F major): This is the IV chord (subdominant) in C major. The subdominant often provides a sense of movement away from the tonic and creates a pathway toward either returning to the tonic (I) or progressing to the dominant (V) chord.

C/E (C major with E in the bass): This is a first-inversion C major chord. While it’s still functioning as the tonic (I), the E in the bass creates a smoother bass line, especially when moving from an F chord (IV) to the Dm. It helps in voice leading and creating a more connected sound.

Dm (D minor): This is the ii chord (supertonic) in the key of C major. The supertonic chord adds tension and often leads to the dominant (V) chord. It can be used to transition from the tonic or subdominant chords.

Dm/C (D minor with C in the bass): This chord functions similarly to Dm (ii), but the C in the bass provides a descending bass line effect in the song (F → E → D → C, for example). It serves as a passing chord, helping to connect the other chords smoothly.

G (G major): This is the V chord (dominant) in C major. The dominant chord creates a strong pull toward resolving back to the tonic (I). It’s one of the most crucial chords for establishing a sense of key and resolving tension.

G7 (G dominant 7): This is also a V chord, but with an added minor 7th (F). The G7 chord adds even more tension than a plain G major because of the dissonance created by the F note, which strongly resolves to the E in the C major chord. It reinforces the need to return to the tonic (I). This happens at the end of the verse section in “Imagine”.

E7 (E dominant 7): This chord is not diatonic to the key of C major but can be used as a secondary dominant. It creates a temporary shift and adds new movement to the chord progression.

So that’s the theory, but remember all that doesn’t mean a thing without a good… 

Imagine Strumming Pattern And Groove

The main underlying groove for “Imagine” is a steady 8th-note pulse. This is created through a constant driving feel in the piano part. Lennon plays a chord with his right hand and then a bass note with his left. Alternating these two in a consistent 8th note rhythm is essentially the motor for the song.

Then later the groove picks up when the drums come in. If I was strumming this on guitar I might play a pattern like this:

This basic strum is two beats long. The strumming directions would go: D, D, D, Du

Down - Down - Down - Down

Then repeat.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, “Imagine” is an iconic song and has become highly associated with peace and anti-war movements. The lyrics and melody have touched listeners around the world. It’s been played and covered by countless artists and still makes a great tune to add to your setlist.

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide right here now:  

Jon MacLennan