John Lennon, Yoko Ono Co-Wrote ‘Imagine’: Music Publishers Group Gives Overdue Credit To Japanese Artist

A John Lennon-Yoko Ono love story movie is in the works and a music publishers group finally gives the Japanese artist credit for the song “Imagine.”

After 46 years of being known as a Lennon song, National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) Centennial Song Awardee “Imagine” is now being dubbed as one which was co-written by The Beatles member and his wife, Yoko Ono.

According to the Billboard, the 84-year-old Japanese musician will finally be acknowledged for her contribution to the world famous song “Imagine.”

Attending the NMPA’s Centennial Annual Meeting and awarding ceremony for the “Song of the Century” with Ono, Sean Lennon shared his happiness about his mother finally getting credit for the song that should will now be known as a John Lennon-Yoko Ono song.

“When they officially acknowledged — through my father’s account — that my mother co-wrote ‘Imagine,’ the ‘Song of the Century,’ it may have been the happiest day of mine and mother’s life,” Lennon said through Ono’s music manager.

Based on the report, Ono and Lennon attended the gathering while expecting to receive the award to honor the song. Much to their surprise and joy, mother and son were given a much bigger surprise.

“While things may have been different in 1971, today I am glad to say things have changed,” NMPA president and CEO David Israelite said in a speech.

“So tonight, it is my distinct honor to correct the record some 48 years later, and recognize Yoko Ono as a co-writer of the NMPA Centennial Song ‘Imagine’ and to present Yoko Ono with this well-deserved credit.”

During the event, the crowd were also treated to the deceased Beatles member’s voice as he was telling BBC that “Imagine” was actually and John Lennon-Yoko Ono song.

During the interview, Lennon clarified that his wife had a bigger part in bringing to life the song that has repeatedly been used to unify the world.

“Actually that should be credited as a Lennon-Ono song because a lot of it — the lyric and the concept — came from Yoko.”

At the time, the legendary musician admitted to being a slave to his pride the first time the song became a hit.

“But those days I was a bit more selfish, a bit more macho, and I sort of omitted to mention her contribution. But it was right out of ‘Grapefruit,’ her book. There’s a whole pile of pieces about ‘Imagine this’ and ‘Imagine that,'” he added.

Almost half a century later, John’s words have finally been taken seriously through NPMA’s Centennial Song award.

Expressing his joy on social media, Sean Lennon posted a photo of him and his mother with Patti Smith and his daughter Jesse after the NMPA awarding ceremony.

Aside from the honor granted to their song “Imagine,” a John Lennon-Yoko Ono movie is also in the works which will be produced by Michael De Luca in association with Immersive Pictures’ Josh Bratman and Ono.

According to Hollywood Reporter, the feature has yet to be given a name but is currently being penned by The Theory of Everything scriptwriter Anthony McCarten and will focus on the themes like love, courage, and activism which brought together the legendary couple.

“The story will focus on ripe and relevant themes of love, courage and activism in the U.S. — with the intention of inspiring today’s youth to stand up for and have a clear vision for the world they want,” DeLuca said in February.

Do you have an opinion about “Imagine” being dubbed as a John Lennon-Yoko Ono song? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

[Featured Image by Keystone Features/Getty Images]