Imagine - New Zealand 2023

With the general election upon us, it felt time to do a parody that also strikes a conciliatory and hopeful note. With a little luck, we'll get rid of this racially divisive government and install something that treats us all as equals. What better song to remake than John Lennon's Imagine...

Imagine
Original words and music by John Lennon
Performance and new lyrics by Anto Coates

Imagine there’s no Hipkins
It’s easy if you try
And no Three Waters
Or Te Mana O Te Wai

Imagine all the Kiwis,
Looking forward not back… ah ha

Imagine we’re one country
One man, one vote,
Not Aotearoa,
Being rammed down our throat,

Imagine all the Kiwis
And true equality … eehee…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And we all move forward as one

Imagine free expression
I wonder if you can
Where words aren’t violence
And a woman’s not a man

Imagine all the Kiwis
Thinking for themselves…you hoo

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And we all move forward as one