The rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” by Garth Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, at Jimmy Carter’s funeral has sparked mixed reactions on the internet. Many dignitaries, including Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, graced the ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral on January 9.
However, their performance was met with criticism, with fans pointing out how inappropriate the song was for a funeral service held in a church for a devout Christian like Jimmy Carter. They expressed their feelings about the lyrics of the song.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s rendition of “Imagine” at Jimmy Carter’s funeral
Being long-time friends of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed the late president’s best song at his funeral, but fans did not seem to appreciate their choice of song. The performance immediately went viral, and followers began voicing their opinions in the comments section.
While some praised the song, others pointed out “Imagine” as “the most insulting song that could be played at a funeral.” The lyrics include, “Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky,” a part that most fans considered inappropriate for the moment. On the contrary, there were also beautiful comments about Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood’s rendition.
Despite the disapproval from fans, the singer’s choice of “Imagine” did not come from personal motives. They performed it knowing that it was Jimmy Carter’s favorite. When asked about his most liked song in an interview, Jimmy Carter shared, “My favorite is ‘Imagine.’” He also recalled how people in other nations had become fond of the song and jokingly referred to it as a “national anthem” in some countries.
During his visit to Havana, he saw a statue of John Lennon, a symbol of love for the singer and his music. Jimmy Carter also acknowledged that people from many parts of the world with different backgrounds, races, religions, and nationalities enjoyed the song as well. Hence, the couple singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” at his funeral was unsurprising.