On Thursday, November 20, Yoko Ono and Hugh Jackman took part in a groundbreaking event for UNICEF at the United Nations in New York. The two stars led a “global sing-along” set to the classic John Lennon song “Imagine”. With the help of a special app made for smartphones, anyone can insert themselves singing along to the song. An interactive digital video was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and features various personalities singing along to the ballad.
Ono gave permission to UNICEF to use the song in their #IMAGINE campaign. The “musical selfies” will be compiled and will be added to a new remix of the song which will be made by DJ David Guetta. The video will be released on iTunes on New Year’s Eve and will be launched in Time’s Square.
Join the whole world & sing #IMAGINE with this new @UNICEF App https://t.co/UbRIfkfOFq & help change a child’s life pic.twitter.com/GUo70prg5d
— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) November 20, 2014
Launch of #IMAGINE to raise awareness for children’s rights. http://t.co/DJVfjzBdGN with @UNICEF @yokoono #CRC25 pic.twitter.com/ciXfXe7An3
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) November 20, 2014
“We’re going to go into a beautiful future together. We’re going to make it better and make it happen and you are and we are, are all already in the future now and so I’d like to say think peace, act peace and spread peace and imagine peace! Thank you,” Ono said about the project.
Jackman added, “So imagine being part of this incredible song with millions of people all around the world uttering these profound words and part of being a part of a new vision for children where every child matters, where all children have the opportunity to grow up safely in a better world.”
At @UNICEF this morning with @RealHughJackman @yokoono talking #imagineproject #rightsofthechild pic.twitter.com/nixqo4HgQg
— Deborra-lee Furness (@Deborra_lee) November 21, 2014
Yoko recently collaborated with the psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips on a new version of John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)”. The song is part of Amazon.com’s new playlist called All Is Bright. The playlist features covers of classic Christmas songs from artists like country singer Lucinda Williams, Amanda Palmer, the Tom Tom Club, and Brandi Carlile. The playlist also includes new original Christmas-themed tunes from Liz Phair and Anna Nalick among others.