Garth Brooks Slammed For Performing John Lennon’s Communist Anthem “Imagine” At Jimmy Carter’s Funeral… In A Church

Quinn Eaton·
COUNTRY MUSIC
·
Garth Brooks
PBS

Back on December 29, 2024, former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100.

The former president was entered into hospice care back in February of 2023, and was at his home surrounded by loved ones for many of his final days. Carter made a rare public appearance when he attended his late wife’s funeral service in November of 2023 at the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, which is the longest of any first couple in the history of the country. Though Carter only served one term that ran from the late ’70s to the early ’80s, he and his wife were known for the great humanitarian work they did long after his time in office.

Many current and former politicians were in attendance, including all living former first ladies, as well as Bill Clinton, current President Joe Biden, and Donald Trump and his wife Melania, but the couple that has really turned heads being there is Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Though it might seem strange that the two country stars would be there to pay their respects, it makes more sense when you know that Brooks and Yearwood were close acquaintances with the Carters. Here is a picture of the four of them working together on a home building project for Habitat for Humanity:

Considering that they were so close, it should then come as no surprise that Brooks and Yearwood performed a song in honor of Jimmy Carter at his service – just as they did for Rosalynn Carter during her funeral service. However, the song choice of John Lennon’s “Imagine” has puzzled some online, considering the opening line of the song is “imagine there’s no heaven,” and that’s not exactly comforting to hear at funeral.

The song is powerful, and probably one of the most recognizable songs in the world, but for a funeral? It admittedly comes off as a strange selection. Even Lennon himself said the song essentially reflected the ideology (not so much the practice) of the Communist movement at the time, even though he wasn’t a communist. Jimmy Carter is often considered the first post-Cold War president, with the Cold War being viewed from an American perspective as anti-communist (the U.S. actively tried to stop the spread of the Communist Party).

In 1971, Lennon said:

“‘Imagine’, which says, ‘Imagine that there was no more religion, no more country, no more politics,’ is virtually The Communist Manifesto, even though I’m not particularly a Communist and I do not belong to any movement.”

Like any piece of art, people will interpret the song however they like, though many have argued that “Imagine” has often been misused and misunderstood in moments of remembrance, and even at funerals. However, this quote from Jimmy Carter about the song might reveal why it was chosen for this moment, and could even lead one to assume that it might’ve been requested by the Carter family:

“In many countries around the world — my wife and I have visited about 125 countries — you hear John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ used almost equally with national anthems. There is no real Communist state in the world; you must realize that.”

Regardless of the song’s meaning, the performance by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood was a touching moment in the proceedings in honor of the former president. It’s pretty hard to hear Garth’s music these days so fans I’m sure are happy to hear this live performance. You can stream his entire catalogue exclusively on Amazon Music.

You can view the performance here:

Those on the internet certainly agree, and you can view the social media backlash that the song choice has received (the same thing happened after Garth and Trisha performed the song at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral) below:

RIP Jimmy Carter… I’m sorry they keep playing this song for you and your family.

This post contains links from our Affiliate Partners program. If you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

A beer bottle on a dock

MORE FROM WHISKEY RIFF

WHISKEY RIFF RAFF PODCAST

WHISKEY RIFF SHOP

NEWSLETTER

ABOUT US

THE TEAM

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock