On this day in 1971, John Lennon released his second solo album, Imagine

In New York, Lennon was having a jam with former bandmate George Harrison and decided to invite him to perform on his next album. Recording began the following week on the 24th of May and continued over the following months. 

Imagine was written during a period of bad blood between Lennon and Paul McCartney following the bands breakup and McCartney’s High Court case to have their partnership dissolved. The song “How Do You Sleep” was written in retaliation to McCartney’s alleged personal attacks on Lennon and Yoko Ono on his recent album, Ram. When Imagine was released, early copies of the record came with a postcard featuring a photograph of Lennon holding a pig in a parody of Ram’s album cover.

Critics early reviews were mixed, with most claiming the album had both high and low points, though the opinions were positive for the most part. Lennon himself later expressed displeasure with the more commercial sound of the album, however Imagine is still remembered as one of his most significant albums.