John Lennon | Original Torrie Zito arrangement for "Imagine"

John Lennon

Original Torrie Zito musical arrangement for "Imagine," np, nd, but ca. July 1971

15 large loose leaves (278 x 430 mm) of photocopied sheet music and a title-page with "John Lennon" at upper right corner and "Imagine | Arr. by Torrie Zito" at right margin; most leaves browned and with abrasions, some loss to corners, chips and closed tears to several leaves, some of which longer and crossing the sheet music, but the arrangement is nonetheless clear and legible, remnants of tape to corners of versos. Housed in a large cardstock portfolio, upper cover with "John Lennon" and song titles written in felt tip, and with ink stamp reading "Arr. by TORRIE ZITO."

The original string arrangement for "Imagine," used in the recording sessions. The portfolio housing the sheet music lists three songs, including "How Do You Sleep At Night" and "Jealous Guy" in addition to "Imagine," though only the arrangements for the latter are present. An enduring classic, the song was the most successful single of Lennon's solo career. In a later interview, Lennon commented on the song's lyrical content and its relationship with its massive commercial success: “Anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic, but because it is sugarcoated it is accepted. Now I understand what you have to do. Put your political message across with a little honey.”