The performance by Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood at Jimmy Carter’s fun3ral provoked outrage, with many fans condemning the song selection. They explicitly mentioned the lyrics they thought unsuitable for a church context and a Christian funeral.
The song’s lyrical rejection of religion sparked a major social media controversy.
One of the most dividing verses sings, “Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky.” Fans didn’t love the idea of having these words sung in a church setting as they challenged the very values of the Christian funeral.
Another triggered fan confronted this decision, “Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are performing ‘Imagine’ at Jimmy Carter’s fun3ral. ‘Imagine there’s no heaven…’ ‘And no religion too …’ I gotta wonder—who planned this? There’s no worse song to sing at a funeral, except maybe ‘Highway to Hell.’ Sad. Pitiful, really [sic].”
One user felt conflicted., writing, “This is a beautiful performance. The choice of this song is disrespectful to Carter’s memory.”
On the other hand, a few fans were more forgiving of the performance, with one stating, “It was absolutely amazing and beautiful hearing those 2 sing.” A fan, who also didn’t agree with the backlash, swooned, “Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood singing John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ at the Jimmy Carter funeral was one of most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard [sic].”
Garth Brooks and Yearwood performed the song because it was one of Jimmy Carter’s favorites.
Carter was once asked what his favorite Beatles song was, and he replied, “My favorite is ‘Imagine.’” When I travel to other countries, such as Cuba, ‘Imagine’ has become the national song in some of them.
Brooks thanked Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, for their lifetime of service to the country and the world. He recognized how they motivated everyone not only through their words, but also by their acts.
