"Imagine" was originally released as a single in America on October 11, 1971, peaking at #3 on the charts. It hit #1 in Canada and was to be Lennon's only #1 song in Australia. It came out in the U.K. four years later, on October 25, 1975, topping out at the #6 spot on the British charts. Shortly after Lennon's death in 1980, it was re-released in the UK and hit #1. It was replaced at #1 by Lennon's "Woman," marking the first time an artist replaced himself on top of the UK charts since The Beatles followed "She Loves You" with "I Want To Hold Your Hand."
This song returned to the Hot 100 three times in the late 2000s, thanks to cover versions by Jack Johnson (#90, 2007), David Archuleta (#36, 2008) and The Glee Cast (#67, 2009).
In 2002, this came #2 in a poll by Guinness World Records as Britain's favorite single of all time. It lost to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.
Rolling Stone ranked "Imagine" number three on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", describing it as "an enduring hymn of solace and promise that has carried us through extreme grief, from the shock of Lennon's own death in 1980 to the unspeakable horror of September 11th."
In 1999, BMI named it one of the top 100 most-performed songs of the 20th century. Also that year, it received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Elton John performed the song regularly on his world tour in 1980.
On 9 December 1980, the day after Lennon's murder, Queen performed "Imagine" as a tribute to him during their Wembley Arena show in London.
In 1991–92, Liza Minnelli performed the song in her show at Radio City Music Hall.
Stevie Wonder gave his rendition of the song during the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics.
In 2001, Neil Young performed it during the benefit concert America: A Tribute to Heroes.
Madonna performed "Imagine" during the benefit Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope.
Peter Gabriel performed the song during the 2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Since 2005, "Imagine" has been played prior to the New Year's Eve ball drop at New York City's Times Square.
The song was performed as part of the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.