Imagine (Ben Platt song)

"Imagine" is a song by actor/singer-songwriter Ben Platt. It was written by Platt, with additional writing from Michael Pollack, Eskeerdo, Stefan Johnson, Jon Bellion and The Monsters & Strangerz, the latter two of whom also served as music producers for the song. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Reverie, on April 23, 2021, followed by a remixed version by Tiësto on May 28, 2021.[1]

"Imagine"
Single by Ben Platt
from the album Reverie
ReleasedApril 23, 2021 (2021-04-23)
GenrePop
Length2:44
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jon Bellion
  • The Monsters & Strangerz
Ben Platt singles chronology
"Everything I Did to Get to You"
(2020)		 "Imagine"
(2021)		 "Happy to be Sad"
(2021)
Music video
"Imagine" on YouTube

Background

According to Platt, the song was written in 2020 while he was stuck in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the writing process for his second solo album. He described that for both the song and its accompanying music video, he was inspired by "the way that our loved ones, the people that make life worth living, can turn the mundanity of suburbia into something magical and fantastical. Everyone has that person or people that make their world technicolor, fueling us with a love that can feel supernatural." He also stated that the song's lyrics are clearly related to his relationship with boyfriend Noah Galvin.[2]

Release and promotion

Prior to the single's release, Platt teased the chorus of the song on TikTok. The complete song was made available for pre-sale on April 20, 2021, and was released on April 23, 2021.[3] Dutch electronic producer Tiësto released a remix of the song on May 28, 2021. An acoustic version was released on June 11, 2021.[4]

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Matty Peacock, was released the same day as the song, which features Platt jumping on cars and levitating in mid-air in a suburban neighborhood setting.[2]

Live performances

Platt's first live performance of the song took place on the May 13, 2021 episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden.[5] He also performed it on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 8, 2021, as well as on the Season 20 finale of NBC's The Voice on May 25, 2021, where he also introduced a trailer for the upcoming 2021 film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, in which he reprises his performance in the titular role.[6]

Charts
Chart performance for "Imagine"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada Hot Canadian Digital Songs (Billboard)[7] 48
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 33
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[9] 27
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] 36

Release history
Release history for "Imagine"
Region Date Version Format Label
United States April 23, 2021[11] Main
Atlantic
May 28, 2021 Tiësto Remix
June 11, 2021[4] Acoustic Version

References
  1. Daw, Stephen. "First Out: New Music From Rebecca Black, Greyson Chance, K.Flay & More". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  2. Hissong, Samantha (April 23, 2021). "Ben Platt Finds Magic in the Mundane in 'Imagine'". Rolling Stone. United States. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. BWW News Desk (April 23, 2021). "Ben Platt to Release New Single 'Imagine'". BroadwayWorld. United States. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  4. TV News Desk (June 11, 2021). "Ben Platt Shares Acoustic Version of 'Imagine'". BroadwayWorld. United States. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  5. Stage Tube (May 17, 2021). "VIDEO: Ben Platt Talks DEAR EVAN HANSEN Movie on LATE LATE SHOW". BroadwayWorld. United States. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  6. "Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani Returning to 'The Voice' for Season 20 Finale Performances | Entertainment Tonight".
  7. "Ben Platt Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  8. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  9. "Ben Platt Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  10. "Ben Platt Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  11. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
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