UNICEF Reimagines John Lennon's "Imagine" as the World's Biggest Sing-Along

Generations of activists have been inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine," but the song will take on a whole new meaning — and sound — as of today. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child (which was ratified by the General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989), UNICEF is joining forces with Yoko Ono and producer and DJ David Guetta to launch the #IMAGINE project — the world's largest sing-along to bring awareness to UNICEF and its global mission.

The project is a multimedia happening with global stars like Katy Perry, Will.i.am, Idris Elba, Seth Green, Angelique Kidjo, Daniela Mercury, and Priyanka Chopra lending their voices to a black and white video recording of the legendary "Imagine." Lennon and Ono's voices can be heard in clips from old recordings. Through a free, downloadable app, individuals can record themselves singing "Imagine" next to their favorite singers along with their thoughts on a better world for kids. The recordings can then be shared with families, friends, and UNICEF. In late December, Guetta will compile all of the celebrity and individual recordings into a track that will make its debut on Jan. 1 simultaneously in Times Square and around the world.

Getty | JEWEL SAMAD

The project was announced with great fanfare at the United Nations this morning. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness were on hand to introduce Ono. Ono hopes that the recording will bring some light to the dark times the world is experiencing. Björn Ulvaeus, from ABBA, announced that the group's song "Chiquitita," which they performed on the same UN stage back in 1979, has generated more than $4 million in donations to UNICEF through the years. Starting today, any further money raised from the song will be donated to UNICEF programs for young girls.

To participate in the program:

  • Download the TouchCast app for iOS via Apple's App Store or at http://imagine.unicef.org.
  • Record your version of "Imagine" with Lennon and a host of celebrities simply by tapping the red record button.
  • Record personal messages describing what you imagine a better world for children would be like.
  • Share your recordings with friends with the hashtags #EVERYVOICECOUNTS and #IMAGINE.
Getty | JEWEL SAMAD

Appearing in the video, in order of appearance, are:

  • Regina Wilson — NY firefighter
  • Angelique Kidjo — Singer
  • Nicole Scherzinger — Singer
  • Cody Simpson — Singer
  • Sigrid Agren — Model
  • Danny O'Donoghue — Singer
  • Roarke — Singer
  • Idris Elba — Actor
  • Kate Nauta, Jenny Bapst, Francois Alexander, and Samantha Rex — Singers
  • Lance Bass — Singer
  • Dash Mihok — Film/TV actor
  • Priyanka Chopra — Actress/singer
  • Suki Waterhouse — Model
  • Craig David — Singer
  • Zelda Williams — Actress
  • Joan Sebastian — Singer/songwriter
  • Adam Lambert — Singer
  • Nasri — Singer
  • Maria Gabriela de Faria — Actress/singer
  • Ban Ki-moon — UN secretary general
  • Professional Performing Arts School Choir Members — School choir
  • Family School Students — International students
  • David Guetta — Music producer/DJ
  • Courteney Cox and Coco Arquette — Actress and daughter
  • Doni and Akai Floyd — Mother and daughter
  • Mari Malek — DJ Stiletto/model/activist
  • David Arquette — Actor
  • Isaiah Mustafa — Actor
  • Scott Foley — Actor
  • Sam Martin — Singer
  • Bianca Yuzon — Singer
  • Justin Bartha and baby Asa — Actor and daughter
  • Eric Christian Olsen — Actor
  • Antonella Barba — Singer
  • Rumer Willis — Actress
  • Katy Perry — Singer
  • Seth Green — Actor
  • Rebecca Da Costa — Actress/model
  • Butch Vig — Music producer
  • Antonique Smith — Actress
  • Will.i.am — Musician/entrepreneur
  • Taye Diggs — Broadway/TV/film actor
  • Patricia Arquette and Harlow Jane — Actress and daughter
  • Ben Barnes — Actor
  • Rob Kazinsky — Actor
  • Tokio Hotel's Bill Kaulitz — Singer
  • Dianna Agron — Actress/singer
  • Tony Lake — Executive director of UNICEF
  • Ore and Neave Segal — Sons of Edo and Ayelet Segal
  • Yuna Kim — Figure skater
  • Eden Espinosa — Broadway actress/singer
  • Sunidhi Chauhan — Singer
  • Nina Dobrev — Actress
  • Julian Morris — Actor
  • Poe — Singer
  • Sanaa Lathan — Actress
  • Amy Brenneman — Actress
  • Trevor Jackson — Singer and actor