My Gen X Playlist: Imagine – Alex G and Gustavo Guerrero (Cover)

Daily writing prompt

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

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My great grandparents immigrated to America and settled in California in the early 1900s. They were farmers, tilling the land, working hard to carve out a life. Generations of assimilation followed, gradually diluting our cultural awareness. It’s not good nor bad, it’s just a natural progression of life. I’ve often wondered about my roots before my great grandparents made their brave decision to come to America. I’ve toyed with the idea of exploring Ancestry.com to discover more about our family history. I like the thought of a family tree spread out on a big table, mapping connections spanning hundreds of years. I’m sure there are stories to tell in between each branch and under every leaf.

Sometimes you have to know where you came from in order to move forward.

I heard this phrase somewhere before and I can’t help think about it’s significance. How would learning about the past change my lens for the future? Would it change my self-identity or self-image? Questions without answers, yet it seems there is only one way to find out.

I think about the unique layers created through marriage. The family tree becomes ever expansive, connecting different people, countries and cultures. I like the thought of a melting pot, each culture a unique spice added to our simmering family recipe. Constantly stirred, unlimited flavors added to the mix, the cooking is never really complete. The thought of always adding, but never taking away brings a sense of comfort. I see this in my niece’s smile and imagine how this will continue to evolve with her children and her children’s children. The possibilities remain endless. I wonder if hundreds of years from now someone will trace back our family and be just as curious as I am now. Who are they? What are they searching for? More questions without answers for now. The past. The future. It seems they tend to overlap silently, layer upon layer, without notice. I write this not really understanding the meaning of these words but with the inherent thought that they are true. One day I hope I am fortunate enough to discover their true meaning.

Years ago I stumbled upon Alex G and Gustavo Guerrero’s cover of John Lennon’s Imagine. Their version intertwines Spanish and English lyrics and creates a cultural mix of a classic song. Most may have not heard this version before. They are not well known artists, but perform a wonderful duet of Lennon’s song of hope. I hope you give it a try. Enjoy.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

Imagine all the people living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagina un mundo
I wonder if you can
Sin cielo ni infierno
A brotherhood of man
Imagina a la gente
Viviendo en paz

Me llaman soñador
Se que el único no soy
Espero un día te unas
Y uno el mundo será

And the world will live as one