Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has released a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” to benefit Heartbeat.fm, an organization that uses music to foster peace between Israel and Palestine. The song is now available for purchase via iTunes.

Calling it “the most powerful song ever written,” Vedder covered “Imagine” for the first time ever during a solo show in Portugal in July. The performance came on the heels of controversial comments Vedder made regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. Vedder came out strongly, saying that both sides are looking to cross borders and take land that doesn't belong to them. He further stated that they needed to get out of those areas and mind there own business.

Vedder later reiterated his anti-war stance in an open letter published to Pearl Jam’s website. “That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon,” Vedder wrote. “Call me naïve. I’d rather be naïve, heartfelt, and hopeful than resigned to say nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution.

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To me, there are certain songs that should be left uncovered. "Imagine" is one of those.

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