Bringing “Real Love” to the NY Institute of Special Education

On May 31, 2022, the John Lennon Real Love Project came to the New York Institute for Special Education in Bronx, NY for students who are legally blind.

Under the guidance of program leaders Beth and Scott Bierko, students in multiple grade levels wrote new lyrics to John Lennon’s “Real Love.”The students then recorded a new version of the song, singing with John Lennon and adding their own musical flourishes, including percussion and bells.

A verse in the reimagined lyrics are from the point-of-view of a sighted guide:

If you need a sighted guide
I’ll hold your elbow at your side
Being safe and helping each other
Is showing some love

Another verse speaks to the power of music to bring people together:

No matter if you're different than me
We can join in harmony
Peacefully we’re singing together
And sharing our love

Music teacher, Naum Schulman, said, “Teaching artists Beth and Scott creatively encouraged students to express a range of ideas and feelings. Songwriting can address personal, group, and global issues, and the benefits include self-expression, stress relief, a means of interpreting difficult circumstances, and overcoming challenges. All of our students were very engaged and happy!”