Lennon and Ono co-produced the song with Phil Spector. Recording began at Lennon's home studio at Tittenhurst Park, England, in May 1971, with final overdubs taking place at the Record Plant, in New York City, during July. In October, Lennon released "Imagine" as a single in the United States, where it peaked at number three on the "Billboard" Hot 100. The song was first issued as a single in Britain in 1975, to promote the compilation "Shaved Fish", and reached number six on the UK Singles Chart that year. It later topped the chart following Lennon's murder in 1980.