In 1968, Rod Argent and Chris White began working on material for a possible new band when they were approached by CBS to do another Zombies album.
"Imagine the Swan" was one of many new songs recorded with a lineup of Argent, Hugh Grundy, Jim Rodford (bass) and Rick Birkett (guitar).
Record World called "Imagine the Swan" a "nifty pretty ditty" and "good contemporary rock.
"[3] Cash Box called it "delightful" and said "Ballad in a melancholy tone is supported by a relatively simple instrumental track with well-worked time changes and a stunning organ close.
"[4] Allmusic critic Matthew Greenwald noted that the lyrics were about a "lonely spinster", similar to the Odyssey and Oracle song "Rose for Emily", and that the melody was based on Johan Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier.