33: Beatles -101 for Anna
- Posted by Cara on July 27th, 2008 filed in day of blogs
This is The Beatles (with an “a”). They were a band. Yes, a British one. They were popular throughout the 60s and released their final album in 1969.
This is a photograph of what we would call “early Beatles.” From top left, clockwise, we have: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison. But we usually just call them John, Paul, George and Ringo — in that order.
John Lennon founded the Beatles – he could be considered the lead singer. In later days, he shared this duty with Paul McCartney. John and Paul wrote many songs together. They also wrote many songs separately, but all of them from the Beatles era are known as Lennon/McCartneys (in that order). John also played guitar, normally rhythm. Paul usually played bass, and was quite good at it. Ringo was the drummer and is a very lovable chap. George was the guitarist, a very skilled musician and later became a talented songwriter himself.
The Beatles released their first album in 1963 to instant commercial success in Britain. In 1964, they enjoyed the same success in the U.S. This was known as “Beatlemania.” They produced many well-loved pop rock hits, including I Want To Hold Your Hand and She Loves You.
At this time, the Beatles were already a breakthrough band, bringing a new type of music to the masses. But their talents progressed and their music became more complex and experimental as they began using drugs like marijuana and LSD. During what would be known as their “transitional” period, they produced songs such as “Ticket to Ride,” “Day Tripper” and “Penny Lane.”
This picture, circa 1967, would be from part of the period we would call “Late(r) Beatles.” From left, we have Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. As you may notice, they are stoned out of their minds.
The Beatles began regularly using effects in their music, pioneering many techniques which are now standardly used in music production. In this period they released what is probably their most well-known album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They also each began developing their own styles, with Lennon/McCartney songs becoming easily distinguishable as “John songs” and “Paul songs.” John songs tended to be introspective, dark, and lyrically-centered. Paul songs tended to be more light, optimistic and melody-focused.
John songs you may know would include “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “I Am The Walrus” (sorry Anna — though John once sang later “the walrus was Paul,” the walrus was actually John). Paul songs include “Hey Jude,” “Hello Goodbye” and “Let it Be.”
This is the Beatles in 1968, shortly before they broke up. From left, John, Ringo, Paul and George. Notice the long faces - this is because they hate each other and do not want to be in the same room. Many people blame this on Yoko Ono, but that’s a bunch of hogwash. To the contrary, Yoko is lovely. Really, the time had just come for things to end before one of them stabbed Paul in the eye with a rusty spoon.
All four of the Beatles went on to solo careers, some more successful than others. Today, the two surviving Beatles are Paul and Ringo.
This is just about the most simplistic and basic overview of the Beatles that one could possibly provide. We’re talking about a band that is often cited as the best and most significant in rock history. If you want to buy a Beatles album, my husband says that you should start with Sgt. Pepper — that’s where everybody starts. But I personally recommend Revolver as a beginner album. We had a whole debate over it and everything.
Thanks to Ian for helping me write this. We hope you have enjoyed the show.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Best light-hearted post evar.
That John was really hot. What was my mother thinking with the Elvis thing?
Random thoughts:
1. I heard Strawberry Fields Forever for the first time earlier this week. No really.
2. I have a lovely mashup of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
3. “Hello Goodbye” is the song they recommend when teaching English in China as a way of teaching opposites.
4. I can’t listen to “Let It Be” without hearing the Seasame Street version.
Hee! This post made my night.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Hooray! I’ve long argued that John was the best looking Beatle, but Paul usually gets all of the credit as the “cute” Beatle. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed it, though I’m still trying to wrap my head around you having just heard Strawberry Fields this last week . . .
I can’t stop giggling at my “stab Paul in the eye with a rusty spoon” line. I’m sure that a Paul person will come along eventually and take issue with that, but . . . meh.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Trackback!
I’m expecting that if I do go to sleep tonight I’ll wake up late tomorrow afternoon to a bunch of Facts About The Beatles. Then I’ll call my mother and we can talk about Elvis. Elvis is awesome.
But yeah - John was hot. I’m shallow.
So, just to clarify - they didn’t sing “Last Train to Clarksville”, did they?
You’re gonna kick me off the blog now, aren’t you?
July 27th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Uh . . . no. They did not sing Last Train to Clarksville.
July 27th, 2008 at 2:01 am
See! I knew something! Kinda…
I was going to reference the Paul is Dead thing but then I remembered that Paul, sadly, is really dead and that’s probably less funny. But I do occasionally entertain myself by reading up on the “theory” re: Paul’s death & replacement.
July 27th, 2008 at 2:14 am
waitwaitwaitwaitwait
Paul is NOT dead! Geez, my two favorite Beatles are already dead, stop killing off Paul!!!
John was murdered in 1980. George died of cancer in 2001. But unless I missed something in the news today, Paul is still alive and well!
July 27th, 2008 at 2:19 am
[...] Anna apparently still desperately needs a Beatles education, some key [...]
July 27th, 2008 at 2:21 am
AAAA! My reading comprehension is awful at this tme of the morning! I’m sorry! I fail at Beatles 101. Woe!
July 27th, 2008 at 2:53 am
I’ve always been a fan of the Dark Horse myself.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:02 am
I’m a George lover myself (well he’s my second fave), and I totally should have mentioned George songs.
IMPORTANT GEORGE SONGS INCLUDE “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (my fave), “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun.” I also have a very big soft-spot for “Taxman.” That song fucking rocks and doesn’t get its due credit.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Oh! I know “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. I love that song!
You’re totally going to send me to my room without dinner if I tell you I didn’t know that song was by the Beatles, aren’t you?
July 27th, 2008 at 3:07 am
*headdesk*
July 27th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Cara, I hate to disagree with you (it happens so rarely), but I contend that Paul really is dead.
http://digilander.libero.it/jamespaul/fc1.html
Also, I agree that Revolver is the place to start. It is to the Beatles what The Head on the Door was to The Cure — transition from “early” to “late”. And a great album.
July 27th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Wow Ryan, that was worth a good laugh. I don’t have the time to explain why all of those comparisons were so fatally flawed (like the fact that they picked some of the worst pictures of Paul ever, that don’t even look like Paul present, or the way that face shape always changes slightly with age, or the way that many of the Paul vs. Faul comparisons are ridiculous for the way in which the “two men” look exactly the same). I’ll just hope that you found it amusing, too, rather than credible and are joking? I mean, I will have this argument if need be. But no really, it gave my husband and I a good funny conversation.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Cara, as if you weren’t awesome enough already - you’re a George lover too! Whoop whoop!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Well like I said, I truly am a “John Person,” but of course I love George! How could you not love George? George was made of total win and the Beatles never would have risen to the heights of brilliance that they did without his musicianship. I also think that he was — and this always sounds like an insult but I really mean it as a compliment — the best backup singer I’ve ever heard. Of course I love his lead vocals too, but while John and Paul always get strong deserved credit for their harmonizing capabilities, George was often the one holding those songs together while J and P got the glory. George always gets slighted but he truly was indispensable. Really funny guy, too.
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