Beatles sang of idealism world needs
http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2010/01/08/Opinions/Beatles.Sang.Of.Idealism.World.Needs-3852062.shtml
SEAN DOLAN
Issue date: 1/8/10
People often ask me why I am so obsessed with the Beatles.
I have 11 versions of "Let It Be" on my iPod.
I've spent countless hours singing along on the Beatles Rock Band
karaoke game, butchering classics with my off-key renditions.
I even made a trip to Liverpool to see where the music all began.
I am not alone in my obsession. There are millions of people around
the world just like me.
Why does a band that broke up 40 years ago still rouse such passion
out of so many fans?
The music itself is, of course, ground-breaking and fantastic.
The Lennon-McCartney partnership coupled with the underappreciated
genius of George Harrison led to some of the greatest music ever
recorded. Even the much-maligned Ringo Starr was pretty decent, all
things considered.
Though the music is incredible, it's not what makes the Beatles the
greatest and most influential band of all time.
Elvis Presley once ruled the airwaves as the King of Rock n' Roll.The
Rolling Stones have been churning out amazing songs for decades.
Today, Kanye West claims to be the greatest musician of all time
There has been great music before the Beatles and great music since,
yet no band in history has ever had the same effect.
What makes the Beatles so different is their ability to inspire us
with their idealism.
In a world wrought with war and conflict, the Beatles tell us that
"All You Need is Love."
Is this unrealistic? Absolutely.
Is it na've? Definitely.
Forty years later are we still listening? You bet.
The Beatles sing about the world as it should be, not necessarily as it is.
When Paul McCartney wrote "Blackbird," he was singing about the
injustices of racial segregation. He sang about a world of inequality
and prejudice.
Forty years later, things aren't perfect, but we've certainly made a
lot of progress.
In "Hey Jude," we are told to "take a sad song and make it better."
Even when times are tough, the Beatles remind us of the good times
that are to come.
A chorus of "na na na na na na na" is not the most lyrically
imaginative, but it doesn't matter.
The music is great on its own, but it's the message that endures.
In "Revolution," the Beatles sing of how "we all want to change the world."
Sure it's a vague goal, but who's to say we can't?
According to the Beatles, you can be a paperback writer, a fool on a
hill, or even a nowhere man.
Some of these songs are completely ridiculous, yet we still listen.
The Beatles continue to inspire new generations with their music.
As we start another new year, the lessons the Beatles taught us 40
years ago still ring true.
There's nothing wrong with being idealistic, hoping for the best out
of people and hoping for the best out of the world.
It might not always be practical or logical but the Beatles tell us
to keep on dreaming.
All these years later, the world is a very different place.
However, the ideals of the 1960's are still relevant in 2010.
John Lennon said it best.
"There's nothing you can do that can't be done/ Nothing you can sing
that can't be sung/ nothing you can say but you can learn how to play
the game/ it's easy/ All you need is love."
There's a reason why this music has stuck around so long.
In a new year and a new semester filled with new challenges, a little
idealism never hurt anyone.
I'm going to keep on listening to the Beatles, and I hope you do, too.
.
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