This past week we had discussed the Beatles- finally! I believe that it is safe to say that the Beatles paved a road that most every artist has walked at some point in his or her career.  From the styles, to the genres, to the drug-inspired lyrics- the Beatles left an impression that has lasted over 50 years and is still prominent in today’s society.

During the first few years of the Beatles’ career, much of their performing was cover work. Steadily, though, they began to develop their own sound, different from anything that anyone had ever heard. The dissident chords definitely helped to distinguish them, but also the new and strange lyrics being written. The group first approached Bob Dylan about song writing, inquiring about his style and inspiration. And though this did wonders for the Beatles, one can’t help but recall the also very strange, drug induced creations that were also produced. When I was younger I listened to those songs, thinking that they were so fun; I thought they were written for children or people with very big imaginations. Then I later found out it wasn’t exactly a good thing that the Beatles had made this kind of music. Also, after hearing the work, I didn’t think that it could possibly get any weirder. … Then I was introduced to the movie Yellow Submarine.

When the Beatles came out with a couple abnormal songs, they’d also through a couple songs onto the album that would be widely accepted. On the album Revolver, the band had a few love songs that were ‘pop’ sounding, such as “Here, There, and Everywhere” and “Good Day Sunshine”. Then came the songs “I’m Only Sleeping” and “Tomorrow Never Knows”. If LSD had a sound, it would definitely be “Tomorrow Never Knows”. Yellow Submarine, the film, combined elements from the Beatles’ Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Rubber Soul, and others, though it seemed to have only sampled the more strange, distant melodies that any listener probably wouldn’t understand. And somehow, an animated film was created to depict the imaginary scenarios that each of these songs foretell. Where the Blue Meenies and the Nowhere Man, also known as Jeremy, came from, no one knows. However, the movie still managed to become one that is loved by many, regardless of its odd soundtrack. Each of the Beatles’ more interesting, intricate songs takes the listener on a journey into the minds of artists- a journey to a world unknown. I prefer to think of it as an exciting trip! … a mystery trip?