The Beatles

[Rockferry]

The Beatles exploded onto the scene in 1963 when they first came to America triggering Beatlemania. They are the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed band in the history of popular music. I don't think there is an artist today hasn't felt their influence and thanks to a recent movie, Across the Universe, they have become relevant again. I think in someway they've always been relevant, but you can't help but admit that they fallen out of the mainstream. I actually had to explain to a 16 year old the other day who John Lennon was. Anyways... though I'm really excited that Across the Universe is reminding us how great the Beatles are and how they have a power unmatched by anyone in the entertainment industry (except Elvis or The Beach Boys maybe) to communicate to the masses in such a profound level. Even our generation. I'm glad we are being reminded of that.

Tell us what you think of the Beatles, when you heard your first Beatles song, who is your favorite, whatever.

[Angelic]

When I think of the Beatles, I think of the cut out scene from Pulp Fiction when Mia asks Vincent, there's two kinds of men. A Beatles Man and an Elvis (Presley) man. Clarissa asked me once which one I was (well woman, but hey you get the point) and I responded confidently at the time: Beatles. And it still holds true. I'm definitely a Beatles fan, I mean that's just the band I grew up with. My father had his old Spanish albums, his musical and opera music, then he had his 70's rock/pop collection. We'd listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Beatles. I don't remember what the first song of them I heard, but there were plenty I'd recognize and sing along with not because I understood the words, but because I heard it so often and would lie in the living room listening to it while my dad did the bills.

He looooves the Beatles and so does my mom (to my mom there was no one above the Beatles and the Bee Gees when she was a teenager), we all like the Beatles. I don't really keep up with the mainstream anymore because I don't listen to the radio and yeah I suppose generations nowadays are all "huh, the Beatles?" but to me I get moods where all I want to listen to is some Beatles. During high school, my best friend and I listened to the Beatles every morning on the way to school and the way back because we're dorks, we like listening to classics and random stuff.

I heard about Across the Universe, but had no idea it had Beatles songs. I just know my roommate saw the preview and knew it would be something I was into. I've always loved the Beatles and have their songs imported on my iTunes so I can hear Hey Jude (ahhh when I saw you change your username to that, Ash, I was all awww *listens to song*), All You Need Is Love and Revolution whenever I wanted to. I still need to get some other songs but I'm waiting til I go home for those. :p

As for who is my favorite, well I've always had a soft spot for George Harrison. I think it's because when I first saw a picture of them when I was younger, I was drawn to him. I also watched this Live in India concert or something... he was pretty cool. ^.^ But on the flipside artistically, I'm very much for John Lennon. He just had so much to say and his music evokes such emotion, I seriously feel he had so much more to give until his life was cut short. Even so his music is very influential, so are the rest of the groups songs, but I don't know, Lennon is the man, heh.

[Suteki Da Ne]

Hmmm, I'm not sure it is exactly appropriate to say this movie made them relevant again... but maybe that's just me. Especially since the movie was good and I adore it, but it was not beyond GREAT. But anyway, this is about the Beatles, I love their songs, always have. It was definitely fun to hear the songs in Across the Universe. Cool idea in general. It would be nice if Michael Jackson would just go ahead and release the rights to the songs or put the cds out though (unless he has recently and I am just not aware of it). But their songs are everywhere even if people don't even realize the original artists.

So yup, great great band. Definitely one of the complete unforgettable classics. I have always been fond of Being for the "Benefit of Mr. Kite" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." I also LOVE "Come together" and hmmm let's see "She's Leaving Home" and "Lovely Rita" and of coooourse "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

[Rockferry]

Well I understand that... but you can't help but admit that about 80% of her generation can't even name at least 5 Beatles songs. As for the other 20% we've actually been exposed to them, because our parents and grandparents were fans, but the difference is that we actually paid attention. Our culture at this moment is so sex-saturated and cheap, there hasn't been many opportunities for truly original acts to break through into mainstream. But what I meant to say was that the film brought attention to them once more. What's a better way to reach the teen demographic then make a big budget film? Everyone goes to the movies and if the buzz and hype is high enough then more and more people see it. But yeah... even though I've always been a fan, Across the Universe has helped me rediscover the Beatles.

I forgot that MJ had the rights... and that's why him and Paul aren't friends anymore, because Michael bought them right out from under him. And I think he authorized their use for a few commercials. But I dunno how all that works. Especially since a large amount of them were used in a feature film. I don't know the ins and outs of copyrighting and such.

John Lennon is without a doubt my favorite. I heard he really wanted a reunion right before he died, but of course he never lived to see it happen. I heard my first Beatles song when I was a toddler. I spent ALOT of time at my grandparents back then and they listened to them along with a bunch of other great bands and artists from back then. I pretty much grew up listening to them. "Hey Jude", "All You Need Is Love", and "Come Together" are a few of my favs.

[Angelic]

I haven't seen the movie/musical yet so I don't know, I'll probably rent it when it's out or something. I guess that makes sense, but I don't know. *shrug* I don't need a movie to listen to the Beatles. So we'll see once I see it eventually heh.

Yeah, I remember that whole fiasco, I've seen way too many VH1 specials on it. But I too am in the dark about it, he did give it for commercials I know that (also covered in those wonderful specials *sarcasm*), I'm guessing Michael got a large sum from it being in the movie. *sigh*

I also like "Michelle", so many songs I forgot about ahhh "Come Together" that's a goodie too. Now I'm listening to the songs I have hehehe. My dad has a picture of them in his office at home and I went to someone's dorm last week, they had the same poster. It's a good one. I wish I was around back then to have seen a concert, that would have been incredible. Sometimes I seriously do think I was born in the wrong time period. x.x

[Blondie]

The movie isn't half bad but I do have to agree that the movie didn't make the relevant again. The Beatles are considered one of the most influential bands and if anyone knows anything about music, they do realize that there was a band called the Beatles. And the kids today have heard of the Beatles, they're everywhere - thanks to Michael Jackson buying about 80% of every song they've ever written - and not just because they don't know who they are. :D

I have recently delved into them, I didn't grow up on the because my father didn't listen to that. I've only recently decided to give their music a chance and I do have a few favorites, though most of the time I don't really listen to them too much. I got into them because my friend Lachi, who is a phenomenal musician, is a HUGE fan of them. I like some of their songs, such as Julia Rigby and The Taxman, all from the Revolver album. Also "Come Together" is one of my favorites and it's well sung during the movie, Across the Universe.

I personally fell that George Harrison was a huge driving force behind the Beatles. Between he and John Lennon, they made them who they were. As I've gotten to study the band more, I've realized that Paul McCartney wasn't such a great part of the band. I mean, he was good as a songwriter but I realized how much he sucked after he broke up with John Lennon. Just see Wings for any explanation. :D Also, John Lennon had some amazing work as a soloist and George Harrison was AMAZING!!!

I also like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - which is NOT about LSD, and also "Hey Jude" was written by Paul McCartney in reference to Julian, as a sort of empathetic song for when John Lennon divorced his first wife. Originally, it was called "Hey Julian." And "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was written about a picture that Julian did, so he had to at least influence two songs. :D Also, "Yesterday" was also written by Paul McCartney but I haven't heard anything else good come from him.

[Sie Liebt Dich]

The Beatles = Love Love Love! My brain is dead right now, but it is plain to know that I love the Beatles. Also, I totally watched Help! last weekend and it was like amazing. Especially since I want the house they had in the movie. Orgasmic. Okay, more later when my brain isn't dead.

[Lamplight]

Oh, a thread after my own heart. I forget how old I was when I started listening to The Beatles, but I was really little. I will always love my best friend's father (now my English teacher), for playing their music constantly. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but I love "All My Loving," "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," and "Here Comes the Sun."

I almost had a heart attack this summer when I was at the Hard Rock Cafe, and I mentioned something about Lennon and Yoko Ono, and my cousin had no idea who I was talking about. She's only a year younger than I am. I could have strangled her. Now, Across the Universe is her favorite movie. Again, I could strangle her.

But anyways, Beatles=Love. Me and my friends (all of us girls) gave each other Beatles names in fifth grade. I'm pretty sure I was John, but I might have been Paul. If I had to go back, I would probably have chosen George Harrison. He was amazing. My professor wrote a book about him, and I learned a lot about him. Usually just hear about John and Paul.

[Apple]

:puppydogeyes: I can't believe I haven't posted here.

My brother, Christan was a huge Beatles fan when he was alive, it was basically the only thing he listened to when he was happy, sad or just needed to listen to something. I looked up to him in every way and I of course, began listening to The Beatles along with him and I never really listened to the lyrics or really paid attention but when I was with him and he was listening to them, he would tell me the history about them and the song that was currently playing. After his death, I took all his Beatles CDs and listened to them and I just fell in love with all their songs and with them! I seriously thank my brother for teaching me about them and not becoming one of those people who claim they like them but never took the time to listen to them.

My favourite songs by far is While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Happiness Is A Warm Gun. I seriously can't pick one that is my favourite out of the two because they just hit my heart like hard as lame and corny as that sounds. When I saw Across the Universe, I was slightly disappointed about While My Guitar Gently Weeps, I think I was expecting more of an impact but Martin Luther and Jim Sturgess did an amazing job singing it. Happiness Is A Warm Gun almost made me skip a beat in my heart because it was better than what I thought it was going to be. Salma Hayek made me love her more with it!

Ringo Starr would have to be my favourite! There's just something about him that I enjoy learning about and seeing what he's up to, I can't help but have a little crush on him.