Long Live Sgt. Pepper
Hey Soul Mates,
There is no way to underestimate the impact of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. the album turns 40 today. It is a musical and cultural landmark that remains the highpoint of pop music artistry. Only Thriller comes close in importance. I wasn't exaggerating in our documentary when I said I suppose I learned how to read because the lyrics to Pepper were printed on the back of the album. That record played constantly at home. And I was born after its release so even in the 70's and 80's it was a household favorite.
My best friends and I mimed the tracks constantly with our tennis racket guitars. It was a fun rainy day (or sunny day diversion) to put Pepper on the turntable and pretend to be the Beatles or whoever was in the shiny military suits on the front cover. The entire package of Pepper was perfect: the lyrics, the uniforms, the front cover with its who's who. I can remember staring at both sides of the cover, and the smiling Fabs in the gatefold, for long chunks of time.
Now, as a kid, I had no favorite song from the album. I simply disliked George's Within You Without You. I knew the record backward and forward. And as mentioned, I knew all the words. Frequently, in the era before Walkmen, I would trudge to school and sing the entire album to myself. I can still do it. That is a testament to the power of the Beatles' music.
As for Within You Without You, I have a great appreciation for it as an adult. As a kid, the drone and the philosophy were a bit heavy, spooky in fact. Now I realize this is the track that anchors the entire endeavor, keeping it from being too lightweight. The spiritual core of Pepper.
If I had to pick two or three favorites, I might say Getting Better, Lovely Rita (and its amazing bassline) and Good Morning, Good Morning (which Bryan and I sang walking to Abbey Road studios a year ago). Perfect pop songs. Perfect. But I have much respect and love for the title track, it is the epitome of the mounting excitement of a live performance. With A Little Help From My Friends was one I performed with my first band. For me, She's Leaving Home is still the most moving thing on the LP, more so than A Day In The Life, although the latter is monumental in the pop genre. When I'm 64, was a childhood favorite with it's indelible melody and a hook that we used to sing as "When I'm 6'4"." Which I am. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds were and still are among the most inventive lyrics ever. There is imagery in those songs that helped explode my imagination, at a time the only drug I heard of was St. Joseph's children's aspirin.
Liverpool was such an awesome place to visit, simply to see the childhood neighborhood's from which the Beatles' sprouted. To walk those streets, to touch the buildings, to breathe that air. All of that informed their work, including Pepper. Of course, being in the studio where they made the album was a religious experience, too. I've got it playing now. I highly recommend revisiting it today on this special anniversary. It will make you smile.
I can't even estimate how many times I've listened to Pepper, how many hours I've invested in this disc. Several hundred would be a fair guess. Without the Beatles and specifically Sgt. Pepper, I would not be making the music I make, if any at all. Debt unrepayable. Thanks, boys.
And of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Doug! Quite an auspicious day in history.
Love, Power, Peace
There is no way to underestimate the impact of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. the album turns 40 today. It is a musical and cultural landmark that remains the highpoint of pop music artistry. Only Thriller comes close in importance. I wasn't exaggerating in our documentary when I said I suppose I learned how to read because the lyrics to Pepper were printed on the back of the album. That record played constantly at home. And I was born after its release so even in the 70's and 80's it was a household favorite.
My best friends and I mimed the tracks constantly with our tennis racket guitars. It was a fun rainy day (or sunny day diversion) to put Pepper on the turntable and pretend to be the Beatles or whoever was in the shiny military suits on the front cover. The entire package of Pepper was perfect: the lyrics, the uniforms, the front cover with its who's who. I can remember staring at both sides of the cover, and the smiling Fabs in the gatefold, for long chunks of time.
Now, as a kid, I had no favorite song from the album. I simply disliked George's Within You Without You. I knew the record backward and forward. And as mentioned, I knew all the words. Frequently, in the era before Walkmen, I would trudge to school and sing the entire album to myself. I can still do it. That is a testament to the power of the Beatles' music.
As for Within You Without You, I have a great appreciation for it as an adult. As a kid, the drone and the philosophy were a bit heavy, spooky in fact. Now I realize this is the track that anchors the entire endeavor, keeping it from being too lightweight. The spiritual core of Pepper.
If I had to pick two or three favorites, I might say Getting Better, Lovely Rita (and its amazing bassline) and Good Morning, Good Morning (which Bryan and I sang walking to Abbey Road studios a year ago). Perfect pop songs. Perfect. But I have much respect and love for the title track, it is the epitome of the mounting excitement of a live performance. With A Little Help From My Friends was one I performed with my first band. For me, She's Leaving Home is still the most moving thing on the LP, more so than A Day In The Life, although the latter is monumental in the pop genre. When I'm 64, was a childhood favorite with it's indelible melody and a hook that we used to sing as "When I'm 6'4"." Which I am. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds were and still are among the most inventive lyrics ever. There is imagery in those songs that helped explode my imagination, at a time the only drug I heard of was St. Joseph's children's aspirin.
Liverpool was such an awesome place to visit, simply to see the childhood neighborhood's from which the Beatles' sprouted. To walk those streets, to touch the buildings, to breathe that air. All of that informed their work, including Pepper. Of course, being in the studio where they made the album was a religious experience, too. I've got it playing now. I highly recommend revisiting it today on this special anniversary. It will make you smile.
I can't even estimate how many times I've listened to Pepper, how many hours I've invested in this disc. Several hundred would be a fair guess. Without the Beatles and specifically Sgt. Pepper, I would not be making the music I make, if any at all. Debt unrepayable. Thanks, boys.
And of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Doug! Quite an auspicious day in history.
Love, Power, Peace
posted by Norman K at 8:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home