0909 090909

I have had a relationship with four guys from Liverpool for a very long time. The Beatles have been part of my life since I was a small boy and I have to partially thank my oldest brother from introducing me to the best music ever made, despite the band splitting up just before I was born.

Today is the 9th of September (note the title, date and time this blog entry hits the Internet*), the day when The Beatles remastered CDs are released and I will be in the record shop later today. The Beatles Rockband is also out today.

My relationship with the band begun when I heard Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band when I was about 5 or 6 and loving every minute, from the opening tuning up of the orchestra to the crash of the grand pianos at the end. My favourite albums are probably Abbey Road and Rubber Soul.

Whether you are a fan or not, you can't fail to agree that the music, words, art, style and story of The Beatles are ingrained into our culture. No other artist has had the cultural or musical impact and no other artist appears to have such a wide appeal. Despite the music being popularist, it was constantly evolving, experimental, original, witty, serious and revolutionary.

The music is known by young and old and it isn't just the chart toppers. For example, do you know Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Eleanor Rigby, Here Comes The Sun, I Am The Walrus, Back In The USSR, A Day In The Life? None of these were singles - they were just album tracks. It shows the amazing quality throughout an extremely short career. They released 13 albums in 7 years and many singles and EPs that did not feature on these albums (plus 4 films). Most artists today would be expected to release maybe 2 or 3 albums in that period and nothing more.

My appreciation has changed over the years from merely enjoying the melody and hooks, to an understanding of the musicianship and structure of the songs and the art. But, when it comes down to it, so many songs are just simply great to listen to.

On this sort of official Beatles day, enjoy the music on whatever level you want. In fact... have a fab day!

* The number 9 occurs a few times in their songs of course.