The Beatles' Influence on Pop Culture and Society

The Popularity and Importance of The Beatles

Although John Lennon originally formed The Beatles in 1957 under the name The Blackjacks, it wasn’t until 1962 that all four members of the band played together as The Beatles. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison made up this four-person British pop group. By 1963, the band had skyrocketed to fame, bringing with them the rise of a differing worldview. This immensely popular band influenced fashion, music, pop culture, drug use, the anti-violence movement, and the conception of the world (Heisner). The Beatles started a revolution that changed us all forever. Their music allowed young adults and teenagers to break out of the “seen-and-not-heard” mold placed upon them by society (Heisner). At a time when vast unemployment and class disjunction defined the British landscape, The Beatles “words of love and possibility” gave Britons new hope and something to look forward to (Womack and Davis 2). The British were looking for positive change and the “Fab Four” brought with them that time of change. They broke the stereotypical mold with their expressive music and new style. Teenage girls went crazy for the good looks of the young musicians, and young males adopted the “mop-top” haircut and suits in order to be more like their idols. At the height of their popularity, the Beatles were “instrumental in challenging and dissolving such traditional and restrictive categories as ‘high art’ and ‘mass culture’”(Womack and Davis 162). There was a shift from US rock-and-roll dominance to UK pop bands and soloist acts. The Beatles’ music influenced gender dynamics to a very strong degree. Although Elvis Presley may have started a revolution of his own, “with the prominence they accorded women in their songs and the way they spoke to millions of teenaged girls about new possibilities” (Matt), the Beatles helped feminize the culture and led to the empowerment of young women. At a time when violence and riots had become common, The Beatles released “Revolution” in 1968 as a response. Lennon’s anti-war sentiments influenced his latest song, with lyrics like “but when you talk about destruction, don’t you know that you can count me out” and “it’s going to be alright”. Anti-war protestors and the young generation alike looked to The Beatles for inspiration against violence. Although drug use was widespread before McCartney claimed to have used LSD, the Beatles still held a strong influence over society. Through their drug references in their music, it can be argued that The Beatles influenced drug use to a certain degree (Heisner). Although the band dissolved in 1970, the Beatles continued to influence conceptions of “gender dynamics, the nature and direction of popular music, and the increasingly powerful and socially influential constructions of iconicity and celebrity” (Womack and Davis 1). Their music is still extremely popular today and provides guidance and inspiration for many generations.

"The Beatles Explosion"

Legend Films' documentary "The Beatles Explosion" depicted the Beatles' rise to fame and subsequent popularity. In the trailer for the film, viewers are given a glimpse of Beatlemania, allowing those who grew up in a time after The Beatles to really grasp the immense popularity of this UK band.

"Let it Be"

"Let it Be" was arguably one of the most famous Beatles' songs. Paul McCartney wrote this song after his mother appeared to him in a dream, telling him "it'll be alright" and not to worry because things would turn out okay. This song appealed to many people because it sent listeners a message that although times may get rough, we have to push through it in order to see the better times. Although reality may be harsh at times, it will get better. It gave them hope and helped them through rough times.

The Beatles Interview with Jimmy Nicol

In Jimmy Nicol's interview with The Beatles, thier fans were given a glimpse of the real them. They were real people, with real thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and personalities. As shown in this interview, The Beatles had a great deal of influence over pop culture and society, with people truly caring what a "pop star" thought for the first time.

References

Buskin, Richard. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Beatles. New York, NY: Alpha, 1998. Ebscohost. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. 

Heisner, Brandt. "Beatles, The/The Beatles a Survey." Beatles, The: The Beatles a Survey, Personal Interest Project, Beatles Music. AllExperts, 27 June 2004. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://en.allexperts.com/q/Beatles-386/Beatles-survey-2.htm>. 

Matt. "I Read the News Today: All Beatle News." I Read the News Today All Beatle News. Beatle Word Press, 23 Aug. 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://beatle.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/history-the-beatles-started-a-revolution-that-changed-us-all-forever/>.

Womack, Kenneth, and Todd F. Davis. Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and the Fab Four. Albany: State University of New York, 2006. Ebscohost. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.