05.13.07
It’s not for the cock, it’s for your musical heritage
The Beatles - Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
It’s with great disappointment that I don’t introduce this album with “Here’s an album that needs no introduction,” but alas the 21st century is home to the evils of Guantanamo Bay, genocide in Sudan, and people who’ve never heard of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts.
The album starts with the sound of a live audience. The band then stroll on and introduce themselves as Sgt Pepper, and his Lonely Hearts Club Band. The entirety of the first track is lyrical banter, telling the listener that he’s “Such a lovely audience” and that “The singer’s going to sing a song, and he wants you all to sing along.” They then introduce the main singer, Billy Shears (Ringo Starr) and, accompanied by screaming fans, he begins to sing With a Little Help From My Friends. There are few ways for an album to commence that are better than this. Q: How do they do it? A:It’s The Beatles.
I’d love to write a 1000 word piece for each song on this album but I haven’t the time, and you haven’t the patience. So instead for each track I have written a sentence which tries to sketch the climate of each piece.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - The tingling start to the album which really makes you feel at home with the group.
With a Little Help From My Friends - Heartwarming and reassuring: if this song were to be a person s/he ‘d probably be your friend.
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds - Depending on your view point, this song accurately describes either a vivid dream or an electrifying trip.
Getting Better - A pat on the back and motivational chat, in the form of a delightful song.
Fixing a Hole - This is a drowzy song about DIY and daydreams.
She’s Leaving Home - The two sides of the story of a girl leaving her family home, almost journalistic.
Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite - An advert for a Victorian circus (who would think of writing a song about that?)
Within You Without You - An indian sounding song about spirituality and human existence.
When I’m Sixty Four - A bumbling jolly song pondering the realities of elderly affection.
Lovely Rita - Here they serenade a parking attendant, and why not?
Good Morning, Good Morning - Possibly the best way to wakeup in the morning, smiles guaranteed.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - An invigorated goodbye from the group.
A Day in the Life - A look at the final day of a man’s life, the end of a war and the daily rituals of an unknown person.
I’ve grown to accept that if you ask some people whether they prefer John or Paul they think you’re talking about two little blackbirds. But people who have listened to The Beatles and then claim all the songs sound the same are incredibly frustrating, and down right wrong. Download the MP3s and witness how diverse the music is. But as usual, they’re for evaluation only so if you like them be sure to go out and buy the album.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band revolutionised music and the view of the album. Listen to it, it’s your favourite album’s ancestor.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Getting Better
Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite
A Day in the Life
Travis said,
May 13, 2007 at 11:08 pm
I always thought the ‘two little blackbirds’ were called peter and paul?! nice blog though. ‘A Day in the Life’ is definately one of the best songs ever written.
Love James x x x
This Charming Man said,
May 13, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Surely this review should entirely be comprised of BUY THIS ALBUM repeated and the people who do have it need no words to praise it, But then again you dont own pet sounds so it wouldnt be fair.
Gav said,
May 14, 2007 at 11:08 am
I love this album, and this blog about it.
I’ve got it on vinyl (not the blog..) and it’s easily one of my favourite albums.
Keep it up!
G-town. said,
May 14, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Mcash, I’ve just found an amazing rare demos set called “Lost in Pepperland Reel”, its got loads of amazing gems- a really fast “Hey Bulldog” and a few songs with different lyrics including “Lucy in the Sky”. If you’ve not got it all make sure you do soon!
Very nice blog about a very, very good album!
Brooke said,
May 17, 2007 at 11:02 pm
i love that album. my parents had it when i was little and “She’s Leaving Home” makes my mum cry for no apparent reason. Nice.
Genuinely, though, I still have my parents copy and whenever I listen to it i enjoy it.
“It’s not for the cock” » It's not for the cock, it's for blue eyed soul said,
May 20, 2007 at 10:00 pm
[...] Each track is delightful, with the exception of the fairly tedious Slowdown Sundown but I suppose not all albums can be as good as my previous entry’s. [...]