yr12_beatles

=** The Influence of The Beatles **=

Without any doubt, the Beatles were the most influential musicians in the course of history. Not only did they change the entire future of music, but also the way that the world thought as a whole. In this page, I will present the many important ways in which the Beatles influenced the world.

** Music **
The Beatles introduced some of the most modern techniques in music that are still used nowadays. To start with, they wrote their own music, a new trend that they set after it had been unsuccesfully launched by musicians such as Bob Dylan and Buddy Holly. The music that they wrote, particularly on the Sergeant Pepper album was entirely experimental and nothing like it had ever been seen before. Effects such as backwards guitar and orchestral use were common place in much of their later stuff. They also stopped using the stereotypical pop "I love you" theme and started introducing bizzarre and unusual subjects as can be seen in 'Being For the Benefit of Mr Kite'.

Fashion
Fashion was used by the Beatles to make their statement along with their music. Their slightly rebellious long hair and their later hippy look suited the messages that they wanted to put across in their songs. Their grey, collarless suits were also a revelation. In the sixties, the Beatles changed male fashion for good and even other famous musicians of their time started copying them, including the Beach Boys. Along with their fashion, their humour influenced the world around them. Their “immature” ways and stage pranks made them especially popular with youngsters.

Religion and Politics
But when it was needed, the Beatles could also act seriously and the messages in some of their songs displayed this. Many songs produced by the Beatles denounced religion, especially lots of their later works and obviously Lennon’s solo songs had serious messages discussing politics and religion. Such songs include Imagine, Revolution, Working Class Hero and Taxman, which was a complaint about the extremely high tax rates that ruled Britain at the time. It is interesting to note that, at one time, for every pound that the Beatles earned, 99p of it was taxed. Lennon also involved himself in US politics when he later went to live in the States. Give Peace A Chance was sung by over half a million protestors in New York and Lennon showed a great dislike for President Nixon in songs such as Just Gimme Some Truth so much so that Nixon tried to get him deported from America because he feared that he could lose him the elections. John Lennon once famously claimed that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Although unintended, this caused uproar in the US and millions of their records were burned on fires. Later, when apologising, Lennon explained that he didn’t mean it offensively but that it was true nevertheless; they were one of the most popular “things” around, including television and books.

Drugs
Although they were never heavy users, and certainly not addicts, the Beatles all had been known of using and “experimenting” with some drugs. Because of their beliefs, the Beatles fought for the legalisation of cannabis and they signed petitions trying to put that message across. Paul McCartney also once famously openly admitted to using LSD. It could be argued that youngsters started using drugs at that time, copying the example of their idols.

Pop
The Beatles’ era was a new age for music culture. It was the real introduction to pop music and following it was a whole new culture that hasn’t died out to this day. Beatles’ fans were in their millions, causing a wave of Beatlemania across the planet. The musicians that would follow in the legends’ wake would more often than not, copy their ways. Hordes of screaming girls were first seen at Beatle appearances and nowadays we still see the same.