Smackie the Frog

I’ve always been a fan of the Beatles, and I’ve always known that there music was great and all that stuff. But I guess I didn’t realize the depth of their greatness until this class that I’m taking right now. We’re really going in depth, listening to the music, but also understanding the cultural and historic impact that these guys had.

Basically the conclusion that I’ve come to is that it is hard to overstate their impact on pop culture. They pretty much changed the world in the 60s, and people argue that we are still dealing with the effects from that. I mean, sure, they were just 4 musicians from Liverpool. But really, they were way more than that. And sure, part of it was good timing. But they really did produce some absolutely amazing music that is even more amazing when you really get into it, and compare it to what came before and what came after. I can’t think of any other group that has been so popular and so influential. They basically changed all of pop music in 7 years, and brought the whole world along for the ride.

What it really does is make me mad at all of the people in high school who dismissed the Beatles and just talked about how great Led Zeppelin was. Not only would Led Zeppelin never have been heard of if not for the Beatles, but their music in terms of depth and breadth and growth is nothing. And yes, I’ve listened to both.

It really just shocks me even today how great these guys were. Even with all of their faults, and all of the songs that could have been better, they are the best we’ve ever had. And I don’t think there is much room for argument about it once you really get down and study it.