The Beatles in Jamaica..

As one who likes words and increasingly the power and influence they carry. The ability to affect a person's wellbeing, to help heal, console and comfort…..

One the first bands who's lyrics transported me to places far and new in my imagination, was the Beatles. However, the first song which really hit me lyrically, was : All along the watchtower. It was Jimi Hendricks version of the Bob Dylan song. Non the less, I remember being transfixed and moved by these powerful word pictures. It was the first time I'd ever heard anything so lyrically imaginative. But, I digress..

Back to the Beatles. It was in Jamaica during the festive holidays of maybe 1967, when I heard the Beatles for the very first time. Incidentally, it was also the first time I'd heard the Jackson 5. I can't recall the songs that I heard. But, what I can recall was the unique and otherworldly sounds of the Beatles. The manner in which those vocals blended together. To bring into existence something which touched my senses, and is now instantly recognisable.

Fast forward a few years later in England. A school friend of mine was a huge fan of the band. This was back in the days when everyone would discuss who'd performed on top of the pops the previous night. By this time the Beatles had not too long disbanded. So, they'd never be mentioned in the top of the pops conversations. However my friend and I were music lovers. And we’d always be talking about and discussing the subject. And whenever we did, the Beatles would always be mentioned at some point during our chat. Being an avid fan, he knew far more than I about the band at the time.

I don't remember actually owning any Beatles material until a little later. First, I had a copy of, Love songs by the band on cassette tape. I then progressed to vinyl. It was either : Rubber soul or Revolver. I can't remember which was first.

I thought the rubber soul album was fantastic, as was the, Revolver album. The tracks were very for the most part, catchy, melodic, and a discovery. Take for example : Norwegian wood, on Rubber soul. I love the lyrics : “She told me she worked in the morning and started to laugh, I told her I didn't and went of to sleep in the bath”. And “Girl”, Lennon's bright and lazily delivered vocals. With the accentuated breathing during the chorus. It sounds as if he's inhaling a cigarette, at the end of each vocal of the word : Girl. A very playful and creative delivery. It just works! The we have : Drive my car , by Paul McCartney. A very imaginative and fun song, with fitting guitar work from, George Harrison…..

On Revolver the opening song just grabs the listener. McCartney’s mesmerising bassline on “Taxman” by George Harrison. What a song! Years later the same bassline formed the backbone of a song written by the well known musician and Beatles nut ; Paul Weller from the band, The Jam. The song in question was of course “Start”. “I'm only sleeping”, is a great carefree and relaxed song by : John Lennon. So unique, and it's stood the test of time. It still sounds relevant today, as with all of the songs by the fab four. There's always a new generation of people discovering the songs of the Beatles. Their songs have been covered by countless and diverse artists. From Frank Sinatra to Oasis. And a myriad of artists in-between.

Their songs and sounds will always live on. Maybe, just maybe like the Swedish band Abba. And others who've been resurrected, and have performed virtually on stage. Someone might do the same with the Beatles.

Would this be a good idea though? …….

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Until next time……