Win Janszoon Over to the Beatles

**Janszoon** · 09-21-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

An excellent review of Magical Mystery Tour by Janszoon, full of perceptive comments, almost all of which I agree with. His comment on Blue Jay Way is perfect; "never quite rises above it`s own murk"

And yes, Flying is disappointing, especially as it`s the only officially-released Beatles instrumental. It was a chance for them to show what they could do in this format, and this song seems to give the answer; "They`d probably sound really mediocre."

Yes, the expanded American release is much better, because of the quality of those added-on singles. Luckily, the contentious issues of key, and Harrison`s playing on Strawberry Fields go right over my head. For me this is a fabulous, ground-breaking song which is much more than just the sum of its parts - which is why I wasn`t much taken with the Cadillac`s cover version.
Although Janszoon doesn`t seem to agree, I think I Am The Walrus is also a stand-out classic. Maybe looking back from today, it`s difficult to recall the delicious sense of outrage that this song generated when it was released. Another ground-breaker by The Beatles in their creative prime, I remember people at the time asking each other with disbelief, "WHAT is he singing ? How can he say that ! It doesn`t make sense.". Some people laughed, one impressionable teenager who prefers to remain nameless thought it was the most incredible song ever recorded.

Heh. It's always interesting to hear the perspective of someone who was there, so to speak, since it's before my time and my own parents were just slightly too old to be into the Beatles' later albums. What was it that people found so outrageous about "I Am the Walrus"? Just the wacky lyrics?

Lisnaholic · 09-21-2012, 01:27 PM

Well, in the early sixties, The Beatles` "moptop" haircuts really offended the previous generation, many of whom had experienced military discipline during the war years. But as attitudes softened in the mid-sixties, and the scandal-free Beatles produced a string of innocuous, top-quality pop songs, they were cautiously accepted by the older generation. The mainstream media wrote condescending but affectionate reports about the Liverpool lads; they were photographed with the Prime Minister and headlined a show attended by the Queen.
But then it seemed as if, Lennon especially, was determined to blow that acceptance out of the water; the weird clothes, the "ugly" moustaches, the strange sounds and the lyrics of "Walrus" really affronted people. Instead of an agreeable pop song, my parents, as an example, had to listen to a song that made no sense, included words like "knickers" and the infamous "yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog`s eye" before it finally descended into gibberish with "Goo Goo Ka Joob".
This song, along with the prime-time screening of Magical Mystery Tour (at a time when homes only received two tv channels), caused a big shift in perception about the Beatles. Perhaps expecting another movie like Help there was generally a sense of betrayal and the press branded the movie "a flop." The honeymoon was over; Lennon was no longer a lovable but cheeky chappie, and the Beatles once again became a subject of generational controversy; young people liked them, old people didn`t, just as it had been years before when the Beatles first broke out of the Cavern Club.

Anyway, that`s how it seemed to me at the time, Janzsoon !

Powerstars · 01-06-2013, 06:39 PM

Last post was 3 months ago.

**Janszoon** · 01-06-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerstars

Last post was 3 months ago.

I'll write more, I promise. Just haven't been in the mood for the Beatles lately, but with this nudge I may get there sooner rather than later.

Powerstars · 01-06-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I'll write more, I promise. Just haven't been in the mood for the Beatles lately, but with this nudge I may get there sooner rather than later.

*nudges 50 more times*

wiggums · 01-07-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

What was it that people found so outrageous about "I Am the Walrus"? Just the wacky lyrics?

That and the music video. Such a zany, wild and fun song in every way.

Engine · 01-07-2013, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Heh. It's always interesting to hear the perspective of someone who was there, so to speak, since it's before my time and my own parents were just slightly too old to be into the Beatles' later albums. What was it that people found so outrageous about "I Am the Walrus"? Just the wacky lyrics?

I had no idea that the song was ever an outrage. I think it's a pretty good little song, myself. I've never watched the film. In fact, Magical Mystery Tour may be my favorite album of theirs. But, seeing as Rubber Soul is the other contender for me, you and I seem to generally disagree on The Beatles.

misspoptart · 01-07-2013, 07:13 AM

Hey Janszoon, I haven't figured out if you're into the Beatles or not yet, but I just want to say I'm in the same boat. I just can like the Beatles like the rest of the world (seems to).

BUT

I love Strawberry Fields. Do you?

Note: I see you said it was a "good song" but with "****ty guitar playing". So that answers that question. But anyway, I still want to know if you've been won over yet, and if you haven't, join the club.

Powerstars · 02-01-2013, 09:44 PM

Jan, c'mon man!

The Batlord · 02-02-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerstars

Jan, c'mon man!

Yeah, Jan. C'mon.

09-21-2012, 01:27 PM	#222 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Well, in the early sixties, The Beatles` "moptop" haircuts really offended the previous generation, many of whom had experienced military discipline during the war years. But as attitudes softened in the mid-sixties, and the scandal-free Beatles produced a string of innocuous, top-quality pop songs, they were cautiously accepted by the older generation. The mainstream media wrote condescending but affectionate reports about the Liverpool lads; they were photographed with the Prime Minister and headlined a show attended by the Queen. But then it seemed as if, Lennon especially, was determined to blow that acceptance out of the water; the weird clothes, the "ugly" moustaches, the strange sounds and the lyrics of "Walrus" really affronted people. Instead of an agreeable pop song, my parents, as an example, had to listen to a song that made no sense, included words like "knickers" and the infamous "yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog`s eye" before it finally descended into gibberish with "Goo Goo Ka Joob". This song, along with the prime-time screening of Magical Mystery Tour (at a time when homes only received two tv channels), caused a big shift in perception about the Beatles. Perhaps expecting another movie like Help there was generally a sense of betrayal and the press branded the movie "a flop." The honeymoon was over; Lennon was no longer a lovable but cheeky chappie, and the Beatles once again became a subject of generational controversy; young people liked them, old people didn`t, just as it had been years before when the Beatles first broke out of the Cavern Club. Anyway, that`s how it seemed to me at the time, Janzsoon ! __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

01-06-2013, 06:39 PM	#223 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	Last post was 3 months ago. __________________ Last.Fm My New Journal Favorite Album Of The Moment: They Might Be Giants - Glean

02-01-2013, 09:44 PM	#229 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	Jan, c'mon man! __________________ Last.Fm My New Journal Favorite Album Of The Moment: They Might Be Giants - Glean

01-07-2013, 07:13 AM	#228 (permalink)
misspoptart gimme gimme Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: istanbul Posts: 897	Hey Janszoon, I haven't figured out if you're into the Beatles or not yet, but I just want to say I'm in the same boat. I just can like the Beatles like the rest of the world (seems to). BUT I love Strawberry Fields. Do you? Note: I see you said it was a "good song" but with "****ty guitar playing". So that answers that question. But anyway, I still want to know if you've been won over yet, and if you haven't, join the club.