Beatles Essay Research Paper In retrospect the

Beatles Essay, Research Paper In retrospect, the 1960s should be considered the age of youth. With America seeing it’s 70 million children from the post-war baby boom becoming teenagers and young adults, society saw the conservative fifties transforming into the revolutionary sixties. The 60s ushered in new ways of thinking and real change in the cultural fabric of American life. No longer content to be images of the generation ahead of them, young people wanted change. These changes affected all aspects of American culture. Education, values, lifestyles, laws, and entertainment would never be the same. (Farber; Lipsitz) I will argue that The Beatles’ immediate success in America reflects the younger generation’s need and want for changes in American society. Young

people admired the Fab Four, found them as innovative leaders of their generation, and followed them as long as they could. Because many of the first reviews of The Beatles’ show media resistance early on despite widespread popularity of the band amongst young people, I will also argue that the older generation did not like The Beatles because they feared the band would pilot changes in tradition, and possibly a long-term breakdown of morality amongst their children. In an attempt to combat these fears and oust the band, many articles, reviews, and interviews aim to demean The Beatles. As a business student, I also plan to discuss the Beatle Myth. This sensationalized version of the Beatles was created as an effort of different industries to target specific consumers using a

bandwagon effect to achieve economic gain. (Kelly). Although, I will discuss lyrics of The Beatles I will not discuss any actual political meanings or undertones of the songs since it is widely debated if they actually exist. Furthermore, Beatles fans included people of all ages. However, for discussion purposes, a generalization is made suggesting that older people included those who favored traditional societal norms and culture and therefore were resistant or indifferent to The Beatles. Conversely, younger people will be considered those that typically tend to welcome and pursue changes in ideals and culture, or at least, more so than older generations. The Beatles first appearance in America truly sparked a fire of the Beatlemania that would soon be spreading. Ed Sullivan,

the popular TV variety-show host, first introduced The Beatles to 70 million Americans in February of 1964. The Beatles introduced a new type of band that young people, especially teenage girls, in the sixties went crazy for. A band that: “Thumbed their noses at authorities of all kinds; they were joyous, free, and witty; they took nothing seriously, least of all themselves; and they gave us hope. Soon, even the establishment fell in love with them, thus conceding to them the most effective role possible: symbol stature.” (Pielke, 36) Young people were very receptive to such a fun loving and amusing band. Teens admired the Beatles unconventional music, wild hair, and their catchy melodies. Screaming, teenage girls especially cherished the lyrics of the early love ballads such

as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.” However, in the midst of the cold war, young people also learned to enjoy messages of peace in times of uncertainty. (O’Grady) The Beatles had an aura about them that was very attractive to young people. This was a group of young men from Liverpool, England that seemed to have everything figured out. “All You Need Is Love” suggests to young listeners The Beatles knew the secret to life. Despite being rich, the group was very humble, yet they weren’t afraid to be a little bit rude to those they didn’t like. Although, many adults may have admired some of The Beatles’ characteristics, their carefree attitude portrayed one that young American’s, in particular, accepted. (Brown) Drug use was also something that