I Am the Walrus

Catchy title, huh?  How about the chorus….I am the eggman. They are the eggmen. I am the walrus. Koo Koo Kjoob.

Hahaha. How can you not like the Beatles!? The Beatles and their wonderful music have been a part of my life since sixth grade. Their fame in America until their split coincided exactly with my adolescence.  They split in 1970, two months short of my high school graduation.

Last night I watched James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke. His guest was Paul McCartney. The video was forwarded to me by an old friend who said that if she sees anything Beatles it reminds her of me.  What a nice thought and I love the association.  James and Paul were driving around Liverpool, joking around, singing songs, and reminiscing. They visited Paul’s childhood home. We got to see the famous barbershop on Penny Lane and the equally famous roundabout…there .beneath the blue suburban sky. The show was great and you could tell that James Corden was a big fan who seemed a little in awe of Paul.

The show also brought a tear to my eye. Time is going too too fast.  It seemed like only yesterday (another great Beatles song) that I was sneaking my transistor radio into sixth grade with the hopes of hearing the Beatles arrival in New York in February of 1964.

Beatles music is wonderful, as is all things Beatles. The controversy of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, was it really about LSD. The Beatles always denied it. But Paul did admit that Got To Get You into My Life is about marijuana! The controversy of Paul Is Dead.  I can remember listening to records backwards looking for more clues into his supposed death.  I was so innocent back then and so naïve. The controversy that was caused when John declared the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Yikes!

I have a small library of Beatle books. There is always something new to learn. The Beatles influence has been enormous in that you still see references to the Beatles music in advertising, in everyday conversations, and even in politics.  Who can know someone turning 64 and not think of When I’m Sixty-four?

There are only two Beatles still with us, Paul and Ringo.  I was lucky enough to see Paul in concert last year thanks to my daughter Emma, also a big Beatles fan.  I can remember where I was when I heard about John’s death.  I remember hearing about George’s slow death from cancer and thinking it was like watching a family member die.

I could write for hours about how I feel about the Beatles, but I doubt you would want to read for hours. So I will end with this so true Beatles lyric: And in the end…..the love you take….is equal to the love you make.

PS.  If you can catch Carpool Karaoke with Paul, try to do so. It’s a very entertaining 15 minutes and it may bring a happy tear to your eye too.