How the Beatles Changed a Generation

Ali GreerResearch PaperHST 367 How One Band Changed a Generation The 1960’s is a decade remembered for its counterculture, social revolution and an emergence of a new kind of popular culture. If you asked me what my first thoughts were when I hear the decade 1960s, I automatically think about the Beatles. Has a decade ever had such a defining musical group that represents not only a shift to more rebellious music such as Rock n Roll, but an influence so great that they are still talked about to this day?The Beatles not only changed music but they affected culture in ways that had not been challenged by a musical group before. I asked my mom what she remembers about the Beatles. She was only 6 when they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show but she still remembers. She said that, â€Å"The Beatles didn’t define a generation, they created one†. The first way that the Beatles challenged everyday popular culture was that the fact that they were British. Before the Beatle s traveled across â€Å"the pond†, the U. S. had been a tough break for aspiring British pop groups.The Beatles wanted to teach the world that pop music could be intelligent and that British groups could do that just as well as American music groups. Some could argue that the Beatles did not start a phenomenon, they somehow perfected the cultural significance of 1950’s musicians before them like Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. Before settling with their signature rock sound, The Beatles started in the Skiffle genre, a type of music with jazz, blues and roots influences. By 1960, Lennon wanted to move away from Skiffle to more of a Rock n Roll sound.Lennon and McCartney perfected their writing skills and relied less and less on on outside material. This was a groundbreaking ideal in the music industry and it had a lasting impact on culture. It urged other big name music acts such as the Rolling Stones to start writing their own music. Lennon and McCartney would eventuall y become one of the most famous songwriting partnerships in music history. The Beatles first appeared on American television on February 9, 1964 on The Ed Sullivan Show. 40 % of the country, about 73 million viewers tuned in to see Paul, John, George and Ringo perform for the first time in America.This is still considered one of the most important moments in television history. Now one may ask, how did so many people know about this little band from Britain? The record I Want to Hold Your Hand was leaked in advance to American radio stations. The record label could not prevent DJs from the playing the record therefore the album was officially released on December 26, 1963. 250,000 copies were sold in the first three days of its release. It’s unclear who actually leaked the record beforehand, but this publicity stunt was hugely successful for the Beatles.Mobs of people were waiting for the Beatles when they arrived at JFK airport. When asked how did you find America, Ringo Sta rr jokingly said â€Å"Turn left at Greenland. † The media took to covering this frenzy as best as it could. Newsweek printed an article on February 24 ,1963 reviewing the Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The last paragraph ended with this, â€Å"the odds are they will fade away, as most adults confidently predict. † No one could predict the upcoming effects that the Beatles would have on American culture. The Beatles had arrived in America during a confusing time.President Kennedy had been assassinated just a few months prior, the threat of a war in Vietnam was eminent and Americans needed something new. And the Beatles were just what they needed. They rejuvenated pop music for Americans. They were seen as modern and sleek. â€Å"Beatlemania was so strong because the times and the youth of America were simpler and more naive. † This simplicity of society would play a big role in the Beatles influence on culture because it would allow them to change their style so freely without doubt from the nation.Society would accept it as popular no matter what. When the Beatles arrived in America, parents of teenagers hated them. They hated their relationship themed lyrics, their sex appeal, etc. The Beatles influenced a generation to not do what their parents told them to and helped Rock n Roll gain its rebellious reputation. Naturally, The Beatles are best known for their music. Not only did they have a large number of hit songs, but their music also evolved very rapidly through the group's brief career, embarking on territory not previously explored by pop music groups.Released in 1967, â€Å"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band† was a huge breakthrough album in pop music with its use of orchestras, harpsichords, circus sounds and other effects that were largely created in the studio. No longer did pop groups just have to be guitars, a bass, drums and vocals — nor were they limited to what could be performed live . The Beatles still influence music years after their breakup. â€Å"Beatlesque† is â€Å"a term used by critics to describe music that has one or more traits or characteristics of the music made by the Beatles. There are also hundreds of Beatles tribute bands out there paying tribute to the Fab 4. â€Å"The Beatles sold a lot of records not because they were the greatest musicians but simply because their music was easy to sell to the masses: it had no difficult content, it had no technical innovations, it had no creative depth. They wrote a bunch of catchy 3-minute ditties and they were photogenic†. The Beatles were immensely popular during the 1960s and they helped feminize a culture. The baby boom began in 1946 and ended in 1964 which meant that ? f the nation’s population was in the teen or pre teen bracket. When the the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, hundreds of teenage girls were lined up, screaming. An important factor to Beatlemania was the fans. There was something slightly feminine about the Beatles. Their slightly tousled hair, their tailored suits. The Beatles had the perfect mix between masculinity and femininity. The Beatles persistent feature of women and love in their songs left teenage girls swooning and a culture that was more sexually driven than ever.As Steven Stark points out in his book Meet The Beatles, they also â€Å"challenged the definition that existed during their time of what it meant to be a man. †   Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"The Beatles were not only selling records, they were selling trends. † Featured in the Time All Time 100 Fashion Icons, the Beatles were always evolving when it came to style. You could say that it’s normal for musicians to change their appearance to keep up with society and the latest trends. The Beatles were the trend. Whatever they did, society copied. When the Beatles first traveled to America, they wore black collarless suits.They even popularized a haircut called the â€Å"moptop† The moptop was a straight cut, collar length in the back and over the ears on the sides. The public went crazy for this cut. McCartney writes in a letter, â€Å"George explained in a 60s interview that it was John and I having our hair cut in Paris which prompted him to do the same†¦. We were the first to take the plunge. † The Beatles were not afraid of taking risks. They took what they liked from popular culture and took it to a new extreme. Towards the end of Beatlemania, the Beatles embraced more of a psychedelic style, with bright patterns and colors.They even let their signature hairstyles grow out and even experimented with facial hair. John Lennon even established his own trend, wearing tea shade glasses which ended up being called â€Å"Lennon† glasses. The Beatles were not hesitant when it came to change, even when it dealt with changing their own fads and this is important to their success as culture icons. The Beatles di d not merely stay in the music industry. They dabbled in the movie business too. Their film, Yellow Submarine was a colorful trendsetter in the world of animation. Producers used techniques that had never been used before.Although Yellow Submarine was produced on a small budget, the film was met with mostly positive reviews. Talking about the film, Time Magazine stated that it, â€Å"turned into a smash hit, delighting adolescents and esthetes alike†. The aftermath of Yellow Submarine was that animation was being taken as a more serious form of art. Previously, animation had been described as silly or goofy. The Beatles changed this perspective. Josh Weinstein, a former writer for the animated series The Simpsons wrote an article describing how Yellow Submarine affected modern animation today.Weinstein states, â€Å"Without Yellow Submarine there would never have been The Simpsons, no Futurama, no South Park, no Toy Story, no Shrek No animated anything that enables us to lau gh at ourselves while being highly entertained. †   As you can see, The Beatles accomplishments in popular culture are still talked about today. The religious allure of the Beatles was a vital factor in allowing the group to endure. John Lennon was onto something in 1966 when he compared the group’s popularity with that of Jesus Christ.Multitudes flocked to them and even brought sick children to see if the Beatles could somehow heal them. Thus, those who have seen elements of religious ecstasy in Beatlemania are not wrong. â€Å"Religion, it must not be forgotten, has its roots in spiritual bonding. And the Beatles had a powerful appeal to a generation in calling forth a spiritual bonding. It was so intoxicating that it created mass hysteria. In this way, the Beatles—especially with their elevation to a kind of sainthood—have become modern counterparts to the religious figures of the past†.John Lennon once stated that, â€Å"The Beatles are more popular than Jesus† and this remark caused quite the controversy in the United States. It led to fans to protest the band and to burn their albums. This was different than the attitudes of society during Beatlemania. Society was actually challenging something the Beatles did. This was a momentous event because it showed that the Beatles were immune. They made mistakes too. They didn’t have a perfect image. But that lack of perfect image was the catalyst to the Beatles success. Society saw the Beatles as four men trying to change he face of music. The Beatles did not only influence religion, but political views as well. Lennon in an interview to Rolling Stone talks about the song â€Å"Revolution†, â€Å"I had been thinking about it up in the hills in India. I still had this ‘God will save us' feeling about it, that it's going to be all right (even now I'm saying ‘Hold on, John, it's going to be all right,' otherwise, I won't hold on) but that's why I did it, I wanted to talk, I wanted to say my piece about revolution. I wanted to tell you, or whoever listens, to communicate, to say ‘What do you say? This is what I say. † Revolution was the Beatles first overtly public political song. Revolution dealt with the War in Vietnam. New Left publications called the song a â€Å"betrayal†. Besides it blatant political undertones, Revolution went on to become a hit single. The Beatles were and still are so successful because of their infiltration of different media outlets. Music, television, movies, magazines, radio, etc. They knew that they needed not only to sell music but to sell a legacy. The Beatles influenced a whole generation during the 1960s and they are still influencing new generations to this day.This multi decade success is a clear example of their powerful grasp on American culture during the 1960s. Bibliography http://www. guardian. co. uk/film/2012/nov/19/beatles-yellow-submarine-simpsons-shrek http:// www. edsullivan. com/artists/the-beatles/ http://www. beatles-tribute-band-uk. co. uk/history. htm http://www. time. com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2110513_2110627_2110708,00. html http://www. scaruffi. com/vol1/beatles. html#sgt http://beatle. wordpress. com/2008/08/23/history-the-beatles-started-a-revolution-that-changed-us-all-forever/ http://www. thebeatles. com/

Using movement to teach academics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Using movement to teach academics - Essay Example Learning through movement is the preferred mode of learning for young children. This is because through active involvement, children are able to learn the best. For example in prepositions, should be made part of movement in class as they are critical in life; children need to understand them fully. As children move in every direction (under, slide, around, in tunnels, near and over objects) the words make more meaning to them. Such orientation in the space is important for children to identify letters and symbol orientation in a page. Sandra Minton says that the difference between a letter â€Å"b† and â€Å"d† is dependent upon orientation as both letters are comprised of a circle and a line (2003). Whenever children talk or listen to each other like on the playground as they make new inventions, they are practising and expanding vocabulary as well as learn how to communicate which is an important lesson. In Saudi Arabia where I come from, active learning was not part of the curricula as teachers saved on the academic time. What they did not understand is that young children can not concentrate in class like adults, listen to all the vocabularies and remember them next time in class. Practice through activities makes learning a quicker method in early childhood development. When children are made to keep quiet and listen in class, they do not learn how to communicate. But when they are encouraged to move and talk, have physical classes, they can invent games and reinvent the rules, which further enhance their communication skills (Block, 2001). Such children are able to express themselves even when they become adults. When they are made to skip lightly, this means that they are utilizing adjectives in the field, they are no longer abstract concepts in on the wall of the classroom. Physically demonstrating their actions with words makes the children comprehend their word easily and last longer. For example, words like stalk, or

Behaviour, Decision & Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Behaviour, Decision & Markets - Essay Example Proponents of such controversial experiments believe that most people’s behaviors are well explained by self-interest assumptions. This left other-regarding preferences to be viewed as forces of retaliation from the strengths of the self-interest perspectives (GaI?chter, S & Nosenzo, 2011). The experiment of quickly converging markets became applicable to confirm the hypothesis that is opposing to the other-preference hypothesis. On the contrary, supporters of other preference theory performed the bargain and corporation experiment, which disputed the outcomes of the quickly converging markets. They recommended that the self-interest hypothesis findings were premature and are not rationally applicable in explaining the fundamental aspects of human behavior. The self-interested decision choices are simple and are majorly used when dealing with straightforward and human behavior that is so easy to understand. Complex and hard to comprehend human behavior can only be explained us ing the other preference theory (GaI?chter, S & Nosenzo, 2011). Deducing from such concrete evidence, the question that remains unanswered is not whether self- interest is the choice or other preference. It is only important to note that in what conditions we can say that this or that condition has both economic and social effects. Hence, which is the best guideline to give a description and model these preferences. For example, other regarding preferences do not thrive well in competitive markets but this cannot be used to make conclusions that they do not exist. This impact is only realizable with rational individuals who will find it prudent not to expose their other-preference behavior in such market conditions since they are aware that they will never reap the outcomes given that the effects are not felt, in addition, the efforts to do the previously mentioned may be so costly (GaI?chter, S & Nosenzo, 2011). Outside the competitive markets where other-preference model can be ap plied has a series of economic activities that take place. These activities may be in small markets with small traders, markets with undefined frictions, contractually enforceable firms and organizations with contracts, which are incomplete and unenforceable. The models with self- interest assumptions may most of the time result into predictions, which are unpredictable and misleading with those made by other preference models being quite accurate. The economist stresses the fact that other people may be strongly convicted to serving others right by making sure that there welfare is in the right place, with a lot of justice and reciprocity. On the contrary, experiments also have it there are other individuals who are extremely callous and selfish, they don’t give regards to the welfare of the others even when such opportunities are availed to them at relatively low or no costs (GaI?chter, S & Nosenzo, 2011). The relation between such two completely contrasting individuals pre sents a strategic setting for managers in organizations to analyze behavior and find out what exists and defines fairness and selfishness. The derivations will tend to give explanations as to whether some people will tend to behave in a just and fairness in some settings in very different environmental conditions while it is the same people who will behave extremely

Medium Research Methodology Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Medium Methodology - Research Paper Example A quantitative approach was adopted for this study. It was vital to impose primary demands on the data collection. This is in order to study and know how the British national newspapers have constructed ‘binge drinking’ as a social problem. The research study is primarily and mainly dealing with how have the British national newspapers constructed ‘binge drinking’ as a social problem and not generalized approaches (Iwere, 2010). Additionally, the relationships between the variables will be analyzed in great detail by the research. The analysis will include testing the variation effect within factors which influence the British national newspapers to construct ‘binge drinking’ as a social problem. The approach (quantitative) was the most suitable approach for the study since the research question required needed a statistical answer and solution. Critcher, (pg. 154) stated that a quantitative study approach is often characterized by statistical measurements and figures whereas a qualitative approach is best suited for research questions which require a descriptive solution and answer. The research focused on finding the coverage of a small sample of British newspapers on binge drinking. Consequently, a quantitative paradigm was used to collect data for the research because it is more relevant and suitable. This was made up of newspaper articles which were meant and aimed to illustrate the findings of the study from the perspective of the research participant. To satisfy the demands of depth, the need for detailed information or data about binge drinking and the British media necessitated the use of more newspaper articles. Also, the use of many articles enabled the study to come up with reliable results and information.

Multivariate Data Analysis (Short computational exercise) Essay

Multivariate Data Analysis (Short computational exercise) - Essay Example The coefficient of linear correlation was found to be -0.154. From the frequency descriptions, the number that is willing to give at least  £75 is 39.7%. The hypothesis therefore, scores 39.7% positive response. The remaining percentage (60.3%) is the score for the willingness to pay less than  £75. There is a positive linear correlation coefficient of 0.394. This indicates that the gender group positively influences the willingness to pay is positively influenced by the gender. It therefore leads to a conclusion that females are willing to pay more than the males. This is against the hypothesis. The coefficient of linear correlation between the two variables is 0.492. This is a strong positive linear correlation, indicating that the willingness to pay increases as the net income per week increases, as per the hypothesis. The multiple regressions shows the three plots for net weekly income, occupational status and the gender factor in a single regression model. The two variable linear regression on the other hand shows a single plot between the dependent and independent

Material Durability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Material Durability - Essay Example The anode presents the species where corrosion takes place and a point from which electric current originates, whereas the cathode is the species to which the electric current flows without succumbing to corrosion. Electrolytes act as the current conduction media and include water, concrete among many others (Corrosion Doctors n.d., para.2). The metallic path is the means of connection that enables current flow between the anode and cathode thereby resulting in the completion of the circuit. In the general condition around the embedded steel cannot corrode due to an oxide layer, making it inactive and the concrete provides enough cover against corrosion. However, concrete cover suffers compromise under certain circumstances, which break down the surface oxide layer to expose the steel to corrosion forces. When it begins, the four corrosion elements activate and the structure falls to risks of weakness occasioned by wearing out of metal. Firstly, when the structure’s location comes to direct contact with salty moisture such as is often the case near seawater, the environment acts as a catalyst and accelerates corrosion. Salt is composed of sodium chloride and the contact of chloride ions with the steel results in corrosion. Coastal regions have a good number of reinforced concrete structures, which are in a constant threat of exposure to the moisture, through directly contact either with seawater or through humidity. Secondly, the reduction of the alkaline condition of the concrete around the steel creates the perfect condition for corrosion and pitting (Cadman 2012, para.1). The commonest route for this reduction of alkaline condition is carbonation of concrete, resulting in a neutral condition that supports corrosion. When compared to the impact of chloride environment on causation of corrosion, carbonation has a lower damage to the integrity

Global Interdependence Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global Interdependence - Article Example l idea of Simon’s article is the worldwide sense of exhaustion, particularly in the Islamic world, as a result of local conflicts, interference by the US and terrorism. The Israeli-Arab conflict, its fallout on the relations between Syria & Lebanon, the 9/11 disaster leading to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the sanctions against Iran and the latest act of terrorism against Mumbai by suspected terrorists from Pakistan – all continuing disastrous events evading resolution, have been touched upon by Simon to point out that the world is exhausted and looking forward to a new messiah to bring these conflicts to an end. President-elect Mr. Barack Obama, according to Simon, carries this great ‘burden of expectation’ by the people across the globe. If trade or economic matters are the bye-words of globalization, the word Obamania is no less in a globally interdependent world. Mr. Obama assumes office as President on 20th January 2009, and the eagerly awaited change of course from the present administration’s policies. Without saying it in so many words, Krugman hints at the interdependency of the global economy and politics to suggest that expectations indeed run high on both counts at home and abroad. The end of the cold-war period signified by the fall of the former Soviet Union, gave rise to globalization as the solution to economic co-operation and growth. The USA promoted this approach aggressively and prompted most nations to fall in line. Indeed, many poor countries have been seeing the benefits of global marketing, by exporting cheap manufactured products into the rich markets of the western world. However, the success on the economic side has not been repeated in the political area. The decades old conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians continued without abatement and if anything, worsened into an all out conflict between the Islamic and non-Islamic (mainly Christian, Jewish and Hindu) faiths. Exhausted by the expensive wars on one side