FEATURE:
Future Masters
The Ongoing Cultural Impact of The Beatles
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THERE have been a couple of recent…
PHOTO CREDIT: Harry Hammond/V&A Images/Getty Images
bits of news related to The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) which has caught my eye. The band formed over sixty years ago…and it is amazing that they are still resonating as wide and hard as they do! It is testament to the incredible songwriting and universality of the songs that means new generations are falling for the world’s greatest band. Later in the year, we will finally get to see Peter Jackson’s film/documentary, The Beatles: Back: it will rewrite some misconceptions about those fraught recording sessions around the time of Let It Be. I think there is this feeling that the band were so divided and tense – one of the reasons why they called it quits in 1970. Whilst there is some truth to that, actually, there were talks of another albums (after they recorded Abbey Road); a feeling that things could continue. The film will show the band laughing and bonding, in addition to laying down some timeless tracks! Before coming to the main crux of the feature, fans of Paul McCartney’s lyrics have something to be excited about come November. The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present looks set to be a fascinating tome:
“In this stunning, intimate self-portrait from one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Paul McCartney traces his life from boyhood to the present day through the lyrics to 154 iconic songs, together with captivating commentary and never-before-seen photographs, drafts and letters.
'More often than I can count, I've been asked if I would write an autobiography, but the time has never been right. The one thing I've always managed to do, whether at home or on the road, is to write new songs. I know that some people, when they get to a certain age, like to go to a diary to recall day-to-day events from the past, but I have no such notebooks. What I do have are my songs, hundreds of them, which I've learned serve much the same purpose. And these songs span my entire life.'
PHOTO CREDIT: Penguin Random House
In this extraordinary book, with unparalleled candour, Paul McCartney recounts his life and art through the prism of 154 songs from all stages of his career - from his earliest boyhood compositions through the legendary decade of The Beatles, to Wings and his solo albums to the present. Arranged alphabetically to provide a kaleidoscopic rather than chronological account, it establishes definitive texts of the songs' lyrics for the first time and describes the circumstances in which they were written, the people and places that inspired them, and what he thinks of them now. Presented with this is a treasure trove of material from McCartney's personal archive - drafts, letters, photographs - never seen before, which make this also a unique visual record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
We learn intimately about the man, the creative process, the working out of melodies, the moments of inspiration. The voice and personality of Paul McCartney sings off every page. There has never been a book about a great musician like it”.
I am sorely tempted to buy the collection, as it would provide me an insight into some of those early songs with The Beatles. I think that all of the band were great songwriters - though I have always gravitated towards McCartney style and variety. I know quite a bit about his work with The Beatles. We will get some unique insight into these treasured songs when the book comes out. Not only is there still a massive appetite for The Beatles and songwriters like Paul McCartney; they are still making a huge impact on musicians and people decades after they split.
This takes me to an interesting bit of news. There is now an option for one to study a Masters in The Beatles at the University of Liverpool. The BBC explains more:
“Fans of The Beatles are being invited to study for a master's degree in the Fab Four at the University of Liverpool.
Students on The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage MA course will learn about the group's influence on popular music and culture, its programme leader said.
Dr Holly Tessler said it was "unique" because it explored the band's legacy.
There is also a focus on heritage and tourism in Liverpool and the UK, she said.
The course - which starts in September - is aimed at people "currently working, or considering pursuing a career in, the music and creative industries", said a university spokesman.
According to the course description, students will be able to visit sites in Merseyside which featured in the group's early years.
Dr Tessler, a Beatles expert, said she was "absolutely delighted" to bring formal study of the Beatles to the University of Liverpool's Department of Music and Institute of Popular Music.
"What makes this MA unique is its focus on The Beatles in a future-facing way, considering the legacy's influence on the music and creative industries, in popular culture, and within heritage, culture and tourism in the 21st Century," she said”.
Students of the postgraduate qualification will also consider how the band's influence could be replicated in different places, industries and contexts around the world, the university said.
It's not the first time a Beatles MA has been offered in the city”.
I know there are current options at universities to do dissertations on The Beatles, but the fact there is now something more comprehensive shows that the band have this cultural impact and legacy that is enormous! Not only can one study the music and the influence the band have had; they will also get a history and cultural lesson about society in the 1960s. I think that, now more than ever, the importance of The Beatles is clear. I feel that that there is so much to learn and treasure. The fact there are new projects coming out regarding the band – in addition to that Paul McCartney lyrics book – shows their genius is still burning bright. It will be interesting to see whether any other artists will get the same treatment regarding courses specifically about them. Maybe there are few that have the same reputation as The Beatles, but I think it is fascinating having specific bands and artists optioned as a Masters. I am looking forward to the Peter Jackson project at the end of August, and I know we will see new books, documentaries and projects regarding The Beatles for decades to come. Now that The Beatles are being honoured by a university in their home city, there will be new fascination and discovery regarding the iconic band. There are fewer higher salutes…
THAN that.