Out with the old in with the new? The Beatles

 The 60’s are perceived by many as a transitioning period from the old generation to the new. There were many events in the 60’s that signified this substantial transition. Churchill’s death in 65 indicated the end of the old world which involved both wars and opened up a new free world. The baby boomers from post World War 2 were now turning 18 and were the first generation to have not lived through the war to now being of the age to vote etc. This opened up new ideas and opinions from the younger generation with more and more young people attending university and attaining degrees. Women found new freedoms sexually as a pill was made available nationwide to control birth. Fashion had taken a centre seat as well in these years. Out with the long skirts and plain colours and in with the mini skirts and vibrant colours. Twiggy was the main pioneer behind these fashion changes in the UK. Clothing for women became more sexualised as skirts and dresses became shorter. Fashion now became a way to express your individuality and to distant yourself from the ‘norms’ of society.

Friday August 6^th 1965. Mid-way though the so called ‘swinging sixties’ the recently world famous Beatles released their 15^th studio album. Help, itself, is a song in the album as was one of the Beatles best selling singles of all time. It stayed at the top of the charts in the UK and US for two to three weeks. Amongst the band John Lennon found the mid 60’s a particular difficult period for him personally. Lennon, described 1965 as his ‘fat Elvis’ stage. The song was created by both McCartney and Lennon. Yet McCartney didn’t realise that the song was actually a cry for help from Lennon until the early 70’s. Throughout my blogs I have focused on the birth and transitioning occurring in the 60’s. This is no different in this example. The album Help was seen by many Beatle fans as their ‘transition’ album. This was the last album of the ‘old Beatles’ and the albums that followed like ‘Rubber Soul’ and later, “Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’ displayed their new style of music. This day in 1965 is also momentous for another reason, a reason more important, a reason more historically significant. The old society was once again removed with a new look future. Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, giving African American’s the right to vote in the United States.

  

The album itself and in particular the song Help! allows the listener to see an insight into the future of the band. A focus on self healing and drugs began to take centre stage, more visible in the later albums. 

Kieran Topson