It was 50 years ago today I was a young immature 4th grader in Mrs.
Vanderbilt’s class. Riding the bus to school every day, it was exciting
listening to the older guys, the 6th graders talk, but today was different-all
the talk was about one thing-The Beatles had been on Ed Sullivan last night.
And I had seen them too, and suddenly I could be part of the conversation, other
than just listening, or being made fun of. And how after that we had Beatle
songs, Beatle wigs, magazines, and finally a movie-A Hard Day’s Night, and all
was right with the world. Musically. Last night I watched the Grammy’s
presentation of the 50th Anniversary of their debut on Ed Sullivan, and many
memories came back. I never realized the effect their music had on me. Here
are a few examples, see how yours compare.
My first Beatle album was Meet the Beatles, a pre-Capitol, pre-I wanna Hold
Your Hand release. Wore out until the next album came along. I can remember
the first time I heard Sgt. Pepper, an afternoon in Guy’s basement with my new
girlfriend, and my first time making out-talk about sensory overload. And then
the end-WOW! Talk about a Day I the Life! And then listening to it all over
again, and again. Not a bad cut on the album, with She’s Leaving Home haunting
me, and then looking back years later, when I left home, after becoming a
Christian. “Something inside that was always denied for so many years...” My
parents never got it, why I left home. Too bad they never heard the song.
Swerdlick and I did a take off on Lady Madonna, called Vasco De Gama for
our history class, sing it, the words fit. Who said history had to be boring.
Or how Bruce used to sing “take a fast right turn,” which was really Paperback
Writer.” Or the first time hearing the White Album, and being blown away-who
else could put out a double album, with no graphics, except for an embossing of
The Beatles, except the Beatles? And going to Bamburgers with Abner, getting
out of school early to buy their last album, Abbey Road, for $2.99, and again
not a bad song on it. And how side 2 is one song, or is it? Years later when I
heard an interview with Paul, he said how they knew it would be their last
album, so wanted it to be their best. Incredible. Or listening one night with
John, who taught me how to listen to music, and listening to some very expensive
studio cuts he had bought. Pre mixed songs, and they were incredible, you could
hear them all before they were mixed so beautifully. But Ringo’s drumming stood
out, and again I remember another interview where they talked of Ringo, and how
he did things no one else could do, making it look so simple. And last night
mentioning how he kept them together with his rhythm, and it being so loud on Ed
Sullivan, that they could only hear his cymbals, but he kept them together. And
as I sat last night, seeing Paul and Ringo, I had forgotten what a great show
they put on, how in their 70’s, these guys still rocked. The only bummer as
Yoko sitting next to them, the anti-Christ that helped tear them apart. And how
George hated her being there, commenting “that no one else’s wife goes to work
with their husband.” The same John Paul had to teach guitar chords to, he
learned banjo ones first and adapted them to the guitar.
And how his death forever ruled out any hope of a reunion. Do you remember
All Things Must Pass? A great album by George, who sadly died too soon of
cancer, on his death bed afraid of death, his Hari Krishna not able to save
him. How ironic his signature album title would be his epitaph. In Christ, we
know all things don’t pass. And again the Beatles lyrics even ministered to me
one night, the words of She Loves You, “pride can hurt you too, apologize to
her,” and I confronted some ex-girlfriends, in the Lord.
The Beatles, music that we all sang along to, just watching the audience
reminding me of that. We know all the words. Songs arranged to heavy metal,
heard in elevators, or by 101 Strings. And it all came back last night, how 50
years was really such a short time ago, and of the day I first heard of the
Beatles. And not having 50 years to look ahead to, but having an eternity to be
excited about.
Now as good as The Beatles were, and they were the best, they in no way
compare to the music awaiting us in heaven. For when sin entered the world
through Adam, it also contaminated the music, and no form of remixing can
duplicate the perfect pitch that awaits us in heaven. God calls our music today
a “joyful noise,” and to Him it is, just that, because he knows true perfect
pitch. He knows harmony, as the lion will one day sit with the lamb, and the
world will be as one in Him. We will sing songs, songs of God, and to God, in
perfect harmony, and 50 years will seem like last night, for it will be in
eternity. And new songs will continue forever, with the old song leader, Satan,
confined in hell forever. No questionable lyrics, no playing it backward and
hearing his messages-it will be all about Jesus. Just like in the beginning,
and so into eternity we go with that promise. And it is by the grace of God you
have His promise that He will honor.
Out of the heart spring mighty words, and the Beatles blessed a generation
with their music. God will bless eternity with His songs, will you be there to
sing along? The Beatles only recorded for less than 10 years, and look at the
impact, can you imagine the impact Jesus will have for eternity? And if we can
get so turned on by joyful noises, and harmonies pleasing to the ear, can you
imagine the joy when we all sing in heaven in perfect harmony?
And so 50 years has come and gone, just like that. Don’t let the same
thing happen to you and Jesus. The songs you sing 50 years from now will tell a
lot about who He is and was in your life. We can remember where we were when we
heard Sgt. Pepper, or Abbey Road. When we sang “I wanna hold your hand,” and
know what A Hard Day’s Night is like. But when we cry out for Help!, let it not
be for anybody, but only to Jesus. For like the lads sang, “you know I need
someone...help.” Don’t look back to when “those days are gone,” and you felt so
insecure, look back to when Jesus entered your life. For long before there was
a Fab Four, there was an eternal three, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And when
the music stops, they will remain.
45’s, albums, 8 tracks, cassettes, and DVD’s, all record the songs of our
youth. I can hardly wait to see how they are remembered in heaven. Something
in the way Jesus moves....and all I have to do is think of Him. Who will still
feed me, who will still need me, when I’m 64? Where will the screaming fans be
then?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com