Monday, February 10, 2014

it was 50 years ago today















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