Infestation pt. 5

On June 1st, 1967, The Beatles released their 8th studio album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," entering the psychedelic era that The Beatles are known so well for.  This coming only four years after "Please Please Me," a very drastic change in my opinion.  This album really accentuates the "Great Leap Forward," made by their last album (Revolver) including more sophisticated song writing and higher/more unconventional experimentation with lyrics and styles.   

The album is very different to say the least, but even one who has never studied music or even The Beatles before, could notice that drugs play a huge role in influencing the album.  Ringo even says it himself in "With a Little Help From My Friends," in chorus he says: "I get by with a little help from my friends, I get high with a little help from my friends," I'm not sure how much more obvious one could get.  But there is also the argument that his friends just make him happy and lift his spirits high...although I'm not buying that scenario.  Even with this subliminal messaging of sorts, it doesn't take away anything from this song, and its very catchy melody and overall feeling of an instant classic.  

Another instant classic and the third track on the album, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," was also heavily influenced by drugs.  Is it just merely coincidence that the only three capitalized words in the title first letters spell LSD?  Maybe (although probably not), but the song is "trippy"  to say the least.  Even though some of the lyrics include the images of "the tangerine trees and the marmalade sky," the song is probably the best songs of psychedelia as a whole.  The soft and comforting melody emphasized by Lennon's whispery vocals along with the organ in the background makes the song what it is.  

Another really trippy song off of the album is "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"  Lennon wrote most of the song although Paul is said to have collaborated on the track as well.  But the song isn't really a song at all.  Shortly after the release of the song, Lennon openly said that the lyrics were taken almost word for word from a poster for a circus from the 1840's.  After the first verse there is an instrumental break that encompasses a merry-go-roundish sound creating a "swirl of sound," creating an almost creepy feel.  

Regarding the video below: as I was looking for a version of the real song I found this...I'm not sure what to even say at this point except for drugs are bad kids...although my favorite part is most definitely 2:15  

Even with it's controversial themes, Sgt. Peppers is still a pretty good album with its first three songs becoming breakout hits.  Not my favorite Beatles album but still important nonetheless. 

-Brooks Gonzales