In My Life

The other night I went to a Beatles concert. When I closed my eyes it was The Beatles, but when I opened them it was 4 guys dressed up as John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The few entertaining hours I had enjoying “The Beatles” really flooded my mind with memories. I know The Beatles were huge back in the day and I wish I could have been a part of the Beatle-mania craze. As a former *nsync crazy fan, I can’t imagine the lines I would have crossed with The Beatles. I would probably have been one of those girls crying at their concerts. Even at our fake Beatles concert, we have a crazy fan. Some middle-aged woman threw herself on stage and had to be taken away by security. We all cheered and were proud of our fellow crazy audience member. I was taken aback by actually seeing how The Beatles have made their way into everyone’s lives, not matter their age. While at the concert, I looked over to a girl that was probably 7 years old. She sat there singing along, knowing all the words. I know I didn’t experience The Beatles firsthand, but I never thought about future generations identifying with them. This young girl was singing the same song I was singing and the same song so many others have sung before us. I also had another realization when the band started to play “Roll Over Beethoven. This song is so old, and some may consider it the 1st of its time when Chuck Berry sung it. The Beatles took this song all over the world, and now that I live in St. Louis, I can actually still go see the real thing, Chuck Berry perform his original song.

Well gonna write a little letter
Gonna mail it to my local D.J.
It's a rockin' little record
I want my jockey to play
Roll over Beethoven
I gotta hear it again today
You know my temperature's risin'
And the jukebox's blowin' a fuse
My hearts beatin' rhythm
And my soul keeps singing the blues
Roll over Beethoven

A lot of Beatles songs bring back memories for me. I remember being on a road trip as a kid and sharing headphones with Courtney listening to Beatles music. Kyleigh fell asleep and we used her cd player and used up all the batteries. We listened to at least 4 Beatles cds and played dumb when she awoke, very angry that her batteries were dead. I remember being at an 8th grade graduation picnic and sad that I was getting ready to move to the Midwest. My friends and I danced in the pouring rain to The Beatles and I knew I would always remember that moment. In college, while studying abroad, I went to a Bealtes cover band every week to dance the night away. It was the tiniest club you could imagine and completely underground. Passerbys on the street had no idea what kind of party they were walking by. We befriended “The Beatles” and some became a little more friendly. One, so friendly, that now, she moved back to Italy and is back with her Beatle. Some of those nights were the best I have ever had. We danced until the wee hours of the morning and I think those nights will be the closest I will come to a true Beatles concert. I still laugh when I think about the “Help Guys.” These Italian men must have really loved the song “Help” because they took off their clothes (Yes, I am serious) every time The Beatles sang it. At first my friends and I were wierded out by these men, but over the months we grew more fond of them. Towards the end of our abroad experience we danced and enjoyed The Beatles nights with the “Help Guys.” Other songs remind me of late nights at the beach, college, or in the Burkett's family room with John on the guitar and playing

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed,
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places had their moments,
With lovers and friends I still can recall,
Some are dead and some are living,
In my life I’ve loved them all.

The Beatles music makes me feel love, sadness, happiness, and peace in ways that no other artists have reached me. I guess that is why the have withstood the test of time and will continue to engage new fans with music. I know that The Beatles will always influence my life through music. Their lyrics help me appreciate life and bring peace to my mind.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is a light that shines on me,
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.