Were The Beatles simple-minded? Heaven forbid! But
they did write and compose beautiful music that was, perhaps, made even more
beautiful by its very simplicity.
I had just turned eleven when The Beatles made their
USA debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. I was barely of an age to recognize a
bit of their sex appeal, but I was more than aware of their talent. I just
wished all those ridiculous, screeching females would shut up and let me
appreciate it!
Although some of the music for songs such as All My Loving, and Til There Was You may be complex, the lyrics are anything but. The
harmonies nearly brought tears to my eyes even at the tender age of eleven.
I’ve never outgrown my love for the music created
and performed by those four boys from Liverpool. I have quite a few of their
CDs in my collection, and several of them are among my favorites to listen to
while I walk or ride my bike. If someone were to ask me what my favorite
Beatles’ song is, I would probably have to say it is In My Life. But lately, I’ve decided that my second favorite has
got to be And I Love Her.
The lyrics to And
I Love Her, which I understand were chiefly written by Paul McCartney, are
so deceptively simple that it’s a wonder the song didn’t write itself back in
the dark ages. But that’s part of the magic of The Beatles. They could say
something that we’ve all heard a million times and make it unique and special.
The accompaniment, too, is uncomplicated, but I don’t know if any music has
touched me quite like George Harrison’s lead guitar as it softly repeats those
four short notes that serve as background for the verses.
Some writers have the ability to connect with their
readers in this simple turning of a phrase, or spare choice of words. They can
be stingy with their descriptive passages, and still give the reader cause to
pause and reflect on the beauty of the written word. It is something I aspire
to accomplish some day, but until then, I will continue to read, and listen,
and hopefully learn.
Happy Writing!
Cordelia Dinsmore
3 comments:
One with terrific minor harmonies was If I Fell. Loved those progressing steps that tug at the heartstrings. I don't think either their lyrics or harmonies were simple. Frankly, I think they were carefully crafted by Lennon & McCarthy. Supreme marketers. They knew their audience. Wish I could say the same.
Like Vonne says - Lennon and McCartney knew their audience, who they were playing for. I think once an author knows this, anything is possible, including hitting the bestselling lists! Cheers for a fab post, Cordelia!
Thanks, ladies, for stopping by.
Vonnie - I didn't mean simple as in terms of 'easy'. I just think writers often circle around so much trying to make their words sound just right, that they miss the whole point. When we use language and phrasing that everyone can relate to, and do it in a smooth, rhythmic pattern, we can write something memorable. I think those boys were brilliant, and i hope I didn't come off as presenting them otherwise.
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