Rock and Roll is Here to Stay:Rock and Roll is Here to Stay:

The Beatles - InfluenceThe Beatles - Influence

• What makes the Beatles What makes the Beatles sound unique?sound unique?

• How did their sound change How did their sound change over time?over time?

• What influences can be heard What influences can be heard in their music?in their music?

British rock and rollBritish rock and roll• Most English rock and roll stars Most English rock and roll stars

manufactured idolsmanufactured idols

• Teens (esp. guitarists) look to records of Teens (esp. guitarists) look to records of American blues, folk musicAmerican blues, folk music

• Sparks Sparks skiffleskiffle craze craze – Syncopated mixture of jazz, folk, and bluesSyncopated mixture of jazz, folk, and blues– Instrumentation cheap, easily accessibleInstrumentation cheap, easily accessible– Ex. Chas Mc Devitt, Freight Train Ex. Chas Mc Devitt, Freight Train

The Beatles - InfluencesThe Beatles - Influences

• John Lennon (1940-1980)John Lennon (1940-1980)– Country bluesCountry blues– Trad (Dixieland) jazzTrad (Dixieland) jazz– RockabillyRockabilly– Formed skiffle group, the Quarrymen, at age Formed skiffle group, the Quarrymen, at age

1717

The Beatles - InfluencesThe Beatles - Influences

• Paul Mc Cartney (1942 - )Paul Mc Cartney (1942 - )– English popular musicEnglish popular music– Dance hall musicDance hall music– Trad jazzTrad jazz– Rock and roll, rockabilly, R&BRock and roll, rockabilly, R&B– From musical familyFrom musical family

The Beatles - InfluencesThe Beatles - Influences

• George Harrison (1943-2001)George Harrison (1943-2001)– Dance hall musicDance hall music– JazzJazz– American country music, esp. Jimmie RodgersAmerican country music, esp. Jimmie Rodgers– Rock and roll, rockabillyRock and roll, rockabilly– Also in skiffle groupAlso in skiffle group

The Beatles - InfluencesThe Beatles - Influences

• Ringo Starr (1940 - )Ringo Starr (1940 - )– American country, esp. Gene AutryAmerican country, esp. Gene Autry– Swing jazzSwing jazz– SkiffleSkiffle– English popular musicEnglish popular music– bluesblues

The Beatles – Style PeriodsThe Beatles – Style Periods

• Early Career (1957-62)Early Career (1957-62)

• ““Beatlemania” (1962-64)Beatlemania” (1962-64)

• Dylan-inspired seriousness (1964-66)Dylan-inspired seriousness (1964-66)

• Psychedelia (late 1966-1967)Psychedelia (late 1966-1967)

• Return to Roots (1968-1970)Return to Roots (1968-1970)

Early CareerEarly Career• Gigs in Liverpool Gigs in Liverpool

• House band at clubs in Hamburg, House band at clubs in Hamburg, GermanyGermany– 6-7 hours a night, 6 nights a week6-7 hours a night, 6 nights a week– Learn to quickly absorb, adapt, and reproduce Learn to quickly absorb, adapt, and reproduce

anything to fill timeanything to fill time

Artists Covered by the Quarry Men and The Beatles before 1962 Artists Covered by the Quarry Men and The Beatles before 1962 Artist or groupArtist or group # of songs on play lists# of songs on play lists*Elvis Presley*Elvis Presley 2828*Chuck Berry*Chuck Berry 1414*Buddy Holly*Buddy Holly 1414*Little Richard*Little Richard 1414Gene VincentGene Vincent 1313Carl PerkinsCarl Perkins 1212Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis 1010Lonnie DoneganLonnie Donegan 88Larry WilliamsLarry Williams 77Fats DominoFats Domino 66Duane EddyDuane Eddy 66The CoastersThe Coasters 55*Eddie Cochran*Eddie Cochran 55The Everly BrothersThe Everly Brothers 55Sonny Terry & Brownie McGheeSonny Terry & Brownie McGhee 55The Vipers Skiffle GroupThe Vipers Skiffle Group 55Ray CharlesRay Charles 22Les Paul and Mary FordLes Paul and Mary Ford 22Peggy LeePeggy Lee 22Ricky NelsonRicky Nelson 22Big Joe TurnerBig Joe Turner 22

““Beatlemania”Beatlemania”

19621962-3-3 June 6June 6 Audition for EMI; signed by producer George MartinAudition for EMI; signed by producer George MartinAug. 18Aug. 18 Ringo Starr replaces drummer Pete BestRingo Starr replaces drummer Pete BestOct. 5Oct. 5 Love Me Do/P.S. I Love YouLove Me Do/P.S. I Love You released in U.K. released in U.K.Dec. 18-31Dec. 18-31 Final Hamburg performancesFinal Hamburg performancesJan 11Jan 11 Please Please Me/Ask Me WhyPlease Please Me/Ask Me Why released in U.K. released in U.K.Late Feb.Late Feb. Please Please MePlease Please Me hits #1 on British charts hits #1 on British chartsMar. 22Mar. 22 Please Please MePlease Please Me, first Beatles LP, released in , first Beatles LP, released in

U.K.; remains at #1 for 30 weeks U.K.; remains at #1 for 30 weeksOct. 13Oct. 13 First outbreak of “Beatlemania”First outbreak of “Beatlemania”Nov. 4Nov. 4 Capitol Records signs The Beatles for release ofCapitol Records signs The Beatles for release of

recordings in U.S.recordings in U.S.Dec. 26Dec. 26 I Want to Hold YourI Want to Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing Hand/I Saw Her Standing

ThereThere released in U.S. released in U.S.

““Beatlemania”Beatlemania”• Height of fame in England, conquest of U.S.Height of fame in England, conquest of U.S.• AlbumsAlbums

– Please, Please Me (1st)Please, Please Me (1st)– With the BeatlesWith the Beatles– Hard Days’ NightHard Days’ Night– Beatles for SaleBeatles for Sale– Help!Help!

• SinglesSingles– Please, Please MePlease, Please Me– I Wanna Hold Your HandI Wanna Hold Your Hand– Love Me DoLove Me Do– Can’t Buy Me LoveCan’t Buy Me Love– Hard Days’ NightHard Days’ Night– Eight Days a WeekEight Days a Week

Please, Please MePlease, Please Me• InfluencesInfluences

– Roy OrbisonRoy Orbison– Carl Perkins, Carl Perkins, Lend Me Your Comb Lend Me Your Comb

(harmonies, shape)(harmonies, shape)

• Oblique melodic descent Oblique melodic descent

• Some complex harmonic turnsSome complex harmonic turns

• Forceful drummingForceful drumming

Please, Please MePlease, Please Me• Favorite Beatle sound – guitar lines in Favorite Beatle sound – guitar lines in

octavesoctaves– Leads Harrison to adopt 12-string Leads Harrison to adopt 12-string

RickenbackerRickenbacker

• ““Proto-punk” bass lineProto-punk” bass line

I Wanna Hold Your HandI Wanna Hold Your Hand

• Rhythmic layersRhythmic layers– Style beatStyle beat– BackbeatBackbeat– Variant of clave rhythm in clapsVariant of clave rhythm in claps

• Common to early sound – no drummer until Common to early sound – no drummer until ’61’61

I Wanna Hold Your HandI Wanna Hold Your Hand• Verse/refrain form with “middle 8”Verse/refrain form with “middle 8”

• Vocal harmonies – Everly Brothers Vocal harmonies – Everly Brothers influenceinfluence

• Vocal styleVocal style– Rising at end of verse into falsettoRising at end of verse into falsetto– MelismasMelismas– Hints of blues shouter voiceHints of blues shouter voice

• Note: no guitar solosNote: no guitar solos

Early period and “Beatlemania”Early period and “Beatlemania”

• Emulation of rockabilly, rock and roll, R&B Emulation of rockabilly, rock and roll, R&B idolsidols

• Many songs covers, or modeled after Many songs covers, or modeled after songs that formed early repertoiresongs that formed early repertoire

• 3 part vocal harmonies3 part vocal harmonies• Recordings basically “live” – little studio Recordings basically “live” – little studio

productionproduction• ““Woo”, “Yeah”, other vocal embellishmentsWoo”, “Yeah”, other vocal embellishments• Largely romantic lyricsLargely romantic lyrics

Dylan-inspired seriousness (or Dylan-inspired seriousness (or Mature period) 1965-66Mature period) 1965-66

• AlbumsAlbums– Rubber SoulRubber Soul– RevolverRevolver

• SinglesSingles– We Can Work It OutWe Can Work It Out– Day TripperDay Tripper– Paperback writerPaperback writer– Yellow SubmarineYellow Submarine– Eleanor RigbyEleanor Rigby

Mature periodMature period

• Influence of Bob DylanInfluence of Bob Dylan– Lyrics more personal, literary, some veiled Lyrics more personal, literary, some veiled

political commentarypolitical commentary– Drug-influenced songs, lyricsDrug-influenced songs, lyrics– Greater familiarity with American cultureGreater familiarity with American culture

Mature period – style characteristicsMature period – style characteristics• Expanded palate of tone colorsExpanded palate of tone colors

– Sitar, orchestral instrumentsSitar, orchestral instruments– Different guitars used for different effectsDifferent guitars used for different effects

• Willingness to depart from traditional rock Willingness to depart from traditional rock ensembleensemble

• More complex harmonicallyMore complex harmonically

Mature period – style characteristicsMature period – style characteristics

• Increased role of producer George MartinIncreased role of producer George Martin– Collaborative part of ensembleCollaborative part of ensemble– Key in creating Beatles soundKey in creating Beatles sound– Begins to exploit multi-track recordingBegins to exploit multi-track recording

Norwegian WoodNorwegian Wood

• Slow waltz – 3 beats per measureSlow waltz – 3 beats per measure

• Pop vocal stylePop vocal style

• No influence of blues, gospelNo influence of blues, gospel

• Thin textureThin texture

• Modal, not tonal, orientationModal, not tonal, orientation– Different pattern of half and whole stepsDifferent pattern of half and whole steps– Lacks harmonic direction, drive of bluesLacks harmonic direction, drive of blues

A Instrumental – guitarA Instrumental – guitarA Instrumental – sitar + guitarA Instrumental – sitar + guitarAA I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me. I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me.AA She showed me her room, isn't it good Norwegian She showed me her room, isn't it good Norwegian

wood?wood?BB She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere, She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere,B’B’ So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair. So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair.A I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine.A I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine.A We talked until two and then she said, "It's time forA We talked until two and then she said, "It's time for

bed".bed".A Sitar + guitar A Sitar + guitar A A Sitar + guitar Sitar + guitarB She told me she worked in the morning and started to B She told me she worked in the morning and started to

laugh.laugh.B I told her I didn't and crawled off to sleep in the bath.B I told her I didn't and crawled off to sleep in the bath.AA And when I awoke I was alone, this bird had flown. And when I awoke I was alone, this bird had flown.AA So I lit a fire, isn't it good, Norwegian wood. So I lit a fire, isn't it good, Norwegian wood.A Sitar + guitarA Sitar + guitar

Psychedelic periodPsychedelic period• Huge cultural changes by 1965Huge cultural changes by 1965

– Civil Rights movementCivil Rights movement– Free speech movementsFree speech movements– Early protests of Vietnam warEarly protests of Vietnam war– LSD beginning to filter through countryLSD beginning to filter through country

• Creates new artistic and cultural Creates new artistic and cultural movementmovement

• Distortion of realityDistortion of reality

• New emphasis on imagination, creativityNew emphasis on imagination, creativity

• Individual perception of rules, norms of Individual perception of rules, norms of societysociety

• Interest in new, non-Western viewpointsInterest in new, non-Western viewpoints

• Modally-based harmonies = lack of Modally-based harmonies = lack of harmonic driveharmonic drive

• DroneDrone: sustained note underneath entire : sustained note underneath entire texturetexture

• Often lacks definitive beatOften lacks definitive beat

• Free-form, often obscure lyricsFree-form, often obscure lyrics

• Thick, dense texturesThick, dense textures

The Byrds – Eight Miles HighThe Byrds – Eight Miles High• IntroIntro

– Thick, dense textureThick, dense texture– Heavy reverb on all, especially guitarHeavy reverb on all, especially guitar– Static qualityStatic quality– Riff-basedRiff-based

• Droning, directionless guitar solosDroning, directionless guitar solos

• Lyrics that might be about drugsLyrics that might be about drugs

• Beatles no longer touringBeatles no longer touring• Focus on recordingFocus on recording• Influenced by Beach Boys, Influenced by Beach Boys, Pet SoundsPet Sounds

– Result of Brian Wilson’s focus on song writing, Result of Brian Wilson’s focus on song writing, producingproducing

– Theme albumTheme album– Highly prpoducedHighly prpoduced– New sounds, non-traditional instrumentsNew sounds, non-traditional instruments

Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

Basic tempo: 152 beats/minute (fast) with 4 beats to the bar Slows considerably in D section, but returns to original tempo at end

A I, I love the colorful clothes she wears Vocal (heavy echo) accomp. And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair by short organ chords, bass I hear the sound of a gentle word Drum, tambourine added On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air Four even drum shots lead into…

B I'm pickin' up good vibrations Low voice + theremin She's giving me excitations I'm pickin' up good vibrations Backing vocals enter + tambourine (Oom bop bop good vibrations) She's giving me excitations Fast triplets in cellos (Oom bop bop excitations) Good good good good vibrations Second, higher layer of background (Oom bop bop) vocals added She's giving me excitations (Oom bop bop excitations) Good good good good vibrations (Oom bop bop) She's giving me excitations (Oom bop bop excitations)

A Close my eyes` As in first AShe's somehow closer nowSoftly smile, I know she must be kindWhen I look in her eyesShe goes with me to a blossom world

B I'm pickin' up good vibrations As in first BShe's giving me excitationsI'm pickin' up good vibrations(Oom bop bop good vibrations)……

C Instrumental – 8 bars Barroom sounding piano(Ahhhhhhh) Alternates beats with bass(Ah my my what elation) Vocals on vowel sounds with

heavy echo don't know where but she sends me there (Ah my my what a sensation)(Ah my my what elations)(Ah my my what)

D Sustained organ, maracas; slower tempoGotta keep those lovin' good vibrationsA happenin' with herGotta keep those lovin' good vibrationsA happenin' with herGotta keep those lovin' good vibrationsA happenin‘

E Return to original tempoAhhhhhhhh Begins with “Ahhhh” of C section, but Good good good good vibrations then same as 2nd part of B section(Oom bop bop)…..(Good good good good vibrations(Oom bop bop)She's na na . . .

Na na na na na Bass, high vocals with heavy echoNa na na Joined by second melody, then third - Na na na na na polyphonic textureNa na naDo do do do doDo do doDo do do do doDo do do Heavy bass triplets and theremin to end

Beatles – Psychedelic periodBeatles – Psychedelic period

• AlbumsAlbums– Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club BandSgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band– Magical Mystery TourMagical Mystery Tour– Yellow Submarine (released 1969, but characteristic Yellow Submarine (released 1969, but characteristic

of earlier period)of earlier period)

• SinglesSingles– All You Need Is LoveAll You Need Is Love– Hello/GoodbyeHello/Goodbye– I Am The WalrusI Am The Walrus– Strawberry Fields ForeverStrawberry Fields Forever– Penny LanePenny Lane

Characteristics of Beatles’ Characteristics of Beatles’ Psychedelic stylePsychedelic style

• ExperimentalismExperimentalism– Creating new sounds and effectsCreating new sounds and effects– New styles, forms, methods of compositionNew styles, forms, methods of composition

• Surrealistic/psychedelic lyrics, often from Surrealistic/psychedelic lyrics, often from impersonal sourcesimpersonal sources

• Album takes precedence over singlesAlbum takes precedence over singles– Singles viewed as separate entitiesSingles viewed as separate entities

• Abandonment of traditional roles in bandAbandonment of traditional roles in band

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club BandSgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

• ““concept albumconcept album” – songs arranged around ” – songs arranged around central concept or storycentral concept or story– ““Frame” created by song Frame” created by song Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely

Hearts Club bandHearts Club band and and reprise reprise (melody, with different words, (melody, with different words,

recurs)recurs)

• New idea of what album could beNew idea of what album could be• Highly producedHighly produced

– Manipulation of sounds, tracksManipulation of sounds, tracks– Lots of overdubbingLots of overdubbing

• Many songs acid rockMany songs acid rock

2 measure intro – Lowrey organ

A Picture yourself in a boat on a river Duple feel With tangerine trees and marlmalade skies. Drone-like

bass Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

B Cellophane flowers of yellow and green More active bass line,

Towering over your head outlines tripletsLook for the girl with the sun in her eyes Shuffle rhythm in

cymbalsAnd she’s gone. More echo on vocals

Lucy in the Sky With DiamondsLucy in the Sky With Diamonds

AA Follow her down to a bridge by a fountainFollow her down to a bridge by a fountainWhere rocking horse people eat marshmallow piesWhere rocking horse people eat marshmallow piesEveryone smiles as you drift past the flowersEveryone smiles as you drift past the flowersThat grow so incredibly high.That grow so incredibly high.

BB Newspaper taxis appear on the shoreNewspaper taxis appear on the shoreWaiting to take you away.Waiting to take you away.

Climb in the back with your head in the cloudsClimb in the back with your head in the cloudsAnd you’re gone.And you’re gone.

Refrain Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (x3)Refrain Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (x3) Oooohhhh, oooooh.Oooohhhh, oooooh.

AA Picture yourself on a train in a stationPicture yourself on a train in a stationWith plasticine porters with looking glass ties.With plasticine porters with looking glass ties.Suddenly someone is there at the turnstileSuddenly someone is there at the turnstileThe girl with kaleidoscope eyes.The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds (x3)Lucy in the sky with diamonds (x3) Repeated until endRepeated until end

Return to Roots (1968-70)Return to Roots (1968-70)• AlbumsAlbums

– The Beatles [aka The White Album]The Beatles [aka The White Album]– Abbey RoadAbbey Road– Let It BeLet It Be

• SinglesSingles– RevolutionRevolution– Hey JudeHey Jude– Get BackGet Back– Ballad of John and YokoBallad of John and Yoko– Come TogetherCome Together– Lady MadonnaLady Madonna– SomethingSomething– The Long and Winding RoadThe Long and Winding Road

Return to RootsReturn to Roots

• Decrease in experimental tendenciesDecrease in experimental tendencies

• Largely independent songwriting – little Largely independent songwriting – little collaborationcollaboration

• Music in wide variety of stylesMusic in wide variety of styles– Reflect influences from past and presentReflect influences from past and present

White Album (1968)White Album (1968)

• InfluencesInfluences– Back in the U.S.S.R.?Back in the U.S.S.R.?– Rocky Racoon?Rocky Racoon?– Honey Pie?Honey Pie?– Yer Blues?Yer Blues?– Revolution 1?Revolution 1?– Sexy Sadie?Sexy Sadie?

White Album (1968)White Album (1968)

• Variety of influencesVariety of influencesBack in the U.S.S.R.? Chuck Berry, Beach BoysBack in the U.S.S.R.? Chuck Berry, Beach Boys

Rocky Racoon?Rocky Racoon? Folk rock, country Folk rock, country

Honey Pie?Honey Pie? English dance hall, pop English dance hall, pop

Yer Blues?Yer Blues? R&B R&B

Revolution 1?Revolution 1? Rockabilly Rockabilly

Importance of BeatlesImportance of Beatles

• Expand possibilities of rock musicExpand possibilities of rock music– Unorthodox ensemblesUnorthodox ensembles– Demonstrate what’s possible in studioDemonstrate what’s possible in studio– Begin shift of importance from single to albumBegin shift of importance from single to album– Expand acceptable length of singleExpand acceptable length of single– Expand harmonic, tone color choicesExpand harmonic, tone color choices