| The Poet |
12-06-2011 04:12 PM |
Re: The Beatles: What am I missing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parshooter
(Post 1493949)
Thanks to drugs.
|
Though I am reluctant to bring this up, it remains a valid reason why you may be "missing it" with the Beatles. The use of hallucinogens such as mescaline, psilocybin, and most notably LSD not only affected the perception of the members of The Beatles (and other bands) but also effected their music as well. It also follows as the night the day that the understanding of their music by the fans was changed by the fans' own usage of these substances. This change in their music began as early as Revolver and Rubber Soul, but reached a mind-expanded peak with Sgt. Pepper. You can believe this or not, but there's no way you can truly "understand" an album like Sgt. Pepper (or Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon, or Traffic's Low Spark Of High Heel Boys, or many others) unless you've "dropped" an hour before you listen to them. Under the influence, you then can grasp what they are doing, both musically and lyrically, in a way that's just not possible when you're "straight". But once you have this revelation, this epiphany, you can never hear it the same way again, no matter what condition your condition is in. Me, I've dropped nothing stronger than an Advil for nearly 40 years, yet I still "get it."
I'm certainly not suggesting you return to the days of Owsley's blotter and windowpane LSD-25 in order to find out what you are missing, but merely point out the potential roadblock to this. And it does not mean one can't appreciate their music (or not, as the case may be) without chemical aids. One does not need to be a mathematician to enjoy the music of J.S. Bach, yet such a knowledge will give one a more complete understanding. That's all I'm saying here. |
