Yellow Submarine
Album: Revolver
Authorship: Mostly Paul (with the help of John and Donovan Leitch)
Ringo sings this hit song which would go on to inspire an animated film. Beatlesongs uses several quotes to explain how this really isn’t a drug reference song, but simply a child’s tune. Tell Me Why uses the words “childish foppery” and “comic relief” (which the album sorely needed).
This post isn’t about submarines, or the color yellow, or my time in the Navy (which didn’t happen – I was in the Army). Instead, I want to use this song as a jumping off point. You see, this song is my 6 year old son’s favorite. I’ve played Beatles songs before over the years, but it wasn’t until Beatles Rock Band that my kids paid any attention to the group.
I’m not saying that my kids are now Beatles fans in any way. My 4 year old daughter, however, has been known to sing along with “Eight Days A Week”. One of the albums in heavy rotation in the family car is “1” the Beatles hits compilation. Now, my kids are interested in the songs and the band. “I remember this song from Beatles Rock Band,” is something I hear every now and again.
I picked up Beatles Rock Band when it came out, it had been a while since playing a music-based game with any sort of regularity. As a Beatles fan, I was eager to be able to interact with the songs, as well as finally jump onto the Rock Band bandwagon. While playing Beatles Rock Band my younger kids would watch and want to participate. My 2 year old son really took to playing the drums – with or without the game. I eventually bought him a drum for Christmas.
My kids have always enjoyed music, but mostly it’s a limited selection. Granted, they are at a young age when they can’t be expected to appreciate the intricacies of what makes “A Day In The Life” so different from “She Loves You” from “ Hey Jude” – they just like the tunes. What’s going on is that there is a cohesive way to introduce this phenomenal, influential and landmark musical group to my kids without having to be didactic about it. Now I don’t have to put on “Abbey Road” and explain what is so great about the album and why with my kids sitting there, blankly looking at me. Now they express interest and are coming to the music on their own and I’m able to teach them the importance of The Beatles in a much more kid-friendly manner.
While it may be lamentable that it takes a videogame to introduce the greatest band of all time to a new generation, the fact remains that The Beatles’ music lives on and is getting passed on and appreciated. Does it matter how?