So, I Was Thinking

Boom, I LOVE The Beatles

I'm gonna tell you this story, because it's quite beautiful.

I grew up around music, sort of. My mom loves music, and there was always music playing in our house, to this day. However, I wasn't introduced to classic rock until I was about 6. This was when I was still learning the English language (it's my second language). I didn't understand or know the songs, but I loved the way the guitars sounded, and just the way it sounded all together.

So, yes, I started my appreciation for classic rock at that moment. This means I had listened to The Beatles before.

My friends did not.

So, I let them influence my music choices, and let them show me today's music. I got into that really quick. I was in 6th grade when Justin Bieber became a thing (I was calling myself a Belieber) and in 8th grade when One Direction came into my life (and a Directioner). Yes, I know. I should probably be ashamed. But, I'm not.

During my Belieber/Directioner years (which was a dangerous combination, for those of you who don't know), I started to listen to other artists, and develop a real love for music.

About an year and a half ago, I was sitting in my U.S. History class in high school. It was my junior year (11th grade) and we were going into the 20th century lessons. My history teacher loves to teach a part of each decade through the music that was significant during that time.

Sure enough, we soon started the 50s. Oh, it changed my life. I knew about Elvis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and all those who still hold a special place in my heart. I, however, had never really sat down a listened to their music carefully.

When Elvis started playing, something clicked. I fell in love with rock and roll. Yeah, crazy, right?

So, I went home. And opened up Spotify. I found a playlist filled with popular songs of that decade. I listened to it, and kept listening. I had realized I had been so caught up with keeping up with the music of today, that I had never taken the time to listen to the music where it all started, and where it was at.

The next week, or so, we made our way into the 60s. Now, I am American, so when we learn about the 60s, there is a lot going on. The 50s too, but it was more of the 60s. JFK is elected president, the Cold War is still going, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of JFK, and the unfortunate start of the Vietnam War (which, mind you, wasn't so unfortunate at first, but it became an absolute disaster really quickly).

When it came to the music part, I was beyond excited, because of what had happened last time he let us listen to music. We watched a documentary, and we listened to all kinds of protesting songs, especially in the late 60s, and mostly from the Rolling Stones.

Now, excuse me for saying this, but I actually really like listening to the Rolling Stones.

This documentary focused mostly on the U.S. going to war. It only touched on the Beatles in America for a few minutes, before moving on.

I didn't really mind. I wasn't that into them then.

I went home a did the same thing as before. After sports practice, I opened Spotify, but this time, I listened to a 60s playlist. The Beatles, however, were not included in this playlist.

Last summer, on the evening of the 4th of July, we were on our way home from a 4th of July party celebration (fireworks, BBQ, celebrating independence). I wanted to fall asleep to some soothing music; classical music. Well, that didn't happen.

I came across that 60s playlist I had been listening to. It occurred to me that The Beatles were a band in the 60s, and I knew they had had quite the impact on music, and the world in general. I just didn't know how much of an impact it had been, and how it really changed the world.

I was left wondering why they weren't included in the playlist. So, I googled it, after many failed searching attempts on Spotify, I learned that The Beatles were one of the few artist who were not, in fact, included in Spotify. It had something to do with the legal trouble of the music, and it could not be streamed online (except for on Pandora).

I listened to covers the whole way home. I was immediately intrigued by the sound of the music, the originality in their words. But, I wanted to listen to them. To their voices. I downloaded the Pandora app, and opened it. I added The Beatles station to my long list of stations I was bound to never listen to again. Why? Because I had fallen in love with this group; not just their music, but them as people, and who they were. I fell in love with their story and what they did to follow that rock and roll dream. I wanted to learn everything about them and who they were. I wanted to listen to every one if their songs.

A week had passed, and I was obsessed. I didn't think I was, because I didn't feel obsessed. I had been obsessed before, with Justin Bieber or One Direction. But, this was a different kind of obsession. I wasn't obsessed with them (yet), I was obsessed with their history. I wanted to know what every song meant or why it was written.

Now, I have always been a history nerd. I love history, and bringing The Beatles into my life was the best thing I could've ever done. It opened the doors to a new music taste. My previous taste for today's hits isn't long gone, but it has been left behind this new (to me) incredible wall of music.

Also, during this time, I was going through a rather difficult time. I wanted to disappear for a moment and forget everything. Listening to The Beatles brought that to me. It was as if I could escape into another time period. I was able to relax and breath calmly with the sound of their voices. Instead of crying, I could sit in my room, and play The Beatles very loudly, and feel the music sooth everything and make it alright.

This past school year (my senior year), I told my history teacher he should've included The Beatles more in our music lessons. He likes classic rock, and I found it strange for him not to include one of its pioneer groups.

This is when I found out a disappointing reality: my history teacher actually doesn't like listening to the Beatles.

So, since then, I have been nothing but dedicated to knowing everything. I know, it may seem kind of strange for an 18-year-old girl to still be fangirling over something like this. But, you've got to understand the true impact that they have had on my life. I'm sure this was the same for all of you Beatles fans.

I am going to college in September, and I'm really afraid of leaving it all behind: My Beatles records, my record player, my Beatles books. I'm also afraid of losing interest in my stories (I have two drafts that won't be published until after Nothing Is Gonna Change My World is done).

However, I can assure you that my love for that band, who has become more than just a band to all of us, will never go away!❤