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Beatles forums => Books, Magazines, Articles => Topic started by: Kate on May 05, 2006, 06:54:01 PM

Title: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kate on May 05, 2006, 06:54:01 PM
Here's an excerpt from a book which a friend mailed me and I told her I have to put it in this forum because it's very funny. Don't get offended if you are a teenager. The book is called "How to Talk to Your Teen About the Beatles":

If you're with your teen in a mall and hear "Strawberry Fields Forever," avoid flying into a rage. Don't sing along or explain the drug references. Merely whisper "This song changed my life." Pause to let your teen wonder, then add, "Now it's mall music. What'd you say if we get some fried dough?"

Your teen does not want to know what "I am the Walrus" says when you play the last part backwards. All your teen's favorite groups sound the same played forwards and backwards anyway. If asked about the song, smile and say, "Coo-coo-ka-choo."

If your teen won't let you play the Beatles in your own home, try this subtle strategy. Kidnap the little punk's "Green Day" collection, then send a ransom note demanding one hour of "Rubber Soul" or else the CDs go in the toaster oven.

Never let your teen mention the Beatles and Elvis in the same breath. Today's troubled youth have a distrubing tendency to do this and must be corrected, even if your risk provoking a sudden "Back Off!"

When your teen asks, "Like what's so great about the Beatles, huh?" don't play "A Day in the Life" again. Instead buy the Greatest Hits of 1963. Program your CD player to spew out "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Surf City," and The Singing Nun over and over.

When your teen comes crawling for mercy, say, "That was life before the Beatles."

"Okay," your teen will say, "but what about bubble gum like "Eight Days a Week." Resist all temptation to drum Ringo's solo from "Rain" on your teen's nose. Instead shout "1965!" and play "Baby's in Black." Then: "1969!" and play all of "Abbey Road." "

Soooo," you ask cooly, "think we'll be seeing bigger things out of Hootie and the Blowfish?

If your teen challenges you to a Battle of the Bands, playing the Beatles back-to-back with Mariah Carey, get tough. Begin humming "Yellow Submarine" louder and louder until your adolescent breaks down. Then demand a week's "White Album" privileges.

If you must show off your Beatle lunchbox or Beatle wig, do so discreetly. Use the lunchbox for a flower pot, the wig as a guinea pig decoy. Today's teens have no hope of understanding yesterdays fads. They each own more stereo equipment than the Beatles used in recording "Sgt. Pepper." What do they know of love?

If your teen still doesn't get it, don't despair. Grasp him or her firmly by the shoulders, saying, "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." When your teen stops laughing, shrug and say, "Well, anyway it used to be."
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Mairi on May 11, 2006, 01:06:25 PM
Does it make me weird if this sounds like a good thing to do to my teen friends?
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 11, 2006, 05:19:20 PM
I dunno, it may backfire and they could end up liking 'Big Girls Don't Cry' more than 'A Day In The Life'.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: The End on May 11, 2006, 05:42:20 PM
Great find Kate - great article!

It always amazes me though, how each generation discovers The Beatles themselves - the intelligent ones at least!! ;D
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 11, 2006, 05:56:01 PM
You're a great bloke Alan.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: The End on May 11, 2006, 10:40:27 PM
Ta very much! :)  So are you ;D
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Sondra on May 12, 2006, 05:44:13 AM
I love this one:

When your teen asks, "Like what's so great about the Beatles, huh?" don't play "A Day in the Life" again. Instead buy the Greatest Hits of 1963. Program your CD player to spew out "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Surf City," and The Singing Nun over and over.
When your teen comes crawling for mercy, say, "That was life before the Beatles."

I never think about it like that! That's funny. I feel like it's like that now. Like some band has to come along and save us. Only it's always the Beatles coming along. I see teens wearing Beatles shirts and stuff all the time. I guess some of them DO want to be saved.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 12, 2006, 05:07:49 PM
Quote from: Maccalvr
I see teens wearing Beatles shirts and stuff all the time.

Unfortunately The Beatles logo is a fashion statement not an indication that those wearing have listened to anything other than their parents copy of '1'.

Quote from: Maccalvr
I guess some of them DO want to be saved.

You can take a horse to the water...  ::)
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Mairi on May 14, 2006, 01:50:22 AM
I know what you mean. I saw a girl at school the other day wearing a Beatles t-shirt and lemme tell ya, I know for a FACT that this girl can't even name three of their songs.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: pc31 on May 14, 2006, 05:04:53 PM
mairi your mind is narrowing...
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on May 14, 2006, 06:48:22 PM
Quote from: Mairi
I know what you mean. I saw a girl at school the other day wearing a Beatles t-shirt and lemme tell ya, I know for a FACT that this girl can't even name three of their songs.

so maybe she likes the graphic on the shirt.  its not a statement.  Its a shirt.  Does everyone with a Che Guevara shirt support all his actions?  I'd certainly hope not
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 14, 2006, 08:36:13 PM
Quote from: Herecomesyoursun

so maybe she likes the graphic on the shirt.  its not a statement.  Its a shirt.  Does everyone with a Che Guevara shirt support all his actions?  I'd certainly hope not

Oh but it is a statement, it's a statement of people turning the group into some fashion statement with no appreciation of the music.

I'd wear a Che Guevara shirt to ridicule Che Guevara as a fashion statement.

I'd wear a 'The Beatles' shirt because I like 'The Beatles'.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Sondra on May 14, 2006, 09:36:32 PM
Quote from: Mairi
I know what you mean. I saw a girl at school the other day wearing a Beatles t-shirt and lemme tell ya, I know for a FACT that this girl can't even name three of their songs.

Wait a minute, she can't name three Beatles songs? Is that even possible? Trust me, she knows three Beatles songs. Even is she doesn't think she knows, she knows. But you know what, she does know. Anyone can name three. I don't care who they are. Unless they are out in the jungles of Africa or something. Is she from the jungles of Africa? Because then I'd say you had a point.

 ;)

BTW, I think it's okay for a person who isn't a huge fan to wear a Beatles shirt. That's how it starts sometimes. They might then get into them from that. Plus, it's a nice little advertisment for the band. Keeps them in our conciousness. Why do you think Apple allows Wall-Mart and Target to sell these shirts? They know who they want to target. Get them while they're young. I love going into those stores and seeing these shirts. The Beatles faces, Hendrix's giant head, the flying pig. Makes me think there's a shift going on. Pluse I love that flying pig. Every generation needs a shirt with a flying pig on it. Don't they?

BUT, wearing a shirt of a political figure like Che Guevara is completely different. Most people who put that shirt on have no clue what they are representing anyway. Wearing it just makes their ignorance stand out more blatanly. Maybe that's not such a bad thing after all. As least you know what you're dealing with right away. I'm not saying all people who wear Che shirts are ignorant, but I'd guess that it's a good percentage.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 14, 2006, 09:48:10 PM
I'd take a guess that supporters of Che would be the last ones to wear a Che T-Shirt.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Mairi on May 15, 2006, 03:06:48 PM
But it's stupid to wear a shirt of a band if you're not a fan. That would be like me wearing a Floyd t-shirt when I only own one of their albums.
I'm somewhat of a fashion person (not mainstream fashion, but I like coming up with fashion, observing it and such) and I can see the appeal behind wearing a t-shirt of a classic band. But there is a difference of wearing a t-shirt because you like the band, and wearing it because you want to fit in. And that's basically what I have a problem with. The "I-don't-listen-to-this-band-but-everyone-else-is-wearing-their-t-shirts-so-I-should-get-one-if-I-want-to-be-cool" mentality. I see a lot of that around my school.

I'm pretty much the only female Beatles fan in my school. I like being different, so when something that I like becase it's different becomes a fashion trend, that annoys me.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kevin on May 15, 2006, 04:55:05 PM
^I think it's cool that The Beatles are an acceptable logo for a teen to have on a t-shirt (and you guys can be pretty harsh about that stuff.) thirty years after their demise.
They are  icons of rock'n'roll, and as such their name/image transcends anything to do with the actual music they made (just like Miss Monroe). Or would we rather they weren't considered iconic?
I own a Che T shirt, am as about as right wing as the law and decency allows and I don't even like motorcycles.

ps - yes I has a very good holiday thanks very much, enjoying the sun sand and food of beautiful Sicily. Bummer about Raxo.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 15, 2006, 07:41:59 PM
What is up with Raxo?
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: pc31 on May 16, 2006, 10:45:05 AM
he is stuck in the mist....
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: An Apple Beatle on May 16, 2006, 11:39:44 AM
Glad u had a good holiday Kevin.....I agree bout the T-shirts, it is an iconic thing and that is a statement in itself.......Shame Raxo feels he's not wanted.....A bit too sensitive maybe? It's a good and bad thing to be.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Indica on May 21, 2006, 12:01:03 PM
A T-shirt is a T-shirt - it is annoying slightly..but it happens - the world moves on.
The thing with the Beatles is ..they appeal to everyone, and you don't need to know the whole catalogue or what George Harrison had for breakfast on the 20th May 1968.

---
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 21, 2006, 06:24:55 PM
Quote from: IndicaWalrus
A T-shirt is a T-shirt - it is annoying slightly..but it happens - the world moves on.

That's very profound Indica.

Quote from: IndicaWalrus
The thing with the Beatles is ..they appeal to everyone


That's nonsense Indica.

Quote from: IndicaWalrus
you don't need to know the whole catalogue

No, but the tracklist of '1' perhaps?

Quote from: IndicaWalrus
or what George Harrison had for breakfast on the 20th May 1968.

Something to digest Johns announcement on the 18th.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Indica on May 22, 2006, 10:02:38 PM
I'm saying, at least one song in the Beatles catalogue can surely be recognised as leaving some sort of impression on an individual. The Beatles are celebrated for generating mass appeal which transgresses age, gender, class or culture - the sound is globally admired.
If someone has a T-Shirt with the Beatles logo slapped across the front - and they have bought it as a result of seeing McCartney playing Live Aid, or after watching some rather limited Beatles documentary ...then fair enough. The individual is making a statement on how the music of The Beatles personally appeals to them. It's not up to someone to criticise because we feel we are better ... that we deserve the T-shirt more, due to knowing more. I used think with an elitist bitterness....but I realised life
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 23, 2006, 06:18:27 AM
Fair doos. I still think that it is worn as a fashion statement, with nothing to do with the music, though.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kevin on May 23, 2006, 10:35:57 AM
Quote from: TheMasterOfGoingFaster
Fair doos. I still think that it is worn as a fashion statement, with nothing to do with the music, though.

I still can't see why that's a problem.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Tamara on May 23, 2006, 12:51:49 PM
I would not mind. THey probably think the beatles are okay and cool and what is wrong with that?
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 23, 2006, 10:59:40 PM
I never said it was a problem. I'm just making a point.

I think Black Sabbath are a cool band, even though I've only got one of their albums, I personally wouldn't wear a Black Sabbath t-shirt because I thought they were cool.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kevin on May 24, 2006, 11:59:07 AM
To me The Beatles logo/name belongs with Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean, Che, The Stones Mouth logo, Coke, Bob Marley (more?) in that the have become bigger and mean something more than they are. To wear them doesn't brand you as a fan.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Mairi on May 24, 2006, 02:33:54 PM
But again, it's very frustrating for me as a Marilyn Monroe/James Dean when I see someone wearing a t-shirt of theirs, so I go up to them thinking I've found a kindered spirt, and it turns out they're just waering it because they want to be cool. I'm not saying you have to be an OMGFANTOTHEMAX to wear the t-shirt, but at least see ONE of their movies (or in the case of the Beatles, know a couple of their songs). Jeez.
It's not the wearing of the t-shirt i have a problem with. It's what it represents. A band (or actor, or whatever) that once stood for rebelliousness and going against the grain, havbe now become a fashion staple for trend whores everywhere.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Sondra on May 24, 2006, 05:29:49 PM
Mlonroe and Dean have now become products. They were marketed that way for years. They are no longer even human. That's just too bad, but it's the image they created. At least they are immortal. I'm sure they wouldn't mind that too much. Better than being forgotten.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 25, 2006, 05:08:28 AM
Quote from: kevin_b
To me The Beatles logo/name belongs with Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean, Che, The Stones Mouth logo, Coke, Bob Marley (more?) in that the have become bigger and mean something more than they are. To wear them doesn't brand you as a fan.

Bigger and mean something more than they are? How can a t-shirt with the bass drum logo on it mean more that the music catalogue? If this is what you mean, explain.

Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kevin on May 25, 2006, 08:25:36 AM
Quote from: TheMasterOfGoingFaster

Bigger and mean something more than they are? How can a t-shirt with the bass drum logo on it mean more that the music catalogue? If this is what you mean, explain.


The Cambridge On Line Dictionary:
Iconic : a very famous person or thing considered as representing a set of beliefs or a way of life." They even give John as an example bless him.
The only debate really is whether The Beatles have or have not reached that iconic status. Anyone for the no's?
And some people like to wear things just because they look nice. Someone should tell them they're being watched.
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 25, 2006, 09:28:54 AM
Quote from: kevin_b

The Cambridge On Line Dictionary:
Iconic : a very famous person or thing considered as representing a set of beliefs or a way of life." They even give John as an example bless him.
The only debate really is whether The Beatles have or have not reached that iconic status. Anyone for the no's?
And some people like to wear things just because they look nice. Someone should tell them they're being watched.

Well, people who wear an iconic thing who have no idea why that thing is iconic are fools.

End of my participation in this discussion.

Goodbye.  :P

Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: Kevin on May 25, 2006, 11:03:51 AM
Quote from: TheMasterOfGoingFaster

Well, people who wear an iconic thing who have no idea why that thing is iconic are fools.


"I pity the fool...."
As someone who wears a Che T shirt, you've caught me out. I only know that he was some kind of Commie hero who liked motorcycles. I couldn't begin to tell you what he studied at Buernos Aires University, who his favourite poet was or what were his contributions to the Cuban Board of Economic Planning and Co-ordination.
But like those poor sods who put on Beatle shirts only knowing that they were some band who sold loads of records, I think "fool" is a bit harsh. Probably go for "slightly more relaxed."
Title: Re: Teens and the Beatles
Post by: on May 25, 2006, 11:49:37 AM
Ok. They are slightly more relaxed fools.