Monday, September 09, 2019

The Beatles, Sing, Jennifer Hudson, Golden Slumber & Me

A big thank you to Henri Gann (The Trekkers 60s Guitar Group SG) who has contributed more than a dozen articles for this blog. That's a lot of articles.
An article by Henri Gann (California), written some time ago was left in the vaults of my archives. When he reminded me today, I realised I had forgotten all about it. My apology Henri, but here it is and in colour. I'm glad to have paid for the Starbucks coffee and cakes at Raffles City, otherwise, there'll be no end to your, "Why didn't you blog my story?" 

09.09.2019.

Kidding, Henry.

The Beatles Music and Me...

The music lovers of today who had transitioned from teen to young adult in the 60s era are often reminded of at least one Beatles hit associated with different stages of their life. Psychologist attributed this to a phenomenon called the Reminiscence Bump. 

*The reminiscence bump is the tendency for older adults to have increased recollection for events that had occurred during their adolescence and early adulthood.” Wikipedia
Picture 1

While in a Strawberry Field recently with my granddaughters in Northern California, their words of C’mon Papa, try these strawberries. They are so sweet and a picture of John Lennon at the Strawberry Barn House had my earworm ringing repeatedly with the melody of Strawberry Fields Forever and Lennon’s Imagine.

I can still remember when the Beatles first had their hits of Please, Please, Me ( 1963 ), She Loves You ( 1964 ) and I Want To Hold Your Hand ( 1964 ). Groups in Singapore were still playing Cliff Richard and the Shadows and there were others that were beginning to play music of the Beatles while I was preparing to leave for America.

The Beatles continued their popularity in America with hits after hits in years to come. Remember We Can Work It Out ( 1965 ), Eleanor Rigby ( 1966), Penny Lane ( 1967 ), Lady Madonna ( 1968 ), Something ( 1969 ), Let It Be ( 1970 ) and many others.

Picture 2

During that time, their music had evolved into lyrics which were more poetic and with it a minstrel beat to go with it. I have to admit that these new Beatles sound had a calming effect on me during my difficult transition years as a young adult in a distant land away from home. I especially liked their lyric poem from Yesterday ...all my life seems so far away; There are places I remember...I know I’ll never lose affection, For people and things that went before, and Help me get my leg off the ground

By the end of the 60s, I was convinced that listening to the Beatles can be great therapy for many just like it did for me. Just consider the words from Lucy in the Sky of Diamonds ... picture yourself in a boat on a river, With tangerine trees and marmalade skies; All You Need Is Love ... there’s nowhere you can bet that’s isn’t where you are meant to be; Gonna get by With A Little Help From My Friends; and Hey Jude, remember to let her into your heart, Then you can start to make it better.

Picture 3

The Beatles music continued to be a part of my life in the 80s as my kids were growing up. Yellow Submarine was their introduction to the Beatles and they loved it and wanted more. 

Now 50 years later while watching the movie “S-I-N-G” with my grandkids, it was Jennifer Hudson’s singing of Golden Slumber that gave me the Reminiscent Bump. As with many of the Beatle songs, this song carried messages which provoked deep thoughts into the meaning of life.

Picture 4 

A special thank you note to Dr. and Capt. Woody Lockhart to take me on a flight above Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco to celebrate my 50th Anniversary in America. 

There are places I remember... I know I’ll never lose affection For people and things that went before, and Help me get my leg off the ground

Images and article: Henri Gann Copyrights Reserved.

6 comments:

Alfredo Wongo said...

ya I love the song Yesterday and Sonething

HENRY GAN (TREKKERS LEAD: CALIFORNIA, USA) said...

Wow, Henry!
I love it!
Thank you!
I love how lively your stories come across-
Tan Lay Tuan

Thanks.
Good old days. Paul Mc Cartney was here in Vancouver recently and
Hey Jude brought back old memories in the 60s.
However, they didn’t cover yellow submarine.
Keep it up, enjoy your grandkids and nostalgic times.
On Sep 9, 2019
Samuel Siang Kiang Foo

Thanks...for the link to the article you wrote for Andy.
Guitar playing will always be part of what I do on a regular basis.
On Mon, Sep 9, 2019,
James Lau

read the blog.
Good writing...
Tues 10 Sept.
Christine Gan

Henry Gann's iPhone.

FACEBOOK CHATBOX said...

Andy Young
When Beatles lyrics connect with Henri Gann and Jennifer Lawrence's musical SING.

Andy Young
Hi, guys thanks for the immediate LIKES.

Stephen Han
The Beatles songs bring me memories of my youth where I used to attend T Dances at the Celestial Room at Amber Mansion

Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Stephen Han was that at the Ambassador hotel Stephen??

Stephen Han
Jimmy Appudurai-chua -
First I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday. Regarding the location of the Celestial Room, it was situated in the demolished Amber Mansion opposite the Presbyterian Church in Penang Road.
Now the Dobhy Ghaut MRT takes its place

Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Stephen Han thanks Stephen, I am way off base. Haha.
I remember Penang Road, I guess, I got my bearings all wrong.
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
I guess too long being away ..
All the best. Jimmy

Freda Hanum
Really so nice reading this article, the mentioning of those unforgettable memories of the beatles songs really brought back the best of those days. 😊

Andy Young
Thanks guys for interesting info. Yes, where I learned to sing at the Celestial Room.

FACEBOOK CHATBOX said...

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WHO LIKE THIS POST
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FL said...

I still prefer listening to the Beatles songs of the period from 1963 to around 1966. That was the period during my teen and as a secondary student. Hahaha ! That period made many teenagers in my generation very crazy ! Beatlemania. Their songs then were easier to sing and their song lyrics were easy to memorize, e.g. She loves you, I wanna hold your hand, Cant buy me love, etc, etc.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to FL and all the other readers who responded to this post.
It was a post untouched as it had never been published but when I met Henri for coffee, everything spilled out as I missed publishing it, and, for everyone's benefit too.

Thanks Henri.