The Beatles' Philosophy Examined

[PainefulTruth]

I know, why the Beatles. They've had a lot of influence which should be examined. There are three songs which cause us to emote a certain way about life, but I think they're incomplete or just wrong:

Let it Be: Words of wisdom, really? Though I'm not completely sure what it's getting at, it seems to advocate a passive, apathetic, non -participatory existence.

All You Need Is Love: We certainly want and even need love, but that's not all there is. I think we can achieve fulfillment by giving and needing love, but there are other paths as well. For some, it may not even be available, but that doesn't mean their lives can have no meaning.

Imagine: "Imagine all the people living life in peace". Of all their songs, this is the most erroneous. We aren't here to float through life without contention. Evil people will always be here, putting their own importance above the rest of us and causing discord. Then in the next breath the song asks us to imagine no heaven, which seems to be a contradiction. Yes, live life for today as in not for some life to come, but that doesn't mean to live life only for the moment at hand either.

We're here to love, discover, create and when necessary, take a stand.

I'm not picking on the Beatles, just these particular songs. They had a lot of others. Two of my favorites are the whimsical Rocky Raccoon, with whom I identity having learned early that Gideon has checked out; and Because.

I like this version even better than the Beatles':

[ame=http://youtu.be/0wmKXQP_3zM]Because - Across the Universe - YouTube[/ame]

 

[editec]

Philosophy?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQxzbscE2m4]The Beatles - Why Don't We Do It In The Road - YouTube[/ame]

 

[DGS49]

I have a great idea: Why don't we look for moral and philosophical guidance from a small group of moderately talented English musicians who have never actually had a job or completed any noteworthy education, who have more money than God, and who can pay someone to fulfill any and all obligations that may ever come their way?

Surely, these blokes can teach us a lot about Life.

 

[PainefulTruth]

Philosophy?

The Beatles - Why Don't We Do It In The Road - YouTube

Oh yeah, I can't be expected to remember them all at once.

[ame=http://youtu.be/3KYIrRILwlE]Across The Universe - Why Don't We Do It in the Road.flv - YouTube[/ame]

I have a great idea: Why don't we look for moral and philosophical guidance from a small group of moderately talented English musicians who have never actually had a job or completed any noteworthy education, who have more money than God, and who can pay someone to fulfill any and all obligations that may ever come their way?

Surely, these blokes can teach us a lot about Life.

The point, sir, is that while what you say is true, that doesn't stop people from worshiping them, or others like them, as idols. And I gotta say they had a lot more going for them than the current crop of vapid American Idols.

 

[Katzndogz]

There's no philosophy behind the Beatles.

 

[Billo_Really]

There's no philosophy behind the Beatles.

Don't you dare dis das Beatles!

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Actually, if our world really was ruled by love, it would indeed, be all we need. That's not as simple or simplistic as it may seem. If we loved each other, there would be no starvation, no stealing, no murder, nothing to fight wars over.

As it is, the US "fights" wars against people who cannot possibly harm us and only because we want what they have.

Not very "christian" of us, is it?

 

[Dajjal]

There's no philosophy behind the Beatles.

The Beatles played a large part in interesting the youth of my generation in eastern religions. George was the Beatle most into such things, and he donated a manor house to the Krishna movement. I visited it once.

 

[pacer]

Imagine there is no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one

 

[PainefulTruth]

Actually, if our world really was ruled by love, it would indeed, be all we need. That's not as simple or simplistic as it may seem. If we loved each other, there would be no starvation, no stealing, no murder, nothing to fight wars over.

As it is, the US "fights" wars against people who cannot possibly harm us and only because we want what they have.

Not very "christian" of us, is it?

Who said we are or should be Christian? An it is idealistic to expect everybody to love everybody, which is what you're talking about. It's not only simplistic, it's impossible. It would only take 1 out of 6 billion to spoil the barrel, and we all know there'd be a whole lot more than that. Some of the most hate filled people I know go to church 8 days a week, and even man the pulpits.

Imagine there is no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one

It's a feel good song with no foundation in reality, playing on emotions running on blind faith. It's like the song War, "Lord knows there's got to be a better way." What way? Neither one has a clue. How would all the people share all the world? Think about it.....imagine it. Your house would be stripped in 30 sec.

We tried the collectivist Revolution, and it didn't work out (duh). Think the Occupy Movement.
"But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao,
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow."

 

[pacer]

It's a feel good song with no foundation in reality, playing on emotions running on blind faith.

It is not simply a feel good song. John Lennon had no use for organized religion. He advocated global harmony, unity, and equality could be attained if we completely eliminated geopolitical borders, organized religion, and economic class, among other things.

"Lennon contends that global harmony is within our reach, but only if we reject the mechanisms of social control that restrict human potential."[4] In the opinion of Blaney, with "Imagine", Lennon attempted to raise people's awareness of their interaction with the institutions that affect their lives.[3] Rolling Stone's David Fricke commented: "[Lennon] calls for a unity and equality built upon the complete elimination of modern social order: geopolitical borders, organised religion, [and] economic class."[5]

Lennon stated: "'Imagine', which says: 'Imagine that there was no more religion, no more country, no more politics,' is virtually the Communist manifesto, even though I'm not particularly a Communist and I do not belong to any movement."[4] He told NME: "There is no real Communist state in the world; you must realize that. The Socialism I speak about ... [is] not the way some daft Russian might do it, or the Chinese might do it. That might suit them. Us, we should have a nice ... British Socialism."[4]

Wiki

 

[pacer]

How would all the people share all the world? Think about it.....imagine it. Your house would be stripped in 30 sec.

The song is not about stripping your neighbours house and sharing material possessions. It is about sharing all the world in peace without the divisiveness and barriers of borders, religions, and nationalities, and a life unattached to material possessions.

 

[lakeview]

The philosophy behind the Beatles: $$$$$$$$$

The Beatles...proof that record execs can sell us anything.

 

[hobelim]

How would all the people share all the world? Think about it.....imagine it. Your house would be stripped in 30 sec.

The song is not about stripping your neighbours house and sharing material possessions. It is about sharing all the world in peace without the divisiveness and barriers of borders, religions, and nationalities, and a life unattached to material possessions.

being worth around 300 million when he wrote this the song, to imagine no possessions must have been as much of a challenge to himself as it was a challenge to the world.

But I think it was not so much about having nothing as it was having nothing to fight about.

 

[DGS49]

Best line from the song, "Imagine": "Imagine no possessions..."

This from a musician with six homes, 15 cars,...

Priceless.

 

[DGS49]

Dear Mr. Meddite Person:

Please advise what the people in Korea, Vietnam, Granada, Iraq, and Afghanistan have that the U.S. wants.

Somehow I missed it.

 

[Dajjal]

Ok! you guys can debunk John Lennon if you want, but George Harrison was a genuinely spiritual man. He made a significant contribution to the Beatles, then wrote a lot of spiritual songs after the Beatles broke up. As I said he donated a large house to the Krishna movement. I know because I visited it.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kNGnIKUdMI]George Harrison-My Sweet Lord (Studio Version) Original - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Dajjal]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h10_ZxLQJHg]George Harrison ~ Hare Krishna Mantra *Animated Version* - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Dajjal]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZIpRfqaco&list=PL9BE2818AEF703CD1&index=8]George Harrison ~ Give Me Love - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Dajjal]

Here is a classic from George while he was still with the Beatles.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljnv3KGtcyI]Within You Without You- The Beatles - YouTube[/ame]