The White Album

I am really mad that the one day I was gone, we listened to The White Album by The Beatles. We had been listening to Cream and Jimi Hendrix and I thought we were going to continue listening to them, so I wasn't too mad that I had missed class. But when I found out I missed The White Album, I was really mad. I have waited for this album for so long. So many songs on it are so memorable and inspiring and I couldn't believe that I had missed it. I think this is the first album where they are actually somewhat normal again, at least John is. He really was the only one who was weird ever, but anyways. I feel like there is a lot of variety in the album, so it keeps you drawn in the whole time. I also love how long the album is. You can NEVER have to much of The Beatles.

They added more of George Harrison's songs onto this album than any other so far, which is good. At first, I didn't think I liked him, but I had never really heard him sing before. He was a killer guarist, but this was the first album that I really heard him sing and I really love him! My favorite of him is the song is "While my Guitar Gently Weeps." I think the song really captures his personality and talent really well.

Now that I think about it, the content of their songs have really changed. I know Mr. A has said this before, that once they met Bob Dylan, they really varied what their songs were about. They went from lover-boys to talking about things that affected the world, like the controversies between the whites and the negroes.

I don't know if John got off of drugs for this album or what, but he seems much more mature and adultish. He has slower songs, rather than the upbeat, cheery songs he usually has, but I feel like these sad, slower songs are much more meaningful. Like the one to his mother, "Julia." It is such a touching song and I really admire him for dedicating it to her.

The songs of this album relate to controversial issues all around the world. They are indirectly sending messages to the listeners and giving them views on the issues. If someone can write a song about a blackbird, but the actual meaning of the song be about the tensions arising between whites and negroes, they truly are talented.

The final song of the album, "Good Night," is a really touching song to me, even though it is very simple. Originally written as a lullaby for John's son Julian, it is the perfect closing for this album. It is very angelic-like with the various orchestrial instruments. The violin really adds to the songs dreaminess. I had no clue Ringo sang it, although I should have known. It is really great that they incorporated the whole band onto the album. It always feels a little empty whenever they don't have George or Ringo sing, even if they aren't as talented as John and Paul. They still put a lot into the band's success and I am glad to see that they got their own spotlight.

Overall this album was really a success. They incorperated a variety of things into their album, making it musically and culturally diverse. It isn't as wild as some of their other albums, but it accomplishes so much more by bringing important matters to the table.