Learn How To Play The Game

Believe it or not, Michael Jackson died ten years ago today.  It was a huge shock, and a year ago I would have believed we'd see a lot of tributes on this anniversary.  But after the documentary Leaving Neverland aired this year, Jackson has become so toxic that I don't imagine too many will celebrate his music today.

So instead, how about noting it's Global Beatles Day. (I know, every day is Global Beatles Day.) The day was founded ten years ago, apparently (when Jackson died?).  June 25th was the day in 1967 the Beatles performed "All You Need Is Love" on live television, broadcast to hundreds of millions around the world.

The song, written by John, was selected for its basic message, easily understandable in any language. (The other choice was Paul's "Your Mother Should Know," which would have been a bit more whimsical.)

Actually, part of the "live" recording was a backing track. The Beatles, by 1967, were taking days and days to record their material.  They weren't going to go out live across the world without some of the stuff already prepared.

The chorus, both in words and music, is pretty basic, but the verse is unusual, especially for a song that went to #1 around the world.  For one thing, rather than being strict 4/4, the time signature changes more than once.  And for a positive song about love, the words are pretty negative, with "nothing," "no one" and "nowhere" sprinkled throughout.

It's not in my Beatles' top ten, or twenty, but it's a good song.  It could have easily been a piece of propaganda, but somehow, after John wrote it and the Beatles arranged it, something beautiful came out.