New Name?

Posted on July 19, 2011 by BlueJayWay

Rename my Beatles blog!

Hello, Beatle fans! Due to several complaints and rethinking, I have decided to rename my blog. I wanted the name, “Blue Jay Way”, but the URL was already taken – that’s why I had to resort to calling my blog a different name than my web address. So, if you think you can come up with a better name, please say so! Actually, I’ll make it a contest; whoever comes up with the new name for my blog gets a post with a link to their blog, YouTube account (if YouTube, I’ll sub!), Twitter (I’ll follow you!), etc.

For my name, I want it to be rather short. Also, I preferably want it to be a reference to a Beatles song, album, etc. I want my blog’s name and URL to match, so please check first if the  .com is available before submitting your entry! To submit, leave a comment with your new name! Thanks, guys!

 

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The Beatle Connection: Justin Bieber?

Posted on July 18, 2011 by BlueJayWay

Fans stalk the Canadian's hotel room.

Yes, Justin Bieber has a Beatle connection. This “teen pop sensation” has a bit of history with Liverpool, England. Liverpool is the city of The Beatles; the Beatles were born in this port city. The Canadian pop star stayed at “A Hard Day’s Night Hotel” during a recent European Tour. Yeah, that’s right Bieber! Have The Beatles stayed at “The U Smile Hotel” or “The Baby Hotel”? I don’t think so. Well, anyway, Justin Bieber does get the teenage girl popularity The Beatles were famous for. The Biebs had to cancel his performance in Liverpool because of swarming fans; the young star couldn’t even get out of the hotel! He stayed in a higher luxury suite in the hotel. Regular rooms only go up to around According to the paparazzi, Justin Bieber stayed at a $1,200 a night room! The “Hard Day’s Night Hotel” is notorious for being a luxury hotel. A regular room “only” goes up to $600. That means Justin Bieber stayed in either the Lennon suite or the McCartney suite.

Justin Bieber is compared to The Beatles in many different situations. Usher, the one who signed Bieber, said, ”You haven’t seen the best of him. He is a pop craze like The Beatles. They started out as pure pop artists and look what they became over the years.” Hm, really? Let’s see if Bieber can match The Beatles contribution to music. The Beatles first album, Please Please Me, was released in 1963; The Beatles made revolutionary changes to music back in the 60′s around 1966, when Revolver was released. So, that’s a span of three years. The Canadian released his debut album, My World, in 2009. Three years later would be 2012 – maybe it really is the end of the world. I don’t think Justin Bieber can accomplish a feat that big with his bag of silly love songs (I think Bieber stayed in the McCartney suite).

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The Beatle Connection: Rebecca Black’s “Friday”

Posted on June 11, 2011 by BlueJayWay

"Friday! Friday!"

Seeing the success of “Paul Is Dead”, my blog series about the Paul Is Dead controversy, (which, by the way, is still open to further posts) I’m making a new series post. I call it, “The Beatle Connection”. Different bands and artists have had influence by The Beatles, so I thought it might be something interesting to share. I’ll start with everyone’s “favorite” pop star- Rebecca Black! Yes, this girl’s “Friday” video went viral due to its lameness.

Rebecca Black vs. The Beatles? Fail.

Wonder why Rebecca Black was so successful? It’s because she ripped off The Beatles! The classic song, “A Day in the Life”, inspired young teen pop sensation and the Ark Music Factory scum (Yes, you, Fat Usher). Paul McCartney’s poetic verse separated by an orchestral climax was given to Fat Usher. Yes, “Friday” is a fail. Black only auto-tunes seven days of the week, while The Beatles rocked out “Eight Days a Week”.  The Beatles are masters; they are the inspiration for all of today’s music.

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Cirque du Soleil LOVE’s 5th Anniversary!

Posted on June 10, 2011 by BlueJayWay

Highly recommended!

Cirque du Soleil’s Beatle themed show, “LOVE”, just celebrated its fifth anniversary. The acrobatic show was inspired by the music of The Beatles, and their remix album, LOVE. “LOVE” has been highly praised as a Cirque du Soleil addition, even being called “the best show in Vegas”. You can see the show yourself at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. I had the pleasure of seeing this remarkable production during Christmas 2010.

Many celebrities showed up at the red carpet June 5th, 2011. TV host, singer, and 2011 Celebrity Apprentice contender Mark McGrath was seen at the performance. Different Beatle-related celebrities were seen as well. Beatle-widows, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison were seen, as well as their sons, Sean Lennon and Dhani Harrison. The famed Paul McCartney spoke at the reception of the anniversary performance, and his new fiance, Nancy was seen, too. Ex-drummer Ringo Starr could not make the performance due to his European tour.

A contest is going on to celebrate “LOVE”. You could win “LOVE” merchandise! To sign up, download The Beatles LOVE app onto your smart phone, tablet device, iPod Touch, etc. If you own an Apple product (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch), look no further to here. Now, all you have to do is click “QR scanner” and follow the directions on the video below:

Happy Anniversary, Cirque du Soleil “LOVE”!

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The Five Best Beatles Covers

Posted on May 19, 2011 by BlueJayWay

1. Al Green – “I Want To Hold Your Hand”

Green is blues, man... Blues...

Al Green takes this Beatlemania tune to the 70′s. Green adds a soulful, groovy spin to this #1. An Arkansas native, Green has had multiple successes during his 1967 – present time career. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” was first featured on his 40th anniversary copy of Green Is Blues. Also on the same album is Lennon/McCartney classic, “Get Back”, from Let It Be.

2. Stevie Wonder – “We Can Work It Out”

The King of R&B. 'Nuff said.

Of course we had to add Wonder to our playlist. He stuck this in his 1970 album, Signed, Sealed & Delivered. The song reached #13 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Wonder’s performance on this cover song was Grammy nominated for “Best R&B Male Performance”. In recent pop culture, Stevie Wonder played this song for Paul McCartney and President Barrack Obama. Wonder collaborated with McCartney for the hit song, “Ebony and Ivory”.

3. Aretha Franklin – “Eleanor Rigby”

Please keep R-E-S-P-E-C-T in your comments.

Alike the other two, previous artists, Aretha has also added her soul flair. (Well, I mean of course she would! She’s the Queen of Soul! The Queen of R-E-S-P-E-C-T!) The mellow chorus describing a deceased woman and preacher was turned into a happy song by Aretha Franklin. She brought life by talking as if she were “Eleanor”. She exclaims, “I’m Eleanor Rigby; I pick up the rice in the church where the weddin’ has been, yeah!” Franklin included this in her album, The Girl’s In Love with You, along with “Let It Be”.

4. Johnny Cash – “In My Life”

For all you Country Folk...

Country artist, Johnny Cash, is different than all other artists on this list; Cash took an even mellower approach than The Beatles. This Rubber Soul song has been considered one of the greatest compositions by Lennon/McCartney. Cash uses his trademarked raspy voice to convey the message of the song. Johnny Cash talks about the theoretical “weight” he has carried on his back just in his mid-20′s. He recorded “In My Life” for American IV in 2002.

5. Jimi Hendrix – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

Guitar legend, Jimi Hendrix. WOW.

Hendrix is a man after Sgt. Pepper’s heart. Jimi’s childish lines reminds me of Ringo back in the The Beatles Cartoon. His guitar skills are unmatchable to most guitarists through all of history. You get the full Jimi Hendrix Experience (no pun intended).

 

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Five Beatles Songs Used in a TV Ad

Posted on May 17, 2011 by BlueJayWay

"Revolution" was used in Nike's popular ad, "Nike Revolution".

The Beatles’ songs have been widely used for TV ads because of their songwriting ability (mostly Lennon/McCartney). Covers of Beatles’ originals will also be counted. The Beatles will forever be in our media because of their charisma, personalities, and musical talent.

1. “Revolution” – Nike

The first ever advertisement using a Beatles song. Nike’s “Revolution” ad was not originally supported by Apple Records and Capitol Records who, at the time, held the rights to the song. Nike ended up paying $250,000 to Capitol Records; however, that was not the end of the story. Apple sued Nike Inc., Capitol Records Inc., EMI Records Inc. and Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency for $15 million. Capitol-EMI countered by saying the lawsuit was ‘groundless’ because Capitol had licensed the use of “Revolution” with the “active support and encouragement of Yoko Ono Lennon, a shareholder and director of Apple.” Nike later used Lennon’s “Instant Karma” with the consent of Yoko.

2. “Any Time At All” – Walmart

Walmart used this classic A Hard Day’s Night song for a TV ad. The basic message of the commercial is that “‘Any Time At All’, Walmart has low prices and the things you need”.

3. “Getting Better” – Phillips

The catchy tune from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, “Getting Better” was used in a Phillips technology ad. Phillips was advertising their new boom box-style stereo system. A foreign band by the name of Gomez covered the song for this commercial. You can find this song on their album, Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline.

4. “All You Need is Love” – Blackberry

I already talked about this song in my “5 Beatles Song Everyone Knows” list. A cover of this single/Magical Mystery Tour song was used in a recent Blackberry commercial. The song is covered by Grayson Matthews. Matthews transforms this song into a current pop song; he does not include the French national anthem. His twist on “All You Need is Love” would make The Beatles proud.

5. “Hello Goodbye” – Target

Like “All You Need is Love”, I already mention “Hello Goodbye” in  a list of well-known Beatles songs. Target used the Jonas Brothers for their ad. You can find the Jo Bros’ version of “Hello Goodbye” on their A Little Bit Longer album (Target version).

 

 

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German Metal Band Covers The Beatles

Posted on May 16, 2011 by BlueJayWay

“Helter Skelter” as by Caliban:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOtlNLE386o

The German metal band, Caliban, just released a new cover by The Beatles. Metal bands usually don’t cover anything by influential band, The Beatles, because of obvious reasons. The Beatles performed pop songs, while metal songs usually aren’t played in the pop scene. There is, however, one Beatles song that could be considered light metal; that song is “Helter Skelter”. I personally dislike metal music, so I believe that they (Caliban) ruined this great number. “Helter Skelter” is featured on The Beatles (White Album) along with “Revolution 9″. Distorted guitars and pounding vocals fame this song as The Beatles’ heaviest tune. Other bands who have covered this song include Steven Tyler/Aerosmith, Pat Benatar, U2, Oasis, and heavy metal band, Thrice.

“Helter Skelter” was Paul’s deliberate effort to create a dirty, loud song. This resulted as being the only “proto-metal” Beatles song. During a 1980 interview, Lennon said, “That’s Paul completely … It has nothing to do with anything, and least of all to do with me.” Unterberger of Allmusic called it “one of [the] fiercest and most brutal rockers done by anyone” and “extraordinary.” A slowed down version of “Helter Skelter” was added in the studio compilation, Anthology 3. At the end of “Helter Skelter”, Ringo Starr throws down his sticks and exclaims, “I got ‘blistahs on mah fingahs’”. This was completely unplanned.

“Helter Skelter” has gained fame as #52 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s The Beatles 100 Greatest Song List,   #3 on Guns and Roses guitarist, Slash’s top three song list, and #5 on Q Magazine‘s greatest guitar track list.

“Helter Skelter” as by The Beatles:

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Paul Is Dead: Turn Me On Dead Man

Posted on May 15, 2011 by BlueJayWay

Album "artwork" of The Beatles (White Album).

On our first Paul Is Dead article, I briefly introduced you to “Revolution 9″, the father of all clues. This ominous track from The Beatles (The White Album) was the first song to be credited to all four band members. “Revolution 9″ is the longest Beatles song, being at 8:22 in length. A confusing, mesmerizing tune that apparently has some link to Yoko Ono, John’s widow is found here. There are many clues from this song. A short poem precedes the song, and is not part of the lyrics included with the LP:

 

 

Can you take me back where I came from?
Can you take me back?
Can you take me back where I came from?
Brother can you take me back?
Can you take me back?

Mm… can you take me where I came from?
Can you take me back?

This takes listeners to believe that Paul Is Dead isn’t merely a coincidence; Paul Is Dead is the history of The Beatles. In the post, you can hear producer, George Martin, and someone else talking, maybe about the clues.  “Realize I know all about George, I’m sorry do you forgive me, yes.” A few seconds later, Lennon chants, “Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine…” Played backwards, the song audibly says, “Turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man…” Horns, screams, and burning fire play through out the song; this could speculate there being car horns, screams by Paul (and Rita), and the fire from the car. You can also hear, faintly, “Let me out, let me out!” and “if you want it you can prove it.  I’m not in the mood for work or words from John.”

There are other songs on The Beatles with Paul Is Dead references: “Don’t Pass Me By” and “I’m So Tired”. “Don’t Pass Me By” is considered Ringo’s tribute to Paul McCartney. One line states, “I listened for your footsteps coming up the drive but they don’t arrive. I wonder where you are tonight, don’t pass me by.” For obvious reasons “Don’t Pass Me By” is definitely a coincidence/clue. “I’m So Tired” Lennon, the writer, describes his anguish over McCartney’s death, “I haven’t slept a wink, my mind is on the blink, I’d give you everything I’ve got for a little peace of mind.” Then, Lennon gives us a backmasking clue. The end of the song clearly says, “Paul is a dead man; miss him, miss him, miss him.” The White Album describes the anguish, fear, and trouble through Paul’s death. For another clue from this revolutionary album, look no further to Paul Is Dead: Billy Shears.

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Paul Is Dead: Billy Shears

Posted on May 14, 2011 by BlueJayWay

Album cover of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

Wow, it’s been a couple of weeks since the last Paul Is Dead post. This clue is about the man who allegedly replaced McCartney- Billy Shears. He is also referenced as being named William Shears Campbell, William Sheppard, and ‘Faul’. There are song clues about him and even photographs of his earlier life. For the sole purpose of not confusing you, we’ll just call him ‘Billy Shears’.

According to the urban legend, Billy Shears won a Paul-look-alike contest. That was after the ‘accident’. He was first introduced in the classic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. In the title song, Shears sings, “Now may I introduce to you, the one and only Billy Shears!” A few seconds later, during the build in “With a Little Help From My Friends”, a chorus of “Bil-ly-Shears…” is sung. In the same song, Ringo sings, “What would you think if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song, and I’ll try not to sing out of key.” This is certainly a reference to Billy Shears not wanting to mess up his “Paul gig”.

On a poster promoting the release of The Beatles (White Album), different candid, personal photos of the Beatles were put in. Even a picture of the new Paul was placed in the bottom corner. A generic-looking man wearing glasses and a mustache resembles Shears. You can tell that he was a “Paul-look-alike” from his mustache and one-arched eyebrow. Some say this is the original Paul McCartney in disguise- no rebuttal by The Beatles has been released.

"Billy Shears" from The White Album.

So, is Billy Shears real? That’s for you to decide. Maybe another Paul Is Dead tomorrow. BIL-LY SHEARS! Below is “Sgt. Pepper/With a Little Help”.

 

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‘Strawberry Field’ Gates Replaced by Replica

Posted on May 13, 2011 by BlueJayWay

The original gates of Strawberry Field children's home in Liverpool, England

The famous wrought-iron, red gates opening up to Strawberry Field children’s home has just been replaced. To keep the gates from further deterioration, the gates have been relocated to a storage house. Maj Ray Irving, director of social services for Salvation Army (who owns Strawberry Fields) said in a recent press release, “Although care has been taken to ensure the original gates to the site have remained in good condition, inevitably time has taken its toll.” Paul Beesley, chair of the Association of Liverpool Tour Guides, claims that he wants to ‘transfer the old gates into a museum for Beatles fans to observe’. I personally hope the original Victorian style gates will still be available for fans to see.

This song is primarily credited to Lennon. John wrote it after the Strawberry Fields orphanage he would play at as a young boy. The orphanage used to be a beautiful Victorian styled home run by the Salvation Army. It was by John’s Aunt Mimi’s house. About the song, John said in an interview, “Near that home was Strawberry Fields, a house near a boys’ reformatory where I used to go to garden parties as a kid with my friends Nigel and Pete we would go there and hang out and sell lemonade bottles for a penny. We always had fun at Strawberry Fields. So that’s where I got the name. But I used it as an image. ‘Strawberry Fields forever.’” The song was intended for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band but was instead released in the same year of 1967. The A-side was “Strawberry Fields Forever” and the B-side was “Penny Lane”. It was later included on Magical Mystery Tour– soundtrack and movie. The psychedelic rock song has been covered by artists like Candy Flip and Peter Gabriel. Taken from recent post, Paul Is Dead: Cranberry Sauce.

This song has been credited for the Paul Is Dead conspiracy. Some posts about Paul Is Dead include:

Paul Is Dead: What is it?

Paul Is Dead: Cranberry Sauce

Paul Is Dead: George Buried Paul

Paul Is Dead: 28 IF

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