Paul, George, John and Ringo. The Beatles. In short this is the band that all other bands thrive to be. The lasting appeal of this band is still the insane amount of good, amazing music they gifted to the world in such a short period of time. Although one previously recorded album was later released, “Abbey Road” is the last proper album recorded. Tensions were high to say the least. Now, for whoever is a fan of her’s, I’m sorry, but by this point Yoko and her fingers had firmly grasped Lennon, and obviously when four intelligent people are trying to create something, things can get heated anyway, so you don’t really need someone with virtually no talent trying to tell you how to be the best band ever. I digress though

Anyway, This album changed my life in a way that only a Beatles album can. It has great hooks, firm storytelling, and for a band whose importance in unrivaled in music history, it’s an extremely satisfying swan song of greatness. My number eight favorite all time album, The Beatles “Abbey Road.”

At first glance you wouldn’t think “Come Together” would be a good opener for this record, but not only is it a good starter, there aren’t many obvious choices here. The song starts with a groovy rhythm section popping and while it’s slightly non sensical and has no clear story, you don’t really need that to enjoy this song. By this, their 11th album, they knew exactly how to make incredible music. There’s a reason people still think they’re best band to ever exist; They Are.

The first time I heard this record I don’t even know if my frail young mind was able to handle it. It’s just not everyday you discover such an absurdly great band. One of the songs that jumped out most to me was “Something.” For the record my favorite is George. His precision, and skill at multiple instruments is the secret weapon of the entire band. When I was lucky enough to see McCartney at Bonnaroo, he told a wonderful story. It goes that one day Paul and George were hanging out and Harrison starts playing a ukulele and Paul becomes quite enamored with it. Never having played one before, Harrison teaches Paul to play it. Years later George is fading and everyone is aware. Paul gets a package in the mail and opens it. It’s a gift from George Harrison. The ukulele. It’s at this moment that Paul tells this giant audience that the instrument he’s holding is the gift from George. Then he plays “Something.” Let me tell you. Man tears were shed, and it was a moment I’ll never forget.

The songs on “Abbey Road” are at once songs that showcase how the band had grown into vital musicians while still embracing the basic rules that led to their ascension to the throne of popular music. While much of the album is a forward thinking strategy, songs like “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” harkon back to the beginnings. Reportedly, other band members hated the song but Paul insisted on its inclusion. They felt it was boring and old, but for me it’s fitting and brings a little nostalgia to the mix.

Everyone in the band gets their chances to shine here, and it makes the album better for it. Ringo’s contribution is the great,fun, carefree and often overlooked “Octopus’ Garden.” It has a very lovely floaty feel, and Starr’s voice goes perfectly with this overall scheme. I know Ringo get’s a bad wrap as being the least talented member of the band, but not only wouldn’t they be the Beatles without him and his ideas, but wouldn’t you prefer be the worst member in the best band of all time then be anyone in Nickelback, Creed or any other half wit band ever? I think so.

“I want you” comes next and is a slow burn of a song, and it’s totally killer in the way it pillows like smoke in a dark bar late at night. It has a very winding road quality to it. Now I hate Yoko Ono(I’ll try not to mention her again), but as far as love songs go, Lennon hit it out the park with this one. I love the guitar parts especially. To me they do a brilliant job here of making the bass and guitar sound almost like the same instrument. There are points where you really can’t tell. I have this on vinyl (On loan from my parents in law), and to hear not only this song but the whole album on that format is almost like watching Michalengo paint the Sistine Chapel. There’s no better way to experience it. The warmth coming through leaves one speechless,and to be frank, it’s simply perfect.

So when my wife, my now father in law, my mother and myself were trying to figure out what to have our group dance be at my wedding, we weren’t sure. It wasn’t until the seventh song on the record “Here Comes the Sun” came on, that we knew what we were choosing. For the four of us, fellow Beatles lovers, it made perfect sense. This song is now a major part of my life, and every time I hear it I’m transported back, even for a little bit to that day where my best friend became my wife. It was a great, wonderful day, and this dance number was the moment where everything seemed right. The song is like a breath of fresh air after the downward struggle of the end of “I Want You,” but yet again it showcases how this band can be everything all at once. The upbeat sounds of the music intertwined with the ever-growing positivity of the lyrics make this song a perfect complement not only to the tense backgrounds of the album, but also to the everyday struggle people face. Eventually the sun will come up, and you should try your best to enjoy it when it does.

The album keeps riding on, and through solid song after solid song, we find ourselves treated to the hazy perfection of “Sun King,” followed by the poppy “Mean Mr. Mustard,” the ever rocking “Polythene Pam.” This second half of the record is essentially one long song divided up by movement. This was Paul’s major contribution to the recordings, and as you can tell, it came out pretty awesome. The songs I just mentioned go very easily together, and in the this 7 song, 16 minute epic perfectly ties everything into a wonderful bow. This “song” didn’t happen by accident if I’m guessing correctly. These fella’s don’t strike me as the types of men who aren’t fully aware of what they plan to do when making music. These moments for me are where the band really shines. Although they were at each others throats, the music had never been better, and in that way at least, they were still compatible.

Now, in this instance, and once again in my opinion, this is the part of the album where it becomes more than just an album. These next three songs, which are also part of the medley, are probably the best songs on the whole record, and for once someone saves the best for last, or at least almost last. A quiet piano and orchestra opens up and we hear Paul’s voice. We’re entering the gorgeous, perfect world of “Golden Slumbers.” Even listening to the song now I’m getting goose bumps. Holy shit this is the best band to ever exist. It’s such an amazingly happy song. It makes me feel as if he’s letting all of his frustrations in life into the creation of this piece of music. Even as he sings the song’s title, you hear the pain and emotion in his voice. It’s a quite short song, but it’s really only part of a larger idea, and soon we’re treated to the chanting positivity and hopefulness of “Carry That Weight.”

“Carry That Weight” isn’t just a song. It’s a mantra for how to survive this cruel thing called life. These four men had been through incredible moments, and as their time together winded down, they reconvened to make one last awesome record. In doing so though, they didn’t just create an album that was good, but they crafted a crushingly perfect album that is still held up on a pedestal as one of the most important moments in music, ever.

The last song included in this medley it’s the ass kicking and appropriately titled “The End.” The drums, and the “Oh Yeah! Oh Right” screams are spot on in every way they can be, and from there the song gets a little funky and bluesy in tone and nature. This song isn’t big on lyrics, but the lyrics that are contained are the perfect demonstration fo what life is, and why it’s important to keep going, and to always appreciate the little things. As the albums concludes, we’re treated to a very short, but cool track. “Her majesty” was never supposed to actually be part of “Abbey Road,” but was later included when producers insisted and assured that the song would come over twenty seconds after “The End” to ensure that people knew for sure it wasn’t meant to be part of the mega medley.

Shortly after this album was released, things fell apart for good. The best band ever broke up, and even decades later, people are still clamoring for a little trip down memory lane. There’s now in the world very few people who haven’t had the chance to be moved by the Beatles. Very soon, there will be a world where no one has lived without the chance of discovering this ridiculously iconic band. In closing, the band has made a difference, and for all the turmoil, bickering, and other bullshit that went along with it, they managed to change music forever. Just remember, life is worth fighting for, and for living, if only because “And in the End, the Love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Next time we’ll be talking about another incredibly important group of English musicians who were attempting to make a really great album about a Computer, but ended up making a decent one. Thanks for reading