Where Were You on February 9, 1964?

On the evening of Sunday, February 9, 1964, I was sitting in front of our black and white television watching the Ed Sullivan Show.  I had specifically wanted to tune in because I wanted to see this new musical group I had been hearing about and had heard on the AM radio stations in Salt Lake City.

The program that night was watched by over 73 million people--men, women and children.  If you think about the population of the US at the time, roughly around 180 million, that meant that approximately 40% of the population watched that show.  Likely, not all 180 million had televisions then, which would probably mean that over half of the population were on hand to watch these four musical twenty-somethings from Liverpool make history.

What was it about the Beatles that caused such interest?  Was it music that at that time was "edgy?"  Was it seeing boys in suits, behaving initially in a rather conservative way as other performers of the time, but with long hair (for the time) and playing music that had only been played in Europe or by black musicians who weren't (and couldn't) be mainstream?  Was it Paul singing a song from "The Music Man' on that fateful night?  Was it their cleverness in interviews?  Musically, was it the marvelous melodies that McCartney and Lennon wrote, often with engaging harmonies?  Was it time for electric guitars and drums to make their evolutionary appearance on the music scene? Was it their British accents when they spoke?  Was the US coming out of the placid 50s and looking for a good time?  Were the children of World War II parents (now we are known as Baby Boomers) wanting something different? 

Whatever it was, the Beatles arguably changed the world--if not the entire world then certainly the musical world.  That night on the Ed Sullivan Show was the beginning of my lifelong love of their music.  I feel sorry for my children and others who were not yet born because you missed out on a singular, incredible experience.

On January 13th, I posted what were my Beatles Top 40 all-time songs.  I really enjoyed doing that, and encourage my readers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show by looking at that list.

As a follow up, and my own tribute to that seminal event, I am posting a Top 10 Beatles song list, but songs which have been covered (sung by others) by notable performers.  I always recognize a cover of a Beatles song; some are memorable, others are not.  Here, then, are my most memorable Top 10 Beatles songs, recorded by other musicians:

10.  Rock and Roll Music -- performed by the Beach Boys.  This distinctly US group, sometimes in supposed competition in the 60s with the Beatles as to popularity, covered this in their own style--it is  most unmistakably a beach/surfing vibe.  This was not an original Beatles composition, but written by the amazing Chuck Berry.
9.   Come Together -- performed by Aerosmith.  It sounded quite similar to the original tune, but Steven Tyler sang this Abbey Road song in his own unmistakable, flamboyant way.  
8.   With a Little Help From My Friends -- performed by Joe Cocker. This cover was the music that introduced the TV show "The Wonder Years" and was sung by this Brit who now resides in the Santa Clarita Valley, not far from where I live.  It is quite different from the original.
7.   Taxman  -- performed by Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Like the previous performers on my list, Stevie Ray made this song his very own.  SRV's guitar playing is on display on this cover.  He has been called the white Jimi Hendrix.
6.   Fool on the Hill -- performed by Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66. Mendes gave this his Brazilian flavor, with flourishes that are unmistakably his.  You know it is the Beatles song, but if you didn't know, you would likely say it was a Mendes composition.
5.   Ticket to Ride -- performed by the Carpenters.  Karen's vocal talents are on display along with Richard's subtle orchestrations.  It is sung much like a ballad, not like the Beatles' original, but it tries to keep true to the original.  Very much a favorite of mine growing up.  I was a huge Carpenters fan, and Karen's alto voice is heavenly (not only because she passed away).
4.   Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds -- performed by Elton John.  This well-known cover is a EJ masterpiece, complete with a section played in a reggae style, and with psychedelic flourishes.
3.   In My Life -- performed by Judy Collins.  Arguably better than the Beatles rendition, Judy sings this wonderful love song with just her guitar and her ethereal voice.  This is the Judy of Suite: Judy Blue Eyes fame!
2.   Blackbird -- performed by The King's Singers.  It is sung a'cappella (without instrumentation), and these consummate artists "sing" as if they are instruments behind the haunting melody.  Even though I love Paul's original, I love this one more!   And #1?
1.   Got to Get You Into My Life -- performed by Earth, Wind and Fire. Clearly, EW&F took this tune to another level, making it completely their own, and outdoing the original.  In their funky, syncopated, horn-filled way, they wrote this piece for the soundtrack of what essentially is a "movie cover" of Beatles' songs: "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart's Club Band." While the movie left much to be desired--starring the three Bee Gees and Peter Frampton trying to be "Beatlesque"-- this cover was/is fantastic!