Day 306: The Beatles – The Beatles

I’m still on my vaguely Beatles-themed excursion. Tonight I might wander down to Cavern Club, tomorrow I’ll start meandering home. I’ve been listening to the Beatles, preparing to take photos of me looking chummy with all of the statues in this area. There’s even a statue of Cilla Black! Having heard only “Surprise, Surprise” I do have to say I’m a little bit surprised, but good for Cilla. Today I’ve been listening to a classic, the White Album by the Beatles.

Released in 1968, the album is colloquially known as the White Album due to the cover, as it has no image and just the band’s name on a white background. It was released after their colourful hit record Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and it was mainly written when the group were at a retreat in India with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It features some of their most iconic songs, like “Blackbird”, “Julia” and the George Harrison classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.

It’s by far one of the groups greatest albums, with some of the songs representing the group at their most interesting phases. But apparently the time at the retreat wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I remember hearing that “Dear Prudence” was aimed at a girl who was there but mostly stayed in her room, while “Sexy Sadie” represented their disillusionment with the experience. Originally it was called “Maharishi”, asking “Maharishi, what have you done? You’ve made a fool of everyone” due to the allegations of sexual violence levied against their presumed spiritual leader.

It’s a great album, but even greater knowing it has a diss track against the man who they supposedly revered. I just wish they’d been brave enough to stick to their guns. 9/10.