The Beatles are unarguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their music has infused the ears and minds of our planet for longer than I have been alive. But, how many times have you really listened to the music and contemplated its spiritual essence?
On Wednesday night, August 14, 2013, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley I, along with fellow musicians Rick Dale and Dave Friedman presented a unique concert at our weekly Wednesday’s Wisdom service entitled, “The Greatest Metaphysical Hits of the Beatles: An Evening of Music and Inspiration.” The hour consisted of several Beatles hits, some very well-known and others somewhat more obscure, including a discussion of the metaphysical meanings behind each song. The enthusiastic audience not only enjoyed reminiscing and singing along with the music; they also were given a new awareness about each piece’s lesson on living a more expansive and satisfying life.
The evening opened with the profound “Blackbird.” Although Paul McCartney wrote this song about the civil rights struggle for African-American freedom after reading about the race riots in the US, we can take this song and apply it to our own lives today. The struggles we experience in life (and we all do) actually teach and strengthen us so we are able to move forward and realize our dreams. The lyrics “take these broken wings and learn to fly…” say that no matter how broken we may believe ourselves to be, we can still learn to fly, and when we fly, we shine light upon that darkness that once held us back; “Blackbird fly, into the light of the dark black night.” The musical journey continued into the evening, travelling the long and winding road through laughter and tears.
The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Hey Jude.” Paul McCartney wrote this song as “Hey Jules,” intended to comfort John Lennon’s 5-year-old son Julian as his parents were divorcing. (The change to “Jude” was inspired by the character Judd in the musical Oklahoma.) For us, the meaning at depth is that of the human condition, both at its bleakest and at its most exalted. We indeed can take a sad song, or a sad life, and make it better by calling upon the divine power of love.
And as a very wise man once said, all you need is love.