There’s a lot to like about the Beatles.

Even if you’re not a super-fan, you’ve got to admit that their catalogue represents one of the most impressive collections of memorable tunes in history. Innovation in a variety of styles, haunting melodies, evocative lyrics, and the sheer volume of what they produced has made them not just powerfully influential of everything that has come since; they still seem quite contemporary and relevant 50-60 years later…

I really admire the group as a beautiful example of collaborative creativity, in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I mean, of course each one of them was a talent on his own, but together, they lit up the world, and still do.

My personal appreciation of the Beatles began when I was a senior in high school. It was the twentieth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, so there were re-releases, lots of air play, and frequent news items about it. For my small group of friends, it seemed retro-cool to get really into the Beatles. I bought all the albums on cassette, memorizing many of them. A group of us, maybe five or six, declared a Beatles Day at school. We came dressed as our own interpretations of characters from the songs — Eleanor Rigby, a Walrus, a Piggy, Sexy Sadie, etc. I remember vividly our spontaneous performance in English class, in which we not only sang but also acted out the tragic story of “Rocky Raccoon.” Our teacher, Mrs. Leonard, joined us dancing in the climactic hoedown. I played Rocky, dressed as a Pig, intuitively tapping into a psychedelia of which at that time I had only the foggiest inkling.

Through the Beatles, I got to enjoy some musical bonding with my older siblings, 16 and 19 years my senior, who had been fans when the band was in its initial heyday. My sister Robin told me about the first time she heard “Hey Jude” on the radio, realizing that something remarkable, maybe magical, had just happened.

In the year 2000, there was again some Beatles buzz around a new compilation, One — a double-album including all their number one hits. Once more the Fab Four was up in pop consciousness. I associate that time with my daughter, who was 3-years-old, belting out “I Want to Hold Your Hand” from her carseat, every drive a joyful singalong.

I’ve discovered time and again a multi-generational appreciation for this music that surpasses almost anything else we might sing together. From sweet love songs to dreamy weirdness to pointed social commentary to provocative mysticism, there’s something for everyone.

So I’m completely delighted that this Sunday, February 13, we’ll be hosting our annual Beatles singalong service, 10 am at Maple Street Dance Space. No sermon this week. All singing. It will be fun, and I hope you can join us. XO, Drew

©2022 Drew Groves