How to start listening to: The Beatles

For nobody is a secret that the British pop/rock band, The Beatles, changed the way of creating and composing music. Certainly, the Fab four have been, are, and will be an unmistakable reference for contemporary and future generations of rock, pop and related music. Since their humble beginnings in clubs and bars in Liverpool, on 1958, known as The Quarrymen then, have caused furor and exaltation among their fans, whose prayers and shouts began on stage even before they start their show, preventing the musicians could hear their own instruments' sound. The Beatlemania, half a century later, has lasted.

Undoubtedly, you would have encountered with a song by the Liverpool quartet at a certain moment in your life; either with covers and versions produced by contemporary artists or simply with the original songs. But ... have you heard more about the stuff composed by these four guys? Have you wanted to see why The Beatles has been the most recognized pop/rock band and praised by critics in the 60's? Have you wanted to start in its music but you just don't know how or where to start?

People don't know how to recommend musical bands, in my opinion. Usually they tell Gabriel to listen to any band, that is very good and that he will like it ... But they forget the part where they explain how he should start; he ends up confused, listens to the wrong ones, get a bad first impression and the result is catastrophic. Conclusion: if you are not careful, you will end up generating in the other person the opposite effect to the one you were looking for.

This case is not the exception. The Beatles, during its career, marks two stages, as it is exponentially noticeable a change in its classic rock n' roll style to make space for the inclusion of experimental sounds and rhythms that opts for a more progressive rock style (See the album Revolver or Sgt. Pepper's) not everyone tend to sympathize with, and as I said, ends up in the catastrophe.

But anyway, without further ado, let's go to the point.

The Beatles has something special. You feel that all their albums (without exception) are awesome. Some better or more elaborated than others, they share almost the same level of quality as their predecessor album. So, where do you should start? For the album that, in my opinion, best reflects the essence of both musical stages of this legendary band, and it is the album Help!. Launched in 1965, its harmonic and eclectic arrangements bring out the group's musical development and maturity, manifesting this fact in masterpieces such as Yesterday, sung by Paul McCartney; or the mythical Help!, the single that gives its name to the album.

However, even though all the albums are highly recommended, I have compiled a list of five (5) songs that you should listen to on the album and that will serve as a perfect initiation to the beatlemania. These should be listened, preferably, in the following order:

It was not easy to select only 5 songs from each album, because I left out many incredible songs but, in time, they will surely come to you if they have to. I didn't include some albums (Let it be, Beatles for sale, Yellow Submarine, etc) because I hate setting aside songs of this awesome band. Nevertheless, you are free to listen to them later, if you wish.

So, here I give you the homework done, the dinner served on a silver platter. It's up to you what to do next. Once again, I recommend listening to the chosen songs of each album in the order I give you. You are free to listen to the songs in the order you prefer anyway.

Here you have an appetizer, my friend, because the beatlemania is extensive, and would require your own curiosity and willingness to investigate the rest of material and stuff out there, like precious stones waiting to be found. And without further ado, I officially welcome you to the Magical Mystery Tour!

I say farewell reminding you that you are not only what you eat, but also you are the music that you listen to.