The Beatles are considered to be one of the most influential bands in music and rock n’ roll history. Their music has had a lasting impact on pop culture and thousands of millions of fans around the world. With hit songs like Yesterday, Here Comes the Sun, and Let it Be, The Beatles continue to be some of the most popular songs of all time.
The 2019 film Yesterday features a talented cast of actors and musicians, who pay tribute to this timeless band by recreating some of their iconic songs. Himesh Patel stars as Jack Malik, the undiscovered singer-songwriter whose career skyrockets after a freak bus accident. Lily James plays his school friend and manager, while Ed Sheeran plays himself as the reluctant mentor.
The movie’s soundtrack includes renditions of eight The Beatles’ classics, all of which were performed by Himesh Patel. The songs include, Help!, You’ve Got to Hide your Love Away, Yesterday, Let it Be, All My Loving, Hey Jude, I’ve Just Seen a Face, and When I’m Sixty-Four. While some of the songs underwent minimal covers, others, such as Help! and When I’m Sixty-Four, were reprised in a completely new manner.
The cast and crew of Yesterday cite The Beatles as inspiration for the movie. Director Danny Boyle said that there’s a “depth of emotion” in the Beatles’ music that he wanted to capture onscreen. Similarly, Himesh Patel explains that he “got into the mindset of the songs” by playing them and singing them as if they were his own by adding his own twists.
If you’ve ever tried to cover a Beatles song, you’ll recognize how challenging it can be. The songs are iconic and instantly recognizable and Himesh Patel pays homage to that in his renditions. At the same time, he adds little nuances here and there to give it his own flair.
Himesh Patel’s hard work and attention to detail silenced any doubts around his ability to perform the songs. His recreation of Yesterday has had over 6 million views on Youtube and is the most-viewed Beatles song cover ever. The success of the movie further confirms Patel’s skills as a singer and musician.
Agents Behind the Success of The Beatles
In the 1960s, The Beatles were hugely popular, a phenomenon that would go on to be known as “Beatlemania”. However, this success did not happen overnight and was due to the hard work and determination of their manager Brian Epstein and their brilliant songwriter and composer John Lennon.
Brian Epstein signed the band in 1962 and soon after started his mission to make them heroes. He managed their business deals, increased their public exposure and overhauled their image, leading to them becoming the icons of 1960s music culture. He also passionately defended them from critics and naysayers.
John Lennon was a prolific songwriter, who wrote some of the most memorable songs of all time. He had a unique style of blending emotion and intellect, to write songs that achieved instant success with audiences. His ability to tap into a deep sense of humanity earned him fame and respect worldwide.
The Beatles owe their international success to the brilliance of both agents, as their music captured the mood of the time and was and still is appreciated around the world.
The Instrumentation Behind The Beatles
The Beatles were notable for their unique instrumentation and sound. With the exception of the drums, they opted for an eclectic mix of instruments and tools to achieve their sound such as typical rock and roll instruments such as guitar, bass, and snare but they also incorporated keyboard, harmonium, and harpsichord.
They also explored the world of effects pedals such as flanger, flanging, wah-wah, and reverb to create the new sound that defined their music. Notably, the guitar solo from George Harrison in the track “Something” was played on a 12 string guitar and is considered to be one of the best guitar solos of all time.
The Beatles were also open to collaboraitons with celebrated orchestras and musicians. For example, George Martin partnered with the George Martin Orchestra to create the soundtrack for “A Hard Day’s Night.” Similarly, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band†featured collaborations with artist such as jazz trumpeter, and trombonist, Kenny Ball, legendary classical flautist Raymond Thomas, and of course famous rock and roll guitarist Jimmy Page.
The Beatles were unique not only in their songwriting but also in their production. Their approach to combining influences from different genres, experimenting with instrumentation and employing orchestras and collaborations made their music both unique and timeless.
The Influence of the Beatles in Pop Culture
The influence of the Beatles can be seen across all aspects of pop culture — music, fashion, cinema, art, literature and beyond. Their influence can be particularly seen in the kick start to the “British Invasion” in the music scene. Their songs were played worldwide and through their dominance on the music charts and their daring fashion statements, they became the most popular band of their time.
The Beatles’ eclectic music style has also been an influence to many modern artists. The usage of reverb effects on the track “Tomorrow Never Knows” and their layered harmony singing on “I am the walrus” are some of the techniques used by famous musicians today.
Moreover, the artwork from their albums covers have remained some of the most recognizable imagery, such as “Abbey Road”, featuring the band crossing the zebra crossing outside of Abbey Road studio. The repeated usage of this imagery, as well as references of the Beatles in movies and television shows, confirm the band’s lasting presence in popular culture.
The Beatles messages of peace and love have impacted generations of people all over the world and the power of their music will forever remain in the hearts of fans.
The Beatles Reuniting Through Technology
The short film, “Get Back” by The Beatles used cutting edge technology to reunite the band 50s years after their break up. The film sees them come together and sing and perform several songs such as, Get Back, All You Need is Love, Let it Be, and Hey Jude.
This reunion was achieved by blending together clips and home videos of the band from their respective teenage years. The blending feature was the handiwork of an AI-powered video tool created by the software company Brain Of Things. The technology was also used to for their performance of “Revolution” released in 2020.
The technology allowed the band to connect with their fans as if they were in a single room together. “Get Back” was viewed by millions of people across the world. It was lauded by fans for its powerful nostalgia feature and heartfelt messages.
This project serves as an example of how technology can be used to bridge physical gaps and reunite millions of fans. It also demonstrates how modern technology still continues to appreciate and honor the legacy of The Beatles.
The Impact of the Beatles
Throughout their career, The Beatles’ music has been covered by many bands and artists from all genres. Their songs’ messages of love and peace, as well as their unique style of music, draw in a diverse audience and transcend music genres. Their impact is clear as their music remains relevant today, 50 years after their break up.
On top of this, the technological developments enabled by the band continues to create new possibilities in music and the entertainment industry as a whole. The Beatles’ long-lasting effects are proof of their immense influence and are likely to stay relevant for years to come.
The movie Yesterday evokes the band’s music and power for the modern-day audience, thanks to the renditions performed by Himesh Patel. His covers remain true to the originals, whilst also bringing his own unique style to them. The success of the movie further confirms the timelessness of The Beatles and the power that their music holds over the world.
