The Beatles are practically iconic the "Peace and Love" spirit of the sixties, but one must remember that they themselves were not hippies. Liberal? Yes. Libertarian? Perhaps.

Now I may be reading too much into their lyrics, but one can find a strong pro-capitalism bent to them. Some examples:

From Revolution:

You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right

Taxman (on Revolver):

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.
Taxman.

Taxman especially (to me at least) conveys a sense of freedom from government. Doctor Robert also mentions the British National Health, and Back in the USSR seems very tounge in cheek. This may all be wishfull thinking or wild speculation on my part, but I think the band 'bigger than Jesus' may have been all about freedom, and perhaps recognized that it was that system which had allowed their success.

Posted by Ryan S. on Monday, December 26, 2005 at 11:15 PM | Permalink |