The Beatles were among one of the many influential musical groups of the 1960s, and their impact on popular culture and society cannot be expressed enough. Through their sounds and lyrics, the Beatles spoke about a wide range of social and political issues, from war and peace to love and romantic relationships. One of the most significant social movements of this period was the Civil Rights Movement. The Movement aimed to gain legal and social equality for African Americans in the United States, and included nonviolent protests, civil disobedience, and grassroots activism. The Beatles were among the many artists who became involved in the Movement by using their music and platform to raise awareness around the racism, discrimination, and segregation …show more content…
This song was a collaborative effort between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. McCartney has described the song as being inspired by the Civil Rights Movement. In an interview with NPR, McCartney said, “I had in mind a black woman, rather than a bird. Those were the days of the Civil Rights Movement, which all of us cared passionately about, so this was really a song from me to a black woman, experiencing these problems in the States.” McCartney intended for this song to help black women experiencing the harshest forms of racism in the …show more content…
This song is centered around the struggle against societal norms and expectations. The song’s lyrics describe the story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship and their hardships against the forces of prejudice and discrimination. The song’s opening lines, “Standing in the dock at Southampton; Trying to get to Holland or France; The man in the mac said, ‘You’ve got to go back’; You know they didn’t even give us a chance,” describe the difficulties faced by Lennon and Ono as they were trying to travel to Amsterdam to get married. The song’s chorus, “Christ, you know it ain’t easy; You know how hard it can be; The way things are going; They’re going to crucify me,” speak directly to the hurdles faced by people who challenge the norms of society and the expectations laid out to them.
The writing process for this song was a collaborative effort between Lennon and McCartney, however, Lennon provided most of the lyrics. McCartney focused on the melody and instrumentation of the song. “The Ballad of John and Yoko” was written in just one day and recorded in a very short timeframe. According to John Lennon, the song was inspired by the challenges John and Yoko endured as an interracial couple and was intended as a message of hope and perseverance in the face of societal prejudice and