Here, There, and Everywhere: The Beatles Come Full Circle

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In the beginning, the Beatles perfected the art of the bar band- peppy tunes that played off Chuck Berry, doo-wop groups, and rock n' roll blues in equal parts. These were the four young lads that got the youth clapping their hands, screaming at the Ed Sullivan show, and packing out Shea Stadium.

The thing is, these boys grew. Aided by Dylan, dreams, and the social upheaval of the 1960's, the Beatles dipped deeper into musical experimentation- dropping albums that possessed a moody spirit like Revolver, simulated a wild, carnivalesque rock show like Sgt. Pepper, and wandering full-on studio experiments like the Magical Mystery Tour. Sure, the band rewrote what pop music could be. Their decade (almost) long transition from self-assured bar band to folk rock tune-smiths, to sitar-spinning psychedelic masters and beyond led them to a familiar resting spot: back to where they started.

The Beatles final album was 1970's underrated classic Let it Be, which featured, just like the early days, well. . .rock n' roll songs.

Sometimes the journey is a circle. While Let it Be replaces excitement and teenage rock for a more sophisticated rock n' roll that includes both swagger and sensitivity, it remains interesting that their musical journey together ended where it started. Updated a bit? Sure. More mature? Absolutely. A few more wounds in place? Of course. The circle is never perfect. But it's still there, like cruising the streets of your hometown for the first time in years. This time, it is somehow new, as if you are seeing it for the first time.

The "old" Beatles wanted to hold your hand:
And the "new" Beatles had a feeling:

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