The Beatles likely wouldn’t be summed up as a political force, but they did have several era-defining songs that tackled social issues. Find three of the best songs in that vein, below.
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3 Beatles Songs That Were Used to Address Social issues
1. “All You Need is Love”
Though there isn’t anything expressly political about “All You Need is Love,” when you consider the time in which it was made, it becomes a strong statement of peace. The ’60s were a time of political and social unrest. Many people had thoughts on how best to fix that situation. According to the Beatles, the only solution was to lead with love.
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
2. “Revolution”
In “Revolution,” the Beatles express their qualms with some protest tactics. Though the foursome didn’t shy away from expressing their political beliefs (and were largely in favor of others doing the same), they had a distaste for protests getting violent: But when you talk about destruction / Don’t you know that you can count me out? “Revolution” is one of the staunchest politically-charged Beatles songs.
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We all doing what we can
3. “Blackbird”
Perhaps the most famous Beatles song that tackles social issues is “Blackbird.” Paul McCartney was inspired by The Little Rock Nine–the first group of black students to attend a desegregated high school in Arkansas. He touted his support for them in this song–not to mention created a timeless classic.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
(Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
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LONDON – MAY 19: (L-R) English musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist George Harrison (1943-2001), English musician, singer and drummer Ringo Starr, English singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940-1980), and English singer, songwriter and bassist Paul McCartney of the Beatles attend a press party at the home of manager Brian Epstein supporting the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, May 19, 1967 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images)
