Ep 11: Something About Problematic Beatles Lyrics

On this episode of Something Will Happen Melissa is joined once again by podcast editor and guest host, Emily. The two of them have a candid discussion about some of the darker aspects of the Beatles and their music, then pose the question: “Should the Beatles be canceled?”

Melissa begins the conversation by diving into the lyrics of the highly controversial, “Run For Your Life”. This begins a heavy discussion about themes of control and abuse evident within the songwriting of John Lennon. They discuss how other songs, artists, and the attitudes of the time had an impact on the songwriting choices in the early days of the Beatles. 

Emily brings to the discussion “You Can’t Do That” and “Norwegian Wood”. They discuss the controlling and violent undertones in the lyrics. They also narrow in on specific lines in several other popular Beatles songs and discuss how the lyrics hold up to today’s standard. 

Melissa and Emily dive into discussions about mental health, anger, and the evolution of language. They discuss the limiting nature of the celebrity/fan dynamic and the pitfalls many fans make by putting celebrities onto pedestals. They go into the nuance of being a person and how people deserve the chance to learn and grow.

Spoiler Alert: We don’t cancel the Beatles. If you liked the conversation or want to voice your own opinion on the topics covered, continue the conversation in our Facebook group, email us, or leave a comment on our Instagram, all linked at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you!



Producers: Gary Jacob, Melissa Brumm

Editor: Emily Clopton

Theme Music: King Mixer

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Melissa Brumm