Although its beginning to look like The Beatles are going to top every list feature I ever write, the musical travesty that occurred in February 1967 is by the far the most monumental. Challenging each other to pen songs influenced by childhood memories of Liverpool, the dark, haunting tone of Lennons epic Strawberry Fields Forever queasily complimented McCartneys cheerier, absurd Penny Lane on what is widely considered to be the greatest single ever released. Sliding into the peak of their creativity, the band were in such devastating form that they decided to completely omit this fabled double-A side from appearing on succeeding album, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Shockingly though, because of some vague rules about counting double-A sides as two separate entities (and therefore two different chart entries), The Beatles number one position was cruelly usurped by Engelbert Humperdincks saccharine croon-along Release Me, a blemish on the Fab Fours usually flawless chart record. Not only was the housewives choice responsible for this gross musical crime but his tired romantic lyrical content negated the massive cultural shifts and attitude changes that are now associated with the decade that popularised counter-cultural ideas. It seems, however, that McCartney and Lennon have had the last laugh, because whereas Engelberts syrupy track is only remembered for holding Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane off the top spot, the Beatles most awe-inspiring single is still regarded as one of the most sonically revolutionary of all time. A delicate showcase of Lennons burgeoning introversion and McCartneys penchant for whimsical ditties, Humperdincks chart triumph is telling of the gaping sixties divide between radicalism and light-entertainment. Disgraceful!
A 22 year old English Literature graduate from Birmingham. I am passionate about music, literature and football, in particular, my beloved Aston Villa. Lover of words and consumer of art, music is the very air that I breathe.
