Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, eventually settling with Pete Best in 1960, who played with them for two years before being replaced with then Rory Storm & The Hurricanes drummer Ringo Starr in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein molded them into a professional act and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed "Beatlemania", the band acquired the nickname "the Fab Four", with Epstein, Martin and other members of the band's entourage sometimes given the informal title of "fifth Beatle".
By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market and breaking numerous sales records. They soon made their film debut with A Hard Day's Night (1964). From 1965 onwards, they produced increasingly innovative recordings, including the albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), and enjoyed further commercial success with The Beatles (also known as "the White Album", 1968) and Abbey Road (1969). In 1968, they founded Apple Corps, a multi-armed multimedia corporation that continues to oversee projects related to the band's legacy. After the group's break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed success as solo artists. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr remain musically active.
The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of 600 million units worldwide. They hold the record for most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart, most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and most singles sold in the UK. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted individually between 1994 and 2015. In 2008, the group topped Billboard's list of the all-time most successful artists on the Billboard Hot 100. The band received seven Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, an Academy Award (for Best Original Song Score for the 1970 film Let It Be) and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. Time magazine named them among the 20th century's 100 most important people.
Former Rolling Stone associate editor Robert Greenfield compared the Beatles to Picasso, as "artists who broke through the constraints of their time period to come up with something that was unique and original "... In the form of popular music, no one will ever be more revolutionary, more creative and more distinctive ..." The British poet Philip Larkin described their work as "an enchanting and intoxicating hybrid of African-American rock-and-roll with their own adolescent romanticism", and "the first advance in popular music since the War".
They not only sparked the British Invasion of the US, they became a globally influential phenomenon as well. From the 1920s, the US had dominated popular entertainment culture throughout much of the world, via Hollywood films, jazz, the music of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley and, later, the rock and roll that first emerged in Memphis, Tennessee. The Beatles are regarded as British cultural icons, with young adults from abroad naming the band among a group of people that they most associated with UK culture.
Their musical innovations and commercial success inspired musicians worldwide. Many artists have acknowledged the Beatles' influence and enjoyed chart success with covers of their songs. On radio, their arrival marked the beginning of a new era; in 1968 the programme director of New York's WABC radio station forbade his DJs from playing any "pre-Beatles" music, marking the defining line of what would be considered oldies on American radio. They helped to redefine the album as something more than just a few hits padded out with "filler", and they were primary innovators of the modern music video. The Shea Stadium show with which they opened their 1965 North American tour attracted an estimated 55,600 people, then the largest audience in concert history; Spitz describes the event as a "major breakthrough ... a giant step toward reshaping the concert business". Emulation of their clothing and especially their hairstyles, which became a mark of rebellion, had a global impact on fashion.
According to Gould, the Beatles changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced its role in their lives. From what began as the Beatlemania fad, the group's popularity grew into what was seen as an embodiment of socio-cultural movements of the decade. As icons of the 1960s counterculture, Gould continues, they became a catalyst for bohemianism and activism in various social and political arenas, fuelling movements such as women's liberation, gay liberation and environmentalism. According to Peter Lavezzoli, after the "more popular than Jesus" controversy in 1966, the Beatles felt considerable pressure to say the right things and "began a concerted effort to spread a message of wisdom and higher consciousness".
Other commentators such as Mikal Gilmore and Todd Leopold have traced the inception of their socio-cultural impact earlier, interpreting even the Beatlemania period, particularly on their first visit to the US, as a key moment in the development of generational awareness. Referring to their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show Leopold states: "In many ways, the Sullivan appearance marked the beginning of a cultural revolution ... The Beatles were like aliens dropped into the United States of 1964.
In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The Beatles won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film Let It Be (1970). The recipients of seven Grammy Awards and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards, the Beatles have six Diamond albums, as well as 20 Multi-Platinum albums, 16 Platinum albums and six Gold albums in the US. In the UK, the Beatles have four Multi-Platinum albums, four Platinum albums, eight Gold albums and one Silver album. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
The best-selling band in history, the Beatles have sold more than 800 million physical and digital albums as of 2013. They have had more number-one albums on the UK charts, fifteen, and sold more singles in the UK, 21.9 million, than any other act. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Beatles as the most significant and influential rock music artists of the last 50 years. They ranked number one on Billboard magazine's list of the all-time most successful Hot 100 artists, released in 2008 to celebrate the US singles chart's 50th anniversary. As of 2017, they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with twenty. The Recording Industry Association of America certifies that the Beatles have sold 178 million units in the US, more than any other artist. They were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most influential people. In 2014, they received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
There are two holidays celebrated for the Beatles: Global Beatles Day on 25 June each year. On that date in 1967, the band performed "All You Need Is Love" on television. In 2001, UNESCO created World Beatles Day on 16 January each year. This date has direct relation to the opening of The Cavern Club in 1957.
Five asteroids, 4147 Lennon, 4148 McCartney, 4149 Harrison, 4150 Starr and 8749 Beatles are named after the Beatles.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu hey hu, hey, ah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show me round your snow peaked
Mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the USSR
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you, honey
"Back in USSR" is one of The Beatles' classic hits, produced by George Martin, released in 1968. The song narrates the story of a traveler who had journeyed from Miami Beach to Moscow, and now ecstatic at returning, celebrates the experience by praising the Ukrainian and Moscow girls while coaxing his sweetheart to show him around the city.
The song gives us an idea of the influence of American culture on The Beatles and especially Paul McCartney. He explained in an interview how he was excited by the idea of playing rock and roll in the Soviet Union. But the lyrics "Back in the USSR," according to McCartney, were intended for the Beach Boys to parody Chuck Berry's "Back In The USA."
The first verse of the song describes the traveler's experience, his struggle with the air travel, and the emergence of “Paper Bag” problems. He says, “Man, I had a dreadful flight”, showing his frustration with the airline.
The traveler sings with glee while returning to the USSR after being away for so long. He expresses his excitement, noticing the beauty of Ukrainian girls and their emerging culture. He, again, expresses his satisfaction, saying "Gee, it's good to be back home" in the second verse.
The upbeat tempo of this song and the catchy lyrics that often resonate with the listeners make it seem like a happy song to some fans. It is perhaps one of the most recognizable tracks in The Beatles' anthology, and it often signifies with the memories of the group's early work.
Line by Line Meaning
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
I flew from Miami Beach with BOAC airline.
Didn't get to bed last night
I didn't have a chance to sleep last night.
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
During the flight, I had a paper bag on my knee.
Man, I had a dreadful flight
My flight was really bad.
I'm back in the USSR
I have returned to the USSR.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should consider yourself fortunate to live in the USSR.
Been away so long I barely knew the place
I have been gone for so long that I barely recognize the place.
Gee, it's good to be back home
It feels great to be back home.
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
I plan to unpack my luggage tomorrow.
Honey disconnect the phone
Please disconnect the phone, my loved one.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
The girls in Ukraine are extremely attractive.
They leave the west behind
Compared to women in the west, the girls in Ukraine are far better.
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
The girls in Moscow make me excited and euphoric.
That Georgia's always on my mind
I often think about Georgia.
Show me round your snow peaked mountain way down south
Take me to explore the snow-capped mountains in the south.
Take me to your daddy's farm
Please introduce me to your father's farm.
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
I want to hear the sound of your balalaika.
Come and keep your comrade warm
Spend some time with me and keep me warm, my comrade.
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should realize how fortunate you are to live in the USSR.
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Let me explain to you, my loved one.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Baluu4099
Oh, flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
Oh, show me around your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh let me tell you, honey
Hey, I'm back!
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, I'm free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.
Ha ha
@rub5370
if my comment gets lost then know I made the lyrics a little better comrade
Oh, flew in by Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on our knee
Man we had a dreadful flight
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)
Been away so long we hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it 'til tomorrow to unpack our case
Honey disconnect the phone
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock us out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make us sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah we are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock us out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make us sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show us 'round our snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take us to our daddy's farm
Let us hear our balalaikas ringing out
Come and keep our comrade warm
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh let us tell you, honey
Hey, we are back!
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, We are free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.
Ha ha
@bennyivivas7540
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
@david22_0
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paperbag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S. Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how luck you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear you balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
@indy1575
Well, yeah
Woo!
Ooh
Flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.S.R
Been away so long, I hardly knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it 'til tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey, disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S
Back in the U.S
Back in the U.S.S.R
Well
The Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, come on!
Woo! (Hey)
Woo! (Yeah)
Woo! (Yeah)
Hell, yeah
Hey, I'm back In the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
Well
The Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, show me 'round your snow-peaked mountains
Way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back In the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.S.R
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Hey, I'm back
I'm back In the U.S.S.R
Hey, it's so good to be home
Yeah, back In the U.S.S.R
@dannyvine3605
The Beatles were accused on being "unAmerican" for singing this song - to which John Lennon replied - 'how observant - we are not American' lol
@aaptyp
Danny Vine I mean they are kinda British.
@littlebosaMusic
The question was how they felt about the scrutiny they received in America, for having non-American haircuts. John said it was observable because they weren't American. It wasn't about the song, and the quote was in it 1963.
@dannyvine3605
@@littlebosaMusic I got the quote from the book "Beatlemania Forever”. John was told that the USA ultra-conservatives like the John Birch society accused the Beatles of being pro-Bolshevik. He was told that some were saying Beatles music was un-American. John’s response was “That’s very observant of them.” As the Beatles were English and not American. Maybe Lennon repeated himself?? Bob Dylan was also accused and also wrote a song about it ("Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"). The funny thing is that the song’s original title was "I’m Backing the UK" and was a parody on "Back in the USA" by Chuck Berry!
@monstrosesquipedalianhippo4006
my god they are too british for the accusation
@kymanbedford-brown1323
@@monstrosesquipedalianhippo4006 Rule Brittania , simple!😎
@halfbloodwitch8545
The Beatles: I'm back in the U.S-
Americans: YAY!
The Beatles: S.R!
Americans: Wait a damn minute!
@janeholstead3745
Lol
@AvanRoyOfficial
Socialist Republic 😍
@elduquecaradura1468
United States Socialist Republic (suck that lemon Wolfenstein!)