Above is the Beatles 1969 album cover to Abbey Road.
When the instructions were first given out for this assignment I knew exactly what image I wanted to analyze. Thinking about connecting concepts like symbolism and hidden meanings to images I knew a perfect candidate for my study, The Beatles! The Beatles late album cover of Abbey Road showed the 4 band members walking across a normal London street (as pictured above). This would look to most people as just a regular band shot album cover showing the band members in plain day fashion simply strutting across the street. The fact is besides indeed being one of the Beatles albums cover, this image also has its hidden meaning. If you know the controversial myth of the idea that Paul McCartney died in a car crash midway through the heart of the Beatles era, only to be replaced my a similar look-alike then this image reveals much more. Back to the image let’s examine each band member and his significance to this theory…….
- First in line John Lennon (Guitarist/Vocals) is shown wearing a polished white tuxedo outfit which is supposed to symbolize a priest or preacher taking part in Paul McCartney’s funeral.
- Next in line is Ringo Starr (Drums) is dressed in a black suit which is supposed to symbolize his role as the friend in mourning at McCartney's funeral.
- Then you have Paul McCartney (Bass/Vocals) who is dressed casually in a normal navy and white suit. The significant thing about Paul in the picture is he is the only one holding a cigarette that looks almost like a gun (symbolising that he is dead).
- Last in the picture you have George Harrison (Guitar) who is dressed in a blue jean jumpsuit which is meant to symbolize the grave digger at Paul McCartney’s funeral.
If you are familiar with the Beatles and the “Paul is Dead” myth than you can appreciate how easy this picture is to understand. The Beatles left many other "clues" through way of songs (some intentional and unintentional), pictures, and actions. Alot of these other "clues" left behind to support the popularity of the myth were much more harder to pick up on and understand. For example another clue was hearing the words "Paul is Dead" muttered on the fuzzy end of a song recorded on a scratchy record.
Back to the image, what is the most obvious detail to pick out of this image when examining Paul McCartney? Is there anything he is doing in the picture that makes him different from the others? Look at his feet and footing. He is the only member leading with his right foot. Why is this, I don't know but it does make him different from the other three. Also as if it's not obvious enough, he doesn't have any shoes on! I highly doubt this is a fashion statement even though it was the late 60's. Coincidence or is there truth behind these unusual characteristics?
I don’t ever think the world will determine this myth to be concretely fact or fiction. Personally I think its better off that way. The controversy of this myth totally help build the Beatles excitement, uniqueness, and on going popularity. But there are many different pieces of information that could leave a person to believe that this is a sham or a uncovered event in music history. I guess you can decide for yourself…..
If by chance you are interested in the Beatles and want to learn more about the "Paul Is Dead" myth, here are some links to other Beatles clues made visible on the internet.
Very informative piece. One thing you mentioned was that Paul is leading with his right foot as opposed to everyone else leading with their left but he is also the only one not wearing shoes. That was actually that very first thing i noticed when i saw the picture even before reading your piece. I never saw the explaination of the difference in clothing coming. I would have never put that all together. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteBrittney Sullivan