There isn’t much to say about this song, really. From the first couple of opening notes, you know which songs this is.
Something about the timing of the drums and tambourine stand out, almost arrhythmic, and it’s only during the bridge when the beat shifts to a standard timing that you understand what is “off” about the song. Harmonies are used throughout the song, but as an emphasis to parts of a line, rather than throughout.
Written mostly by Lennon, as with the title song to the film and album (“Help!”), this was John growing as a songwriter with lyrics of self-examination and honesty (if with hidden truths). It is a musically interesting number with above average lyrics, so for the time, it is one of the better efforts from the band.
I’m going to Washington D.C. in April.
This will be my 5th time going and I never tire of it.
At my kids’ school the 8th grade goes to Washington D.C. as a class trip and I have been able to help chaperone the trips for Jessie and Déla. This time it is Ciáran’s turn. Only Ciáran isn’t going with his class. The plan was with everybody vaccinated that it would be alright. Unfortunately insurance costs are prohibiting any field trips.
Fortunately, this is where having gone twice as a chaperone is coming in handy. I know what the itinerary is, what the most important stops are, which locations are a “must see” for there to be a shared common experience for Ciáran to have with his siblings. I plan on giving it to him. While his trip will not be with a group, having gone twice with the 8th graders I can provide as close as I can to a similar experience.
Usually the 8th grade leaves on a Sunday and comes back on Friday, with 6 days to pack in side trips to Gettysburg and Monticello, along with The Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and more, not to mention at least one Smithsonian museum. We, however, will have only 4 days, really 3 and a half, to pack it all in. This is where a lot of pre-planning will come in along with my experience. Not needing to take two hours for lunch for 60 people will also help to keep things moving along.
While we won’t have the advantage of a tour bus to drop us off in front and pick us up out front to whisk us from one place to the next, we will able to move a lot quicker and even possibly pack more in. I’m looking forward to taking what I have learned and passing it along and providing a great tour of Washington D.C. for Ciáran.