Hello loves!
Today’s Song Spotlight is the psychedelic rock song “Strawberry Fields Forever”!
This song was first released in Feb. 1967 on a double A-side single with “Penny Lane”. This song was inspired by John Lennon’s childhood memory of playing in the garden of “Strawberry Field” a Salvation Army children’s home near his house in Liverpool. Lennon lived with his aunt and uncle and used to go to the garden to play with other children. His aunt didn’t like him going there, but Lennon didn’t think anything of it. He simply thought, “nothing to get hung about”.
In Liverpool at the Salvation Army children’s home, there is a red Strawberry Field Gate in honor of the Beatles. The original gates were removed to preserve their condition. But just in 2013, the replica red gates were unfortunately vandalized. Read about it here.
“Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It’s getting hard to be someone but it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me”
Although there is some mystery to these lyrics, there is also truth. Living with your eyes closed and being ignorant to the world is much easier than knowing the truth. But even if it is easier, that does not mean it is better.
The Beatles also had a promotional film for this song. It was filmed in Knole Park in Sevenoaks by director, Peter Goldman.
There is a Strawberry Fields memorial in the New York City Central Park dedicated to John Lennon. This spot is definitely on my bucket list to visit when I head back to New York. Lennon was assassinated in 1980 and his wife, Yoko Ono, gave a one million endowment for the memorial.
This song was ranked number 76 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. It was number three of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Beatles Songs”.
Check out this artistic scene from the musical film “Across the Universe” with this song. Fair warning, it is a bit intense. But I love it!
In addition, I went searching and found this awesome artwork online at DeviantArt by Valisk.
Stay tuned for a Fashion Find post about this song coming soon!
Peace and love. Let it be.
– Jasmin ☼
Photo Credits: 45 Cats, Yelp, Weblicist, Central Park NYC and Deviant Art
Let it be the Beatles 