Were the Beatles Communists? - Questioning the Band's Politi

[Comrade Gorley]

There has been some debate over whether the Beatles were communists or capitalists. A McCarthy-oriented pamphlet back in the '60s accused them of it, but Paul cheekily replied:

"Us, communists? Why we can't be communists. We're the world's number one capitalists! Imagine, us communists!"

There is also a very obscure early song by the Beatles entitled "Money", (it was covered by the Blues Brothers), which expresses a desire for cash overwhelming a loving relationship. However, this song's lyrics was written by- you guessed it- Paul. John, on the other hand, composed "From Me To You":

If there's anything that you want
If there's anything I can do
Just call on me, and I'll send it along
With love from me to you

He also composed the famous left-wing anthem "Imagine", which oozes with Stalinist propoganda. One wonders if the post-Beatles hostility between John and Paul was because of their conflicting beliefs- Paul's capitalism and John's communism. I also wonder if Mark David Chapman wasn't another right-wing McCarthyist.

What do you think?

[chamo]

I think should be moved to Chit-Chat or Music.

[Deniz Gezmis]

They handed out pictures of Che at one of their conserts before..

[Comrade Gorley]

Really? :o

Bet John was responsible for that. :)

After all, the Beatles did show respect for Communist freedom fighters, such as Jesus (see my response to "Bush's True Face" for my thoughts on Jesus' communism), and in fact some communists appeared on the cover of SGT. PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND.

Thanks for the info, Reaper. ;)

[hawarameen]

its a bit hard to say if the BAND were communist, but i would say that at least john was more left wing than the others. in the taxman they sing about how pissed off they are for paying too much tax.

i think that john though was quite leftists with songs like working class hero, give peace a chance, imagine and power to the people

[Dhul Fiqar]

John was basically a communist by the definition the establishment used at the time. I think he probably considered himself more of a hippie-type communalist, but he certainly had very obvious sympathies for socialism. Listen to "Imagine" and "Working Class Hero", it almost rubs it in.

However, as was said, "bands" aren't necessarily coherant political entities. I doubt the others were honestly all that interested in politics.

--- G.

[hazard]

using LOVE as a main message is often considered a communist theme. whereas capitalists are driven by GREED, communists are supposed to be driven by love.

so in some ways, with this in mind, the beatles may seem more communist than before. whether it is intentional or part of the communist "propaganda" of love remains to be seen.

[Comrade Gorley]

Dhul: True enough. When they were clean shaven, they were mainly interested in love; after they grew beards, they were mainly interested in drugs. After settling down with Yoko, though, John may have taken an interest in politics.

Hawar: George Harrison wrote "Taxman", I believe, and as I said he was called a capitalist; but then again, even capitalists hate taxes.

Hazard: An interesting remark. Perhaps they leaned towards communism, not because of any political orientation but simply because it is by nature loving.

(Edited by Comrade Gorley at 2:37 am on April 27, 2003)

[the SovieT]

He also composed the famous left-wing anthem "Imagine", which oozes with Stalinist propoganda.
WHAT?
sorry but i jsut cant believe the stupidty ofthis...

since when does "imagine" have to do with stalinism AT ALL???
sorry but calling "imagine" stalinist propaganda is like calling the internationale a nationalist anthem

[Comrade Gorley]

since when does "imagine" have to do with stalinism AT ALL???

The fact that it condemns religion is the most Stalinist part about it. Communism as a theory did not condemn religion, the banning of religious beliefs was formed in Stalinist Russia. Also, from what I understand (if I'm wrong, please correct me) Stalin's vision was that once the world was communist it would no longer have any names (ie borders).

[hawarameen]

i dont think you can draw those conclusions from the lyrics of imagine, i think he was just conveying his view that religion and countries are the root of most conflicts and as he was a big time peace activist he was just trying to convince people that wars and religions once unneccesary would stop most deaths.

george did write taxman officially, but john did help him when george had trouble writing it, this is of course according to john lennon