When you think of iconic album covers, Abbey Road is the one that certainly tops the list. The only others I can think of that even come close are The Clash’s London Calling and The Velvet Underground’s The Velvet Underground & Nico. In London thousands of fans re-create this album every single day outside of Abbey Road Studios (there’s even a live webcam you can watch online). The Beatles were also so huge at this point that the album would be the band’s first not to feature the band name, a testament to both their popularity as well as the strength of the visual. It’s an absolute all-timer.
It goes without saying but the auditory experience of Abbey Road is also an all-time classic. There simply isn’t a bad song on this album, it’s eclectic and yet cohesive, and the songwriting on it is simply unparalleled. This is when the Fab Four of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were operating at peak efficiency. Whether or not they knew this would be the last album they would record is somewhat up for debate, but it’s always felt to me that the band knew deep down their personal squabbles were becoming too much to continue on and almost unconsciously decided that they needed to leave the world with one last magnum opus (in a short career that featured so many magnum opus’) before they eventually parted ways.
There’s been so much digital ink spilled about Abbey Road over the years that it almost feels redundant to wax poetic about the sheer weight of the musical genius that John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr captured in the spring of 1969. It should go without saying but let’s say it anyway– if you’re looking to listen to one of the (if not the) most iconic albums of all-time, Abbey Road is the path to traverse down. It is simply stunning.
And on a final personal note– this was probably my first true vinyl record experience. During college I had a record player and on the weekends after a night out my friends and I would head back to the garage where the record player was and put on Abbey Road and listen to it all the way through before going to bed. I’ll never forget those moments when “Here Comes The Sun” would come on and how our eyes would light up underneath the stars above Isla Vista. It’s moments like those where you fully realize the ability The Beatles have always had to bring people together.
Standout Songs: “Come Together”, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, “Here Comes The Sun”, “You Never Give Me Your Money”, “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”, “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight”
