The Long And Winding Road was released on this day, May 11, in 1970.
Phil Spector’s lush arrangement of the original recording was one of the stated reasons for the band’s dissolution, though that would have happened whatever the case.
I honestly think that most younger people today have more knowledge of the status of the band than their actual songs. Last year’s Triple J ‘Hottest 100 of All Time’ contained three Beatles songs: A Day In The Life; Hey Jude & Come Together. Contrast that with four entries for the late Jeff Buckley, all of which were from his only studio album, Grace.
So, a lot of comments will be made about John Lennon’s statement about the popularity of the band compared with that of Jesus.
It’s interesting that the outrage about negative treatments of Jesus in popular culture is something that is not reflected in New Testament teaching. While Jesus was proclaimed as their Lord and their God, Christians did not seem to want to execute, throw in jail or black-list anyone who did not accept their Gospel.
Oddly enough, the Lord Jesus was the first to tell us that He was never going to be popular. Taken at that level the popularity of their lyrics and music, underpinned by a sentimental, though often bleak, humanism is not surprising.
Lennon’s actual words pointed more to his belief (hope) that religion would fade as most things do. Including the Beatles. Time is claiming the Beatles’ popularity. While their fame continues, the cause of that fame, their lyrics and music are fading from popular conciousness.
Jesus, the unpopular Saviour, the stone rejected by men but approved by God continues. His unpopularity will continue until a day when every knee will bow, and every tongue confess Him as Lord.
Youtube of the rereleased version, minus Spector’s additions.
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