The Beatles: A study in drugs, sex and revolution [Paperback]

David A Noebel (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Christian Crusade Publications; 1st edition (1969)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0007H0X7Q
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,225,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely informative to rock historians, May 2, 2006

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Nonesuch Explorers "sizhao" (Too Close To L.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beatles: A study in drugs, sex and revolution (Paperback)

In the spirit of his earlier books "Rhythm, Riots and Revolution" and "Communism, Hypnotism and the Beatles", right-wing rock critic David Noebel fires off another of his tirades on the evil depravities of rock and roll and of all radio stations which play it.

While the Beatles are again the central focus of his wrath (even though they'd already broken up), he devotes an enormous amount of energy to Lou Christie's "Rhapsody in the Rain", which he says imitates the rhythm of sexual intercourse to the sound of windshield wipers. (The song was also denounced by Catholic groups which got it banned on many stations.) Noebel cited interviews with DJs who stated they not only knew what the song was about, they were aware that -- my god! -- "the kids" knew as well.

Apparently, Noebel had gotten hold of a theory that the backbeat in rock and roll has an effect on the cerebro-spinal fluid, causing a cessation of forebrain activity so that the primal, animal parts of the brain take over. Music like this, he said, would speed the downfall of America by hypnotizing "the kids" into having sex and eventually embracing Communism. How this was to be accomplished via sexual intercourse was never explained, since the one thing that activity is guaranteed to produce is more Americans.

Strangely enough, he never targets gays, even though many of the songs of this era were written and/or performed by gays and the lyrics to many of the songs he objects to could apply equally to a gay or straight relationship.

Noebel's books are a must read for anyone wanting to amass a list of the best (or at least the most intriguing) sexual, psychedelic and political songs of the era. He thoughtfully explains exactly what drugs are being referenced in which songs, and provides lyrics. Search on "anti-rock" for more information about this religious subculture and its curious beliefs.