Beatles for Sale

Over the easter break, from a market stall in Masham, a purchased the album 'Beatles for Sale'. I have always been a fan of the Beatles, and have been thinking for a while that I really should own my own copies of their albums rather than listening to my father's vinyls or copying them onto my laptops from the collections of others. 'Beatles for Sale' was not my first choice for my first Beatles album to own, but it was the only one the stall had, and was only £7. At the time of purchase, I was merely pleased to own this album, not really questioning its significance in the slightest. It was only when I opened the occopanying booklet and read the words,

'The young men themselves aren't for sale. Money, noisy though it is doesn't talk that loud.'

In contrast to the title the writer, Derek Taylor, explains that it is only the music that is for sale. At this time in the Beatles history this is probably true, it is only their third album and it is because of their music that they have made a name for themselves. However, being in the position of knowing what is to come next, the fame The Beatles will acheive, the concept of 'Beatles for Sale' becomes more poyniant. The Beatles were worshiped everywhere they went, which became less about the music and more about their status of fane. John Lennon commented:

The music wasn't been heard. It was just a sort of freak show. The Beatles were the show and the music had nothing to do with it.'

So this then begs the question, when purchasing a Beatles album, are you buying it because you want to listen to the music on it, because you like their work and want to hear more of it, or are you buying it because you know they are a very famous and successful band, and feel you should own a piece of this.