American Politics & Pop Culture

In the article, “Nothing You Can See That Isn’t Shown: The Album Covers of the Beatles,� Ian Inglis not only argues the large influence the Beatles’ music had on society, but he also points to their forms of creative designs displayed in their album covers, and the dynamics it led to. Inglis states that, “The album cover might therefore be approached as a historical relic whose chronology can be precisely located, in much the same way as other ancient arte-facts, such as the chronometer� (Inglis, 96). Inglis provides a brief history/background of the importance and role of album covers, including protection, forms of advertisement, accompaniment to the music, and finally, a commodity such as commercial art. Inglis then continues on to examine the ways in which the visual images presented on the Beatles’ album covers readily interlinks with their musical production, displaying anything from a fundamentally conservative appearance to distorted faces.

While some authors we have read throughout the semester, such as Walley and Stark, have held negative views of the Beatles (claiming that their success was solely based on the rebellion of youth) and the influence they had on society, Inglis points out the connection they were able to make not only through their music, but through their ability to provide innovation to not one, but their entire collection of album covers. During a time when social movements were occurring, especially the women’s sexual revolution, the Beatles were able to provide “a physical link between [their] visual image and recordings, which in some way reflected the Beatles' current musical and professional identity� (Inglis, 85). In fact, Inglis even credits the imagery and creativity of the Beatles’ album covers to the expansion of the graphic design industry. With the invasion of Beatlemania in the United States, the Beatles were able to represent a “Fab Four� identity, illustrating a casual and playful style (Inglis, 86). As well, the Beatles were able to use their album covers to distinguish between different periods of time, and they transformation they were enduring. For instance, on the covers of With The Beatles and Beatles For Sale, all four members have stretched and distorted faces, perhaps symbolizing their immersion into the drug scene.

Thus, this article clearly examined various aspects discussed in class, especially the role the Beatles played in the transformation of society. Through their playful yet meaningful lyrics and image, the Beatles were able to encourage the youth of the 60’s to break away from conservative traditions and question authority. As well, the significance that the covers of the Beatles albums had on society was the ability to portray different transformations the group was enduring while at the same time breaking down social norms.