Wednesday, May 31, 2017

The Walrus Was Paul


Before the advent of the internet, it was often difficult to determine if something was true or false. While those who firmly ensconce themselves in their Internet echo chambers can ignore the truth, reasonable people can use this tool to see for themselves if the latest rumor has any basis in fact. 

In the 1960's, however, it was a lot harder to verify rumors. News traveled slowly and rumors often exploded before the targets of them had a chance to respond. That's why rumors of former mouseketeers and even Jerry Mathers dying in Vietnam were rampant. 

 

In 1967, a rumor began floating around that Paul McCartney, star of the biggest band around had died in a car crash. Rumors such as these often spread far and wide back then and it was quickly shot down in a Beatles fan publication. Just a few years later, however, the story would explode into a worldwide conspiracy theory. Some Beatles fans went into a tizzy, looking for various clues in albums and films that pointed to Paul being dead, replaced by an imposter.

The so-called clues were found everywhere. Fans played Beatles records backwards and heard such phrases as "Paul is a dead man, miss him, miss him," "Paul is dead," and "I buried Paul". The album covers also carried clues. It was said that Abbey Road depicted a funeral- John in white was the preacher, Ringo was the undertaker, barefoot Paul was the corpse (it was said to be customary to bury bodies barefoot) and the denim clad George was the gravedigger.

 

Sgt. Peppers' iconic cover was reportedly a funeral for Paul, "attended" by people of whom he was a fan.

 

Even the innocuous cover of Let it Be allegedly held a clue- the only Beatle with a red background was Paul, symbolizing blood and death.

 

Even the films held clues; in this scene from Magical Mystery Tour, only Paul wears a black carnation which means he must have died.

 

So if Paul was dead, how was he still performing with the band? The theory was that he had been replaced because the British government was afraid that Paul's death would result in countless suicides from grief-stricken fans. The other three band mates went along with it but were conflicted, thus inserting these "clues" to secretly reveal the shocking news.

So what's the real story here? The most likely theory is that the so-called clues solely lived in the minds of the people who "found" them. Many of them are outlandish or based on false assumptions.

Another theory is that a few of the "clues" were actually placed there by the band as a practical joke to mock the 1966 rumors about Paul's death. John was known to be a prankster and possibly got a kick out of "killing" Paul, especially since their relationship was getting increasingly strained. Under this theory, the Beatles ended the prank because of Charles Manson. After Manson's crazy interpretations of their music led to grisly murders, the Beatles lost interest in their prank and never revealed it to the world.

We may never know the full truth about this strange time in Pop Culture history, but we can be reasonably certain that the stories about Paul McCartney's death are indeed a hoax.

 

Sunday, May 28, 2017

POP Honors: Homer at the Baseball Hall of Fame


On February 20, 1992 history was made- the classic Homer at the Bat episode of The Simpsons aired, instantly becoming a pop culture phenomenon. The episode marked the first time that any show was able to defeat the 1980's juggernaut The Cosby Show and became the largest assembly of baseball stars in an entertainment program ever.

Now over 25 years later, baseball has honored Homer Simpson by enshrining him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. An amazing feat for an overweight, lazy loudmouth like Homer.

 

Congratulations, Homer! You deserve it!

 

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Happy Mother's Day from The Temptations!


 

Oh Mother of Mine

Oh, mother
Oh mother of mine, I've I've been blind.
The things that you tell me, yeah, I paid, I really
Paid it no mind.
Oh please, oh please forgive me, yes, I know I was wrong.
But now, now I know, yeah, my place, my place is at home.
Can't you see I've been crying now (Oh yes he's been crying)
Almost dying(Uh-huh, almost dying)
I need your advice mama, yeah (He needs your advice)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
come on and tell me now
How much about love, you don't understand?
Yes, you know that you wrong.
Or when you thought you were wrong.
Yes, it was that young girl.
She put you in such a whirl.
Yeah, I said mama don't you worry now, yeah
I guess i had it coming to me anyhow, yes I did.
I am gonna do everything you say,
Hm, each and every day
I'm gonna be man. (Oh yes he's gonna be a man
Yes, I am. Now that I understand. (Now he understands)
Hm, I'm not gonna be no fool no more (He's not fool no more).
Yeah because you told me so. (Like, like he was before)
Whoa mama (Pleases mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Oh, mama (Please Mother)
Come and tell me now.
Oh tell me now.
Hm, I'm sorry.
Yes, I am really sorry.
Oh, I should have think of you, yeah.
Yes I should have because you no what to say.

Monday, May 1, 2017

PopTweets: Hudson University


Hudson University is the fictional College they use on the various Law & Order shows. As such, it is the most crime-ridden university that ever existed. 

Now YOU can follow the happenings at this unusual College on Twitter at @OfficialHudsonU