'Better, Better, Better, Better, Better'

"Seriously, can anyone still relate to The Beatles?" asked Kitty (who I guess is the new Quinn) on this week's Beatles-themed episode of "Glee." "Pretty much the entire world," replied Blaine (who is so many good things, despite the horrid olive-green-shirt-and-brown-pants combo he was wearing this week. Why?).

Putting asides aside, I still relate to The Beatles. Always have. Always will. My mom was a 13 when The Beatles happened, the perfect age to get caught up in the hysteria (which she totally did). The band and its music remain a strong presence in her life and, as a result, have been a constant in mine.

Even though I've never met any of the band members, The Beatles still feel like family to me. I guess it makes sense that hearing the band's music, seeing their faces and listening to their stories my entire life would bond them to me, as I'm sure it has for kids of every generation since the band's initial impact.

Monday night a lifetime dream was realized when I finally got to see Paul McCartney perform live, me and my mom two of the few thousands penned in on Hollywood Blvd. for a free concert. He played 15 songs for us, and even though we were two blocks away and couldn't really see anything, I was still overwhelmed and absolutely grateful to be there and to finally hear those songs live.

I tried my best to hold it together, even though I was pretty certain as soon as I learned we'd won passes that I'd wind up crying at some point. I misted up during the soundcheck performance of "Let It Be" (but who wouldn't) but really "Hey Jude" really got me, especially when I saw a woman near me (who'd been sweetly dancing with her husband throughout the show) wipe tears from her eyes.

It was the story behind the song. It's the still-stunning knowledge of how young Paul was when he wrote the song. It was the thousand voices singing the na-na-na-nas together. It was every time I listened to The Beatles when I was happy or sad or sick or reading a book or on a car trip or in a restaurant. It was every time I've watched "Hard Day's Night" and "Help." It was everything.

Here's Monday's set list (jealous?):
"Magical Mystery Tour"
"Save Us"
"Junior's Farm"
"Jet"
"New"
"Lady Madonna"
"Birthday"
"Another Day"
"Everybody Out There"
"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"
"Band on the Run"
"Back in the U.S.S.R."
"Day Tripper"
"Let It Be"
"Hey Jude"

Paul's new album "New" is out next month. He's been touring, playing epic, energetic sets, and is showing no signs of slowing down. I'm anticipating local tour dates to be announced at some point and, yes, I'm sure I'll cry at least once during the show and I'm fine with that.