Us in the national security team group chat

Being sick has really rocked my sleep schedule, so now I lie awake here and think about this kind of stuff. It’s at least better than thinking about everything else going on these days. Perhaps I should meditate on these lyrics to try to sleep. Might help when I’m not sick also.

None of them were ever this good solo. It needed to be the miraculous combination of John, Paul, George, Ringo, and George Martin. In much the same way that Bach or Beethoven were significant milestones, so must we consider The Beatles for their prolific ingenuity. Who will be the next milestone?

In only the last 30 seconds of this song, we get a musical exploration worthy of Paul’s extraordinary lyric that is harmonically, dynamically, and orchestrationally richer than so many other bands before or since have in their entire careers.

Then E-flat major (surprise), borrowing from the parallel minor of C, a classic move that is almost the Beatles signature sound. Then F major, and finally back to C major to complete a plagal cadence, evoking the religious “amen” sound and following in the angelic mood of the Lydian passage prior.

They could have stopped there, but Beatles gonna Beatles. George Martin and his orchestra take us on a ride. We get a C in the bass as a pedal tone. C major, then a D major on top (surprise), giving a dreamy, heavenly Lydian sound to emphasize the message of the lyrics.

“…is equal to…”

Then move to an F major chord. Ok where are we going now? TWO unexpected chords in a row. Makes everything feel unstable. What is it equal to?! The music begs for an answer, for resolution.

“…the love you make.”

Ah, a strong IV-ii-V-I cadence. We’ve landed in C major, profoundly.

We start with an A major triad, making us think we are in A major.

“…the love you take…”

Then move to a G major chord, ok, maybe we’re in A mixolydian, which gives it a nostalgic feel.

The sudden change in texture and dynamic is a surprise. The sparse instrumentation feels like a callback to some of their older, simpler songs with deep messages. So now we’re primed for something profound about to happen.

“And in the end…”

First, you get the hard rock bits (with all the fun chromaticism that adds a touch most other popular artists likely wouldn’t do). The solos from every member, effective as prototypes of their respective styles, yet brief in encapsulating them rather completely.

And then the sudden stop. Piano.

Also team sick and awake for no reason

I hated the entire graphics package all night. It looked like a bad throwback to the 80s and not in a good way. Just overall felt underwhelmed by the quality of the broadcast.

Relatable

Long time fan, loved this video overall, but perpetuating the astros-stuck-on-ISS myth was disappointing. If anyone was going to understand the situation, I’d have thought it’d be you. I know it was a joke, but now’s not a great time to undermine credibility. Crew safety comes first today, always.

I’m Old Gregg

You used to be able with Adobe Reader also but it seems like it is a paid feature or I couldn’t figure out how to do it for free. Sad when it is easier to spend hours with an AI writing your own solution because Adobe is trash. Also my Mac Mini is currently buried in a pile of stuff somewhere…