Don't Let Me Down

Pretend, for a moment, that this song is not about a girl, but is instead a fan's plea to their favorite artist / band not to give up their artisic integrity :

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

I'm in love for the first time

Don't you know it's going to last

It's a love that lasts forever

It's a love that has no past

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

Don't let me down

And from the first time that she really done me

Ooh she done me. She done me good

I guess nobody ever really done me

Ooh she done me She done me

She done me good

Don't let me down, John, Paul, George and Ringo

Don't let me down.

Look guys, I know you and your wives need the money. It’s been years since you’ve had a real hit, and lord knows Sir Paul’s most recent divorce is costing him big time. Paul and Ringo, Yoko and Olivia, you're not getting any younger. Social security isn't going to be enough. If I were you, I’d be tempted to sell out, too. But one of the things that gave you guys such integrety, such a loyal following, such street cred in the first place, was that the Beatles were against the man. Playfully contemptuous of society, mocking it all while raking it in. You might have done a commercial bit now and then, but always in good taste. Sure you guys all made millions, billions, who knows. John was right when he said you had more influence on earth than Jesus Christ - for a moment. That was - years ago. What have you done , lately ?

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For awhile ,there were all those rumors about Michael Jackson owning rights to all the songs, and the urban myth debunking web site snopes.com explains that it is mostly true :

http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/jackson.asp

After reading this, I can understand the reasoning behind it. Part of me thinks, right on! Laugh all the way to the bank. I know it costs a pretty penny for the upkeep on all those houses, and the Dakota, too. But the other part of me, a die hard loyal fan, also thinks, c’mon, a Target commercial ? Where's the style, the artistic expression- what would Ravi Shankar think ?

You say “ good buy”, and I say “ hello”
Hello, good buy
I don’t know why you say “good buy”
I say hello. Hello-o-o.

Clever play on words, smart use of your legacy , or just plain tacky ? I know this much is true, while I admit to being occasionally hypnotized by the images in those commercials, they are kind of like watching an acid trip; neither the music nor the image makes me want to shop there.