Released in 1967, The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album shook the hearts of teenage girls, music freaks and the youth of the 60’s. Even today, “Sgt. Pepper’s” takes listeners on a journey of diverse music styles and practices, creating a timeless sound that people can enjoy for decades. 

“Sgt. Pepper’s” first track, called “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” introduces the listener to the upcoming listening experience. The Beatles say “Hope you enjoy the show” as an introduction to the rest of the album, which adds a sense of storytelling similar to poems, novels and other works of literature. This theme continues throughout the album by the way it is structured, like a story book.  

The album’s second track, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” brings a fun and uplifting feeling. The song’s steady beat, familiar chorus and memorable lyrics make it one of the more popular and well-known tracks. The song shows the incredible ability The Beatles had at making a long-lasting and popular song. 

Taking a different turn from the previous songs, “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” has a psychedelic effect. The growing popularity of psychedelic drugs at the time of recording (which The Beatles acknowledged experimenting with) made “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” very popular with the younger generations, who were also experimenting with these substances. 

“Within You Without You” continues this psychedelic sound by using abstract instruments, such as the tambura that are unfamiliar to many listeners in the western world. The tambura is a traditional instrument from India that fosters the song’s hypnotizing effects, which many listeners haven’t heard before.  

“Good Morning Good Morning,” is an up-beat and fast song, taking on a more classic rock style of playing. This fun song pulls the album over its midway peak and brings it down towards the end. It is placed perfectly to make the listener have a “reality check” by again, using the classic rock beat. 

The last track, “A Day In The Life,” is one of the more memorable songs of this album. The song begins fast, with a fun and exciting tune. Partly through the song, the mood completely flips and turns into what feels like a slow, echo-y haze, only to return back to its uplifting mood at the end. It’s my personal favorite song, as it represents the structure of the album and is a fantastic ending to a revolutionary album. 

Released In 1967, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” has sold over 32 million copies since it was released. The album made it to the Official Albums Chart on May 28, 1967 and climbed to Number 1 the week after, where it stayed for 23 straight weeks. Now, over 50 years later, it’s clear why this album was at the top of the charts for so long. The album transports the listener back to the days of rock and roll and fun times. To this day, this album influences artists from across the world, and every teen today should give it a listen at least once.