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7.11am
16 August 2012
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Hello,
I’m new here, so please cut me some slack if this thread is beyond the pale (forum-wise).
I’ve read the forum rules and I think that if treated with the respect it deserves, this thread completely belongs here, given the proper context.
This thread is about experiencing the Beatles while intoxicated. It doesn’t exist to promote or endorse the practice. It exists because there is literally no internet forum thread in existence (that I’ve found so far – until you all show me a hundred of them) which seriously tackles the subject and allows people to talk about it without judgement.
So to get the ball rolling, I’ll make this bold-face disclaimer:
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE IS NOT ADVOCATED OR ENDORSED. THE FOLLOWING CONVERSATIONS ARE MEANT TO BE VIEWED BY THOSE OVER THE AGE OF LEGAL MAJORITY.
E is for 'Ergent'.
7.14am
16 August 2012
Offline To continue the ball rolling, I’ll move this forward with a general question:
Have you ever found yourself experiencing the Beatles on some sort of different mental or emotional level because of your altered consciousness? Care to share it with us?
E is for 'Ergent'.
12.55pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Ive never done drugs and dont drink that often.
If anyone posts in here can they please remember that youngsters are on this forum so mind how and what you post. Thanks.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
1.13pm
26 March 2012
Offline
Interesting, albeit controversial topic. I’ll give my two cents.
As a disclaimer, and with sight of what MMM said about youngsters posting on the forum, I do not advocate the use of any drugs and find it disturbing that alcohol is legal. Furthermore, the fact that the Beatles were regular drug users does not make it any better- they were lucky to all come out of it with their psyches intact and should not be followed as an example.
I stopped taking drugs when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago, but I used to be a frequent recreational user. As a devoted Beatles nut, I stuck to the band’s preferred substances- marijuana and LSD, under the naive youthful assumption that they were harmless. (I think the best way to describe my view is “everything in moderation”, which I suppose is more sensible than a lot of people’s outlook at that age).
LSD is a POWERFUL drug and should not be taken lightly. In popular culture, acid trips are frequently represented as pretty patterns and colours and unicorns leaping around; but although the classical visual “psychedelic” aspect of it is largely true, acid has a far more significant effect on your mindset than can ever be imagined by someone who hasn’t taken it. On more powerful trips, I have experienced “ego death”; where you feel completely unable to gather your understanding of who you are, and who the people around you are. Put it this way: I have taken acid maybe 10 or 15 times in my lifetime, and every time I needed several weeks or even months to recharge and rest, because it changes the way you think. John claimed to have tripped around 1000 times at the height of his LSD use, and took a tab every day or every other day. I cannot even begin to imagine what that would do to you.
I once listened to Revolver in its entirety (and Maggot Brain by Funkadelic) while on an LSD trip, sitting in my garden with a friend. It was a mind-blowing experience. I’d rather not go any further into it because I don’t want to end up describing my feelings on that day as “positive” although I will say I felt a connection with music (and the Beatles generally) that I had never felt before, impossible to put into words. I wrote some things I was seeing and feeling down in a notepad, and when I looked at them the next day I was startled by the utter nonsense that had once seemed so profound- a reminder that regardless of how brilliant you may feel listening to the Beatles on acid, it’s only a temporary thing, chemicals messing with your brain. I won’t go into what I wrote because everyone will think “what a nutter”, even though at the time I felt like a guru at the center of the universe. The spiritual and psychedelic aspect of it may be beautiful but it can also be terrifying, and it’s a gamble not really worth taking when you know you can just enjoy the Beatles sober.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
3.54pm
16 August 2012
Offline Before this thread continues… Is there some way a Mod could post or link to some sort of disclaimer for this thread? How about an age or content-agreement link, so that in order to read it you at least have to enter your age or something…?
I totally get that the Beatles are enjoyed by both kids and adults, and having children myself I wouldn’t necessarily want them stumbling across some thread about people getting high.
But that being said, I maintain that this thread has real merit and there should be a place for an honest discussion about your thoughts, emotions and experiences. The “softer” drugs can intensify your appreciation of music (but there are NO “soft” drugs people… Even something as ubiquitous as marijuana holds serious consequences) and I truly believe there should be a judgement-free thread where people can share these thoughts.
What I *hope* to do is spark a greater conversation about how mind-blowing the Beatles music truly is. I’d rather hope that the conversation leans more towards someone smoking a joint and telling people about some emotional connection with a song or album, and not so much people condemning other forum members for smoking said joint.
Do I sound defensive enough? Again… I’m new here, and I don’t quite know the general consensus. I just really think it’s a topic which has yet to be explored.
E is for 'Ergent'.
4.08pm
1 December 2009
Offline
Ooh, Funkadelic! My fourth or fifth alltime favourite band.
First, drugs & alcohol can be dangerous & illegal, etc., and should be taken with extreme caution, if at all – even though I believe that consenting adults should have the legal right to treat (or mistreat) their bodies & brains as they see fit.
Like I said on a previous thread dedicated to drugs, I greatly enjoy the occasional (like 5-6 times a year) use of marijuana/hashish; and yeah, one of the best things you can do while high is listen to the Beatles! (Or any music, really…) The heightened aural sensations feel almost palpable, absolutely undeniable. (Or so it feels at the time.) Hidden details emerge from the speakers. (But are you really learning anything new, or just remembering something you already knew?)
Again, though: You young kids should stay away from this stuff, really. (Hypocrisy, I know.) Wait till you go to college or university, there’ll be opportunity there if you’re interested.
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
10.18pm
12 April 2012
Offline 
I’m 13 and luckily I haven’t taken drugs yet and I hope I can still say that when I start university
Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby
11.39pm
23 July 2012
Offline I could never hate myself or my body enough to take drugs.
“I was special. I always have been. Why didn't anyone notice me?"
-John Lennon
11.46pm
1 December 2009
Offline What if you have a really bad headache?
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Mr. Kite, Starr Shine?GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
11.48pm
23 July 2012
Offline vonbontee said
What if you have a really bad headache?
Haha. Very funny. 
I mean, harmful drugs.
“I was special. I always have been. Why didn't anyone notice me?"
-John Lennon
11.50pm
26 March 2012
Offline FlyOn13 said
vonbontee said
What if you have a really bad headache?Haha. Very funny.
I mean, harmful drugs.
Painkillers can be harmful in the right quantity.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
11.51pm
23 July 2012
Offline Ugh…you guys MUST know what I mean.
Seriously…
“I was special. I always have been. Why didn't anyone notice me?"
-John Lennon
11.58pm
1 December 2009
Offline xpost – no, they’re harmful in the WRONG quantity, helpful in the right quantity!
But yeah, seriously. I’ve said enough. Stay away from drugs, kids.
(Just look how many times Paul McCartney was arrested!)
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
12.10am
26 March 2012
Offline FlyOn13 said
Ugh…you guys MUST know what I mean.
Seriously…
Yeah, I’m only having a little fun. It’s just people often draw this line between “safe” and “harmful” drugs when really all drugs are harmful, it’s just some have more drastic effects than others.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
12.16am
23 July 2012
Offline I totally agree.
Sorry I’m being so uptight…I didn’t have the greatest day. 
“I was special. I always have been. Why didn't anyone notice me?"
-John Lennon
12.18am
26 March 2012
Offline FlyOn13 said
I totally agree.
Sorry I’m being so uptight…I didn’t have the greatest day.
You’re not being uptight, it’s okay! Sorry to hear you had a bad day. 
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
12.23am
23 July 2012
Offline Ben Ramon said
FlyOn13 said
I totally agree.
Sorry I’m being so uptight…I didn’t have the greatest day.You’re not being uptight, it’s okay! Sorry to hear you had a bad day.
Thanks, Ben. I Appreciate it. 
“I was special. I always have been. Why didn't anyone notice me?"
-John Lennon
12.33am
9 May 2012
Offline vonbontee said
xpost – no, they’re harmful in the WRONG quantity, helpful in the right quantity!But yeah, seriously. I’ve said enough. Stay away from drugs, kids.
(Just look how many times Paul McCartney was arrested!)
And how many wonderful songs he made haha.
The following people thank Long John Silver for this post:
Mr. KiteLiving is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
12.44am
26 March 2012
Offline Long John Silver said
vonbontee said
xpost – no, they’re harmful in the WRONG quantity, helpful in the right quantity!But yeah, seriously. I’ve said enough. Stay away from drugs, kids.
(Just look how many times Paul McCartney was arrested!)
And how many wonderful songs he made haha.
I read an article once which described the correlation between Paul’s music and marijuana use in a fantastic and perceptive way:
http://thequietus.com/articles…..he-best-of
Dope was another major factor in Wings’ genial weirdness. McCartney’s gluttonous cannabis consumption has always been a bit of a joke, as tired as cracks about Elvis’ weight or Elton John’s toupee. It’s essential, though, to any understanding of his work — those first ten solo albums contain the most unmistakably pot-inspired music ever committed to posterity. Not because they’re spaced-out, or laid-back. They reflect the reality of the everyday toker: lazy, whimsical, totally unfocussed, brimming with bright ideas, which buzz around for a moment or two before vanishing like burning paper. Macca in the Seventies — as settled domestically as any rock star could be, suspended securely in the amniotic fluid of his ego — abandoned himself to grass not to ease the pain of alienation (as with those contemporaries who hit the booze and smack), nor to plump up the thrill of being so special (like the LA cocaine crowd), but just because he liked it, and had nothing better to do. McCartney’s relationship with pot was long and faithful, and by the 1970s he was deep inside himself — padding around in a grandad shirt, those famous brown eyes drooping at the sides, infantile and open to anything. That bonged-out lack of discipline encouraged the opaque solipsism of his worst post-Beatles music. It also helped enable those rather strange decisions which led to the very best of it.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
1.05am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Ode To A Koala Bear is meant to be a nod to Paul’s habit, got that from Fab4Free4All. Its not a very good song.
Would be interesting to see what songs Paul wrote either on or about drugs both solo and beatles.
He wrote and recorded a track called Simple As That for an anti-heroin album in 1983, its on the Pipes Of Peace album as a bonus track. The fact its not on my itunes catalogue is a reminder that the song is appalling.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
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