by Itzel Nunez
In the late summer of 1969, The Beatles walked across a quiet street in London, not knowing they were creating one of the most famous album covers in history. That record later became Abbey Road, released later that year making it The Beatles’ eleventh studio album. Whether or not you’re a Beatles fan, you’ve most likely seen this image as it’s displayed worldwide and continues to draw thousands of people to the same crosswalk every year.
As a major Beatles fan, I’ve always dreamed about the day I’ll get to visit Abbey Road. Although I’ve visited London before, I unfortunately didn’t visit Abbey Road during that trip. It’s something I regret to this day, but also something I have to look forward to on my next visit! According to Guide London, “A third to half a million people head to Abbey Road to recreate this picture every year.” The fact that so many people travel there shows how deeply the album and its cover continue to resonate with fans everywhere. Not only that, but what makes the area more special is how close the crosswalk is to Abbey Road Studios, making it a space where fans can stand in the exact spot the band once worked. Together, the crosswalk and studio have turned an ordinary street into a lasting landmark that represents the Beatles’ impact on music and culture.
While the cover may be what most people recognize at first, it’s the music on Abbey Road that solidifies why the album is considered a masterpiece. During the writing sessions for the record, the group was facing a lot of tension, yet somehow those challenges pushed them to create some of their strongest work. Immediately, the album opens with “Come Together,” a track that sets the tone with its dark groove, layered vocals, and one of the most recognizable bass lines in rock history. From there, it moves into “Something,” a song written by my favorite Beatle, George Harrison, and a track that became one of the band’s most popular songs. I still recall listening to it for the first time and being completely blown away by the melody, emotion, and incredible guitar solo. I loved it so much that I learned it on guitar the same day.
If I had to pick an overall favorite song off the entire album, I’d have to go with track number 10, “Sun King.” The first time I listened to it was on vinyl and I was stunned by the mixture of tones, and strange mix of languages woven into the lyrics. Throughout the song, it’s described to combine Italian, Spanish and Portuguese nonsense, along with random odd English phrases thrown in. Combined with the instruments, I feel it made the piece almost hypnotic. It’s a perfect example of the Beatles’ willingness to experiment, showing just how creative and unpredictable their songwriting was on Abbey Road.
Even decades after its release, Abbey Road continues to influence music and listeners across the world. It topped charts and sold millions of copies, becoming one of the best selling albums in history. Even as a younger fan who didn’t grow up in the Beatles’ era, I appreciate the music so deeply because of how timeless it is. I think the way it keeps connecting with new generations of listeners, one after another, speaks for itself. Its lasting influence shows how important it will forever remain in culture.
