Abstract

The proper way to analyze pop-rock music is by examining it for all its expressive aspects, as one whole sonic entity consisting of multiple elements, including lyrics. There is not much point in studying songs' lyrics as written text. As an art of recording, as a performance for tape, lyrics should be studied as vocal utterances. I support Campbell's critique of "the intentional fallacy" as a method for studying the Beatles' lyrics. His implied call for a "serious" study of these lyrics for themselves is however problematic. Sociologists should look for proper tools to analyze pop-rock music as a multi-layered cultural product. Such tools might help us understand the phenomenal global impact of the Beatles. Campbell's article is a genuine call to develop sociological research on music in this direction.