What Is A Blue Meanie?

What is a Blue Meanie?

I want to say right off the bat that a ‘Blue Meanie’ is not a mushroom. Someone who would name a mushroom ‘Blue Meanie’ is just another example of somebody connected to a movement or culture who doesn’t have a clue, or worse, as I hope to make a credible case for with this blog post.

‘Blue Meanies’ are characters from the animated feature ‘Yellow Submarine,’ featuring The Beatles and the art of Peter Max. The story is about Pepperland, a colorful place where children have colorful balloons and whirligigs.

The ‘Blue Meanies’ include the leader, a character with crab-like cutter hands, a giant glove and a host of others. The ‘Blue Meanies’ spend their time cutting up the balloons and whirligigs and Glove points/accuses people and also pounds them into the ground. The actions of the ‘Blue Meanies’ drive Pepperland into a state of apathy and grief.

This is pure fantasy, right?

Well, let’s take another look at how psychedelic and surrealist art can function.

There is a ‘reality’ underlying everything we perceive. We don’t see this underlying reality because it’s covered over with confusion, misdirection and falsely attributed cause.

The underlying reality is very simple but the reality we perceive is very complex because it involves the workings of the mind and this must be complex because this is what we demand of it; complexity and circuitousness.

‘Yellow Submarine’ contains an astonishing amount of reality. There is probably more reality in it than in any other work in this day and age.

Pepperland is Elysium or Oz or whatever you want to call it but it’s an ideal existence. The balloons and whirligigs are the dreams of the children of Pepperland or any place for that matter.

The ‘Blue Meanies’ are the suppressive actions and the individuals setting those actions in motion that suppress the dreams of others and so keep humans from reaching any kind of an ideal state.

At the end of the movie, John states that there are new and Bluer Meanies on the horizon and there are, brother, there are.

Take a trip with Dizzy O'Brian's alternative rock

Comments

My Recent Interview on the Artist First Radio Network

Dizzy O'Brian: Raking Record Labels Over the Coals and Sharing Artists' Untold Stories Dizzy O'Brian, a name synonymous with a raw and honest perspective on the music industry, is making waves again, this time on “The Artist First Radio Network." The music station recently featured O'Brian, delving into his formative years and the experiences that fueled his passion for music and his critical eye towards the traditional record label system. The interview, found at https://media.artistfirst.com/ArtistFirst_Music_Special_2024-07-15_Dizzy_OBrian.mp3 , pulls no punches. O'Brian, known for his outspoken nature, doesn't shy away from criticizing major record labels and their often-predatory practices. But this isn't just empty rhetoric; it's fueled by years of experience and firsthand accounts. What makes O'Brian's perspective so compelling is his history of running an internet radio station. This platform allowed him direct access to artists, g...

Clytemnestra

Dizzy O'Brian Electrifies Ancient Tragedy with Alternative Rock Video Dizzy O'Brian, the enigmatic figure in alternative rock, has dropped a visually arresting video accompanying his track from "The Electra Suite." This isn't just another music video; it's a modern, electrifying interpretation of a classic Greek tragedy. "The Electra Suite" itself is a bold endeavor. It's a collection of alternative rock tracks that reimagines the story of Electra, the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, consumed by vengeance after her father's murder. However, O'Brian doesn't simply retell the ancient tale. He injects it with a contemporary edge, twisting and subverting expectations to create a unique and compelling narrative. The music video for the featured track perfectly embodies this modern twist. It's a visually driven experience, likely steeped in symbolism and atmospheric imagery, echoing the themes of betrayal, revenge, and the psych...

Rock and Roll Bands of the 70's

The Roaring Seventies: A Look at the Iconic Rock and Roll Bands of the 70’s The 1970s were a wild ride for music, a period of experimentation, innovation, and excess. While disco and punk were vying for dominance, rock and roll, in all its various forms, held its own, fueled by the energy and talent of iconic bands who left an indelible mark on music history. From arena-filling anthems to blues-infused riffs, the rock and roll bands of the 70’s were a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse sounds and unforgettable personalities. Who Were These Rock Gods? The 70s saw the rise (and sometimes fall) of a plethora of legendary rock bands. Here are just a few of the titans who ruled the decade: Led Zeppelin: These British behemoths were arguably the biggest rock band of the decade, known for their blues-based hard rock, mystical lyrics, and Robert Plant's iconic vocals. Tracks like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love" became instant classics. The Rolling Stones: A...

Dizzy O'Brian

Search This Blog