Have I done this before?

I'm finally done with the semester and back to blogging, which I've been looking forward to. I hope the coming months involve a lot of posts, particularly with the World Cup on the way and some interesting road trips ahead for JGC and I.

Here's a little video for you loyal readers out there. I pose the question: is this the most joyous moment in the history of pop music the twenty seconds that Ed Sullivan spends introducing the band? You can hear the audience just waiting to go freaking nuts. The anxiety of anticipation is palpable.

Now the Beatles actual set is really good, though not great. "Til There Was You"? Absolutely not a rock and roll choice, but these guys were pop stars at heart, and they were playing their way into the hearts of millions of Americans who had previously listened exclusively to Pat Boone. Also, "She Loves You" is one of the most roaring singles of the entire decade -- they kinda hide it in the third slot. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" lags too, unfortunately. In short, they'd play better and sharper, but there's just nothing like this for pure enthusiasm and joy. I'd advise anyone down in the dumps to watch it daily and tell me with a straight face they don't feel better.

There's even great irony in the performance, when Sullivan shares the telegram from Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker -- as Elvis began to lose it, the Fab Four reported that Elvis later tried to get the Beatles kicked out of the country.

Enjoy, and maybe I'll post their second night on Sullivan later.