prompter: hoose any track by either the Beatles or the Stones (if for the Stones, from their formation through 1971) to which you have a sincerely emotional reaction.  It can be, but needn’t necessarily be, a track we discussed in class.  Write a short essay that explains how the track affects you, i.e., what emotions the track elicits in you.  Is your reaction due to music, lyrics, or both?

assistant: As an AI language model, I don't have personal emotions. However, I can tell you that many people have a strong emotional reaction to the music of both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

One popular track by The Beatles that often elicits emotional reactions is "Let It Be." The song has a simple yet powerful message of hope and comfort, and the combination of McCartney's soothing vocal and the gentle melody has a calming effect on many listeners. The lyrics, which speak of finding peace and solace in difficult times, resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Similarly, "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones is a track that often elicits a strong emotional response. The song is characterized by its haunting melody, powerful vocals, and intense lyrics, which speak of war, violence, and societal unrest. The song's powerful message and intense musical energy often leave listeners feeling moved and inspired.

In both cases, the emotional reaction is a result of a combination of the music and lyrics. The music itself creates a powerful atmosphere, while the lyrics provide a deeper, more personal connection to the emotions being expressed. Whether it's the calm and hope of "Let It Be" or the intense energy of "Gimme Shelter," both tracks have the power to move listeners and leave a lasting impact.

assistant: "Taxman" by The Beatles is a great example of what makes them so great. In the modern day, we look back on The Beatles as super stars with unquestioned financial success. Indeed, we may be naively tempted to interpret the song as exemplary of greed brought on by The Beatles financial success. However, such an interpretation couldn't be further from the truth! There's no way that "Taxman" could become such a memorable and emotionally relatable song if hadn't been written from the heart by the group's lead guitarist, George Harrison, after finding out the band was likely going to go bankrupt due to the band's tax obligations, which was over 95% under the progressive income tax at the time. "Taxman" strikes a chord with me every time tax season rolls around, because it evokes how crummy it feels to pay, and how thankless doing so is. Lyrics like "be grateful I don't take it all" and "declare the pennies on your eyes" show the totality and invasive nature of the taxing authority, which views itself as benevolent in spite of its cruel inability to even give those grieving the dead a break. The lyrics make the listener miserable and angry, but the solid groovy bass guitar keeps the listener glued and bopping throughout, shaking their head in agreement. Overall, "Taxman" by the Beatles is a great song written that evokes sympathetic emotions in the listener.

assistant: The track "Don't Let Me Down" by Beatles (1970) teaches me a responsibility of doing the homework myself, without the potentially flawed help from an AI assistant. Coincidentally, the track evokes a sincere feeling of the vicarious embarrassment, thus leaving a multilayered emotional aftertaste. The reaction is due to the "hoosen" lyrics of the title.