Since January 2021, we’ve been examining The Beatles’ 1965 work of genius, Rubber Soul, taking deep dives into each track. Having concluded Side One, this month we’re taking a short intermission to stand, stretch, and have a bit of fun.
We’ve invited Fest for Beatles Fans poet Terri Whitney — who has written two books of poetry on The Beatles and other rock’n’roll greats — to create a poem for us all about Rubber Soul. And we’ve also asked her to serve as one of the judges in a POETRY CONTEST in her honor: The Rockin’ Rhymer Poetry Contest. More about that in a minute…but first, meet Terri!
Hello everyone, my name is Terri Whitney! I’m from a small town outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I graduated from Belding High School in 1972 and have been a part of many Beatles events over the years including the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans (since 2016). For five years, I also appeared at Beatles at the Ridge in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, where I was the Poet Laureate!
Currently, I’m the owner of “The Rockin Rhymer,” and I’m retired. I’ve always had two strong passions starting from an incredibly early age, and I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged both: my love for The Beatles’ music and secondly, writing poems.
A few years ago, I decided to take these two passions and put them together. With encouragement from both family and friends, I decided to write the books Any Rhyme At All and later, Music Legends In The Heavens. I have enjoyed doing both books, plus other poems, and I feel fortunate to share my dreams and passions with all of you!
I’m thrilled to be a judge in the Fest for Beatles Fans “Rockin’ Rhymer” Poetry Contest. Hope you all will join in and have fun. Here are the ground rules:
“The Rockin’ Rhymer” Poetry Contest Rules
- Read Terri’s poem about Rubber Soul below.
- Use it as an inspirational springboard to compose your own poem about The Beatles, Rubber Soul, or any particular song on the LP! Poems may be free verse or rhyming…your choice!
- Submit your poem to Terri at twhit2054@outlook.com
- Deadline for all submissions is Friday, 13 August 2021.
- Poems will be given to a panel of three judges, and the winners will be announced on Friday, 20 August. The top three winners will win coooooool prize packages including Beatles books and jewelry!
- The top 3 winning poems will be posted on the Fest website and the Fest Facebook page in September. All prizes will be shipped to the winners in late August.
- Have fun! This is a chance to express yourself as John Lennon did in the summer of 1965 when he published his second book of poetry and prose, A Spaniard in the Works! Go for it!
Here’s Terri Whitney’s wonderful poem on Rubber Soul! Enjoy!
RUBBER SOUL
In 1965, the album Rubber Soul was released in December,
It turns out it would be one that many fans would remember
All the songs are a collaboration of different musical styles,
Each song emotionally can take you from tears to smiles.
They gave us a great compilation of rock, folk and soul
An influential album that made you wonder, was that their goal?
They gave us a different sound, over which there were some debates
Yet it topped the charts in both the UK and the United States.
All the songs in this album were such a perfect fit
As the music seemed to have more of an artistic balance to it,
It seems the band did deliver more of a mature sound
And, like me at the time, they too were grown-up bound.
“Rubber Soul” deserves no less rating than a five star
With songs like “Run For Your Life” to “Drive My Car.”
Are the lyrics they wrote about the memories that they share?
If so, they gave us great words and did it with flare!
My birthday present in January, I listened to it from the start,
That is when the Rubber Soul album found its way to my heart.
Today I can enjoy listening to it whether I am working or at rest
Of all The Beatles’ albums, I would agree that it’s one of their best.
Terri Whitney, The Rockin’ Rhymer, in 1965 when she first heard Rubber Soul!
Okay, Fest family, are you inspired? Let’s get started penning those tributes to “Michelle” or “Norwegian Wood” or to The Beatles in general!!!! Get the creative juices flowing and send us your poems! Great prizes and good fun await. Thanks to Terri Whitney for reminding us how fun poetry can be, especially when it’s about a topic you cherish.
