I Want To Hold Your Hand

Although I was only ten years old at the time, I distinctly remember the night of February 9, 1964. It was a Sunday night and my parents and I were visiting our neighbors who lived across the street from us. Wearing a bright, red shirt and big, white polka dots splashed across my red pants, I remember impatiently sitting in front of the neighbors television set ready for the Ed Sullivan show to begin. This show would be incredibly special. In fact, it was so special that the world hasn’t been the same since the night of February 9, 1964 when Ed Sullivan announced “And now…the Beatles.” Even my parents and their friends came into the living room to witness the event. How could I ever forget those first shots of George, Paul, John and Ringo smiling from ear to ear playing their hearts out? I think the first time I fell in love was when I saw those long-haired British lads on the Ed Sullivan show. My heart beat wildly inside my chest and I had a smile on my face that couldn’t possibly be erased. What a thrilling moment! I knew immediately I would learn to play guitar like my idols. And as they sang their hearts out with “I want to hold your hand,” girls in the audience could be heard screaming with delight. I couldn’t sit still as my body swayed to the music. Those few moments were pure heaven on earth. The world had never experienced such a momentous event like this and probably never would again. I remember my parents and our neighbors expressing their disgust due to the Beatles’ long hair and I think that alone made me love them even more. And when the show was over, the first thing I thought of was “I can’t wait for my allowance” so I could buy their album which would be the first of many.