How became the Beatles so typical Beatles?

"We're not British, we're Scouse!"

Irresistible they were. The four Beatles together worked like magic. Not only their music but also their performance, their attitude. The press conference at New York Airport on February 7th 1964 says enough. In some minutes they put the sceptical journalists in their pockets. From where came that appeal? For the answer we only have to dive in the city of their roots. The Beatles are typical as every Scouser: funny, a bit cynical, and certainly quick. But there's more about the Scousers.

By Dominique Verschuren

Wikipedia learns us that Scouse is in fact a dialect in the first place. It's spoken in a large area of the Merseyside. The dialect really stands on itself, as well the attitude of the Liverpudlian. You have Britain and you have Liverpool, I learned during my visits to the city. Even the word 'enclave' is not misplaced.

Beside the dialect you also recognize the typical Scousers mentality. Neil Brannan, the guide on the Magical Mystery Tour bus, explains:  "If you're going to say in the South, I go to Liverpool for the day, people would say: why? It's full of rubbish, full of thieves. While they never been to Liverpool. A lot of people who visit Liverpool said: I wish I spend more time in Liverpool. It's more relaxed, everybody is more friendly. Scousers are very hospitable."

And Scousers are proud. Brannan is the first to admit: "Very, very proud. We have the Beatles, we have the football, we have the history, the port...  Liverpool people are the most patriotic people of every city. We're not British, we're Scouse. It doesn't mean anything in particular. It just mean that down there in London, they don't care about us. So why should we care about them?"

Hospitable, funny and quick

The word Scouse should come from lobscouse. Borrowed from the Norwegian word lapskaus. Sailors introduced this meal of meat and 'rest vegetables' to the Mersey Port. In the 19th century it became so popular that the locals were called "Scousers".

From food it's a very small step to the main typical thing about Scousers, according to Brannan: "Liverpool is more famous for its hospitality than anything else. At this pub here, The Cavern Club, once a guy from Japan stood alone at the bar. And there a guy from Russia stood alone at the bar. And guy from South America the same. Within 20 minutes they were all standing in one group at the bar. Cause we Scousers say: 'Come join us, come and have a drink. Don't stand on your own.' A typical Scouser is in my opinion: Hospitable, funny and quick. " It is indeed not really difficult to be in touch with a Liverpudlian. Holding a map in your hand and there's a real change people voluntary ask you if you're lost. Or drop the word 'Beatles' and you're taking off.

 

Also the Beatles were untiring speakers. During and besides press conferences. They were irresistible funny and very quick with a reaction. Everybody knows John's legendary sense of humor, often cynical, similar to George's. Although John was a bit quicker. Paul was more polite and diplomatic, but sometimes very to the point and Ringo always appeared with his dry remarks. Together they could melt the heart of the greatest sourpuss. And you also hears it in the music; it's one of the main ingredients of their success. Scousers don't taken them self too serious, neither did the Beatles. Certainly in the beginning they tend to tone down them self. And during Beatlemania they were searching to keep standing with their feet on the ground. No wonder if you see where they come from. The Beatles are so typical Scouse.

The 'welcomeness' of the port

Light years away from that New York Airport in 1964 there is the Saturday night in Liverpool anno 2012. The Cavern is much more for the locals than during the week. Outside on Mathew Street you find no trace of Beatle-tourists. The locals occupy the area, the police watch them as Big Brother. All women, I mean all women, are dressed shorter than short, with high heels and three layers of make-up. At two o'clock in the night they're walking with a chicken skin from the cold, very unbalanced or on naked feet with the high heels in their hand. The cold seems to be the only reason why you don't see couples fucking. Cause sex floats in the air and lies on every corner of the street.

Also very typical Scouse? The night porter in the hotel lobby only says: "Scousers life for now, don't think about tomorrow. Tomorrow it's just another day." Heathen, just a Liverpudlian mother of two small kids who I met by coincidence one day before on Menlove Avenue, notice the changes in the 21st century: "Scousers are cynical, rough sense of humor. John Lennon also had that. These days is getting more and more cynical in a nasty way and also behaviour. But I think you see that development everywhere, not only in Liverpool."

 

It can be true what Heathen says, but even then it's remarkable how polite and friendly the Liverpudlians still are. Certainly comparable with other Europeans. Brannan has an explanation: "Hospitality has also something to do with the port. Hamburg, Ostend, Calais. I think the port has something to do with the 'welcomness'. You always expect the stranger in a port. It must have something to do with it."

 Part of the press conference at New York Airport, 7 February 1964:

Press conference in Melbourne, 1964:

 

(Thanks to Helen Williams)