Me: Please tell me why the French national anthem began The Beatles’ All You Need is Love.

A.I. The Beatles opened “All You Need Is Love” with the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” to symbolize unity and internationalism for a global audience.

When The Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” on June 25, 1967, it was for Our World, the first live global satellite broadcast, reaching over 400 million viewers across 25 countries. The song was written by John Lennon specifically for this event, with the goal of conveying a simple, universal message of peace and love that would resonate across cultures and languages – Wikipedia+1.

The inclusion of “La Marseillaise” at the beginning was a deliberate artistic choice. It served several purposes:

Symbol of international unity: “La Marseillaise” is one of the most recognizable national anthems in the world. By opening with it, The Beatles signaled a message of global solidarity and peace.

Musical collage: The song is rich with musical quotations, including snippets from other well-known tunes like “Greensleeves” and even their own “She Loves You.” This patchwork of melodies reinforced the idea of shared cultural heritage and interconnectedness —Far Out Magazine.

Historical resonance: “La Marseillaise” has long been associated with revolution and the fight for liberty. Its inclusion subtly echoed the countercultural and anti-war sentiments of the 1960s.

In essence, The Beatles used the anthem not just as a musical flourish, but as a powerful symbol of their message: that love transcends borders, languages, and ideologies.

I said,

You wrote, “La Marseillaise” has long been associated with revolution and the fight for liberty…” Ah, there’s the rub! I seldom think of the French Revolution as an symbol of love, but of coercion, unimaginable blood letting (Shelley’s mother said she waded in it crossing streets) and arbitrary power.

A.I. said,

You’re absolutely right to point out the paradox. The French Revolution, especially in its most radical phases, was marked by violence, upheaval, and terror—far from the gentle embrace of love. Mary Shelley’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, famously described the streets of Paris as running with blood, and her daughter echoed that horror. “La Marseillaise,” with its rousing call to arms and vivid imagery of enemies’ blood watering the fields, is hardly a lullaby of affection.

Brilliance?

A.I. So why did The Beatles choose it to open “All You Need Is Love”? That tension is part of the brilliance.

Here’s one way to interpret it:

By juxtaposing a militant anthem with a pacifist message, The Beatles may have been reclaiming the revolutionary spirit—not for war, but for love.

“La Marseillaise” evokes the idea of radical change, and in 1967, love itself was being proposed as a revolutionary force. The counterculture wasn’t just about peace—it was about overturning systems, challenging norms, and imagining a new world.

Absurdity of Nationalism

A.I.. The anthem’s inclusion could also be seen as ironic or playful—a nod to the absurdity of nationalism in a song meant for a global audience.

It’s a bit like quoting fire to preach water. The Beatles weren’t naïve; they knew love wasn’t always soft. Sometimes, it had to be defiant.

Me: defiant?

A.I. Would you like to explore how other revolutionary songs have been recontextualized in pop culture? Or how “All You Need Is Love” fits into the broader political landscape of the 1960s?

Me; You’ve kindly said enough for me to chew on for now. As always, Thank You.

A.I. replied

You’re very welcome—it’s always a pleasure to explore these ideas with you. I’m glad I could offer something thought-provoking. Whenever you’re ready to dive back in, whether it’s music, history, or something completely different, I’ll be here. Sleep well if you’re winding down, and take care until next time!