It's absolutely mind-blowing to me how much I learned from studying the Beatles voraciously from such a young age. I pored over every lyric and every liner note, struggling to understand and make sense of it all. Looking back on it now, in my mind's eye I can almost literally see my own young mind expanding with each new discovery.
As but two small examples gleaned from reliving "I'm So Tired" and "Rocky Raccoon," I vividly recall learning about Sir Walter Raleigh's connection to tobacco through the former, as well as what the British term "git" meant; and learning what a Gideon Bible was--and the fact that they were always in hotel rooms--from the latter.
Inspired by this discussion, this morning I put the White Album on the iPod for my morning jog and it was great company, like having an old friend along.
Oh, and I'll give another plug for everyone to see the Beatles documentary out now, Eight Days a Week. It's tremendous.