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While interviewing Ringo Starr, Dave Grohl claimed one of The Beatles’ songs defined everyone’s life at some point. Subsequently, Ringo revealed the song in question has a special place in his family. Here’s a look at how Grohl — and the world — reacted to one of The Beatles’ classic songs.

The Beatles standing in a row
The Beatles | John Pratt/Keystone/Getty Images

Dave Grohl noticed a strong reaction when Ringo Starr played one of The Beatles’ songs

Grohl is most known for his work with Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. For Rolling Stone, Ringo and Grohl interviewed each other. They discussed The Beatles at length. Grohl mentioned how Ringo got quite a reaction when he played one of The Beatles’ songs at a concert.

“Well, when we went to that 50th anniversary of The Ed Sullivan Show that you played [in 2014], when you stepped out to do ‘Yellow Submarine,’ I honestly think that was the biggest reaction of the entire night,” Grohl said. Ringo agreed with Grohl’s assessment. “I really think that that song has defined everyone in the world’s life at some point, or just become a moment,” Grohl added. “I’m sitting there singing the song with my five-year-old, and we’re singing it I think for the same reason, even though we’re 45 years apart.”

Dave Grohl with a guitar
Dave Grohl | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Ringo Starr revealed the importance of The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ in his family

Ringo discussed the song’s importance in his family. “I think I got to the kids early with that song, because around about two, two and a half, they all start: [Sings] ‘Yellow submarine,’” he said. “And all of my grandchildren have stood behind the chair I’m sitting in, at one moment in their lives, and they’re going, ‘We all live in a yellow submarine.’ Like, ‘We know who you are, Granddad.’” Ringo laughed.

Ringo Starr told Dave Grohl how the Fab Four made it sound like they were singing in a submarine

Afterward, Grohl asked Ringo the story behind the section of “Yellow Submarine” where it sounds like the band is in the submarine’s engine room. Ringo revealed The Beatles noticed a certain part of Abbey Road Studios had an echo. They recorded themselves shouting in this part of the studio and included it in the song.

The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”
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1 of the Songs from The Beatles’ ‘White Album’ Was Partially a Parody

Grohl said “Yellow Submarine” had a massive impact on people — and it was definitely a chart hit. The track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining on the chart for 9 weeks. The song’s parent album, Yellow Submarine, was a hit as well. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 25 weeks. 

How The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ influenced movies, music and art

Subsequently, the song had a massive impact on popular culture. The Beatles parody All You Need Is Cash is about a Beatlesque band called The Rutles that produces a hit album called Yellow Submarine Sandwich. Oasis name-checked “Yellow Submarine” in the lyrics for their song “Supersonic.” In addition, a sculpture of a yellow submarine stands as a monument to The Beatles in Liverpool. “Yellow Submarine” resonated with Grohl — and it seemed to resonate with may others as well.

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