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Breakfast w/ the Beatles Playlist Nov. 15th 2015
9am/OPEN
The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour - Magical Mystery Tour (EP) (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocals: Paul and John When Paul McCartney was in the U.S. in early April 1967 he came up with the idea for a
Beatles television film about a mystery tour on a bus. During the April 11 flight back home he began writing lyrics for the title song and sketching out some ideas for the film. Upon his arrival in London, Paul pitched his idea to Brian Epstein who happily
approved. Paul then met with John to go over the details and the two began work on
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the film’s title track. The title track was written primarily by Paul but was not finished when McCartney brought the song in to be recorded on April 25, 1967. John helped with
the missing pieces during the session. On U.S. album:
Magical Mystery Tour - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John
Recorded March 1, 1967. John Lennon’s classic song of psychedelic imagery was inspired by a drawing brought home by son, Julian, who was four years old at the time.
In February 1967, Julian returned home from his nursery school with a painting depicting one of his classmates, Lucy O’Donnell. Young Lucy was pictured with a
background of stars in the sky. When asked by his father about his painting, Julian said it was “Lucy, in the sky, with diamonds.” John was so taken with the phrase he
combined it with passages similar to two books by Lewis Carroll that he’d loved as a child, “Through The Looking Glass” and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Paul added the line about “newspaper taxis” and Lennon’s beloved “Goon Show” got a shout out.
Their famed “plasticine ties” merged with “Through the Looking Glass” to become “plasticine porters with looking glass ties.” Work began on “Lucy In The Sky With
Diamonds” with an evening full of rehearsals. The rhythm track was recorded on March 1 with Paul playing the opening riff on a Lowery organ (with a bell stop), George on
acoustic guitar, Ringo on drums and John on maracas and offering a guide vocal. John’s
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lead vocal and other instruments (George’s tamboura, Paul’s melodic bass) were added the next evening.
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul
Recording began on February 1, 1967 for what would become the title track of the new Beatles album. The song was written entirely by Paul McCartney. It was McCartney’s idea to give the Beatles alter egos -- they would become Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band -- for this album. Nine takes were attempted, two of which were complete run-throughs. For the first time ever an instrument (Paul’s bass guitar) was directly
injected into the recording console instead of through an amplifier. Vocals were added the following evening, and the track sat for a month while the band worked on other material. The group returned to the title track on March 3 with the addition of four
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French horns played by outside musicians. Paul also came up with the idea of simulating a concert performance by the alter-ego band. The sound of the band warming up was
taken from the February 10 orchestra session for “A Day In The Life.” Other effects (the crowd settling down, applause, and laughter) were taken from the vast Abbey Road
tape archives. The screaming at the end of the song was taken from the Capitol-recorded Beatles concert at the Hollywood Bowl. On the “Sgt. Pepper” album the end of
the title track segues into Ringo’s “With A Little help From My Friends.”
The Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Ringo
The first instance on a Beatles album where one song segues into another without the usual few seconds of silence between the tracks. This was to give the listener the feeling
of a continuous concert performance. Written on the afternoon of March 29, 1967 by Paul with help from John at Paul’s house on Cavendish Avenue in St. John’s Wood
specifically as a song for Ringo Starr to sing on the new album. It was recorded that evening. Although he liked the song, Ringo refused to sing the original lyrics to the
opening verse. Ringo: “The original first verse to that was ‘What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you throw a tomato at me?’ And I said, ‘I’m not singing that.’” John and Paul quickly changed the line to “Would you stand up and walk out on me?” The
rhythm track was recorded in ten takes the same day Paul and John write the song, with Paul on piano, George on Hammond organ, John on guitar and Ringo on drums. Vocals
were added as Take 11. Originally titled “Bad Finger Boogie.” The screaming at the beginning of the song was taken from the Capitol-recorded Beatles concert at the
Hollywood Bowl. On the “Sgt. Pepper” album the end of the title track segues into “With A Little help From My Friends.”
Holy 1967 Batman….getting psychedelic so early on a Sunday morning….
BREAK HERE
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The Beatles - Got To Get You Into My Life - Revolver (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul Another Paul McCartney solo composition, Paul called this stand out track “an ode to
pot, like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret (wine).” Work began on the song on April 7, 1966, and this early alternate version can be heard on the
“Anthology 2” album. It was the second song recorded for the “Revolver” album. The Beatles returned to the song the next day with an improved arrangement that included John and George on fuzz guitars. On May 18 they revisited the song again, devoting a
full 12-hour session to rework and complete the song. To give the song its Motown feel, five outside musicians were brought in to add brass and saxophones. An additional dual guitar overdub was added on June 17. “Got To Get You Into My Life” was the opening
song performed on the final Wings tour in 1979. On U.S. album:
Revolver - Capitol LP
Paul McCartney & Wings – Let Me Roll It – Band on the Run ‘73
A fine piece of McCartney song-writing, critics felt that song was incredibly Lennonesque, with similarities to John’s Plastic Ono phase. This became a staple
of Paul’s live shows and is one of his best solo efforts.
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The Beatles - Don’t Let Me Down LIVE (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John with Paul
The Beatles’ nineteenth single release for EMI, and second on the Apple Records label.
The “Get Back” sessions, as the January 1969 recording sessions were now known, produced about 475 hours of film and 141 hours of audio tape that had to be sifted
through. But proper multi-track recordings weren’t made until the band was recording in the basement of the Beatles’ Apple headquarters between January 21-31, 1969.
Producer/Engineer Glyn Johns attempted to construct an album entitled “Get Back” from the tapes but his versions were rejected. The tapes would be left dormant in the vault
for a year, with the exception of a single (“Get Back”/“Don’t Let Me Down”). John Lennon’s “Don’t Let Me Down” was a love song for Yoko Ono and was the first song
given a full run-through by the group when sessions for the new album began at Twickenham Studios on January 2, 1969. But proper multi-track recording takes were not done until the band changed location to the basement recording studio at their Apple headquarters. The master take was recorded on January 28, 1969. Like Paul
McCartney’s “Get Back,” the song features Billy Preston on keyboards. Rush-released as a single with the hope of being in stores in the UK on April 11, 1969, the single showed
up a week later. Although the single did not list a producer credit, it did, for the first time on a Beatles single, list an artist in addition to the Beatles: “THE BEATLES with Billy
Preston” graced both sides of the single. “A great honor,” said Preston. The single debuted at number one on the Record Retailer singles chart. In America, the single was issued on May 5, 1969, and it topped the Billboard sales chart for five weeks. It is the
first Beatles single released in stereo, but the stereo mixes were for the American market, not the UK. The UK would have to wait until the next single release (“The Ballad
Of John And Yoko”) to get its first stereo Beatles 45. Prior to this all previous Beatles singles had been issued in mono. Although the song appears in the “Let It Be” film, it is
not included on the soundtrack album. On U.S. album:
Hey Jude - Capitol LP (1970)
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QUIZ #1 HERE As you may have heard the sad news that we lost Andy White who
played drums on Love Me Do which can be heard on the Please Please Me LP and the single version.
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For a copy of Beatles 1 PLUS…name the other Beatles song Andy White played drums on?
KOBE QUIZ ONLY
9.26 BREAK
The Beatles - Love Me Do – Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
Lead vocal: John and Paul The Beatles’ first single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
Released October 5, 1962, it reached #17 on the British charts. Principally written by Paul McCartney in 1958 and 1959. Recorded with three different drummers: Pete Best
(June 6, 1962, EMI), Ringo Starr (September 4, 1962), and Andy White (September 11, 1962 with Ringo playing tambourine). The 45 rpm single lists the songwriters as
Lennon-McCartney. One of several Beatles songs Paul McCartney owns with Yoko Ono. Starting with the songs recorded for their debut album on February 11, 1963, Lennon and McCartney’s output was attached to their Northern Songs publishing company.
Because their first single was released before John and Paul had contracted with a music publisher, EMI assigned it to their own, a company called Ardmore and Beechwood,
which took the two songs “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.” Decades later McCartney and Ono were able to purchase the songs for their respective companies, MPL
Communications and Lenono Music. Fun fact: John Lennon shoplifted the harmonica he played on the song from a shop in Holland.
On U.S. albums: Introducing… The Beatles (Version 1) - Vee-Jay LP
The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - P.S. I Love You – Please Please Me
(McCartney-Lennon) Lead vocal: Paul
Recorded in ten takes on September 11, 1962, with Andy White on drums. The b-side of “Love Me Do,” released October 5, 1962, in the UK. The Beatles originally intended this to be the A-side of their first Parlophone single but because another song with the same title had been released by Peggy Lee they were persuaded to put this on the b-side. One
of the three original compositions they performed during their EMI audition. Written mostly by Paul McCartney in April or May 1962 while The Beatles were in Hamburg,
Germany. John has said it was Paul’s attempt to mimic “Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles, which was a hit in April of 1962. One of several Beatles songs Paul McCartney owns with Yoko Ono. Starting with the songs recorded for their debut album on February 11, 1963, Lennon-McCartney’s output was attached to their Northern Songs publishing company.
Because their first single was released before John and Paul had contracted with a music publisher, EMI assigned it to their own, a company called Ardmore and Beechwood,
which took the two songs, “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.” Decades later
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McCartney and Ono were able to purchase the songs for their respective companies, MPL Communications and Lenono Music.
On U.S. albums: Introducing… The Beatles (Version 1) - Vee-Jay LP
The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Do You Want To Know A Secret – Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon) Lead vocal: George
Recorded February 11, 1963. Written primarily by John Lennon for George Harrison to sing. The song was given to another Brian Epstein-managed act, Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas, to cover. Their version topped the British charts in late spring 1963. Inspired by "I'm Wishing," a song from Walt Disney’s 1937 animated film “Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs” that Lennon’s mother used to sing to him when he was a child. On U.S. albums:
Introducing… The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
The Beatles - If I Fell - A Hard Day’s Night (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John and Paul John Lennon’s stunning ballad “If I Fell” was by far the most complex song he had
written to date. It could be considered a progression from “This Boy” with its similar chord structure and intricate harmonies by John and Paul, recorded – at their request – together on one microphone. Performed live on their world tour throughout the summer
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of 1964. Completed in 15 takes on February 27, 1964. Flip side of “And I Love Her” in the U.S.
On U.S. album: A Hard Day’s Night - United Artists LP
Something New - Capitol LP
George Harrison – You – Extra Texture (Read All About It) Originally written for Ronnie Spector, and recorded during the sessions for her
sole Apple single, “Try Some, Buy Some,” in February 1971. According to George, they “recorded four or five tracks before Phil fell over,” (something Phil Spector had a tendency to do often. George dug this tape out during the Extra Texture sessions, but didn’t bother redoing the backing track, which is why you can hear Ronnie Spector singing one of her trademark “Be My Baby” oh-oh-oh’s
in the background.
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Would you like to hear the NEW version of Real Love
from Beatle Jeff ?
The Beatles – Real Love – Beatles 1 Plus
John piano demo with drum machine recorded New York circa 1979. Paul, George and Ringo enhanced the song, started February 6th 1995, completed in May, 1 year later than Free As A Bird. Again recorded @
Paul's Mill studio's in Sussex
Paul & Linda McCartney – The Back Seat Of My Car –
Ram ‘71 Originally played during the “Let it Be” sessions, Lennon again thought this song
was about him with the lyrics, “We believe that we can’t be wrong.” This was intended to be more a Beach Boys style tune, which had nothing to do with
Lennon.
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Original played for the Beatles during Let It Be sessions of Jan 1969…which means Back Seat was around since
1968! So that’s a Beatle song…kinda….
9.56 BREAK
Take a moment of silence for all those who we lost in
Paris France…
I want to play All You Need Is Love which ironically begins with a few bars of the French
National Anthem. The Beatles - All You Need Is Love - Non-LP track
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John
The Beatles’ fifteenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. Written by John Lennon especially for the first-ever worldwide television transmission. The epic event, a 6-hour program entitled “Our World,” featured segments linking 24 countries in five continents via satellite, with a potential of 400 million viewers. The
Beatles were honored to be invited to represent Great Britain in the program. For the event, they would premiere a brand new song written just for the occasion. John
Lennon’s “All You Need Is Love” became the anthem of 1967, the summer of love. To decrease the chances of an on-air foul-up, George Martin had the Beatles play to their
own pre-recorded rhythm track. Only the vocals, bass guitar, lead guitar solo in the middle eight, drums and orchestra would be live. Recording began on June 14, 1967 at
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Olympic Studios. In all, 33 takes of the basic rhythm track and a few vocals were completed this evening. Overdubbing the lead and backing vocals took place on June
19. The orchestra was recorded for the first time on June 23. On June 24, the day before the event, it was decided that “All You Need Is Love” would be issued as the new
Beatles single as soon as possible after the program aired the evening of June 25. Guests in the studio during the performance included the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the Who’s Keith Moon, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Donovan
wore colorful mod clothing. The 13 orchestra members wore formal evening attire. After the guests left the studio, additional overdubs were made to what was now take 58. Ringo added the now-familiar snare drum roll to the song’s introduction and John re-
recorded part of his vocal. The song was mixed for mono the following day and sent out to EMI for pressing. Surprisingly, the “All You Need is Love”/“Baby, You’re A Rich Man”
single is the first instance of George Martin being given credit on the record label as producer on a Parlophone Beatles single. Brian Epstein: “This is an inspiring song
because they wrote it for a worldwide program and they really want to give the world a message. It could hardly have been a better message. It’s a wonderful, beautiful, spine-chilling record. When you say ‘All You Need Is Love’ you are saying everything.” Issued
July 7, 1967 in the UK and July 17, 1967 in the U.S. On U.S. album:
Magical Mystery Tour - Capitol LP
John Lennon – Imagine - Acoustic ‘04
Live at the Apollo Theater, December 17th, 1971. From Anthology.
Paul – Jerk Of All Jerks – "Adopt-A-Minefield" at Beverly Wilshire
Hotel Ballroom, Beverly Hills, California, USA - June 14, 2001
George Harrison – Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) This track and lead single would be a massive hit all over the world. This single
version runs a little bit faster than the LP version.
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John Lennon – Mind Games – Mind Games ‘73
The title track was one of John’s most commercially successful in the two years since “Imagine.” This was the only single issued off the album as well. “Mind Games” had be in gestation for over three years, having started out with the
titles, “Make Love Not War,” and “I Promise.”
Quiz #2
(Add short Bat tones)
Who’s singing this song about RINGO? /1964
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Single by Bonnie Jo Mason
B-side
"Beatle Blues" (Instrumental)
Released March 4, 1964
Recorded 1964
Genre
Pop rock
Length 1:50
Label
Annette Records
Writer(s)
Phil Spector, Paul Case, Vini Poncia, Peter
Andreoli
Producer(s)
Phil Spector
NEWS w/ Jackie HERE
10.36 BREAK
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The Beatles - Ticket To Ride - Help! (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocals: John and Paul The Beatles’ ninth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
Issued nearly four months prior to the “Help!” album’s release on July 19, 1965 in the U.S. and four days later in the UK. Recorded on February 15, 1965 and featuring a
blistering lead guitar performance by Paul McCartney. John and Paul composed the song together based primarily on John’s idea. The song’s distinctive drum pattern was
conceived by Paul. The complex song arrangement was highly innovative for the time, and certainly unlike anything being played on top 40 radio. John Lennon in 1970: “
‘Ticket To Ride was slightly a new sound at the time. It was pretty heavy for then, if you go and look in the charts for what other music people were making. It's a heavy record and the drums are heavy too. That's why I like it.” McCartney said, “It was quite radical
at the time.” Capitol Records printed “From the United Artists release ‘Eight Arms To Hold You’ ” on both sides of the single.
On U.S. album: Help! - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - Lady Madonna - Non-LP Track (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul The Beatles’ seventeenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
The last original issue Beatles 45 to appear on the Capitol swirl label in the U.S. or on the Parlophone label in the UK. Starting in the summer of 1968, Beatles recordings
would be issued on their own record label, Apple Records. The Beatles did not leave EMI or Capitol, they simply had their own custom label, to which they could sign artists. The manufacturing and distribution would remain the same as before. In fact, in America,
their releases continued to use Capitol album and single catalog numbering.
The Beatles’ oft-postponed visit to India to study Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was fast approaching. They were scheduled to be in India from
mid-February until late April. Written entirely by Paul, “Lady Madonna” was the first song to be recorded in the week-long rush to get a single finished before they left for
India. It was completed in two straight-forward sessions on February 3, 1968 with some overdubs on February 6. The basic rhythm track consisted of only Paul on piano, and
Ringo on drums (using brushes instead of sticks), recorded in three takes on the afternoon of February 3. John and George overdubbed fuzzed guitars played through
the same amplifier during that evening’s session. The song was completed on February 6 with the addition of a second McCartney lead vocal, a second piano piece, “See how
they run” backing vocals from Paul, John and George, and in the middle eight, the three Beatles cupping their hands around their mouths to imitate the sound of brass instruments. But Paul decided the song needed real brass instruments, so four
saxophone players were brought in that evening to play on the song.
“Lady Madonna” was a number one single in Britain, but in America is did not reach the top of the charts. Billboard had it peaking at number four. Cashbox and Record World
charted it as high as number two. Despite not reaching the top of the charts in America, the single sold over one million copies within a month. Released on March 15, 1968 in
the UK and March 18, 1968 in the U.S. On U.S. album:
Hey Jude - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night - A Hard Day’s Night (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John with Paul The Beatles’ seventh single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
The title is a Ringoism, coined by the drummer sometime in 1963 and used by John in his book “In His Own Write.” With the film nearly completed the last bit of business was
to give the film a name. The project was being filmed with the working title “Beatlemania.” On April 13, 1964 The Beatles met with key personnel from the studio and bounced title ideas. It was felt they’d find no better suggestion than Ringo’s off-
hand remark “it’s been a hard day’s night” and John volunteered to write the title song that evening. The next morning he brought the song in and taught it to Paul. Paul
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cleaned up the middle section and the two played it for producer Walter Shenson. Two days later The Beatles would formally record the song. It was a rarity for an outsider to be allowed in the studio or control booth while The Beatles rehearsed and recorded. An exception was made for the director of the “A Hard Day’s Night” film, Richard Lester.
Lester was in the control booth and offered many suggestions during the morning while this key song was worked out, much to the dismay of producer George Martin. It was
Lester’s suggestion that the song open dramatically (as it would open the film), and fade out at the end in a cinematic way. He got his wish. George’s striking a G suspended 4th
chord on his 12-string Rickenbacker make this record instantly recognizable in its opening two seconds. Released as a single in the UK on July 10, 1964, it went straight
to #1. On U.S. album:
A Hard Day’s Night - United Artists LP
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The Beatles - The Ballad Of John And Yoko - Non-LP track
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John
The Beatles’ twentieth single release for EMI, and third on the Apple Records label.
The first Beatles single issued in stereo in the UK, it is also the very first stereo single issued by EMI. The “Get Back” single had been released in stereo in America by Capitol. Recorded on April 14, 1969, by just John and Paul, the song was completed that day.
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George was on vacation and Ringo was still filming the Peter Sellers’ comedy “The Magic Christian.” Producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick, who had distanced themselves from the group because of the constant bickering amongst the group
members, were back on board behind the recording console. The single was a complete surprise to Beatles fans. They had waited a long seven months for the group to follow-up “Hey Jude” with “Get Back” and now just over a month came another new Beatles record. The rhythm track was perfected in 11 takes (four complete) with Paul playing
drums while John played acoustic guitar and sang the lead vocal. The duo was in good spirits during the day-long session. Prior to take four John said to drummer Paul “Go a
bit faster, Ringo!” and Paul replied “OK, George!” Overdubs featured Paul on bass guitar, piano, backing vocal and maracas, and John on two lead guitar parts and
percussive thumping on the back of an acoustic guitar. The song recounts the chaos surrounding John and Yoko’s getting married. Lennon had encountered visa problems because of his November 1968 drug conviction which made his movement from one
country to another very difficult. As an example, he was not allowed to enter the United States at this time so the couple’s second “Bed-In” was staged in Montreal, about an
hour north of the U.S. border in Canada.
The Beatles - Something - Abbey Road (Harrison)
Lead vocal: George The Beatles’ twenty-first single release for EMI, and fourth on the Apple
Records label. Although initially crediting Lennon and McCartney as the songwriters, legendary crooner
Frank Sinatra called George Harrison’s “Something” “the greatest love song ever written.” Commonly referred to as George’s first Beatles A-side, some sales chart makers
at the time considered the single a “double-A,” as both sides of the record received significant radio airplay, and charted both “Something” and its flip side (John’s “Come Together”) as one combined chart listing. The song is the first of two CLASSIC songs
George delivered for the “Abbey Road” album, the other being “Here Comes The Sun.” It was a phenomenal one-two punch that had to have Lennon and McCartney wondering
what else Harrison had up his sleeve.
George started writing “Something” during the sessions for the “White Album” in 1968. The opening line, “Something in the way she moves,” came from the title of a song on James Taylor’s first album. At the time, Taylor was an Apple recording artist. Producer
Chris Thomas recalls Harrison playing the song for him during a break in the sessions for “Piggies” on September 19, 1968. George sang it while accompanying himself on
harpsichord. George recorded an eight-track demo of the song on February 25, 1969, his 26th birthday, and the first proper recording took place on April 16. Unhappy with the 13 takes recorded, the band re-visited the song on May 2 and 36 takes were recorded with George on rhythm guitar (his Les Paul played through a Leslie speaker), John on
piano, Paul on Rickenbacker bass guitar and Ringo on drums. At this stage the song had a long coda and the total running time was 7:48. On July 16, George recorded his lead
vocal (replacing his lead vocal that was recorded on July 11), and Paul overdubbed backing vocals. On August 15, George re-recorded his guitar solo and the song was cut to 3:00, deleting the unnecessary instrumental coda. George’s February 25, 1969, demo
can be found on the “Anthology 3” album.
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The Beatles -I Want To Hold Your Hand – Past Masters
Recorded 17th October 1963 Parlophone and Capitol single Capitol LP Meet the Beatles!
Parlophone EP The Beatles’ Million Sellers Parlophone LP A Collection Of Beatles Oldies
The Beatles - I Feel Fine- A Collection Of Oldies (Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John The Beatles’ eighth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
Recorded in nine takes on October 18, 1964. Written entirely by John Lennon. He based the guitar riff on Bobby Parker’s obscure R&B record “Watch Your Step.” The recording marked the first occasion in which guitar feedback had been deliberately incorporated
into a pop song. The sound was achieved by Paul plucking a single bass string and John getting amplifier feedback from his guitar. Issued in the U.S. on November 23, 1964,
and in U.K. four days later. Not included on the “Beatles For Sale” LP, which was released on December 4, 1964 in the UK.
On U.S. albums: Beatles ‘65 - Capitol LP
UK:
Non-album single (A-side)
On UK album: A Collection of Beatles Oldies - Parlophone LP (1966)
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All remixed from the new Beatles 1 +
QUIZ #3 –
Ringo’s Goodnight Vienna album was released today in 1974 in the UK…The front cover is a
still photo from what 1951 science-fiction film?
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"The Day The Earth Stood Still" with Ringo's head superimposed over the head of Michael Rennie.
10.56 BREAK goodnight-‐vienna Phrase (also Good Night, Vienna; goodnight, Vienna; etc.)
1. (British slang) It's all over; nothing more can be done
Origin From a 1932 operetta of that name
Ringo – Good Night Vienna – Good Night Vienna
OUT TODAY in UK 1964 The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing - Revolver
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John
John Lennon called this fan favorite “another of my throwaways...fancy paper around an empty box.” On another occasion he simply referred to it as “another horror.” The song, written primarily by John, is notable mainly for the twin guitar riffs -- played live without
overdubs by George Harrison and Paul McCartney -- that drive the song, and Paul’s distinctive bass notes at the end of the song. Lennon played the rhythm guitar in the D
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major position with the capo on the second fret to account for the song being in the key of E. John used the second fret capo several times ("Nowhere Man," "Julia," "Norwegian Wood," to name a few). Initial recording of the song commenced on April 20, 1966, with
two takes being completed. Take 2 was deemed the best and various overdubs were added. While recording vocals John and Paul got a case of the giggles and laughed their way through much of the song. That hilarious version can be found on the “Anthology 2” compilation. On April 26, the band decided to scrap the previous version and start
over from scratch, recording 11 takes. The term “bird” was British slang at the time for girl. Although Lennon never elaborated on the inspiration behind the lyrics, it is believed
to refer to the rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Although the two groups were friends, Lennon saw the Stones as Beatles copyists, and the 'bird' in the
title may have been Mick Jagger’s on-again, off-again girlfriend/muse Marianne Faithfull. The working title of the song was “You Don’t Get Me.” “And Your Bird Can Sing” was one of three songs issued in America six weeks prior to their official release in the UK. American and Canadian Beatles fans heard “I’m Only Sleeping,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “Doctor Robert” first on Capitol Records’ “Yesterday And Today” album,
issued June 20, 1966. The rest of the world had to wait until the first week of August for them to appear on the “Revolver” LP. "And Your Bird Can Sing" was used as the theme
song of The Beatles' cartoon series during its third season. On U.S. album:
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Yesterday And Today - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Please Please Me – Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
Lead vocal: John and Paul The Beatles’ second single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
Written entirely by John Lennon in the bedroom of his Aunt Mimi’s home on Menlove Ave., Lennon has said it was his attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song. In fact, the
original version was a slower, bluesy version which producer George Martin recalls as being “rather dreary.” Because Martin was insisting on releasing their previously
recorded cover of “How Do You Do It?” as their next single, The Beatles rearranged “Please Please Me” as an up-tempo song with harmonies and harmonica and then stood
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their ground to get it selected as their second single. Martin agreed to issue this Beatles original as the next single, shelving “How Do You Do It?” for another month, when it
again came up for consideration for a single release. This was the first record owned by Elvis Costello, who was in the Beatles Fan Club when he was eleven. The 45 rpm single was released January 11, 1963 and topped two of the UK music industry’s three sales charts, compelling EMI to order a full album of songs from the band. It was the first
Beatles release to list the songwriters as “McCartney-Lennon.” Both sides featured the credit in that last name order. Released three different times in the U.S. on Vee-Jay. The
coupling of “Please Please Me” and “Ask Me Why” caused many to take notice of The Beatles, and particularly Lennon and McCartney's burgeoning songwriting partnership. It
led to Dick James approaching them to found Northern Songs, their music publishing company.
On U.S. albums: Introducing… The Beatles (Version 2) - Vee-Jay LP
The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
The Beatles - All Together Now - Yellow Submarine
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul
In May 1967, with the “Sgt. Pepper” album in the can and awaiting release, the Beatles went to work on two projects at the same time. They began recording the title track for “Magical Mystery Tour” and also starting to record the new songs they had promised for
the “Yellow Submarine” film. The first song specifically recorded for the “Yellow Submarine” film was “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” (on May 11, 1967), but that song was
pulled several months later to fill the B-side of the “All You Need Is Love” single. George Harrison’s “Sgt. Pepper” reject “Only A Northern Song” was added to the stack of film songs. Paul’s sing-along “All Together Now” was started and finished on May 12, 1967.
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Nine takes were recorded. Instruments included two acoustic guitars (probably Paul and George), bass guitar (Paul), bass drum (Ringo), harmonica and banjo (John).
The Beatles - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul
Written by Paul while in Rishikesh, India. In Barry Miles’ “Many Years From Now” Paul recalls walking through the Indian jungle near the Maharishi’s compound with his guitar singing “Ob-La,Di, Ob-La, Da, life goes on, bra,” taking the phrase from Jimmy Scott, a Nigerian conga player who had been a part of the London music scene since the 50s. In Scott’s native language, “Ob la di ob la da” is an expression meaning “life goes on.” Paul
created characters for his story - Desmond and Molly and their barrow in a Caribbean marketplace. A barrow is a cart or small vehicle used to carry a load and pulled or
pushed by hand.
Recording started on July 3, 1968, but would be worked on and re-worked virtually every day until mid-July. In one take Paul accidently reversed the roles of Desmond and Molly in the third verse and the error was purposely kept in the released version. The
song went through multiple changes and a more reggae-flavored version can be heard on the “Anthology 3” album.
In Japan, EMI Toshiba issued the single “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” b/w “While My Guitar
Gently Weeps” on March 10, 1969. Paul had wanted the same combination released as an official Beatles single in England and America but the idea was voted down by John
and George.
BREAK
Next Sunday WHITE ALBUM Special Anniversary Show…Spanky McFarlane from 60’s group Spanky & Our
Gang…Lazy Day…Sunday Will Never Be The Same sing for ya…show up coming at McCabes in Santa Monica. w/
Mickey Dolenz sister Coco.
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The Beatles - In My Life - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John with Paul
Recorded October 18, 1965 and written primarily by John, who called it his “first real major piece of work.” Of all the Lennon-McCartney collaborations only two songs have really been disputed by John and Paul themselves -- “Eleanor Rigby” and “In My Life.” Both agree that the lyrics are 100% Lennon, but John says Paul helped on the musical bridge, while Paul recalls writing the entire melody on John’s Mellotron. The gorgeous
piano solo is provided by George Martin. To give his solo a harpsichord sound the producer played the piano at half speed and an octave lower so that when played at
regular speed it would be in the correct key for the song. On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul
George Harrison – What Is Life - All Things Must Pass ‘70 George wrote this song in 1969 while traveling to a Billy Preston session at
Olympic Studios. This would be the second single released off the album, though it was listed as the B-Side for “My Sweet Lord,” in the UK. Although it should
have been noted as a Double-A Single. Eric Clapton provides lead guitar.
11.26 BREAK
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The Beatles - Twist And Shout – Please Please Me
(Medley-Russell) Lead vocal: John
The last song recorded during the marathon session on February 11, 1963. Two takes were completed before Lennon’s voice gave out. The released version is the first take.
Originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in May 1962, The Beatles performed it regularly in their live act between 1962 and 1965. Its inclusion in the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” sent the song up the Billboard singles chart 22 years after its initial
U.S. release. On U.S. albums:
Introducing… The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP
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The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
George Harrison – This Song - Thirty-Three & 1/3 ‘76 Still smarting from the “My Sweet Lord/He’s So Fine” debacle – which was coming to a conclusion (for which George lost the judgment); the track is
sarcastic, but supplied with an upbeat melody and voice. A promo film was shot for the song (and first single off the album) during one night in a borrowed court room, with Ron Wood as a member of the audience and Jim Keltner playing the
judge.
The Beatles - Two Of Us - Let It Be
(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: Paul and John
A Paul McCartney solo composition originally entitled “On Our Way Home.” Thought by many to be a song about John and Paul, "Two of Us" is actually a song written by Paul
about himself and his soon-to-be wife, Linda Eastman. The lyrics are derived from various experiences where the two would get in the car with Paul's dog, Martha, and just drive in the countryside until they were lost. One particular day, Linda parked the car and went for a walk with her camera and Paul sat in the car and wrote the basic
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tune for the song. Paul introduced the song to the other Beatles during the January 1969 sessions in which the group was working up seven or eight new songs to include in
a one-hour concert television special. At this time, “On Our Way Home” was not the Everly Brothers-styled acoustic version heard on the released album. Both John and producer Glyn Johns suggested to Paul that an acoustic arrangement might suit the
song better, but McCartney was thinking in terms of how it might play in the concert TV special, so he wanted a fast song. On January 24, after numerous run-throughs that
seemed to go nowhere, John again suggested they try it with acoustic guitars, and Paul agreed. The line-up was Paul on his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, John on acoustic guitar, George on his Fender Telecaster (playing a bass part on the top strings) and Ringo on
drums. The first performance with acoustic guitar featured a solo John vocal on the first verse. For the mixes submitted to Apple, Glyn Johns selected a January 24 take of the
song (one without Lennon’s whistling at the end of the song). One of these non-whistling takes can be heard on the “Anthology 3” album. The version found on the “Let It Be” was the second performance of three (numbered Takes 10, 11, 12) on January
31. This is the performance shown in the “Let It Be” film. John’s opening dialog (“‘I Dig A Pygmy’ by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf-aids. Phase one in which Doris gets her
oats”) followed Ringo hitting his snare drum was recorded before the group played “I Dig A Pony” on January 21. Charles Hawtrey was a British actor and deaf-aids is British slang for hearing aids. American Beatles fans got their first glimpse of a bearded Paul McCartney and the Beatles performing “Two Of Us” when a clip of the song as seen in
the “Let It Be” film was shown on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on March 1, 1970
Closer
