All You Need is Love – 10 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 During the Summer of Love, the Beatles had reached a whole new peak of fame and notoriety. Sure, they’d been world-famous pop stars for years. But in June 1967 they’d just released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They were now…
Do You Want to Know a Secret? – Page of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Please Please Me, 1963 “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” was written by John, shortly after getting married to Cynthia. He soon recognized the simple melody was well-suited for George’s vocal range. John said later that the idea for the song came…
Because – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) Abbey Road, 1969 Listening to “Because” feels like being transported to an otherworldly, mystical dimension. The sound of the song is simultaneously quiet and big. The minimal lyrics seem to say so much with so few words. It’s as if we’ve transported to the astral plane. We’re invited to join…
Mr. Moonlight – The Moon (Johnson) Beatles For Sale, 1964 “Mr. Moonlight” is a good example of how the Beatles set themselves apart from other rock and roll acts on the club circuit before they made it big, and before they became successful songwriters. While other acts sang what was popular, the Fab Four often…
Doctor Robert – King of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Revolver, 1966 Although the Beatles made oblique references to drug use in some of their previous songs, “Doctor Robert” is their first direct reference to it. When Revolver was released in 1966 the band still had a reputation as lovable moptops among most of their fanbase and the…
I Need You – 5 of Cups (Harrison) Help!, 1965 “I Need You” was just the second George Harrison composition recorded by the Beatles, and was featured in their second movie Help!. The song may have foreshadowed the future of his relationship with future-wife, Patti Boyd. They were soon to be married but years later…