“The thing is, we’re really the same person. We’re just four parts of the one.” – Paul McCartney We all know the Beatles were something truly special, but they were far more than that. They were literally magic. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr each represented an elemental force within the band.…
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Magician (Lennon/McCartney) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 Sgt. Pepper: The Beatles’ most notorious record and arguably the greatest album ever made! Released in the Summer of Love, it broke the mold for what was possible from a rock band. It is the perfect infusion of…
I’ve Got A Feeling – 9 of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) Let It Be, 1970 We can tell within the first few notes that the feeling he’s got is one of dark foreboding. For good reason: the Beatles were growing apart personally and creatively as this song was recorded for what would eventually be the Let It…
I’m Down – 8 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) Released as a single, 1965 Available on Past Masters This B-side to the smash single “Help!” became a raucous staple of The Beatles’ live act. Little Richard is a clear influence, and “I’m Down” could be seen as a sequel to a Paul-sung favorite, “Long Tall Sally“. Like…
A Taste Of Honey – Knight of Cups (Scott/Marlow) Please Please Me, 1963 “A Taste Of Honey” has a real dramatic feel to it. And for good reason: the song was originally written for a Broadway version of a British play. This tune from Side 2 of The Beatles’ debut album was part of their…
Yer Blues – 5 of Pentacles (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 John returned home from the Beatles’ spiritual retreat in 1968 with a big batch of new songs. You might think they would have been uplifting and joyful, but you would be wrong. Most of the songs Lennon wrote in India were among his…