New Book Explores Beatles Famous 2-Sided Single
Beatles fans in 1967 likely remember when they first heard the two-sided single: Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. I didn’t put myself in the Beatles-fan category but regularly heard those songs. I even bought upon release the other two-sided Beatles single of 1967, All You Need is Love and Baby You’re a Rich Man.
Jonathan Cott is not simply a Beatles fan. He is among the world’s leading experts on all things Beatles. His new book, perfectly titled “Let Me Take You Down,” puts Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever in their broader context. If there is anything you ever wondered about either song Cott likely answers it in his 150-page book.
“The Best Record We Ever Made”
That’s how George Martin, known as “the fifth Beatle” for producing many of the group’s original albums, described Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever. The New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik says the record “was the single most significant work of art produced in the 1960’s.”
Really?
I was astounded to read both comments. I would never list either song in the pantheon of Beatles top tunes but Cott builds a strong case for both.
Source: Randy Shaw/beyondchron.org
