Beatles News
Of all the rock bands that could have launched comebacks in 2023, The Beatles were certainly the least likely. The group has been officially disbanded for half a century, and the two remaining members have not stated that they intended to get the old outfit back together to make more music. That makes sense, as half of the original members are no longer with us.
For these reasons–and so many others–nobody expected The Beatles to return with new music in 2023. And yet, somehow they did what no one thought they could and released their first original piece of work in years, “Now and Then.” In doing so, the band landed another big hit while simultaneously changing what’s possible in the music industry and dominating the music conversation once again.
In mid-2203, Paul McCartney spoke to the BBC and revealed that he was hard at work on a new Beatles track. The masses all around the world immediately freaked out–both because the most successful band of all time was gearing up to release new music, and because of the technology that was helping them do so.
Source: Hugh McIntyre/forbes.com
Ringo Starr had a successful career as a solo musician after The Beatles ended.
"Ringo wasn’t even the best drummer in The Beatles."
Unfairly for Ringo Starr, this jibe - that was in fact coined by comedian Jasper Carrott and not his bandmate John Lennon as legend would believe - has stuck with him throughout his career.
Whilst Ringo wasn't exactly a virtuoso when it came to the drum kit, he brought a unique energy and style to The Beatles' recordings.
Yes, he might not have made the greatest contributions to The Beatles oeuvre - he technically only wrote two songs for the Fab Four in 'Don't Pass Me By' and 'Octopus's Garden'.
But then again even George Harrison found it difficult to get a look in when the songwriting magnificence of Lennon and Paul McCartney took precedence. When it came to pursuing a solo career after The Beatles called it a day in 1970, he grabbed the opportunity to change that narrative with a string of hits and albums behind the microphone, which arguably peaked with the release of his 1973 album, Ringo, his first solo album of original music.
Source: Thomas Curtis-Horsfall/goldradiouk.com
In the 1980s, Paul McCartney started to go gray. He liked the way it looked, but former bandmate Ringo Starr did not.
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are both still performing and making music after six decades in the industry. Both men are in their 80s but have a youthful vitality. Starr once pushed his former bandmate to look younger, though. When McCartney’s hair started going gray, Starr scolded him for letting himself go.
In 1986, McCartney was in his 40s and embracing his age. He let his hair go gray and admitted he had no plans to dye it.
“Yeah, I’m leaving [the gray],” McCartney told Rolling Stone. “When you’re past forty, the game is up, you know? My wife actually likes it.”
Starr did not like it, though. He told McCartney off for not coloring it which, McCartney believed, was because it made him feel old.
“Ringo told me off about it, though – he reckoned I ought to color it,” he said. “I think he’s kind of gaugin’ himself by how old I look – like I make him feel old if I look a bit old. But what the hell, you know? This is life. We’re all gettin’ older every second. My main thing is just to try and enjoy it. And I’m very surprised to find that, more often than not, I really do.”
Years later, Starr insulted McCartney’s aging appearance once again.
“I was having dinner with him recently in L.A. with Dave Grohl and our wives,” McCartney told Rolling Stone in 2015. “I know Ringo has been sober for years, so I joked, ‘C’mon, Ringo, have a whiskey.’”
Source: Emma McKee/cheatsheet.com
The legacy of Sir George Martin, the legendary Beatles producer, continues to echo as his children, Giles and Lucie Martin, are gifted 30 musical instruments by the Bailiwick of Guernsey. This generous offering, inclusive of violins, cellos, and a drum kit, is intended as a boon for young musicians on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, furthering the musical bond that Sir George Martin, often referred to as the ‘fifth Beatle,’ fostered between the islands during his time.Sir George Martin, who held residences in both Alderney on Braye Road and Montserrat, left an indelible imprint on the musical connection between the islands. His children will be officially accepting the donation at a ceremony set to commemorate this burgeoning relationship. The event serves as a poignant reminder of Martin’s love for music and his unyielding commitment to nurturing talent.Tim Wright, spearheading the Guernsey Music Service, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Government House and the Governor’s Office in Montserrat. He emphasized the extraordinary opportunity to highlight the legacy of George Martin, whose Montserrat recording studio was a sanctuary for many top artists. This initiative marks a significant step in preserving and promoting the musical heritage that Martin passionately cultivated.
Source: BNN Correspondents/bnnbreaking.com
Donovan has revealed that he became a songwriting mentor to George Harrison during the 1960s to help him out of the “shadow” of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
The Scottish singer-songwriter, known for his hits ‘Mellow Yellow’, ‘Sunshine Superman’ and ‘Hurdy Gurdy Man’, regularly spent time with The Beatles during the peak of their success.
Speaking to Record Collector Magazine (via Music News), he said: “I became George’s mentor for songwriting. He was in the shadow of John and Paul for so many years and I said, ‘Look, I’ll show you a few tricks, how to encourage the songs.’ There’s a way to encourage the song to come.
“You can tease it, like fishing,” he continued. “I told him how to play a chord then put your ear on the guitar, listen to the open chord and try a tempo.”
“You can hear melodies, believe it or not. Melodies appear, but you’ve got to be quick to catch them.”
Harrison went on to write several of The Beatles’ most beloved songs, including ‘Here Comes the Sun’, ‘Something’, While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ and ‘Taxman’.
Source: Max Pilley/nme.com
Paul McCartney and Wings scored several hits throughout their tenure. Among that pack is “Let ‘Em In.” The instantly catchy track reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart–one of three top hits on that particular chart. Given its popularity, we’d feel fine surmising that most people have heard “Let ‘Em In” at least once, but do many people know the meaning behind the track? If not, find out below.
Behind the Meaning
Someone’s knocking at the door
Somebody ringing the bell
Someone knocking at the door
Somebody ringing the bell
Do me a favor
Open the door, and let ’em in
McCartney is no stranger to writing playful, tongue-in-cheek songs. “Let ‘Em In” is one such song. The meaning behind this song is fairly self-explanatory. Given McCartney’s proven ability to hide metaphors in his music, one might be tempted to think that there is more than meets the eye to “Let ‘Em In.” Nevertheless, it is exactly as it seems.
Sister Suzy, brother John
Martin Luther, Phil & Don
Brother Michael, Auntie Jin
Open the door, let ’em in, oh yeah
McCartney lists the names of famous friends, loved ones, and family members–all of whom are desperate to get into McCartney’s house for some reason. The names were inspired by real-life acquaintances, according to McCartney.
Source: Alex Hopper/americansongwriter.com
Modern music would sound very different without The Beatles. During their seven-year career as a recording band, they revolutionised music in so many ways, elevating it to an art form. But even a band as inarguably great as they were had their off days – their back catalogue is littered with the occasional stinker that should have never made it out of the studio. Here are 10 tracks that prove The Beatles were human after all.
Source: Henry Yates/loudersound.com
The Beatles, an iconic quartet that revolutionized the music industry, left an indelible mark on the world with their timeless and innovative tunes. As pioneers of the British Invasion in the 1960s, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr created a musical legacy that continues to captivate generations. In this exploration of the “Top 10 Best Beatles Songs of All Time,” we embark on a journey through the band’s illustrious discography, spanning from the energetic days of Beatlemania to the experimental phase of their later years. These ten tracks stand as monuments to the band’s unparalleled songwriting prowess, intricate harmonies, and groundbreaking production techniques. From anthems that defined a generation to tender ballads that resonate with the human experience, each song on this list represents a chapter in the Beatles’ extraordinary narrative. Join us as we celebrate the genius of the Fab Four and delve into the magic of their music, revealing the timeless allure that continues to make The Beatles a cultural phenomenon and their songs enduring classics.
Source:Samuel Moore/singersroom.com
Ringo Starr became a Beatles legend, one of his signature tunes was a track about a caveman. Somehow, this all connects to "Monster Mash."
Before Ringo Starr became a Beatles legend, he played cover songs with lesser-known rock musicians. One of his signature tunes back then was a track about a caveman, but not just any caveman: a comic strip caveman. Somehow, this all connects to “Monster Mash.”
In a 2019 Rolling Stone article, Ringo and Nirvana’s Dave Grohl interviewed one another. Grohl asked Ringo if he would sing songs as part of his pre-Beatles bands. “I’d do ‘Watch Your Step,’ and I’d do ‘Alley Oop,'” Ringo replied. “Watch Your Step” is a blues-rock hit by Bobby Parker while “Alley Oop” is a novelty song about the comic strip caveman of the same name. Between “Alley Oop” and The Flintstones, cavemen appeared to be in vogue at that time.
Ringo discussed the reaction to “Alley Oop.” “In Germany, all the Germans would always [say], ‘Spielen’ Alley Oop,'” he said. “You know, substances came into play in Germany — that was good. A lot of alcohol, of course, but speed came in, and that kept us up all night.” During a 2017 interview with People, Ringo said German audiences enjoyed “Alley Oop” because its hook was the same in every language.
Source: Matthew Trzcinski/cheatsheet.com
The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" includes an echoing verse where the inhabitants of the yellow submarine talk to each other. Ringo Starr told a rock star how he created this sound.
The Beatles‘ “Yellow Submarine” includes a famous verse where the inhabitants of the yellow submarine talk to each other. The verse has a memorable echo effect. Ringo Starr once explained to another rock star how The Beatles were able to create this sound.
In a 2019 Rolling Stone article, Ringo and Nirvana’s Dave Grohl interviewed each other. Grohl asked how the Fab Four created the famous echo sound effect for “Yellow Submarine.” “We were just in Abbey Road for the [remastered] Abbey Road album release,” he replied.
“If you look where the stairs come down, [that’s] where we used to hang out and huddle with each other,” he added. “There’s a big door, and I went and opened that door and just shouted from there. John was saying, ‘What we do, Captain?’ or something. We were just all shouting and put it on. So that’s [why] it felt echoey. We did what we did!”
Source: Matthew Trzcinski/cheatsheet.com
