Beatles Episode Primer

Three Albums for Your Week (October 30 - September 7)

Ok, it’s officially Beatles season around here and the next episode of my radio show (coming this Friday) will be all about our four friends from Liverpool. So to make sure we are all prepared for a lively conversation, please follow this simple primer below. And yes, this is an assignment.

Here’s the thing: I’m a big John person. Rigidly so. Paul’s stuff (Beatles and solo) mostly leaves me cold. I like some of it but don’t really love most of it. So this week we’re gonna take a look at why that might be. I must be missing something!

In an effort to have a balanced conversation—and to enlighten me—I’ve reached out to the Paul McCartney community (at least the segment that follows me on my Instagram) and asked them to try to explain what I’m missing in Mr. McCartney’s work. I’ve received many thoughtful and passionate responses and I’ll be taking them all into consideration—and responding to many on the air!

Ok here we go!

Three Albums for Your Week

September 30 - October 7

(1 Beatles album, 1 solo Paul album, 1 solo John album)

1. The Beatles: The Beatles (1968)

I picked the White Album because it’s peak Beatles but it’s also the first time everyone is really writing on their own. So we get clear Paul songs, John songs, and George songs—and we even get our first Ringo song!

Here’s the assignment: listen to the album all the way through with fresh ears and an open mind. Keep track of which songs you like, which songs you love and which songs just aren’t for you.

Obviously the only thing that matters is how your body and soul naturally respond to these songs but, if you want some stuff to mull over as you listen, here ya go:

• Which songs excite you? 

• Which songs bore you?

• Which songs make you feel something deep and mysterious?

• Which songs feel honest and vulnerable?

• Which songs provide an escape from the horrors of our world?  

• Which songs feel phony?

• Which songs make you feel good?

• Which songs acknowledge the horrors of our world and also say something warm to you?

• Which songs feel cheap?

• Which songs act as if the horrors of our world don’t exist?

• Which songs make you want to crank it up and rock out?

Ok, after you’ve listened and taken a moment to consider what you’ve heard, please refer to the following guide so you’re clear on which Beatle wrote which song.