When Morgan Spurlock, who died May 23 from complications of cancer at age 53, first entered the documentary space in 2004 with “Super Size Me,” he managed to turn the film’s success into a career. A career that was not only prolific, but also lucrative — a rarity, to this day, in the field.
The secret to Spurlock’s success? He was not only a talented filmmaker, but also a brilliant businessman.
Just 11 months after the Sundance premiere of “Super Size Me,” Spurlock partnered with FX on the docuseries “30 Days,” which chronicled the journey of an individual situated in an environment antithetical to his background. The first season of the series began airing in 2005 and included episodes about a Christian living as a Muslim and a conservative heterosexual living with a gay man. In total, FX chairman John Landgraf ordered three seasons of “30 Days,” which was executive produced by Ben Silverman and R.J. Cutler.
The secret to Spurlock’s success? He was not only a talented filmmaker, but also a brilliant businessman.
Just 11 months after the Sundance premiere of “Super Size Me,” Spurlock partnered with FX on the docuseries “30 Days,” which chronicled the journey of an individual situated in an environment antithetical to his background. The first season of the series began airing in 2005 and included episodes about a Christian living as a Muslim and a conservative heterosexual living with a gay man. In total, FX chairman John Landgraf ordered three seasons of “30 Days,” which was executive produced by Ben Silverman and R.J. Cutler.
- 5/24/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The Beatles were the best rock ‘n’ roll band ever, but there was one way in which Michael Jackson surpassed them. The King of Pop was simply a better entertainer than the Fab Four. That is not to say he always made superior music — but the “Thriller” singer had some gifts that The Beatles did not.
1 way Michael Jackson’s era was better than The Beatles’
The Beatles gave the world many of the best and most innovative pop songs of all time, including “Tomorrow Never Knows,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “A Day in the Life.” However, their live performances never quite lived up to the magic they made in the studio. They would play professionally, but they weren’t much for razzle-dazzle. They were a band of their time. The Beatles stopped making music before 1970s acts like David Bowie, Kiss, and Alice Cooper revolutionized live shows and made them more theatrical.
1 way Michael Jackson’s era was better than The Beatles’
The Beatles gave the world many of the best and most innovative pop songs of all time, including “Tomorrow Never Knows,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “A Day in the Life.” However, their live performances never quite lived up to the magic they made in the studio. They would play professionally, but they weren’t much for razzle-dazzle. They were a band of their time. The Beatles stopped making music before 1970s acts like David Bowie, Kiss, and Alice Cooper revolutionized live shows and made them more theatrical.
- 4/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones will be compared to each other until the planet Earth is destroyed and any extraterrestrial life will have no chance of knowing that rock ‘n’ roll ever existed. One of Mick Jagger’s girlfriends revealed what the frontman thought of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.” John Lennon also had plenty to say about The Rolling Stones.
Mick Jagger felt The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was ‘silly’
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend and muse in the 1960s. She’s most known for her solo ballad “As Tears Go By,” which Jagger co-wrote with Keith Richards. In her 2008 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, Faithfull recalled the way that Jagger reacted to some of The Beatles’ songs.
“Mick might, very occasionally, put The Beatles down for their provincialism, which, if you’re from London and they’re from Liverpool, is a very natural reaction,” he said. “But he’d never put their music down.
Mick Jagger felt The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was ‘silly’
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend and muse in the 1960s. She’s most known for her solo ballad “As Tears Go By,” which Jagger co-wrote with Keith Richards. In her 2008 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, Faithfull recalled the way that Jagger reacted to some of The Beatles’ songs.
“Mick might, very occasionally, put The Beatles down for their provincialism, which, if you’re from London and they’re from Liverpool, is a very natural reaction,” he said. “But he’d never put their music down.
- 3/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
One of The Monkees watched The Beatles create a famous part of “A Day in the Life.” Around the same time, The Monkees released their own song that was similarly avant-garde. Both of the songs are five-star classics.
The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz saw The Beatles’ record ‘A Day in the Life’ at a party
During a 2017 interview with Cleveland Scene, Dolenz explained that The Monkees’ sitcom was “about this band that was trying to be The Beatles. Trying to be famous. But on the television show, we never were [famous]. It was the struggle for success that was part of the theme of the show and I think that endeared it to a lot of kids — kids who were in their garages and basements trying to be famous.”
The connection between the Fab Four and the Prefab Four extended beyond that. Dolenz was present for the recordings of certain tracks of Sgt.
The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz saw The Beatles’ record ‘A Day in the Life’ at a party
During a 2017 interview with Cleveland Scene, Dolenz explained that The Monkees’ sitcom was “about this band that was trying to be The Beatles. Trying to be famous. But on the television show, we never were [famous]. It was the struggle for success that was part of the theme of the show and I think that endeared it to a lot of kids — kids who were in their garages and basements trying to be famous.”
The connection between the Fab Four and the Prefab Four extended beyond that. Dolenz was present for the recordings of certain tracks of Sgt.
- 3/19/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney is known for bringing a bit of inspired silliness to his songwriting — after all, one of his most famous his is called “Silly Love Songs!” Paul said he added a joke to The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four” to make it “funnier.” He said “When I’m Sixty-Four” was inspired by old-school songs he and John Lennon appreciated so much. On the other hand, John said he never could have written “When I’m Sixty-Four.”
Paul McCartney added a line about starving to The Beatles’ ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ as a joke
During a 2012 interview with The Independent, Paul discussed the concept behind “When I’m Sixty-Four.” “It was about myself, looking to the future,” he recalled. “Retirement age of 65 felt too obvious, so I made it a year earlier.”
One of the tune’s most famous lines could have been very different. “‘Will you still need me, will you still feed me...
Paul McCartney added a line about starving to The Beatles’ ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ as a joke
During a 2012 interview with The Independent, Paul discussed the concept behind “When I’m Sixty-Four.” “It was about myself, looking to the future,” he recalled. “Retirement age of 65 felt too obvious, so I made it a year earlier.”
One of the tune’s most famous lines could have been very different. “‘Will you still need me, will you still feed me...
- 3/15/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Paul McCartney worked closely together while writing “A Day in the Life.” The two Beatles wrote different portions of the song to create the final version. Though Lennon was the one who began working on it, McCartney made major contributions to the song. Still, Lennon said McCartney seemed almost shy when he presented his portions.
John Lennon said Paul McCartney seemed bashful while writing ‘A Day in the Life’
Lennon and McCartney began writing more as individuals in the latter half of the 1960s, but they still worked closely together on songs.
“Paul and I were definitely working together, especially on ‘A Day In The Life,’” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The way we wrote a lot of the time: you’d write the good bit, the part that was easy, like ‘l read the news today’ or whatever it was. Then when you got stuck or whenever it got hard,...
John Lennon said Paul McCartney seemed bashful while writing ‘A Day in the Life’
Lennon and McCartney began writing more as individuals in the latter half of the 1960s, but they still worked closely together on songs.
“Paul and I were definitely working together, especially on ‘A Day In The Life,’” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The way we wrote a lot of the time: you’d write the good bit, the part that was easy, like ‘l read the news today’ or whatever it was. Then when you got stuck or whenever it got hard,...
- 3/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Though The Beatles were the biggest band in the world in the 1960s, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr still faced censure. Several Beatles songs were banned around the world. One song Lennon wrote did not receive playtime on the radio because some believed it referenced drugs. Lennon rolled his eyes at this interpretation and called the song beautiful.
John Lennon admired a banned Beatles song
In 1968, The Beatles released “Happiness is a Warm Gun.” Every member of the band was incredibly proud of the song, but some censors were not. The BBC banned the song, believing it referenced heroin use.
“‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ was another one which was banned on the radio — they said it was about shooting up drugs. But they were advertising guns and I thought it was so crazy that I made a song out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology.
John Lennon admired a banned Beatles song
In 1968, The Beatles released “Happiness is a Warm Gun.” Every member of the band was incredibly proud of the song, but some censors were not. The BBC banned the song, believing it referenced heroin use.
“‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ was another one which was banned on the radio — they said it was about shooting up drugs. But they were advertising guns and I thought it was so crazy that I made a song out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 3/8/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Paul McCartney worked closely together on “A Day in the Life.” They each wrote portions of the song and married the parts together to create the finished product. Lennon was often hard on McCartney’s writing, but he complimented the work his bandmate put into the song. He believed that one line McCartney wrote was particularly beautiful.
John Lennon admired one of Paul McCartney’s contributions to ‘A Day in the Life’
While Lennon and McCartney wrote closely together in the early years of The Beatles, they drifted apart as the 1960s progressed. Still, some songs were the product of their close collaboration in later years. “A Day in the Life” was one of them.
“Paul and I were definitely working together, especially on ‘A Day In The Life,’” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The way we wrote a lot of the time: you’d write the good bit,...
John Lennon admired one of Paul McCartney’s contributions to ‘A Day in the Life’
While Lennon and McCartney wrote closely together in the early years of The Beatles, they drifted apart as the 1960s progressed. Still, some songs were the product of their close collaboration in later years. “A Day in the Life” was one of them.
“Paul and I were definitely working together, especially on ‘A Day In The Life,’” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The way we wrote a lot of the time: you’d write the good bit,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ songs from A to Z are a study of how the band changed the course of pop music. The songwriting, melodies, instrumentals, and recording technqiues established the band as among the most influential in music history. But for all their success, The Beatles remained active for a relatively short period of time.
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
- 2/26/2024
- by Matt Moore
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney interviewed each other. Swift was shocked to learn Paul wrote a Beatles song from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band when he was a teenager. Despite her comments, the track in question feels like it could have come from a teenage mind.
Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney discussed The Beatles’ song ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’
In a 2020 Rolling Stone article, Swift reacted to Paul’s record McCartney III. “I listened to your new record,” she said. “And I loved a lot of things about it, but it really did feel like kind of a flex to write, produce, and play every instrument on every track. To me, that’s like flexing a muscle and saying, ‘I can do all this on my own if I have to.'”
Paul responded with some insight into his creative process. “Well, I don’t think like that, I must admit,...
Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney discussed The Beatles’ song ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’
In a 2020 Rolling Stone article, Swift reacted to Paul’s record McCartney III. “I listened to your new record,” she said. “And I loved a lot of things about it, but it really did feel like kind of a flex to write, produce, and play every instrument on every track. To me, that’s like flexing a muscle and saying, ‘I can do all this on my own if I have to.'”
Paul responded with some insight into his creative process. “Well, I don’t think like that, I must admit,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ catalog is filled with ignored gems. One of The Beatles’ No. 1 songs is mostly forgotten today. Here’s why it’s great and What Paul McCartney had to say about it.
1 of The Beatles’ underrated songs has a perfect hard-rock riff
The Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” is not a groundbreaking psychedelic relic like “A Day in the Life” or “Revolution 9.” It’s not a stadium anthem like “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be.” Nor is it a radio staple.
But that riff is one of the best in The Beatles’ discography. It’s the perfect blend of bubblegum with hard-rock. Pop music is supposed to make people happy. I doubt anyone could listen to “I Feel Fine” without absorbing some of its joy. “I Feel Fine” is a silly love song but it’s one of The Beatles’ best.
Paul McCartney said the song was more popular than...
1 of The Beatles’ underrated songs has a perfect hard-rock riff
The Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” is not a groundbreaking psychedelic relic like “A Day in the Life” or “Revolution 9.” It’s not a stadium anthem like “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be.” Nor is it a radio staple.
But that riff is one of the best in The Beatles’ discography. It’s the perfect blend of bubblegum with hard-rock. Pop music is supposed to make people happy. I doubt anyone could listen to “I Feel Fine” without absorbing some of its joy. “I Feel Fine” is a silly love song but it’s one of The Beatles’ best.
Paul McCartney said the song was more popular than...
- 2/11/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
With Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood comprising two-thirds of the Smile’s lineup, the band is unlikely to ever escape comparisons to Radiohead. There’s a certain undefinable quality to the latter group’s music that courses conspicuously through the Smile’s Wall of Eyes, but there are also some more easily identifiable similarities between the two bands.
For one, most of the eight tracks here are built around drumbeats that help to anchor ephemeral melodies. On the title track, ambient synths ebb and flow, washing over the song’s acoustic guitars in a way that’s reminiscent of Radiohead’s “How to Disappear Completely.” Elsewhere, the surreal electric guitar of the eight-minute “Bending Hectic” serves as a touchstone around which fever-pitched synths continually circle, similar to those on albums like Hail to the Thief.
“Friend of a Friend” breaks from Wall of Eyes’s electronic sound, with a piano-driven...
For one, most of the eight tracks here are built around drumbeats that help to anchor ephemeral melodies. On the title track, ambient synths ebb and flow, washing over the song’s acoustic guitars in a way that’s reminiscent of Radiohead’s “How to Disappear Completely.” Elsewhere, the surreal electric guitar of the eight-minute “Bending Hectic” serves as a touchstone around which fever-pitched synths continually circle, similar to those on albums like Hail to the Thief.
“Friend of a Friend” breaks from Wall of Eyes’s electronic sound, with a piano-driven...
- 1/24/2024
- by Dana Poland
- Slant Magazine
The Beatles‘ songs don’t sound much like Blink-182’s. Despite this, Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 is a big fan of one of The Beatles’ ballads from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The track in question is underrated.
Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 said 1 Beatles song gets him choked up
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Hoppus was asked to name his favorite Beatles song. He picked “She’s Leaving Home,” a ballad from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While “She’s Leaving Home” is part of one of the biggest albums of all time, it doesn’t garner as much attention as other tracks on Sgt. Pepper such as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life.” It’s also nowhere near as famous as other Beatles ballads like “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” or “The Long and Winding Road.”
“She’s Leaving Home” has a huge impact on Hoppus.
Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 said 1 Beatles song gets him choked up
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Hoppus was asked to name his favorite Beatles song. He picked “She’s Leaving Home,” a ballad from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While “She’s Leaving Home” is part of one of the biggest albums of all time, it doesn’t garner as much attention as other tracks on Sgt. Pepper such as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life.” It’s also nowhere near as famous as other Beatles ballads like “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” or “The Long and Winding Road.”
“She’s Leaving Home” has a huge impact on Hoppus.
- 1/15/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Dave Grohl of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters once interviewed fellow drummer Ringo Starr. Grohl gave Ringo his explanation of what a good drummer does. He also revealed what he thought of the “It Don’t Come Easy” singer as a musician. Here’s a look at Ringo’s skills and how he compared to the other Beatles.
Dave Grohl says you can tell that Ringo Starr was a self-taught drummer
During a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone, Grohl discussed drumming with the “Photograph” singer. “So I think that the sign of a great drummer is knowing who that drummer is within eight bars of the song,” he said. “I think that’s the goal.”
Grohl ruminated on why Ringo’s drumming is so distinctive. “I think a lot of it has to do with being self-taught, because you were just doing what came naturally to you, so you weren’t...
Dave Grohl says you can tell that Ringo Starr was a self-taught drummer
During a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone, Grohl discussed drumming with the “Photograph” singer. “So I think that the sign of a great drummer is knowing who that drummer is within eight bars of the song,” he said. “I think that’s the goal.”
Grohl ruminated on why Ringo’s drumming is so distinctive. “I think a lot of it has to do with being self-taught, because you were just doing what came naturally to you, so you weren’t...
- 1/10/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon wrote multiple Ringo Starr songs after The Beatles broke up. Ringo named his favorite song John wrote for him. Despite Ringo’s claims to the contrary, it’s nothing special. That’s just sad, considering four classic rock stars — one of whom was not a member of The Beatles —worked on it!
John Lennon wrote a song for Ringo Starr about how great the drummer was
During a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, Ringo picked his favorite. “I think the finest song he wrote for me was ‘I’m the Greatest,'” he said. “And look, you got me going.
“I miss the guy,” Ringo continued. “Miss him, I miss George. I still miss those two boys. But you know, I’ve still got my brother. So we’re Ok.” Ringo is an only child, so the “brother” he mentioned was likely Paul McCartney.
John Lennon revealed why he...
John Lennon wrote a song for Ringo Starr about how great the drummer was
During a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, Ringo picked his favorite. “I think the finest song he wrote for me was ‘I’m the Greatest,'” he said. “And look, you got me going.
“I miss the guy,” Ringo continued. “Miss him, I miss George. I still miss those two boys. But you know, I’ve still got my brother. So we’re Ok.” Ringo is an only child, so the “brother” he mentioned was likely Paul McCartney.
John Lennon revealed why he...
- 12/6/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Every classic rock fan can remember one or two songs that left them slack-jawed. A rock star was blown away by one of the songs from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. He said the tune put John Lennon’s genius on full display. The star in question put his own spin on the track with some help from Miley Cyrus.
A rock star wanted to understand how a song from The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ came together
Wayne Coyne is the frontman of The Flaming Lips, a band behind numerous psychedelic experiments such as “She Don’t Use Jelly.” During a 2014 interview with Newsweek, he recalled his reaction to “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper. “The ‘Day in the Life’ song is one of the marks of the sheer genius of not just John Lennon but The Beatles as singers, as players, as arrangers, as conceptualizing,...
A rock star wanted to understand how a song from The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ came together
Wayne Coyne is the frontman of The Flaming Lips, a band behind numerous psychedelic experiments such as “She Don’t Use Jelly.” During a 2014 interview with Newsweek, he recalled his reaction to “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper. “The ‘Day in the Life’ song is one of the marks of the sheer genius of not just John Lennon but The Beatles as singers, as players, as arrangers, as conceptualizing,...
- 11/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison was the most spiritually-minded of The Beatles, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t indulge himself by showing off. He once said he wrote the solo from The Beatles’ “Within You Without You” to draw attention to himself. George revealed what he thought of “Within You Without You” in hindsight and contrasted it with the other songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
George Harrison explained the time signature of The Beatles’ ‘Within You Without You’
The book George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters features an interview from 1993. During it, George discussed the difference between Western and Indian musical composition. “In Western music, basically the tempo goes 4/4 or 3/4, and that’s it,” he said. “In Indian music, they have a hundred-and-eight rhythm cycles, and they can even play in things like 7½.
“It’s quite complex, but I did learn this little piece, one...
George Harrison explained the time signature of The Beatles’ ‘Within You Without You’
The book George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters features an interview from 1993. During it, George discussed the difference between Western and Indian musical composition. “In Western music, basically the tempo goes 4/4 or 3/4, and that’s it,” he said. “In Indian music, they have a hundred-and-eight rhythm cycles, and they can even play in things like 7½.
“It’s quite complex, but I did learn this little piece, one...
- 10/6/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles influenced everybody but it’s not every day that Paul McCartney called out that influence. Paul once told Jeff Lynne that Elo’s “Mr. Blue Sky” was partly based on one of The Beatles’ songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Lynne discussed what he thought of Paul after that. John Lennon also revealed his feelings about Elo years after The Beatles broke up.
Paul McCartney felt Elo’s ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ was based on The Beatles’ ‘A Day in the Life’
Elo has genres numerous comparisons to The Beatles. According to a 2022 article from The Telegraph, Lynne discussed meeting Paul for the first time. “He said to me, ”Mr. Blue Sky?’ I know where you got that riff from,'” Lynne reminisced. “He didn’t mince words. He thought I took it from the middle of ‘A Day in the Life.’ But we became great pals.
Paul McCartney felt Elo’s ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ was based on The Beatles’ ‘A Day in the Life’
Elo has genres numerous comparisons to The Beatles. According to a 2022 article from The Telegraph, Lynne discussed meeting Paul for the first time. “He said to me, ”Mr. Blue Sky?’ I know where you got that riff from,'” Lynne reminisced. “He didn’t mince words. He thought I took it from the middle of ‘A Day in the Life.’ But we became great pals.
- 9/14/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke had a lot to say about John Lennon‘s voice — and so did John himself. Yorke had a nuanced view of John’s “brutal” singing. John said his vocals helped him dominate The Beatles during their early years.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said he was a fan of John Lennon’s ‘weirdly brutal’ singing voice
A 2023 article from Rolling Stone features a passage from Jason Thomas Gordon’s forthcoming book The Singers Talk. In it, Yorke was asked to name the singer he’d most like to talk to about their voice. “It would be John Lennon,” he said. “Lennon’s whole attitude to singing, I’m a little bit obsessed with, because, on the surface, he has this whole, raw, doesn’t give a f*** … just the way he sings is weirdly brutal.
“I’d want to talk to him about how he was always so incredibly accurate,...
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said he was a fan of John Lennon’s ‘weirdly brutal’ singing voice
A 2023 article from Rolling Stone features a passage from Jason Thomas Gordon’s forthcoming book The Singers Talk. In it, Yorke was asked to name the singer he’d most like to talk to about their voice. “It would be John Lennon,” he said. “Lennon’s whole attitude to singing, I’m a little bit obsessed with, because, on the surface, he has this whole, raw, doesn’t give a f*** … just the way he sings is weirdly brutal.
“I’d want to talk to him about how he was always so incredibly accurate,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Ringo Starr said The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” was inspired by real-life octopus behavior. In retrospect, he felt the tune could have been a lot more twisted. It appears Paul McCartney approved of “Octopus’s Garden.”
The Beatles‘ “Octopus’s Garden” is one of the most famous songs Ringo Starr sang. During an interview, he said the track could have been about happy sharks instead. As odd as it sounds, that might have worked.
The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden’ was inspired by a conversation on Peter Sellers’ boat
During a 2023 interview with Vulture, Ringo discussed the origin of “Octopus’s Garden.” “I’d actually left the band and gone to Sardinia for a holiday in 1968, and Peter Sellers’ boat just happened to be there,” he said. “[Ringo’s then-wife] Maureen [Cox] and I and the kids went on his boat, and the captain was talking to me. I’m afraid we...
Ringo Starr said The Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” was inspired by real-life octopus behavior. In retrospect, he felt the tune could have been a lot more twisted. It appears Paul McCartney approved of “Octopus’s Garden.”
The Beatles‘ “Octopus’s Garden” is one of the most famous songs Ringo Starr sang. During an interview, he said the track could have been about happy sharks instead. As odd as it sounds, that might have worked.
The Beatles’ ‘Octopus’s Garden’ was inspired by a conversation on Peter Sellers’ boat
During a 2023 interview with Vulture, Ringo discussed the origin of “Octopus’s Garden.” “I’d actually left the band and gone to Sardinia for a holiday in 1968, and Peter Sellers’ boat just happened to be there,” he said. “[Ringo’s then-wife] Maureen [Cox] and I and the kids went on his boat, and the captain was talking to me. I’m afraid we...
- 8/16/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Martin enjoyed a front-row view of The Beatles’ success. The producer wasn’t perfect — he regretted not supporting George Harrison enough — but he wrung fantastic performances out of the Fab Four and played a crucial role in making the band successful. Except for when he didn’t. The Beatles amazed Martin with “She’s Leaving Home” even though he hardly worked on the song.
George Martin ‘was amazed’ The Beatles could make a song like ‘She’s Leaving Home’
Newspaper headlines fueled Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s lyrics for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Lennon combined stories about a car wreck and calls for public improvements on his portion of “A Day in the Life.” Paul invented a fictional meter-maid based on an article he read about that new profession and changed the English language in the process with “Lovely Rita.”
But neither of those Beatles songs amazed...
George Martin ‘was amazed’ The Beatles could make a song like ‘She’s Leaving Home’
Newspaper headlines fueled Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s lyrics for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Lennon combined stories about a car wreck and calls for public improvements on his portion of “A Day in the Life.” Paul invented a fictional meter-maid based on an article he read about that new profession and changed the English language in the process with “Lovely Rita.”
But neither of those Beatles songs amazed...
- 7/30/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Dave Grohl is just like many post-1960s musicians — The Beatles greatly influenced him. The early songs Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote together helped change the direction of pop music forever. Grohl said his favorite Beatles song was the Lennon tune “Hey Bulldog,” but he praised all the band members for their contributions.
Dave Grohl said ‘Hey Bulldog’ was his favorite Beatles song and praised the entire band’s contributions
There’s no shortage of songs to choose a favorite Fab Four tune. The band covered miles of ground during their relatively short career. They produced saccharine pop tunes, R&b numbers, folk-tinged tunes, experimental rock, and more.
Foo Fighters frontman Grohl bypassed the usual biggies — “A Day in the Life,” “Come Together,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Hey Jude” — when choosing his favorite Beatles song. The former Nirvana drummer picked the tossed-off John song “Hey Bulldog” because of the contributions from...
Dave Grohl said ‘Hey Bulldog’ was his favorite Beatles song and praised the entire band’s contributions
There’s no shortage of songs to choose a favorite Fab Four tune. The band covered miles of ground during their relatively short career. They produced saccharine pop tunes, R&b numbers, folk-tinged tunes, experimental rock, and more.
Foo Fighters frontman Grohl bypassed the usual biggies — “A Day in the Life,” “Come Together,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Hey Jude” — when choosing his favorite Beatles song. The former Nirvana drummer picked the tossed-off John song “Hey Bulldog” because of the contributions from...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Paul McCartney said avant-garde music inspired The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. A song from Sgt. Pepper might be The Beatles’ most avant-garde moment. The album was a big hit in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
Paul McCartney said a song from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is “madness.” He decided that Sgt. Pepper song should include an orchestra. Subsequently, he clashed with The Beatles’ producer over this decision.
Paul McCartney wanted a song The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ to be chaotic
During a 2021 interview with NPR, Paul discussed what inspired The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” “Because I’d been listening to a lot of avant-garde music at that time, just for my own pleasure and just to examine the scene and just see if I liked it, I thought that this orchestral cascade, this sort of...
Paul McCartney said avant-garde music inspired The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. A song from Sgt. Pepper might be The Beatles’ most avant-garde moment. The album was a big hit in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
Paul McCartney said a song from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is “madness.” He decided that Sgt. Pepper song should include an orchestra. Subsequently, he clashed with The Beatles’ producer over this decision.
Paul McCartney wanted a song The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ to be chaotic
During a 2021 interview with NPR, Paul discussed what inspired The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” “Because I’d been listening to a lot of avant-garde music at that time, just for my own pleasure and just to examine the scene and just see if I liked it, I thought that this orchestral cascade, this sort of...
- 7/11/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Queen’s Brian May is a huge fan of The Beatles‘ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” On the other hand, John Lennon wished he could have rerecorded the track. Both of them had an unbalanced view of the tune.
Queen’s Brian May cited The Beatles’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ as a masterpiece
During a 2020 interview with Loudersound, May said John was the most talented member of The Beatles. He named some of his favorite songs that John wrote.
“There is not enough space here to come closes to chronicling all Lennon’s masterpieces, but check out ‘Tomorrow Never Knows,’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ and then ‘I Am the Walrus’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and tell me you do not gasp,” he said. “Never has anything been created like these works in the whole of history.”
John Lennon felt The Beatles did not execute the...
Queen’s Brian May cited The Beatles’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ as a masterpiece
During a 2020 interview with Loudersound, May said John was the most talented member of The Beatles. He named some of his favorite songs that John wrote.
“There is not enough space here to come closes to chronicling all Lennon’s masterpieces, but check out ‘Tomorrow Never Knows,’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ and then ‘I Am the Walrus’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and tell me you do not gasp,” he said. “Never has anything been created like these works in the whole of history.”
John Lennon felt The Beatles did not execute the...
- 6/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If it seemed like The Beatles could do no wrong during their career, that’s because it was pretty much the case. After some struggles with their earliest singles, their debut album, Please Please Me, rocketed to the top of the charts in England. (So did every studio album through Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band). Even their lousy A-side songs became hits. Still, The Beatles dealt with a few BBC bans, including their video for “Hello, Goodbye.”
Paul Mccartney’s talent couldn’t stop the BBC from banning The Beatles music video for ‘Hello, Goodbye’
Kenny Lynch, a musician who toured with the Fab Four in the early 1960s, called Paul McCartney and John Lennon idiots when they struggled to write a song. Soon after, he set a record by becoming the first person to cover one of their songs. He must have sensed what the future would hold.
Paul Mccartney’s talent couldn’t stop the BBC from banning The Beatles music video for ‘Hello, Goodbye’
Kenny Lynch, a musician who toured with the Fab Four in the early 1960s, called Paul McCartney and John Lennon idiots when they struggled to write a song. Soon after, he set a record by becoming the first person to cover one of their songs. He must have sensed what the future would hold.
- 6/18/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Every Beatles album has legions of fans, and rightfully so. Still, Revolver might be at (or at least near) the top of the list of their greatest accomplishments. The 1966 record featured so many stellar songs that “Got to Get You Into My Life” became a hit until years later even though fans knew the song well. Revolver also saw the band dive head first into studio experimentation. An enduring Beatles mystery is whether or not they used the “Taxman” solo on another song, albeit in an almost alien way. Did they? Let’s dive deeper into the theory.
Exploring The Beatles mystery that they used the ‘Taxman’ guitar solo on ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’
The Fab Four’s famous Shea Stadium concert in 1965 was one of their most monumental events.
It demonstrated the band’s popularity and power, but the downside was that it was overwhelming and impersonal. That negative side...
Exploring The Beatles mystery that they used the ‘Taxman’ guitar solo on ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’
The Fab Four’s famous Shea Stadium concert in 1965 was one of their most monumental events.
It demonstrated the band’s popularity and power, but the downside was that it was overwhelming and impersonal. That negative side...
- 6/13/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” has one of the most striking titles in the band’s catalog. Paul revealed what he thought of the name when he first heard it. In addition, he criticized Beatles fans for interpreting the title in a certain way.
Paul McCartney | John Downing / Contributor The Beatles’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ was inspired by a drawing John Lennon loved
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” “I went up to John’s house in Weybridge,” he recalled. “When I arrived we were having a cup of tea, and he said, ‘Look at this great drawing Julian’s done. Look at the title!'” For context, Julian was John’s son with his first wife, Cynthia Lennon.
“He showed me a drawing on school paper, a five-by-seven-inch piece of paper,...
Paul McCartney | John Downing / Contributor The Beatles’ ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ was inspired by a drawing John Lennon loved
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” “I went up to John’s house in Weybridge,” he recalled. “When I arrived we were having a cup of tea, and he said, ‘Look at this great drawing Julian’s done. Look at the title!'” For context, Julian was John’s son with his first wife, Cynthia Lennon.
“He showed me a drawing on school paper, a five-by-seven-inch piece of paper,...
- 6/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles all considered Elvis Presley to be one of their rock idols. Much of their love for the genre comes from listening to early records by the king of rock. Paul McCartney said The Beatles tried to utilize some of Elvis’ techniques in their own work, and one song perfected what he called the “Elvis echo.”
Paul McCartney said ‘A Day in the Life’ used the ‘Elvis Echo’ Paul McCartney | Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
One Elvis Presley song that profoundly impacted Paul McCartney was “Heartbreak Hotel”. McCartney was in awe of the Memphis singer’s vocals, but he also was fascinated by the blaring echo that gave the track a distinct sound. The Beatles wanted to replicate that echo, and McCartney said one song that perfected it was “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“Elvis is a truly great vocalist,...
Paul McCartney said ‘A Day in the Life’ used the ‘Elvis Echo’ Paul McCartney | Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
One Elvis Presley song that profoundly impacted Paul McCartney was “Heartbreak Hotel”. McCartney was in awe of the Memphis singer’s vocals, but he also was fascinated by the blaring echo that gave the track a distinct sound. The Beatles wanted to replicate that echo, and McCartney said one song that perfected it was “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“Elvis is a truly great vocalist,...
- 6/3/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa)
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos's eldest son, Michael Consuelos, turned 26 on June 2, and his famous parents showed him some love on Instagram. "The Live With Kelly and Mark" hosts both posted throwback tributes in honor of Michael's birthday. However, Ripa took things a step further by turning her photos into an emotional reel, complete with music.
Set to the tune of "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles, the reel celebrates Michael from the time he was a baby straight through to his teen years and young adulthood. Along the way, Ripa slipped in photos of her eldest with his little sister, Lola (21), and little brother, Joaquin (20), snaps from family vacations, and even a pic from his appearance on "Riverdale."
"26 years ago he rocked our world and has been rockin it ever since! Happy birthday @michael.
A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa)
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos's eldest son, Michael Consuelos, turned 26 on June 2, and his famous parents showed him some love on Instagram. "The Live With Kelly and Mark" hosts both posted throwback tributes in honor of Michael's birthday. However, Ripa took things a step further by turning her photos into an emotional reel, complete with music.
Set to the tune of "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles, the reel celebrates Michael from the time he was a baby straight through to his teen years and young adulthood. Along the way, Ripa slipped in photos of her eldest with his little sister, Lola (21), and little brother, Joaquin (20), snaps from family vacations, and even a pic from his appearance on "Riverdale."
"26 years ago he rocked our world and has been rockin it ever since! Happy birthday @michael.
- 6/3/2023
- by Sabienna Bowman
- Popsugar.com
Tl;Dr:
“All Together Now” from The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine was inspired by the band’s live shows. Paul described “All Together Now” as “a play-away command song for children.” “All Together Now” was not a single, but Yellow Submarine was an international hit. The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Bettmann / Contributor
Paul McCartney revealed the title of “All Together Now” from The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine soundtrack has a double meaning. In addition, he said the track was based on a tune he wrote to entertain children. Paul was wrongly dismissive of the song’s quality.
Paul McCartney said ‘All Together Now’ from The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was for kids
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of The Beatles’ “All Together Now” from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. “When they were singing a song, to encourage the audience to join in they’d say ‘All together now!
“All Together Now” from The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine was inspired by the band’s live shows. Paul described “All Together Now” as “a play-away command song for children.” “All Together Now” was not a single, but Yellow Submarine was an international hit. The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Bettmann / Contributor
Paul McCartney revealed the title of “All Together Now” from The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine soundtrack has a double meaning. In addition, he said the track was based on a tune he wrote to entertain children. Paul was wrongly dismissive of the song’s quality.
Paul McCartney said ‘All Together Now’ from The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was for kids
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of The Beatles’ “All Together Now” from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. “When they were singing a song, to encourage the audience to join in they’d say ‘All together now!
- 5/23/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney Revealed the ‘Dual Meaning’ of ‘All Together Now’ From The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, Paul discussed the origin of The Beatles’ “All Together Now” from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. “When they were singing a song, to encourage the audience to join in they’d say ‘All together now!’ so I just took it and read another meaning into it, of we are all together now,” he said. “So I used the dual meaning.”
Paul discussed the song’s genre. “It’s really a children’s song,” he said. “I had a few young relatives and I would sing songs for them.”
Paul said “All Together Now” was similar to an earlier children’s song he wrote. “I used to do a song for kids called ‘Jumping Round the Room,’ very similar to ‘All Together Now,’ and then it would be ‘lying on your backs,’ all the kids would have to lie down, then it would be ‘skipping round the room,...
Paul discussed the song’s genre. “It’s really a children’s song,” he said. “I had a few young relatives and I would sing songs for them.”
Paul said “All Together Now” was similar to an earlier children’s song he wrote. “I used to do a song for kids called ‘Jumping Round the Room,’ very similar to ‘All Together Now,’ and then it would be ‘lying on your backs,’ all the kids would have to lie down, then it would be ‘skipping round the room,...
- 5/23/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A song from The Beatles‘ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer John Lennon said a song from The Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ was based on a riff
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are,...
The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer John Lennon said a song from The Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ was based on a riff
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
A song from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are, da da da da.’ Then Paul comes in with [sings] ‘Baby, you’re a rich man,...
A song from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are, da da da da.’ Then Paul comes in with [sings] ‘Baby, you’re a rich man,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were songwriting equals in The Beatles, but the bassist still looked up to his bandmate. He craved compliments that rarely came. Macca praised John by calling him the Elvis of the Beatles, but he typically drew the line at mimicking his friend. Still, Paul copied John in one of the last songs he made as a member of the Fab Four.
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images Paul McCartney copied John Lennon’s vocal approach on ‘Oh! Darling’
The Beatles stood on their last legs when they recorded Abbey Road in 1969. The contentious recording sessions that produced the Let It Be album and infighting over who would be their next manager all but drove the band apart. Abbey Road was the last thing the band did as a foursome.
Paul copied John on the song that channeled some of the energy...
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images Paul McCartney copied John Lennon’s vocal approach on ‘Oh! Darling’
The Beatles stood on their last legs when they recorded Abbey Road in 1969. The contentious recording sessions that produced the Let It Be album and infighting over who would be their next manager all but drove the band apart. Abbey Road was the last thing the band did as a foursome.
Paul copied John on the song that channeled some of the energy...
- 5/11/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles reached a high point with the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band song “A Day in the Life.” John Lennon praised Paul McCartney’s idea to marry the two halves of the song with an orchestral section. It was rare that John complimented his bandmates, but he made an exception for “A Day in the Life.” Macca’s plan wasn’t the only smart thinking that helped the song come together. All that for a tune that John didn’t think was The Beatles’ best song.
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Redferns John Lennon praised Paul McCartney’s orchestra plan for ‘A Day in the Life’: ‘It just sort of happened beautifully’
John didn’t offer compliments freely during his Beatles days. They cut their teeth playing church gatherings and residencies in Hamburg, Germany, but John rarely dispensed approval to his Fab Four bandmates.
(l-r) Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Redferns John Lennon praised Paul McCartney’s orchestra plan for ‘A Day in the Life’: ‘It just sort of happened beautifully’
John didn’t offer compliments freely during his Beatles days. They cut their teeth playing church gatherings and residencies in Hamburg, Germany, but John rarely dispensed approval to his Fab Four bandmates.
- 5/9/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” was voted the worst song of all time in a poll of 1,000 people. The song is nowhere near the disaster the poll claims it is. “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” works better in the context of The White Album. The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer
The Beatles‘ “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” has a bad reputation. In fact, it topped a poll to find the worst song of all time. Despite this, it’s a much better song than a lot of the critics seem to think.
The polled listeners who hated The Beatles’ ‘Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da’ also hated Meat Loaf
According to a 2004 report from the BBC, a Mars Research poll of 1,000 people sought to determine the worst song of all time. No. 3 was Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).” No. 2 was “Fog On The Tyne” by the soccer player Paul Gascoigne.
The Beatles’ “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” was voted the worst song of all time in a poll of 1,000 people. The song is nowhere near the disaster the poll claims it is. “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” works better in the context of The White Album. The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer
The Beatles‘ “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” has a bad reputation. In fact, it topped a poll to find the worst song of all time. Despite this, it’s a much better song than a lot of the critics seem to think.
The polled listeners who hated The Beatles’ ‘Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da’ also hated Meat Loaf
According to a 2004 report from the BBC, a Mars Research poll of 1,000 people sought to determine the worst song of all time. No. 3 was Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).” No. 2 was “Fog On The Tyne” by the soccer player Paul Gascoigne.
- 4/28/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” ends with nearly one minute of gibberish lyrics. Danny Boyle loved that part of the song so he worked it into his Fab Four musical Yesterday. “Hello, Goodbye” was a much bigger hit in the United Kingdom than it was in the United States. The Beatles | Keystone Features / Stringer
Only part of The Beatles‘ “Hello, Goodbye” appears in the musical film Yesterday. The director of the film explained why this is the case. In addition, he gave fans some insight into his favorite Beatles songs.
The Beatles’ ‘Hello, Goodbye’ ends with nearly 1 minute of gibberish lyrics
“Hello, Goodbye” is one of several Fab Four tracks that blurs the line between psychedelia and children’s music. It boasts the sort of whimsical strangeness that could work just as well for Sesame Street as it could for Their Satanic Majesties Request. However, the last bit of “Hello,...
The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” ends with nearly one minute of gibberish lyrics. Danny Boyle loved that part of the song so he worked it into his Fab Four musical Yesterday. “Hello, Goodbye” was a much bigger hit in the United Kingdom than it was in the United States. The Beatles | Keystone Features / Stringer
Only part of The Beatles‘ “Hello, Goodbye” appears in the musical film Yesterday. The director of the film explained why this is the case. In addition, he gave fans some insight into his favorite Beatles songs.
The Beatles’ ‘Hello, Goodbye’ ends with nearly 1 minute of gibberish lyrics
“Hello, Goodbye” is one of several Fab Four tracks that blurs the line between psychedelia and children’s music. It boasts the sort of whimsical strangeness that could work just as well for Sesame Street as it could for Their Satanic Majesties Request. However, the last bit of “Hello,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
As ahead-of-the-curve as Prince was with music, he was behind in his discovery of one of the most famous bands in the world — The Beatles. He also missed all of their early discography. The first song by The Beatles that Prince really listened to was “Good Morning Good Morning.” Here’s the moment The Purple One first discovered The Beatles, as told by his band.
Prince | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ caught Prince’s attention
“He’d never really heard the Beatles until Matt and I played him Sgt. Pepper,” Drummer Bobby Z. told Billboard in 2016.
In an interview with Diffuser in 2017, Bobby looked back at the moment of discovery.
“Matt [‘Dr.’ Fink] and Dez [Dickerson] and I were sitting in the back of the tour bus, and we were listening to Sgt. Pepper and of all of the songs, it was ‘Good Morning Good Morning,’ which...
Prince | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ caught Prince’s attention
“He’d never really heard the Beatles until Matt and I played him Sgt. Pepper,” Drummer Bobby Z. told Billboard in 2016.
In an interview with Diffuser in 2017, Bobby looked back at the moment of discovery.
“Matt [‘Dr.’ Fink] and Dez [Dickerson] and I were sitting in the back of the tour bus, and we were listening to Sgt. Pepper and of all of the songs, it was ‘Good Morning Good Morning,’ which...
- 4/26/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ “Flying” was inspired by 12-bar blues songs. Paul McCartney said it’s credited all members of the band because it’s not a real song. The tune appeared on the hit album Magical Mystery Tour. Paul McCartney | Keystone / Staff
The Beatles‘ “Flying” is a track with no lyrics that appears in the movie Magical Mystery Tour. Paul McCartney explained why the song features writing credits from all four of The Beatles. Subsequently, a notable band covered the song for a film based on Fab Four tunes.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Flying’ is not a real song
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of “Flying.” “‘Flying’ was an instrumental that we needed for Magical Mystery Tour so in the studio one night I suggested to the guys that we made something up,” he said. “I said, ‘We can keep it very very simple,...
The Beatles’ “Flying” was inspired by 12-bar blues songs. Paul McCartney said it’s credited all members of the band because it’s not a real song. The tune appeared on the hit album Magical Mystery Tour. Paul McCartney | Keystone / Staff
The Beatles‘ “Flying” is a track with no lyrics that appears in the movie Magical Mystery Tour. Paul McCartney explained why the song features writing credits from all four of The Beatles. Subsequently, a notable band covered the song for a film based on Fab Four tunes.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Flying’ is not a real song
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed the origin of “Flying.” “‘Flying’ was an instrumental that we needed for Magical Mystery Tour so in the studio one night I suggested to the guys that we made something up,” he said. “I said, ‘We can keep it very very simple,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In hindsight, The Beatles could just as easily have been called The Chameleons. They started out by writing short and saccharine pop tunes, went in new directions as they changed their sound, and eventually recorded more complex and layered songs that proved how creative they could be. The longest Beatles songs fully displayed the band’s songwriting prowess and showed how much they developed in just a few years.
Note: We only included selections from Beatles albums and singles, so The White Album outtake “What’s the New Mary Jane” won’t appear on our list.
(l-r) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Daily Mirror/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 5. ‘A Day in the Life’ Run time: 5:37
If you were making a list of the Beatles’ signature songs, then you’d have to include the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band closer on the list.
Note: We only included selections from Beatles albums and singles, so The White Album outtake “What’s the New Mary Jane” won’t appear on our list.
(l-r) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Daily Mirror/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 5. ‘A Day in the Life’ Run time: 5:37
If you were making a list of the Beatles’ signature songs, then you’d have to include the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band closer on the list.
- 4/22/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
With the release of his album Around the World in a Day, many critics wondered if Prince was taking inspiration from The Beatles. They hadn’t inspired him to make the album, and while he acknowledged that they were influential artists, he didn’t know that they would have been successful in the decades after their split. Years after making these remarks, though, Prince proved himself wrong.
Prince | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images A member of The Revolution recalled when Prince heard The Beatles for the first time
Bobby Z., the drummer for Prince’s backing band The Revolution, said that the first Beatles album the artist ever really listened to was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“Well, it’s a great story, because Matt and Dez [Dickerson] and I were sitting in the back of the tour bus, and we were listening to Sgt. Pepper and of all of the songs,...
Prince | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images A member of The Revolution recalled when Prince heard The Beatles for the first time
Bobby Z., the drummer for Prince’s backing band The Revolution, said that the first Beatles album the artist ever really listened to was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
“Well, it’s a great story, because Matt and Dez [Dickerson] and I were sitting in the back of the tour bus, and we were listening to Sgt. Pepper and of all of the songs,...
- 4/21/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Several Beatles songs are part of the fabric of modern music. It’s difficult to tell the story of classic rock and pop music without the Fab Four. Still, some Beatles songs were banned in the United States. Before they wrote tunes that foreshadowed the end of the band, the Fab Four penned tunes that U.S. radio wouldn’t touch.
(l-r) George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images 1. ‘Cold Turkey’
Ok, so it’s not a Beatles song, but John Lennon wrote it during his Fab Four days before releasing it on his solo debut, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, in 1970. So we’ll call “Cold Turkey” a song by one of the Beatles that was banned in the United States. And it’s easy to see why. The lyrics describe heroin withdrawal in plainly harrowing detail, and it featured...
(l-r) George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images 1. ‘Cold Turkey’
Ok, so it’s not a Beatles song, but John Lennon wrote it during his Fab Four days before releasing it on his solo debut, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, in 1970. So we’ll call “Cold Turkey” a song by one of the Beatles that was banned in the United States. And it’s easy to see why. The lyrics describe heroin withdrawal in plainly harrowing detail, and it featured...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Some of The Beatles‘ songs are just plain weird. For example, one Beatles song is less than a minute long. Another is basically one line repeated over and over for several minutes.
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives / Handout 5. ‘Revolution 9’
“Revolution 9” might seem totally random. The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon includes an interview from 1968. In it, someone asked John if “Revolution 9” is about death.
“It’s about death,” he said. “Well, listen to it on another day. In the sun. Outside. And see if it’s about death then. It’s about everything. I mean, it’s not specifically about anything. It’s a set of sounds like walking down the street is a set of sounds. And I just captured a moment of time, put it on disc, and it’s about that.”
Subsequently, John was asked if the track was about revolution. “Yeah, you know,...
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives / Handout 5. ‘Revolution 9’
“Revolution 9” might seem totally random. The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon includes an interview from 1968. In it, someone asked John if “Revolution 9” is about death.
“It’s about death,” he said. “Well, listen to it on another day. In the sun. Outside. And see if it’s about death then. It’s about everything. I mean, it’s not specifically about anything. It’s a set of sounds like walking down the street is a set of sounds. And I just captured a moment of time, put it on disc, and it’s about that.”
Subsequently, John was asked if the track was about revolution. “Yeah, you know,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Choosing the best Beatles songs might be a challenge, especially if you’re a uber-loyal fan who loves their whole catalog. However you feel about the Fab Four and their music, some songs are essential. They epitomize the group’s greatness and are so good that they make us wish they were still together.
The Beatles | Les Lee/Getty Images 10. ‘All My Loving’
“All My Loving” was a true group effort, and therefore, at the top of our list of top 10 Beatles songs that make us wish the band was still together. Paul McCartney wrote the tune, and John Lennon added the chugging rhythm guitar at the last minute. Something about “All My Loving” makes it a classic and one of the best Beatles songs.
9. ‘I Feel Fine’
“I Feel Fine” is just as much of a classic as “All My Loving.” The opening chord is one of the first...
The Beatles | Les Lee/Getty Images 10. ‘All My Loving’
“All My Loving” was a true group effort, and therefore, at the top of our list of top 10 Beatles songs that make us wish the band was still together. Paul McCartney wrote the tune, and John Lennon added the chugging rhythm guitar at the last minute. Something about “All My Loving” makes it a classic and one of the best Beatles songs.
9. ‘I Feel Fine’
“I Feel Fine” is just as much of a classic as “All My Loving.” The opening chord is one of the first...
- 4/6/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Despite how much you love The Beatles, you can’t deny that some of their songs have annoying sounds. Those sounds came during their experimental phase. Whether the sounds came from experimentation or an odd instrument, here are 10 Beatles songs with annoying sounds.
The Beatles | Ivan Keeman/Getty Images 10. ‘Yellow Submarine’
Is it one of the best children’s tunes? Is it annoying because of it? “Yellow Submarine” might be a fan favorite for some, but its sound effects are annoying for others. When The Beatles recorded the tune, they were deep diving into the sound effects library at Emi Studios (later Abbey Road). While we can’t fault them for experimenting, we can disagree on their sound choices. They’re meant to immerse the listener into the surroundings explained in the lyrics, but sometimes they’re too jarring.
9. ‘I’m Only Sleeping’
Revolver is considered The Beatles’ first truly experimental record.
The Beatles | Ivan Keeman/Getty Images 10. ‘Yellow Submarine’
Is it one of the best children’s tunes? Is it annoying because of it? “Yellow Submarine” might be a fan favorite for some, but its sound effects are annoying for others. When The Beatles recorded the tune, they were deep diving into the sound effects library at Emi Studios (later Abbey Road). While we can’t fault them for experimenting, we can disagree on their sound choices. They’re meant to immerse the listener into the surroundings explained in the lyrics, but sometimes they’re too jarring.
9. ‘I’m Only Sleeping’
Revolver is considered The Beatles’ first truly experimental record.
- 3/31/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles have many iconic album covers, yet the most intriguing one is the artwork for 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The artwork is a piece of colorful psychedelia that features The Beatles in flamboyant outfits surrounded by cutouts of various historical figures. 56 years ago today, The Beatles shot the album cover that has achieved legendary status.
‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ is The Beatles’ best-selling album ever Vinyl of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band | Sspl/Getty Images
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of The Beatles’ most experimental albums. It experimented with surreal lyrics and unique instrumentations. For example, a few songs featured the sitar, like “Within You Without You”, while others, like “A Day in the Life”, utilized orchestras. The album is also distinct because the fab four took on alter egos, pretending to be fictional characters in a band.
Fortunately, the...
‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ is The Beatles’ best-selling album ever Vinyl of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band | Sspl/Getty Images
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of The Beatles’ most experimental albums. It experimented with surreal lyrics and unique instrumentations. For example, a few songs featured the sitar, like “Within You Without You”, while others, like “A Day in the Life”, utilized orchestras. The album is also distinct because the fab four took on alter egos, pretending to be fictional characters in a band.
Fortunately, the...
- 3/30/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles always strived to do something new in all their songs. That’s what made them so unique and innovative. However, for this list, here are 10 of the best Beatles songs where they incorporated something cutting edge.
The Beatles | Keystone Features/Getty Images 10. ‘All My Loving’
“All My Loving” might not seem like a song where The Beatles tried something new, but it is. It’s an ordinary love song, but Paul McCartney said John Lennon’s last-minute addition made it magical. The rhythm guitarist added the fast strumming that sounds like the engine of a train or tires on a bridge. The speaker dreams about coming home to their love, and John’s strumming embodies that. Even in their early days, The Beatles came up with interesting ways to express their lyrics through music.
9. ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
The beginning chord in “A Hard Day’s Night” isn’t...
The Beatles | Keystone Features/Getty Images 10. ‘All My Loving’
“All My Loving” might not seem like a song where The Beatles tried something new, but it is. It’s an ordinary love song, but Paul McCartney said John Lennon’s last-minute addition made it magical. The rhythm guitarist added the fast strumming that sounds like the engine of a train or tires on a bridge. The speaker dreams about coming home to their love, and John’s strumming embodies that. Even in their early days, The Beatles came up with interesting ways to express their lyrics through music.
9. ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
The beginning chord in “A Hard Day’s Night” isn’t...
- 3/19/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Monkees Mike Nesmith was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time in Feb. 1967 when he was invited to a Beatles recording session. However, as historic as that moment was, Nesmith was even more dumbstruck at the event by the “most beautiful woman” he had ever seen, who attended on the arm of a legendary musician.
Mike Nesmith photographed in the late 1960s | Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives Mike Nesmith’s strange telegram led to a friendship with John Lennon
In his Infinite Tuesday biography, Nesmith spoke of his first meeting with Lennon and their subsequent friendship. “Before I arrived in London, I had not met John Lennon and didn’t even know how to contact him. So I thought if I could meet him, it would be a great addition to the trip,” Nesmith wrote.
Nesmith sent Lennon a telegram so it would arrive separately from other fan mail.
Mike Nesmith photographed in the late 1960s | Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives Mike Nesmith’s strange telegram led to a friendship with John Lennon
In his Infinite Tuesday biography, Nesmith spoke of his first meeting with Lennon and their subsequent friendship. “Before I arrived in London, I had not met John Lennon and didn’t even know how to contact him. So I thought if I could meet him, it would be a great addition to the trip,” Nesmith wrote.
Nesmith sent Lennon a telegram so it would arrive separately from other fan mail.
- 3/16/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles told vivid stories in their songs; some were so detailed that it was hard to believe they were fictionalized. However, a few of the stories they told in their songs were based on real newspaper articles. They didn’t tell the whole story, but The Beatles would use the articles as a base and fill in the gaps along the way.
Here are 3 Beatles songs that are based on actual newspaper articles ‘Mean Mr. Mustard’ The Beatles | Sunday Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
“Mean Mr. Mustard” is a track from Abbey Road that John Lennon wrote during The Beatles’ trip to India. Lennon said the track was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who stored his money anywhere to prevent others from forcing him to spend it. It’s not a song that Lennon liked; he called it a “piece of garbage” in a 1980 interview with David Sheff.
Here are 3 Beatles songs that are based on actual newspaper articles ‘Mean Mr. Mustard’ The Beatles | Sunday Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
“Mean Mr. Mustard” is a track from Abbey Road that John Lennon wrote during The Beatles’ trip to India. Lennon said the track was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who stored his money anywhere to prevent others from forcing him to spend it. It’s not a song that Lennon liked; he called it a “piece of garbage” in a 1980 interview with David Sheff.
- 3/3/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Some of the scariest Beatles songs don’t necessarily have terrifying themes, but the way the music sounds can send a chill up your spine. Here are the scariest Beatles songs.
The Beatles | Express Newspapers/Getty Images 5. ‘Helter Skelter’
Before Charles Manson and his cult “hijacked” it, “Helter Skelter” was designed to be jarring. After hearing The Who’s Pete Townshend say he’d written the “loudest, dirtiest, rockiest” song, “I Can See for Miles,” Paul McCartney wanted to do the same. So, he went into the recording studio and told the band, “Let’s just see how loud we can get and how raucous. Let’s try to make the meters peak.”
However, the song had innocent beginnings. In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that a helter skelter is a conical fairground fixture with a slide around the outside. He also took inspiration from a song in Alice in Wonderland.
The Beatles | Express Newspapers/Getty Images 5. ‘Helter Skelter’
Before Charles Manson and his cult “hijacked” it, “Helter Skelter” was designed to be jarring. After hearing The Who’s Pete Townshend say he’d written the “loudest, dirtiest, rockiest” song, “I Can See for Miles,” Paul McCartney wanted to do the same. So, he went into the recording studio and told the band, “Let’s just see how loud we can get and how raucous. Let’s try to make the meters peak.”
However, the song had innocent beginnings. In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that a helter skelter is a conical fairground fixture with a slide around the outside. He also took inspiration from a song in Alice in Wonderland.
- 2/26/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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