Episodes

  • EP024 - Love Of The Loved

    EP024 - Love Of The Loved
    Dec 8 2024
    Peter and Kenyon dive into "Love of the Loved," a song written by Paul McCartney in 1959 during his Quarrymen days and later performed at the Beatles’ Decca audition in 1962. The track reflects McCartney’s early compositional style, blending melodic sophistication with heartfelt emotion. The hosts discuss the song’s journey, from an unreleased Beatles recording to a 1963 single by Liverpool’s own Cilla Black, produced by George Martin. They explore the song’s unique musical elements, such as its descending melodic motif and unusual chord transitions, alongside McCartney’s Elvis-inspired vocal delivery. The episode delves into the cultural and historical context of the track, highlighting its role in Brian Epstein’s management strategy and its connection to the Beatles’ pivotal Decca audition. With sharp analysis and engaging anecdotes, Peter and Kenyon unpack the story behind a lesser-known yet significant early Beatles composition.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • LS024 - Love Of The Loved - Lecture Series (bonus)

    LS024 - Love Of The Loved - Lecture Series (bonus)
    Dec 8 2024
    In this lecture, Kenyon delves into "Love of the Loved," a Paul McCartney composition written during the pre-Beatles Quarrymen days. The session examines how McCartney’s early songwriting instincts blend heartfelt lyrics with sophisticated harmonic techniques. Kenyon explores the song’s structure, highlighting its dynamic interplay between the keys of E and G, a progressive ostinato that evolves through the melody, and the use of chromatic shifts to add emotional depth. The analysis compares the Beatles’ early demo with Cilla Black’s polished 1963 release, produced by George Martin, focusing on differences in arrangement, instrumentation, and performance. Kenyon also reflects on McCartney’s recurring motifs, such as rain symbolizing sadness and resolution, as well as his ability to craft memorable patterns. This lecture offers a detailed study of how "Love of the Loved" bridges McCartney’s early songwriting experiments with the more refined techniques that would define the Beatles’ later success.

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    23 mins
  • EP023 - Hello Little Girl

    EP023 - Hello Little Girl
    Dec 1 2024
    Peter and Kenyon analyze "Hello Little Girl," the first song John Lennon ever wrote, penned at age 16 in 1957. Originally inspired by his mother’s favorite 1930s tune, the song reflects Lennon’s early melodic instincts and storytelling abilities. The hosts explore its journey from a home demo with Stu Sutcliffe on bass to the Beatles’ Decca audition and its eventual release by the Fourmost in 1963. They delve into the song’s unconventional structure, including its unique dual middle-eight sections, and how it compares to Lennon’s later, more polished compositions. The episode also highlights the Fourmost’s cabaret-style origins and their role in bringing the song to the charts. With its catchy melodies and youthful charm, "Hello Little Girl" showcases Lennon’s emerging songwriting talent and provides an intriguing glimpse into the Beatles’ formative years.

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    58 mins
  • LS023 - Hello Little Girl - Lecture Series (bonus)

    LS023 - Hello Little Girl - Lecture Series (bonus)
    Dec 1 2024
    In this lecture, Kenyon examines "Hello Little Girl," the first song John Lennon ever wrote, composed at age 16 in 1957. The discussion focuses on the song's lyrical simplicity, centered around themes of unrequited young love, and its unique melodic features, such as the use of a progressive ostinato and a symmetrical chord structure. Kenyon explores how Lennon’s early songwriting tendencies—playful rhymes, chromatic shifts, and repetitive phrases—reflect his youthful creativity but also his lack of refinement at the time. The lecture contrasts the Beatles’ Decca audition version with the Fourmost’s released recording, highlighting the interpretive choices each brought to the track. By analyzing its harmonic quirks and melodic sequences, Kenyon demonstrates how "Hello Little Girl" serves as an example of Lennon’s developing voice as a songwriter. This session offers listeners a fascinating look at the Beatles’ earliest origins and the seeds of their musical genius.

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    27 mins
  • EP022 - I'll Get You

    EP022 - I'll Get You
    Nov 24 2024
    In this episode, Peter and Kenyon dive into "I'll Get You," the B-side to the Beatles' iconic 1963 hit "She Loves You." Originally titled "Get You in the End," the song showcases Lennon and McCartney's collaborative process and knack for crafting engaging melodies. The hosts explore the song's folk-inspired roots, including its connection to Joan Baez’s “All My Trials,” and how its unusual chord progressions add depth to the composition. They also discuss the recording session, produced by George Martin and engineered by Norman Smith, and delve into the unique techniques that brought the song to life. With its "Oh yeah" refrain and progressive ostinato in the middle eight, "I'll Get You" reflects the Beatles' growing musical sophistication during their early career. Peter and Kenyon uncover the song's historical and musical context, offering fresh insights into this often-overlooked gem in the Beatles' catalog.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • LS022 - I'll Get You - Lecture Series (bonus)

    LS022 - I'll Get You - Lecture Series (bonus)
    Nov 24 2024
    In this lecture, Kenyon explores "I'll Get You," a fascinating early Beatles track co-written by Lennon and McCartney. As the B-side to "She Loves You," this song offers a unique glimpse into the band's evolving songwriting techniques. Kenyon examines the track's lyrical themes, which blend imaginative visualization with a persistent declaration of affection, revealing John Lennon’s influence through its introspective tone and unconventional phrasing. The analysis highlights the song’s harmonic subtleties, including the use of appoggiaturas and color chords, alongside its progressive ostinato—a technique where the melody repeats while the chords evolve beneath it. Kenyon also discusses the song's rhythmic phrasing, harmonies, and the dynamic contrasts between sections, showcasing the Beatles’ early experimentation with structure and arrangement. This lecture provides a deep dive into a lesser-known gem, shedding light on the compositional elements that mark the band’s journey toward musical sophistication.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • EP021 - She Loves You

    EP021 - She Loves You
    Nov 17 2024
    Peter and Kenyon break down "She Loves You," the Beatles' groundbreaking 1963 hit that became their best-selling single in the UK and a defining moment in their early career. They explore its origins, written "eyeball to eyeball" by Lennon and McCartney in a Newcastle hotel room, inspired by Bobby Rydell’s “Forget Him.” The hosts discuss its innovative structure, including its use of a refrain, a rare Beatles first, and George Harrison’s influential sixth chord contribution. They also delve into the high-energy recording session, amplified by a fan frenzy outside EMI Studios, and the song’s massive cultural impact. From Ringo's dynamic drumming to Paul’s driving harmonies, "She Loves You" encapsulates the essence of early Beatlemania. Peter and Kenyon provide fascinating insights into the song’s creation, its legacy, and how it set the stage for the Beatles’ rise to global dominance.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • LS021 - She Loves You - Lecture Series (bonus)

    LS021 - She Loves You - Lecture Series (bonus)
    Nov 17 2024
    In this lecture, Kenyon offers an in-depth exploration of the Beatles' iconic 1963 hit, "She Loves You." Written by Lennon and McCartney, the song’s innovative use of pronouns and its anthemic “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” refrain revolutionized pop songwriting. Kenyon examines the track’s unique harmonic structure, including the incorporation of plagal cadences and George Harrison’s suggested sixth chord, which added depth to its jubilant tone. The lecture delves into the song’s lyrical narrative of reconciliation, showcasing how the verses offer a thoughtful progression of themes, from heartbreak to renewed hope. Kenyon also highlights the track’s vibrant energy, from Ringo Starr’s dynamic drumming to George Martin’s production finesse, which ensured the Beatles’ distinctive sound would shine through. "She Loves You" is a case study in innovation and cultural impact, making it a pivotal moment in Beatles history and a defining track of early Beatlemania.

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    49 mins