My Favourite Beatles Song

Send us Fan Mail Tim welcomes documentary filmmaker Alan G Parker for a deep dive into John Lennon’s ethereal 1974 solo classic #9 Dream. They discuss the song’s dream-like production, Lennon’s lifelong fascination with the number nine, and the curious whispers that still intrigue fans. Alan also shares stories from his forthcoming feature documentary Borrowed Time, revealing new insights into Len...

Send us Fan Mail Tim chats with film director and writer Grant McPhee about the Beatles song Yellow Submarine. They talk about the song’s fun sound, its strange mix of ideas, and the way it has grown into a song for all ages.  Find out more about Grant McPhee and his work Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/grantmcphee.bsky.social X (Twitter): https://x.com/grantmcpheefilm Facebook: https://www.face...

Send us Fan Mail Tim chats with author Phil Lecomber about the Beatles’ unique song “She’s Leaving Home”. They share memories of the band, discuss the song’s dramatic musical style, and explore its rich story. Phil also talks about his new book, Midnight Streets, set in the 1920s in London Soho, and how real voices and working-class tales shape his work. ​ Phil's website: https://www.philleco...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Tucker chats with writer and author Ian Leslie, author of John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs, about the Beatles’ song “Two of Us” and the deep bond between Lennon & McCartney. They talk about the song’s shift from a hard rocker to a gentle, heartfelt tune, and explore how the music they made spoke for them when words fell short. Ian Leslie, The Ruffian: https://www.ian...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is joined by podcaster, musician, and life coach Antony Rotunno to explore John Lennon's dreamy Revolver track 'I'm Only Sleeping,' from its conception on the back of a phone bill to George Harrison's meticulous work on the backward guitar parts. They discuss the song's unique sound textures and how it reflects Lennon's state of mind in 1966....

Send us Fan Mail Tim welcomes author, archivist, and filmmaker Jon Savage to discuss Lennon's folk-tinged You've Got to Hide Your Love Away. They explore the song’s context in 1965, its raw and vulnerable feel, and the hints of Dylan’s influence. Jon also shares his early memories of the Beatles and gives a clear picture of the music scene in the mid‑60s—a time of great change, as pop an...

Send us Fan Mail Tim welcomes multi-award-winning documentary director and filmmaker Chris Purcell to talk about the band's 1965 single, Ticket to Ride. They chat about Chris’s Liverpool roots, his early memories of the Beatles, and how he once ended up playing drums on stage with Tony Sheridan. They explore the heavy sound of Ticket to Ride, the use of the 12-string Rickenbacker, and how the...

Send us Fan Mail Tim welcomes podcaster and musician Max Comeau for a heartfelt exploration of Real Love. They examine the song's evolution, from John Lennon's initial demos, to the version completed by Paul, George and Ringo in 1996. They unpack its lyrical simplicity and musical intricacies, from those beautiful descending chords to its layered instrumentation. Max on YouTube: Max Come...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is joined by Beatles podcaster and broadcaster Steven Cockcroft to explore George Harrison's B-side gem Old Brown Shoe. They examine the song's intricate composition, its clever wordplay, and the distinctive musical elements that make it stand out among Harrison's contributions to the Beatles' catalogue. Nothing is Real podcast: https://www.nothingisrealpod...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is joined by music journalist and author Eoghan Lyng as they delve into George Harrison's gorgeous Long, Long, Long. They discuss the song's creation, its spiritual themes, and the musical and lyrical elements that make it unique in the Beatles' lore. George Harrison in the 1970s, by Eoghan Lyng: https://www.sonicbondpublishing.co.uk/decades/george-harrison-in-t...

Send us Fan Mail YouTuber and multi-instrumentalist Nancy Howie shares her love for You Never Give Me Your Money from the Abbey Road album. She talks about its multiple layers of meaning and effortless shifts between powerful emotions, and notes how it calls back to earlier Beatles music. Nancy's YouTube channel Fathom: https://youtube.com/@fathommusicnz The 100 greatest moments in the Beatle...

Send us Fan Mail Vikki Reilly, author of The Beatles 101, takes a journey into the Beatles' cover of A Taste of Honey, showcasing the band's brilliance at interpreting other people's songs while also discussing its many other  interpretations and cultural significance.  The Beatles 101 by Vikki Reilly: https://www.polarispublishing.com/book/the-beatles-101 Vikki on X.com: https://x....

Send us Fan Mail Tim is joined by Stu Arrowsmith, from the Elvis Costello podcast Dangerous Amusements. They explore The Fool on the Hill, its lyrical mysteries, musical twists, and its potential inspirations. They also analyse Paul McCartney's lyrical and musical prowess, and Stu shares his experience of seeing his hero live and turning down the opportunity to meet him! Stu's Dangerous...

Send us Fan Mail Xan Brooks, acclaimed author and journalist, joins the podcast to discuss the coiled power of Come Together. He reflects on the track's unique sound, its ambiguous lyrics, and how it foreshadows John Lennon's political activism in the early 1970s. We also talk about Xan's latest novel The Catchers, which explores the early days of popular music and its cultural impl...

Send us Fan Mail Chris Shaw has delighted and inspired Beatles fans with his jaunty strolls through Pepperland for the past seven years. Here he discusses The Word, from the Rubber Soul album, highlighting the song's musical intricacies, its biblical lyrical allusions, and its significance as a mid-period Beatles masterpiece. He also touches upon his experience with his own podcast, I Am the...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Tucker is joined by writer and author Jeff Young, who recounts his early memories of the Beatles, growing up in Liverpool during the height of Beatlemania. He reflects on the nostalgic and optimistic qualities of the song Penny Lane, relating it to his own experiences, which he shares in his memoir Ghost Town, and his new book Wild Twin. Jeff on X/Twitter: https://x.com/jeffyo...

Send us Fan Mail Tim is joined by renowned Beatles author and historian Bruce Spizer. Bruce shares his insights into Paul’s classic ballad 'And I Love Her,' exploring its composition, arrangement, evolution and significance. He also talks about his upcoming book 'The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night and More,' highlighting historical perspectives on the album and film, with fan...

Send us Fan Mail Returning guest, John Lennon biographer Jude Sutherland Kessler provides an in-depth analysis of Tell Me Why. She talks about the song’s emotional and biographical context, and how it relates to John's relationship with his mother, Julia. Website: https://www.johnlennonseries.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/JudeKessler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnLennonSeries Linked...

Send us Fan Mail Adam S. Leslie, author of this year’s folk horror sensation Lost in the Garden, delves into the experimental art piece Revolution 9. He discusses why Lennon’s unique take on music concrete works so well, and how it fits within the White album’s dark and varied themes. Adam S. Leslie Adam on X (Twitter): https://x.com/AdamLeslie1974 Adam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Tucker is joined by returning guests Jacob Balcom & Matt Howell of the Bronze-Age Monsters podcast, to discuss a song that signalled a new direction for the band ahead of the Rubber Soul album. They share personal memories and musical insights covering the song's recording history, thematic elements, and its significance within the Beatles' discography. Bronze-Ag...

Send us Fan Mail Jerry Hammack has written extensively on the Beatles’ recording processes and techniques, providing expert guidance on how today’s musicians can recreate those classic sounds. In this episode, he shares his insights into the Beatles' psychedelic masterpiece, 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'. Jerry Hammack The Beatles Recording Techniques by Jerry Hammack: https://bea...

Send us Fan Mail Jeff Slate is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, writer, and journalist. His writings have been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, WSJ, the New Yorker, and the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s box set. He discusses how the Beatles influenced his life and career, and how his appreciation of the song In My Life has changed over the years. Website: https://jeffslatehq.com/home X:...

Send us Fan Mail Chris Matheson, screenwriter of the Bill & Ted movies, joins to discuss Cry Baby Cry. The conversation delves into the track’s mysterious qualities, its thematic connections to childhood and loss, and how it fits into the eclectic mosaic of the White Album. Chris on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558533/ Books by Chris Matheson: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/135746...

Send us Fan Mail Sam Whiles is the host of Paul or Nothing, a podcast dedicated to the life and music of Paul McCartney. In this episode, he returns to the show to discuss his current favourite Beatles song, Within You Without You, taking in George Harrison’s exploration of Indian culture and expressions of spirituality through music. Paul or Nothing Podcast: https://mccartneypod.podbean.com Twitt...

Send us Fan Mail Debbie Gendler is a lifelong Beatles fan and writes about her experiences in her new book, I Saw Them Standing There. She was in the studio audience at the historic first Ed Sullivan appearance and met the band personally in 1965. In this episode, Debbie shares her incredible journey and her thoughts on her favourite song, Things We Said Today. Debbie’s website: https://www.debbie...