The Beatles: Note By Note

Could the Beatles really match Smokey Robinson? That’s the challenge they set for themselves with “You Really Got a Hold on Me”—and, incredibly, they just might have pulled it off. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon break down one of the most vocally demanding songs the Beatles ever attempted to cover. Originally a B-side by the Miracles, the track became a soulful highlight of With the Beatles, dr...

Was “Hold Me Tight” really the Beatles’ weakest link—or a hidden pivot point in their early sound? Peter and Kenyon dig into this overlooked track from With the Beatles, a song Paul McCartney began writing at age 18 and one that even John and Paul would later dismiss. But beneath its shaky reputation lies a revealing story: failed takes, scrapped sessions, and a frenzied remake that may have inclu...

In this lecture, Kenyon unpacks Paul McCartney’s “Hold Me Tight,” a deceptively simple track from With the Beatles that reveals deeper structural and harmonic complexity on close inspection. Though the song was often dismissed by its creators, Kenyon explores how its repeated ostinato patterns, major-minor tension, and chromatic middle eight create an unsettled, almost adolescent emotional landsca...

What happens when the Beatles take a Chuck Berry anthem and make it their own? In this episode, Peter and Kenyon dive into “Roll Over Beethoven,” a song they’d been playing since their earliest club days. Originally sung by John, the band handed vocal duties to George Harrison—an inspired choice that gave the track a youthful punch and raw authenticity. The hosts explore George’s biting vocal, sla...

What happens when the Beatles take a Motown classic and make it their own? Please Mr. Postman was already a #1 hit for the Marvelettes, but John Lennon’s urgent, near-desperate vocal delivery transforms it into something raw and electrifying. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore how the Beatles' version differs from the original, from its tighter rhythm section to its heightened emotional int...

Could Till There Was You be the Beatles’ most unexpected choice for their early setlists? A show tune from The Music Man, it stood out in their catalog—earning both praise and skepticism from fans and even John Lennon himself. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore how Paul McCartney discovered the song through Peggy Lee’s jazz-infused version and why he insisted on including it in their perfor...

Was "Little Child" ever meant to be sung by John Lennon? Originally intended as a showcase for Ringo Starr, the song took a different path when it proved a poor fit for his vocal range. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore how Lennon and McCartney crafted this high-energy track for With the Beatles, blending pounding piano, relentless harmonica, and a melody pulled from an unexpected Disney f...

In this lecture, Kenyon analyzes Little Child, a track from With the Beatles that began as a rejected Ringo Starr vocal before becoming one of the album’s most relentless rockers. Despite its simplicity, the song presents intriguing rhythmic and harmonic elements that set it apart from other early Beatles compositions. Kenyon examines its insistent triplet phrasing, harmonica-driven texture, and i...

What inspired George Harrison to write his first song, “Don’t Bother Me”? A bout of illness and some friendly pressure from Mersey Beat’s Bill Harry played a role. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore Harrison’s 1963 composition, marking his songwriting debut in the Beatles’ catalog. Written in a Bournemouth hotel room while George was bedridden, the track stands apart from Lennon-McCartney’s...

In this lecture, Kenyon takes a detailed look at George Harrison’s songwriting debut with "Don’t Bother Me," from With the Beatles. Written during a bout of illness in a Bournemouth hotel room, the track showcases Harrison’s unique perspective, focusing less on heartbreak and more on isolation and frustration. Kenyon examines the song’s harmonic ambiguity, highlighting its blend of Dorian and Aeol...

What makes “All My Loving” the song that signaled a shift in the Beatles' dynamic? In this episode, Peter and Kenyon dive into Paul McCartney’s first major contribution to the Beatles’ catalog, written during a tour bus ride in 1963. The song marked a turning point as McCartney's melodic genius began to rival Lennon’s dominance. With influences ranging from country and western to pop balladry, the...

In this lecture, Kenyon explores "All My Loving," one of Paul McCartney’s standout tracks from With the Beatles. The session delves into the song’s unique blend of emotional resonance and technical sophistication, beginning with its 32-bar form and seamless integration of A and B sections. Kenyon highlights McCartney’s innovative bassline, which employs a walking pattern to create dynamic counterp...

Although "It Won’t Be Long" kicks off With the Beatles with a jolt of energy and ambition, "All I’ve Got to Do" takes a quieter, more introspective approach, marking a surprising tonal shift. Written by John Lennon and inspired by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, this track was one of the earliest Beatles songs to experiment with emotional vulnerability and minimalistic arrangements. Peter and Ke...

In this lecture, Kenyon explores "All I’ve Got to Do," an introspective track from With the Beatles. Written by John Lennon, the song combines soulful simplicity with sophisticated musical elements, revealing the Beatles’ growing artistic depth. Kenyon examines its unique structural features, such as the interplay between a darker, introspective A section and an uplifting middle eight, each repres...

What if the Beatles had chosen "It Won't Be Long" as a single instead of "I Want to Hold Your Hand"? Peter and Kenyon dive into this electrifying album opener, examining its sophisticated use of unusual chord progressions, lyrical wordplay, and high-energy performance. The song captures a transitional moment for the Beatles as they began blending rock and roll vigor with more nuanced compositional...

In this lecture, Kenyon unpacks "It Won’t Be Long," the electrifying opening track of With the Beatles. The session explores the song’s innovative structural ambiguity, examining how Lennon and McCartney blend elements of 32-bar form with distinct sections to craft a high-energy narrative. Kenyon highlights the song’s harmonic complexity, from its surprising use of C major and chromatic descents t...

John Lennon believed "I'm in Love" could be a hit—but not for the Beatles. Instead, the 1963 track was handed off to the Fourmost, offering a glimpse into the Lennon-McCartney machine’s remarkable output during their peak years. Peter and Kenyon explore the song’s bittersweet lyrics, unusual rhythmic phrasing, and its distinctive descending chord sequence, which hints at the Beatles’ early flirtat...

In this lecture, Kenyon examines "I'm in Love," a 1963 John Lennon composition that was given to the Fourmost rather than being recorded by the Beatles themselves. The session explores the song’s lyrical evolution, including its original refrain “I’m So Glad,” and how the eventual lyric choices deepened its emotional impact. Kenyon delves into the song’s harmonic structure, with its ambiguous tona...

Peter and Kenyon explore "I Wanna Be Your Man," a pivotal 1963 Beatles song co-written by Lennon and McCartney and famously recorded by both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Written in just minutes to fulfill a request from the Stones for a new single, the song marked an important collaboration and rivalry between the two bands. The hosts dive into the Beatles’ version, sung by Ringo Starr, wit...

In this lecture, Kenyon dives into "I Wanna Be Your Man," the Beatles track written by Lennon and McCartney and performed by both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in 1963. The session explores the song’s simple, blues-inspired structure and its playful approach to romantic lyrics. Kenyon dissects the unique musical features, including its circular chord progressions and chromatic slides, and hig...

Peter and Kenyon dive into "I'll Keep You Satisfied," a song written by Paul McCartney in 1963 for Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. The track showcases McCartney’s melodic craftsmanship during the Beatles’ peak songwriting era, blending heartfelt lyrics with catchy hooks and a lively rhythm. The hosts discuss the song’s origins, written as part of Lennon and McCartney’s efforts to provide hits fo...

In this lecture, Kenyon examines "I'll Keep You Satisfied," a 1963 song written by Paul McCartney for Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. Exploring the lyrics, Kenyon describes the song as a confident yet straightforward romantic pitch, with simple rhymes and repetitive phrasing that reflect McCartney’s early pop sensibilities. The analysis dives into the harmonic structure, emphasizing its jazz-inf...

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...

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 t...

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...