The Beatles: Note By Note

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—playf...

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 p...

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 thro...

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...

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, w...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore "Tip of My Tongue," a song written by Paul McCartney in 1962 but never released by the Beatles. Instead, it was given to Tommy Quickly, a Liverpool singer under Brian Epstein’s management. The hosts discuss how this track stands out due to its quirky melody and unusual chord changes, which make it feel distinctly different from other early Beatles songs. T...

In this Beatles lecture, Kenyon delves into "Tip of My Tongue," a song written by Paul McCartney at age 20 and ultimately given to Liverpool singer Tommy Quickly. Though never officially recorded by the Beatles, this track offers an intriguing look at McCartney's songwriting experimentation. Kenyon explores its lyrical themes of nervous affection, noting the clever wordplay and the “la la la” moti...

Peter and Kenyon explore "I Call Your Name," a song John Lennon wrote at age 16 and later recorded by the Beatles and Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. They dive into the song’s origins, highlighting its blues and ska influences, as well as its history, from Lennon's initial composition to its multiple versions. The hosts discuss the unique recording process, which included different mixes and tak...

In this Beatles lecture, Kenyon delves into "I Call Your Name," a song written by John Lennon when he was just 16. The discussion explores the song's straightforward lyrics and harmonic structure, highlighting its mix of blues and ska influences. Kenyon analyzes the use of unconventional chord progressions, melodic phrasing, and compositional techniques, noting how the song reflects Lennon's early...

Peter and Kenyon dive into "Bad to Me," a song written by John Lennon in 1963 and gifted to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. They explore the track's origins, detailing Lennon’s songwriting process, including the rumored inspirations behind its lyrics and the distinct Buddy Holly influence. The discussion extends to the recording history, contrasting the Beatles' original demo with Billy J. Krame...

In this lecture, Kenyon delves into "Bad to Me," a 1963 song written by John Lennon for Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. The discussion covers the song’s lyrical themes, musical structure, and Lennon's use of innovative harmonic techniques. Kenyon examines the track's Buddy Holly influences, lyrical motifs involving nature, and the unique chord progressions that set it apart from other early Beat...

Peter and Kenyon dive into "I'll Be On My Way," a Beatles song written by Paul McCartney at 17 and given to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. The hosts explore the song’s Buddy Holly-inspired style, lyrical themes, and unique musical elements, including its distinctive chord changes and vocal harmonies. They discuss the track's history, from its early days to the BBC recording, and compare the Bea...

Kenyon's Beatles lecture series offers an in-depth analysis of "I'll Be On My Way," a song written by Paul McCartney at age 17 and given to Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. This lecture explores the track's mature lyrical themes of parting and self-reflection, the influence of Buddy Holly on its musical structure, and the distinctive chord progressions that evoke a journey. Kenyon also contrasts t...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon discuss "Thank You Girl," a Beatles track written by Lennon and McCartney in 1963. Originally titled "Thank You Little Girl," the song was created as a tribute to the band's fans following the success of "Please Please Me." The hosts dive into the song’s collaborative writing process, its lively harmonica overdubs performed by a sick John Lennon, and Ringo Starr's...

In this lecture, Kenyon takes a closer look at "Thank You Girl," a 1963 Beatles track written by Lennon and McCartney. Designed as a fan tribute, this song represents the early Beatles' practice of connecting directly with their listeners. Kenyon delves into the song's straightforward lyrics and harmonic structure, focusing on the repetitive falling melodies and the textural changes that shift foc...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon explore “From Me to You,” the Beatles’ first official number-one hit in the UK. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney during the Helen Shapiro tour in 1963, the song marked a turning point in their songwriting. The hosts analyze its catchy melody, bluesy harmonica, and how it deviates from the Beatles' earlier work with its darker tones and unique chord progre...

In this lecture, Kenyon takes an in-depth look at "From Me to You," a 1963 song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. As the Beatles’ first number-one hit in the UK, the song showcases their early knack for melody and personal connection with fans. Kenyon explores the song’s structure, including its signature harmonica intro, chord progressions, and its place in the "pronoun game" used by the Beatles...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon dive into the electrifying "Twist and Shout." They reveal the song's origins, originally written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns and covered by the Isley Brothers before the Beatles' iconic version. Recorded as the final track during the marathon session for "Please Please Me," John's powerful vocal performance, despite a cold, is a standout. The hosts discuss the i...

In this episode of The Beatles: Note by Note , Peter and Kenyon dive into "There's a Place," a track from the Beatles' debut album Please Please Me . The hosts explore the song's introspective lyrics, drawing parallels between John Lennon's emotional depth and the influence of songs like "Somewhere" from West Side Story . They discuss the song's Motown-inspired origins and its thematic connection...

In this lecture series, Kenyon breaks down the lyrics and music of There's A Place. What features indicate that John and Paul felt that this was good enough to be their next single? How does the song utilize all the techniques they've used so far on Please Please Me? Despite such a simple presentation, Kenyon reveals that The Beatles were always pushing the envelope and innovating. If you ever wan...

Peter and Kenyon explore the Beatles' rendition of "A Taste of Honey" from their debut album "Please Please Me" in this episode. Recorded on February 11, 1963, the same day as most of the album, they delve into the song's background, originally written by Bobby Scott and Rick Marlowe and famously covered by Lenny Welch. They discuss John Lennon's dismissal of the song as "a waste of money" and how...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon delve into "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" from the Beatles' "Please Please Me" album. Written by John Lennon in late 1962 and inspired by Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and a 1961 release by The Stereo's, the song has an intimate backstory. The hosts discuss the recording techniques, including George Harrison's lead vocals, the use of echo chambers, a...

In this lecture series, Kenyon breaks down the lyrics and music of the Do You Want To Know A Secret. A masterclass in how to telegraph songwriting subtlties, Lennon hides dozens of chromatic motifs through the song. And, there may be a hidden message in the lyrics. If you ever wanted to know more about how a Beatles song works, the lecture series is more than illuminating. Website: https://www.not...

Peter and Kenyon explore "Baby, It's You," a track from the Beatles' debut album "Please Please Me," in this episode. Written by Burt Bacharach, Mack David, and Barney Williams, and first recorded by The Shirelles, the Beatles' version features John's soulful lead vocals and George Martin's skillful production. Recorded during the marathon session on February 11, 1963, the hosts analyze the band's...

In this episode, Peter and Kenyon examine "Boys" from the Beatles' debut album "Please Please Me." Originally by The Shirelles, this track features Ringo Starr's first recorded lead vocal performance with the Beatles. The hosts discuss the song's history, its popularity in the band's early live shows, and the unique recording techniques used during the February 11, 1963 session. They compare the B...