UnBeatled

Welcome to episode 16 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.This week David Bennett takes us through his favourite song of all time - the psychedelic masterpiece Strawberry Fields Forever. Written while filming How I Won The War in Spain, it became the first track The Beatles worked on as part of their 'Sgt Pepper' sessions. Working with a sense of creative freedom, The Beatles continued to pioneer new recording techniques which they had begun on Revolver. When it was released the public didn't know what to think - who had turned their beloved mop tops so... weird?

This episode discusses And I Love Her, a song that was written for Paul McCartney's first true love - Jane Asher. Tune in to hear about the band's use of musical concepts such as key changes and the Picardy Third. Also, UnBeatled will discuss how living with Jane Asher opened Paul's eyes to arts and culture at the outset of swinging London.

This episode delves into John's haunted nursery rhyme - Cry Baby Cry. The song was initially inspired by a TV advertisement before being finished while studying transcendental meditation in India. Tune in to hear discussion about John Lennon's childhood and the tensions while recording this track.

This episode discusses She's Leaving Home - a song that was inspired by a newspaper article about a runaway teenager. Tune in to hear about Mike Leander's arrangement and how it made Brian Wilson scrap an upcoming Beach Boys project.

UnBeatled breaks down the 1970 rocker 'I've Got A Feeling'. This song blended two unfinished tracks - one from McCartney and one from Lennon. This was the last time they collaborated in such a way. Tune in to hear about Billy Preston's keyboard contributions and discussion on why McCartney has chosen to continue including it in his current live setlists.

UnBeatled takes a look at Michelle from Rubber Soul. It began life as a song Paul used to play at parties while singing in a French accent. Tune in to hear about Nina Simon's influence on the track and how they sought the help of their friend's wife to finish the lyrics.

UnBeatled inspects Dear Prudence from The Beatles' self-titled album. It's a beautiful song written by John that utilises a guitar finger picking style that John learned from Donovan while studying transcendental meditation in India. Tune in to learn about Paul McCartney playing the flugelhorn and why Ringo did not play drums on this track.

This episode looks at Eight Days A Week - a song that was just an album track in the UK but went on to be a big hit in America. It's an optimistic, feel-good track that's driven by jangly acoustic guitar and a classic McCartney walking bassline. Despite this, the band didn't highly regard the song and thought it was merely writing for the 'meat market'.