This week on our Beatles podcast, we dive into “I’m a Loser” with Kenyon, Peter, and special guest Abby Devoe. The trio explores how the song feels and what it does. They frame “I’m a Loser” as a bold statement in peak Beatlemania, talk about how vulnerability reads as power, and trace the way the track announces a new voice in John’s writing. Abby brings her fashion and culture lens, then jumps into a playful “Beatles à la mode” tour of early looks, tailoring, and boots, connecting style to sound and attitude. You’ll hear how the hosts set the table with just enough songwriting and recording context to ground the chat, then pivot to impressions, performance choices, and why that opening hits like a headline. Come for the laughs, stay for the perspective shift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:14:44
--------
1:14:44
I'm A Loser - Lecture Series 71 (bonus)
What happens when a Beatles song stares straight at the word “loser”? In this lecture, Kenyon takes the title seriously and follows the lyric to ask whether Lennon means simple heartbreak or a jab at his own image. Kenyon reads the verses closely, noting the high-school-diary metaphors, the mask that slips, and that striking question, “Is it for her or myself that I cry?” He highlights the sudden drop to a surprisingly low note as a storytelling move, then looks at the chorus as a plain confession that doubles as advice when the song turns to the listener at the end. Rather than technical analysis, Kenyon focuses on feel, pacing, and vocal shape, including how the arrangement hands the solo spotlight from harmonica to guitar to underline the mood. The episode places “I’m a Loser” inside Lennon’s early tug of war between pop polish and raw self-portrait, showing why this simple song hints at deeper honesty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
30:22
--------
30:22
No Reply - Episode 70 with Skylar Moody
This week on our Beatles podcast, we bring on Skylar Moody and use “No Reply” to tell a bigger story. First, we map how new fans discover the band today, then tap Skylar’s front-row view of online fandom, the good, the bad, and the very human. We follow the song’s path from Tahiti spark to a confused “demo” on Anthology, weigh a theory about who kept time on that tape, and zoom into the finished track’s arrangement choices, overdubs, and piano accents. We place the opener on Beatles for Sale in context, ask what “deep cut” really means, and test that album’s “burnout” reputation against what we actually hear. Everyone goes out on a limb and gives a rating for their impression and close with a story about Tommy Quickly and the wider NEMS stable. No matter what you feel about the song, you're bound to find something interesting here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:21:07
--------
1:21:07
No Reply - Lecture Series 70 (bonus)
Kenyon treats “No Reply” like a short film. He builds the scene from the lyric clues and follows how silence drives the story. He connects this song to Lennon’s earlier promises of easy connection, then shows how that promise collapses into absence here. He lingers on charged pivots like “I saw the light” and “I nearly died,” and questions whether the “another man” twist adds meaning or just color.On craft, Kenyon shows how the opening feels like it starts midair, how the phrasing sets up a question and then answers it, and how a small change in the pattern reframes the verse. He points out arrangement choices you can hear immediately, from Ringo’s rim clicks to doubled acoustics to Paul’s high line. He explains why the middle section feels fresh and how the ending leaves the ache intact, giving songwriters concrete ideas to lift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
40:53
--------
40:53
She's A Woman - Episode 69
We start the episode hilariously out of sync, then use “She’s a Woman” to find our groove again. Instead of reciting facts, we rebuild the track from the ground up: why the bass takes the driver’s seat, how those sharp guitar stabs act like percussion, and why the low piano line changes the feel. We zoom in on the tiny tag we both obsess over and show how the sudden shift there creates the exact jolt that keeps you replaying it. Then we step through how the session came together and what flipped a messy run into a locked final take. We compare UK and US release quirks, and we point you to a few covers worth your time without spoiling the surprises. We finish by putting real ratings on our impressions and explaining why. If you like hearing a song transform from “I think I know this” into “wait, that’s what’s happening,” this one’s for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join former bandmates and lifelong friends Peter and Kenyon as they dive deep into the legendary discography of The Beatles in "The Beatles: Note by Note." With decades of friendship and a shared passion for music, these lifelong Beatles fans meticulously analyze each Beatles song in chronological order of release. Blending historical context with personal anecdotes and technical insights, Peter and Kenyon's discussions are enriched by their background as musicians. From their humble beginnings to their rise as music icons, explore how The Beatles' songs were crafted, recorded, and how they transformed the music industry. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to The Beatles' music, "The Beatles: Note by Note" offers a comprehensive and definitive journey through the catalog of one of the greatest bands of all time. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking an in-depth, authoritative exploration of The Beatles' musical legacy.For more information, visit https://www.notebynoteseries.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.