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.
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1:11:05
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1:11:05
LS069 - She's A Woman - Lecture Series (bonus)
In this Lecture Series deep dive, we pull “She’s a Woman” apart to find the craft hiding in plain sight. First, we scan the lyrics for structure, cadence, and sly wordplay, from the racy “turn me on” placement to unexpected internal rhymes and that clever enjambment that resolves a line one phrase later. Then we pivot to arrangement under a microscope: John’s relentless stabs on two and four, the rolling bass as the backbone, piano echoes of the vocal, and a stripped setup that spotlights the melody. You’ll hear how Paul vaults up, then snakes down, shaping a hook with big interval jumps and off-beat stresses. We map the harmony too, charting an A mixolydian canvas interrupted by a brief, color-splash middle eight that hints at Paul’s future key-play. We compare its DNA to “I Feel Fine,” trace the solo’s blues logic, and close by stress-testing that Little Richard-style outro. Tune in to re-hear the song with fresh ears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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32:38
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32:38
EP068 - I Feel Fine - ft. Jon Blackstone
This week we dive deep into one of the most pivotal records in early Beatles history, I Feel Fine. Kenyon and Peter, joined by musician Jon Blackstone, uncover the story behind the first intentional use of feedback in recorded music, tracing how a studio “mistake” became a defining Beatles innovation. The trio reconstruct the song’s evolution take by take, exploring how a simple riff turned into a landmark single and how Ringo’s rhythmic breakthrough helped shape its sound. Along the way, John shares his own history performing the song live, sparking a rich conversation about what makes it so deceptively difficult and endlessly fun. From technical breakdowns to cultural context, this episode captures that thrilling moment when the Beatles shifted from raw rockers to modern pop pioneers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:49:49
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1:49:49
LS068 - I Feel Fine - Lecture Series (bonus)
In this lecture, Kenyon digs into “I Feel Fine” not as a chart-topping single, but as a turning point in Lennon’s songwriting and the band’s evolution in the studio. We unpack the way John’s neutral “I feel fine” lyric carries more weight than it first appears, how the melody crosses bar lines in subtle, surprising ways, and how the Beatles start to experiment with perspective in their storytelling. You’ll also hear how the band’s Latin-influenced drum pattern and riff-based arrangement reveal a whole new level of musical interplay. By the end, you’ll see why “I Feel Fine” is more than just an early example of feedback — it’s the sound of a band learning to speak a new musical language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31:10
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31:10
EP067 - The Beatles' Story ft. Dr. Richard Driver
This episode steps outside the usual track-by-track format to explore The Beatles’ Story, Capitol Records’ 1964 double-LP “documentary” about the band. With historian Dr. Richard Driver, we look at how this release tried to define the Beatles for the American audience—mixing interviews, narration, and orchestral renditions with facts that were sometimes inaccurate. We trace the record’s place alongside other interview albums of the era, and how it fit into Capitol’s rush to issue product when a planned Hollywood Bowl live album fell through. The discussion reaches beyond the LP itself into questions of myth-making: how early biographies, liner notes, and media portrayals created an official story of the Beatles, and what was left out. Along the way, we connect these myths to later scholarship and even to Peter Jackson’s Get Back, asking what it means for fans and historians to keep retelling the Beatles’ story. 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.
UK