And Another Thing About The Beatles…
Every time I’m working on a song that I’m super excited about — a song I think has heart and legs and a raison d’être — and I stumble in passing upon “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl,” or “Dear Prudence” (really anything Beatles) I start questioning my work. As in why bother to write songs if I can’t write a song that good? Have you ever felt that way?
Well, I do think there’s reason to bother which I’ll get to later but please allow me continue my vent.
On my desk top is a recording someone once sent me of John ‘realizing’ “If I Fell.” I click on it every so often because it awes me. Extraordinary songs start somewhere.
It sounds like John is sitting on his bed with a nylon string documenting an idea that he just came up with, into what’s probably a cassette tape recorder. As we do. All of us. Before we forget it. For boomer songwriters such as myself, songs were born when we were alone in our bedroom too. I can relate.
But this is IF I FELL!
He keeps going at it from different angles. Like it’s just another ditty.
I wonder — where was Paul? Prolly in his bedroom plucking out “I’ve Just Seen A Face.”
I haven’t listened to this recording in a while because along with all the awe…it actually hurts. Do you know what I mean? It aches to hear something that insanely insane. As musicians, the Beatles had no boundaries. No Fear. No creative insecurity.
For those of us who were rabid fans and heard the calling to write songs of their own I think we had a desire to write ‘em like the Beatles. But at some point we gave up that impossible goal and began to listen to our own valid voices. Which…matter.
But alas, we will never write “If I Fell.”
How about this other demo of John birthing “Help.” Oh just batting it around. Noodling away. Had he any idea what that seed would turn into as he plunked those quarter-note chords in his very John way? Was he stoned? Inquiring minds want to know.
Don’t you love that clam right after the first “younger than today?” And then he just plows on and gets it right the second time!
Sigh.
I remind myself (and I’m reminding you) that we’re all writing material that’s relatable to someone (besides our mother), a song that changes someone’s day, makes someone feel seen. The process of writing helps us to better understand ourselves. Isn’t that enough?
NO!
Just kidding. It is.
But here’s the thing(s)…
When Sirius XM unveiled a Beatles channel I was delirious. Listened non-stop for a month. Found reasons to do tiresome errands just so I could be in my car. But after a while I needed some Eagles. Todd Rundgren. Lizzo.
And, let me ask you — could you survive on a diet of only Beatles? In other words think of your favorite meal. Pizza? Lobster? What if that’s all you were allowed to eat every day. Three meals a day. You’d start thinking about a tuna sandwich. A banana. Right?
So, if you do as I do — occasionally despair when comparing — fear not. But word to the wise: when you’re working on something you’re digging do not take a break and expose yourself to the Super Deluxe issue of Revolver. Trust me. It just won’t prove fruitful. Wait til tomorrow. 🫤
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