Michael Jackson‘s “Billie Jean” is a song about a man who may or may not have fathered a child with a woman he doesn’t like. One of Jackson’s brothers explained the song’s connection to Motown founder Berry Gordy. Gordy is a musical legend, but his label’s music faced some criticism from one of The Beatles.
‘Billie Jean’ was 1 of several Michael Jackson songs inspired by Motown’s Berry Gordy
Jermaine Jackson was a member of The Jackson 5. In his 2011 book You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes, Jermaine discussed the Motown formula. “If Americans’ brains went to Harvard, America’s talent went to Motown — and artists graduated with a lifetime’s knowledge,” he said. “‘You’re entering the finest finishing school in the business,’ Mr. Gordy told us.
“Our education was fast-track: every song should be a three-minute story with a beginning,...
‘Billie Jean’ was 1 of several Michael Jackson songs inspired by Motown’s Berry Gordy
Jermaine Jackson was a member of The Jackson 5. In his 2011 book You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes, Jermaine discussed the Motown formula. “If Americans’ brains went to Harvard, America’s talent went to Motown — and artists graduated with a lifetime’s knowledge,” he said. “‘You’re entering the finest finishing school in the business,’ Mr. Gordy told us.
“Our education was fast-track: every song should be a three-minute story with a beginning,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones will be compared to each other until the planet Earth is destroyed and any extraterrestrial life will have no chance of knowing that rock ‘n’ roll ever existed. One of Mick Jagger’s girlfriends revealed what the frontman thought of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.” John Lennon also had plenty to say about The Rolling Stones.
Mick Jagger felt The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was ‘silly’
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend and muse in the 1960s. She’s most known for her solo ballad “As Tears Go By,” which Jagger co-wrote with Keith Richards. In her 2008 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, Faithfull recalled the way that Jagger reacted to some of The Beatles’ songs.
“Mick might, very occasionally, put The Beatles down for their provincialism, which, if you’re from London and they’re from Liverpool, is a very natural reaction,” he said. “But he’d never put their music down.
Mick Jagger felt The Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ was ‘silly’
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend and muse in the 1960s. She’s most known for her solo ballad “As Tears Go By,” which Jagger co-wrote with Keith Richards. In her 2008 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, Faithfull recalled the way that Jagger reacted to some of The Beatles’ songs.
“Mick might, very occasionally, put The Beatles down for their provincialism, which, if you’re from London and they’re from Liverpool, is a very natural reaction,” he said. “But he’d never put their music down.
- 3/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel "It" may be best known for Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise, who made an entire generation seriously terrified of clowns, but it would be nothing without the heart and soul of the Loser's Club. In the 1950s, a group of misfit kids growing up in Derry, Maine are brought together, partially because they don't belong anywhere else, but also because they happen to be targeted by the malevolent force that haunts their town, stealing and murdering its local children. Together, they have to face off against Pennywise to stop the killing once and for all. That's what they think, anyway. But despite defeating Pennywise as children, they're forced to return to Derry as adults and once again confront the terrors of their youth.
As a result of this, "It" has an interesting casting dilemma of finding not only seven...
As a result of this, "It" has an interesting casting dilemma of finding not only seven...
- 3/23/2024
- by Audrey Fox
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Anima, the Filipino studio behind Venice winner On The Job 2: The Missing 8 and Sundance winner Leonor Will Never Die, is joining with Project 8 Projects to co-produce Antoinette Jadaone’s teenage pregnancy drama Sunshine.
Maris Racal stars in the film, marking her third collaboration with Jadaone. The story follows a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her.
Currently in post-production, the film is a follow-up to Jadaone’s Fan Girl (2020), which played at Tokyo International Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival main competition.
Jadaone is known for both indie and mainstream films in the Philippines. She directed one of the highest-grossing indie films in Philippine cinema history, That Thing Called Tadhana (2014), which also played widely at...
Maris Racal stars in the film, marking her third collaboration with Jadaone. The story follows a young gymnast who discovers she is pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. On her way to a seller of illegal abortion drugs, she meets a mysterious girl who eerily talks and thinks like her.
Currently in post-production, the film is a follow-up to Jadaone’s Fan Girl (2020), which played at Tokyo International Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival main competition.
Jadaone is known for both indie and mainstream films in the Philippines. She directed one of the highest-grossing indie films in Philippine cinema history, That Thing Called Tadhana (2014), which also played widely at...
- 3/11/2024
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” used a metaphor to portray the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. He also said that The Who influenced the song indirectly. One of these claims is easier to swallow than the other. Regardless, “Helter Skelter” still inspired one of the most infamous cults of all time.
A review and the Roman Empire inspired The Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul recalled writing “Helter Skelter.” He said he read a review of The Who’s “I Can See for Miles,” which described the song as the loudest and dirtiest entry in the band’s catalog. “I was always trying to write something different, trying to not write in character, and I read this and I was inspired, ‘Oh, wow! Yeah! Just that one little paragraph was enough to inspire me, to make me make a move.
A review and the Roman Empire inspired The Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul recalled writing “Helter Skelter.” He said he read a review of The Who’s “I Can See for Miles,” which described the song as the loudest and dirtiest entry in the band’s catalog. “I was always trying to write something different, trying to not write in character, and I read this and I was inspired, ‘Oh, wow! Yeah! Just that one little paragraph was enough to inspire me, to make me make a move.
- 3/1/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ songs from A to Z are a study of how the band changed the course of pop music. The songwriting, melodies, instrumentals, and recording technqiues established the band as among the most influential in music history. But for all their success, The Beatles remained active for a relatively short period of time.
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
- 2/26/2024
- by Matt Moore
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon wrote about love more than any other topic. While many of The Beatles’ early songs deal with love in a juvenile manner, the “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” singer eventually thought about love in more mature terms. He also explained why he felt compelled to marry Yoko Ono.
John Lennon said being possessive was antithetical to love
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John was asked how he made his love stay. “Trying to possess it makes it go away,” he said. “Trying to possess somebody makes them go away. Every time you put your finger on it, it slips away. Every time you turn the microscope’s light on, the thing changes, so you can never see what it is.
“As soon as you ask the question, it goes away,” he added.
John Lennon said being possessive was antithetical to love
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John was asked how he made his love stay. “Trying to possess it makes it go away,” he said. “Trying to possess somebody makes them go away. Every time you put your finger on it, it slips away. Every time you turn the microscope’s light on, the thing changes, so you can never see what it is.
“As soon as you ask the question, it goes away,” he added.
- 2/21/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Eleanor Rigby” doesn’t need fixing. When Paul McCartney interviewed Taylor Swift, he said the track could have had a different lyric. He also explained how “Eleanor Rigby” drew from some of his childhood experiences. Interestingly, John Lennon shared some memories about the writing of the song that contradicted Paul’s.
Paul McCartney said a lyric from The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ could’ve been about the Bible
During a 2020 Rolling Stone article where Paul and Swift interviewed each other, Paul revealed that “Eleanor Rigby” was inspired by elderly ladies he knew when he was a kid. He said those women had great stories about World War II. Paul wasn’t sure how he met those women, because they weren’t part of his family, but he became friends with some of them.
“Back to ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ so I would think of her and think of what she’s...
Paul McCartney said a lyric from The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ could’ve been about the Bible
During a 2020 Rolling Stone article where Paul and Swift interviewed each other, Paul revealed that “Eleanor Rigby” was inspired by elderly ladies he knew when he was a kid. He said those women had great stories about World War II. Paul wasn’t sure how he met those women, because they weren’t part of his family, but he became friends with some of them.
“Back to ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ so I would think of her and think of what she’s...
- 2/14/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The classic rock artists of the 1960s were sometimes seen as anti-establishment or even anti-capitalist. Paul McCartney admitted that The Beatles were materialistic and so were their contemporaries. He discussed why he and John Lennon were so keen to make money. The “Imagine” singer revealed his attitude toward money and socialism.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles used their concerts to sell Coca-Cola
Many fans interpret The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” as anti-materialistic songs. John’s “Imagine” goes even further, painting a world without possessions as a utopian ideal. To this day, the song spurs controversy for drawing influence from Marxist rhetoric. “Working Class Hero” also mimics Marxism. Despite this, The Beatles were as commercialized as humanly possible, inspiring a cartoon series, several films, merchandise, and more.
During a 1990 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul pulled no punches. “Whether you like it or not, no...
Paul McCartney said The Beatles used their concerts to sell Coca-Cola
Many fans interpret The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” as anti-materialistic songs. John’s “Imagine” goes even further, painting a world without possessions as a utopian ideal. To this day, the song spurs controversy for drawing influence from Marxist rhetoric. “Working Class Hero” also mimics Marxism. Despite this, The Beatles were as commercialized as humanly possible, inspiring a cartoon series, several films, merchandise, and more.
During a 1990 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul pulled no punches. “Whether you like it or not, no...
- 2/12/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles made their first of three appearances on CBS’ “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Feb 9, 1964. Sullivan knew he had a really big “shew” that night, telling the audience mainly of teeny-boppers and teenage girls that “our theater’s been jammed with newspapermen and hundreds of photographers from all over the world. And these veterans agree with me that the city never has witnessed the excitement stirred by these youngsters from Liverpool…Now tonight you’re going to be twice entertained by them…Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles.”
Their fans screamed, cried and grabbed their hair when John, Paul, George and Ringo performed “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You” and “She Loves You.” They came back 35 minutes later in the show to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and their No. 1 hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The ratings for the episode scored to 23.24 million households. Beatlemania was sweeping America before Feb.
Their fans screamed, cried and grabbed their hair when John, Paul, George and Ringo performed “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You” and “She Loves You.” They came back 35 minutes later in the show to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and their No. 1 hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The ratings for the episode scored to 23.24 million households. Beatlemania was sweeping America before Feb.
- 2/9/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
It would be an understatement to say John Lennon and George Harrison had some issues with each other. John felt he deserved credit for getting one of George’s songs released as the B-side of The Beatles’ “The Ballad of John and Yoko.” The latter song did well despite its edgy lyrics.
The connection between The Beatles’ ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ and ‘Old Brown Shoe’
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features a 1980 interview. During the interview, the “Instant Karma!” singer said he didn’t like his unflattering portrayal in George’s book I, Me, Mine. John recalled times he looked out for George.
“I made sure George got the B-side of ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko,’ I think,” he said, referring to George’s song “Old Brown Shoe.” “And those little things he doesn’t remember.
The connection between The Beatles’ ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko’ and ‘Old Brown Shoe’
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features a 1980 interview. During the interview, the “Instant Karma!” singer said he didn’t like his unflattering portrayal in George’s book I, Me, Mine. John recalled times he looked out for George.
“I made sure George got the B-side of ‘The Ballad of John and Yoko,’ I think,” he said, referring to George’s song “Old Brown Shoe.” “And those little things he doesn’t remember.
- 1/26/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The best music sometimes causes physical reactions in listeners. For example, Peter Frampton said one song from The Beatles’ Rubber Soul gives him “goosebumps.” Frampton also revealed how he learned one of The Beatles’ codenames.
Peter Frampton said John Lennon emoted on a song from The Beatles’ ‘Rubber Soul’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Frampton named his favorite Beatles song. He picked “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” from Rubber Soul. “There’s an emotion there in John’s voice,” he said. Frampton’s comment is interesting, as John’s performance on the song could just as easily be interpreted as detached or sarcastic.
“The chord structure of it — the way he put the song together — has always given me goosebumps,” Frampton added. “And don’t forget: Buy the mono versions. That’s all we had. I can’t wait not to hear voices on the left. I want...
Peter Frampton said John Lennon emoted on a song from The Beatles’ ‘Rubber Soul’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Frampton named his favorite Beatles song. He picked “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” from Rubber Soul. “There’s an emotion there in John’s voice,” he said. Frampton’s comment is interesting, as John’s performance on the song could just as easily be interpreted as detached or sarcastic.
“The chord structure of it — the way he put the song together — has always given me goosebumps,” Frampton added. “And don’t forget: Buy the mono versions. That’s all we had. I can’t wait not to hear voices on the left. I want...
- 1/16/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ love songs are untouchable. While talking with a 1990s rock star, Ringo Starr revealed the album where The Beatles started writing songs about love that were more cosmic. The album in question was a huge upgrade from the boy band that gave us “Love Me Do” and “Please Please Me.”
Ringo Starr discussed The Beatles’ love songs with Dave Grohl from Nirvana
In a 2019 Rolling Stone article, Ringo and Dave Grohl interviewed each other. Grohl made an observation about The Beatles. “Love has always been a theme with The Beatles,” he said. “At the beginning.”
Ringo concurred, noting that The Beatles initially wrote love songs directed at girls, such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Grohl asked Ringo when the love in The Beatles’ music became more spiritual and universal. “Probably ’round about ’67, going into the Revolver album,” Ringo replied. “I mean, you know, we were growing up,...
Ringo Starr discussed The Beatles’ love songs with Dave Grohl from Nirvana
In a 2019 Rolling Stone article, Ringo and Dave Grohl interviewed each other. Grohl made an observation about The Beatles. “Love has always been a theme with The Beatles,” he said. “At the beginning.”
Ringo concurred, noting that The Beatles initially wrote love songs directed at girls, such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Grohl asked Ringo when the love in The Beatles’ music became more spiritual and universal. “Probably ’round about ’67, going into the Revolver album,” Ringo replied. “I mean, you know, we were growing up,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney fondly remembered a John Lennon quip from the recording of The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There.” The joke showed off John’s vulgar side. Later, Paul said “I Saw Her Standing There” had a sexual element to it. He also revealed what he thought about it in retrospect.
Paul McCartney lost his pick at the recording of The Beatles’ ‘I Saw Her Standing There’
During a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul discussed The Beatles’ raw tapes. “The talk between the takes — I’ve always loved that,” he said. “We always had this two-track tape recorder running in case we came up with a little jam. ‘Take 36, what was that like?’
“But it was actually a chronicle of our dialogue,” he said. “There’s one bit I particularly liked: We were doing ‘I Saw Her Standing There.’ I went, ‘I can’t do it. I haven’t got my plec.
Paul McCartney lost his pick at the recording of The Beatles’ ‘I Saw Her Standing There’
During a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul discussed The Beatles’ raw tapes. “The talk between the takes — I’ve always loved that,” he said. “We always had this two-track tape recorder running in case we came up with a little jam. ‘Take 36, what was that like?’
“But it was actually a chronicle of our dialogue,” he said. “There’s one bit I particularly liked: We were doing ‘I Saw Her Standing There.’ I went, ‘I can’t do it. I haven’t got my plec.
- 11/28/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney kicked off the Australian leg of his 2023 tour at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night (October 18th), marking his first live performance in more than a year.
During the nearly three-hour set, McCartney mixed in his own solo hits alongside his work with the Beatles and Wings. As with his previous “Got Back” concerts, Macca opened the show with “Can’t Buy Me Love” before going into Wings’ “Junior’s Farm” and “Letting Go.” This was followed by his first performance of the Beatles’ “She’s a Woman” since 2004.
Though none of the songs from Macca’s most recent album, McCartney III, made the setlist, he did run through “Fuh You” and “Come On to Me” from 2018’s Egypt Station. He also reached back into his catalog for songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Here Today,” and “Dance Tonight.”
And as he has in the past, McCartney played The...
During the nearly three-hour set, McCartney mixed in his own solo hits alongside his work with the Beatles and Wings. As with his previous “Got Back” concerts, Macca opened the show with “Can’t Buy Me Love” before going into Wings’ “Junior’s Farm” and “Letting Go.” This was followed by his first performance of the Beatles’ “She’s a Woman” since 2004.
Though none of the songs from Macca’s most recent album, McCartney III, made the setlist, he did run through “Fuh You” and “Come On to Me” from 2018’s Egypt Station. He also reached back into his catalog for songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Here Today,” and “Dance Tonight.”
And as he has in the past, McCartney played The...
- 10/18/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night solidified stereotypes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr. Paul was asked abut his depiction in the movie. He said there was truth to the stereotype about him.
The Beatles‘ A Hard Day’s Night promoted the stereotype of Paul McCartney as a carefree guy. Subsequently, Paul was asked how he felt about the film. Notably, the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack produced three top 20 singles in the United States.
Paul McCartney didn’t mind the vibe of The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ while making it
During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul was asked about the way A Hard Day’s Night portrayed The Beatles. The interviewer said the film reduced The Beatles to stereotypes, with John Lennon as the thinker, Ringo Starr as the loner, and Paul as a happy-go-lucky guy. Paul was asked if this bothered him.
“No, I didn’t mind it,...
The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night solidified stereotypes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr. Paul was asked abut his depiction in the movie. He said there was truth to the stereotype about him.
The Beatles‘ A Hard Day’s Night promoted the stereotype of Paul McCartney as a carefree guy. Subsequently, Paul was asked how he felt about the film. Notably, the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack produced three top 20 singles in the United States.
Paul McCartney didn’t mind the vibe of The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ while making it
During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul was asked about the way A Hard Day’s Night portrayed The Beatles. The interviewer said the film reduced The Beatles to stereotypes, with John Lennon as the thinker, Ringo Starr as the loner, and Paul as a happy-go-lucky guy. Paul was asked if this bothered him.
“No, I didn’t mind it,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Paul McCartney wanted The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” to start with a certain lyric. The band’s producer, George Martin, didn’t think that line was impactful. The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a hit once in the United States and twice in the United Kingdom.
George Martin said Paul McCartney‘s original version of The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” lacked a proper hook. He discussed how a simple musical change made the track more interesting. Subsequently, he revealed what he thought about Paul as a solo artist.
George Martin added a musical surprise to The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
During a 1995 interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Martin discussed the evolution of “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul wanted the song to begin with the lyric “Money can’t buy me anything to keep me satisfied.” Martin felt that line wasn’t impactful.
“I...
Paul McCartney wanted The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” to start with a certain lyric. The band’s producer, George Martin, didn’t think that line was impactful. The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a hit once in the United States and twice in the United Kingdom.
George Martin said Paul McCartney‘s original version of The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” lacked a proper hook. He discussed how a simple musical change made the track more interesting. Subsequently, he revealed what he thought about Paul as a solo artist.
George Martin added a musical surprise to The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
During a 1995 interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Martin discussed the evolution of “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul wanted the song to begin with the lyric “Money can’t buy me anything to keep me satisfied.” Martin felt that line wasn’t impactful.
“I...
- 8/22/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” was the song from The White Album that interested John Lennon the most. John discussed what he thought about George Harrison’s and Ringo Starr’s contributions to the song. “Revolution 9” was not a hit on the pop charts in the United States or the United Kingdom.
John Lennon wanted The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” to become a B-side. The other members of the Fab Four had a different view of the song. Subsequently, The Beatles’ next B-side wasn’t “Revolution 9,” but another track about the same subject.
Why The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ became a B-side instead of ‘Revolution 9’
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon features an interview from 1969. During the interview, John discussed his intentions for “Revolution 9.” “See, while all The Beatles were on holiday, we’d started doing ‘Revolution [1]’ — the song’ Revolution [1]’ which is on the album, and I wanted to put that...
The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” was the song from The White Album that interested John Lennon the most. John discussed what he thought about George Harrison’s and Ringo Starr’s contributions to the song. “Revolution 9” was not a hit on the pop charts in the United States or the United Kingdom.
John Lennon wanted The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” to become a B-side. The other members of the Fab Four had a different view of the song. Subsequently, The Beatles’ next B-side wasn’t “Revolution 9,” but another track about the same subject.
Why The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ became a B-side instead of ‘Revolution 9’
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon features an interview from 1969. During the interview, John discussed his intentions for “Revolution 9.” “See, while all The Beatles were on holiday, we’d started doing ‘Revolution [1]’ — the song’ Revolution [1]’ which is on the album, and I wanted to put that...
- 8/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ A Hard Day’s Night came out the same year as an iconic Elvis Presley movie. Elvis’ vehicle was the bigger hit. Subsequently, Paul McCartney revealed what he thought about A Hard Day’s Night.
The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ didn’t end Elvis Presley’s time in the limelight
The 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night has a lot to offer: decent comedy, interesting locations, and some of the best pop songs ever written. Elvis’ Viva Las Vegas has a lot of the same things. Apparently, the latter connected more with audiences at the time.
The 2019 book The Mighty Elvis: A Graphic Biography reports Viva Las Vegas outranked A Hard Day’s Night at the box office. The usual narrative surrounding Elvis’ career is that it went downhill once The Beatles broke through in the United States. Viva Las Vegas proves he was still relevant after the Fab Four made...
The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ didn’t end Elvis Presley’s time in the limelight
The 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night has a lot to offer: decent comedy, interesting locations, and some of the best pop songs ever written. Elvis’ Viva Las Vegas has a lot of the same things. Apparently, the latter connected more with audiences at the time.
The 2019 book The Mighty Elvis: A Graphic Biography reports Viva Las Vegas outranked A Hard Day’s Night at the box office. The usual narrative surrounding Elvis’ career is that it went downhill once The Beatles broke through in the United States. Viva Las Vegas proves he was still relevant after the Fab Four made...
- 8/12/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Sharon Farrell, whose screen credits include the original “Hawaii Five-o”, several years on “The Young and the Restless” and the cult horror film “It’s Alive”, has died at age 82.
According to Deadline, Farrell died back in May, but her death had only recently been discovered by relatives.
Among Farrell’s extensive credits also included the films “The Stunt Man”, “Lone Wolf McQuade”, “Marlowe”, “The Reivers” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
Read More: Mark Margolis, ‘Breaking Bad’ And ‘Scarface’ Actor, Dead At 83
In 1974’s “It’s Alive”, she starred as Lenore, mother of a monstrously deformed baby who goes on a killing spree.
On television, Farrell joined the cast of “Hawaii Five-o” in its final season, playing as Det. Lori Wilson. She also portrayed Florence Webster on “Y&R” between 1991-97.
“Hawaii Five-o” (L-r): Jack Lord, William Smith, Sharon Farrell, Moe Keale, Herman Wedemeyer. Photo: Everett Collection
Following her first screen appearance in the late 1950s,...
According to Deadline, Farrell died back in May, but her death had only recently been discovered by relatives.
Among Farrell’s extensive credits also included the films “The Stunt Man”, “Lone Wolf McQuade”, “Marlowe”, “The Reivers” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
Read More: Mark Margolis, ‘Breaking Bad’ And ‘Scarface’ Actor, Dead At 83
In 1974’s “It’s Alive”, she starred as Lenore, mother of a monstrously deformed baby who goes on a killing spree.
On television, Farrell joined the cast of “Hawaii Five-o” in its final season, playing as Det. Lori Wilson. She also portrayed Florence Webster on “Y&R” between 1991-97.
“Hawaii Five-o” (L-r): Jack Lord, William Smith, Sharon Farrell, Moe Keale, Herman Wedemeyer. Photo: Everett Collection
Following her first screen appearance in the late 1950s,...
- 8/6/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Sharon Farrell, who starred in many films in her long career in Hollywood, including opposite James Garner and Steve McQueen in the 1969 films ‘Marlowe’ and ‘The Reivers’ respectively, has died. She was 82. Farrell died on May 15 of natural causes at a hospital in Orange County. Her death was only recently discovered by relatives, who posted the news to Facebook, but they were unsure of the cause, as per Deadline.
Farrell had an extensive resume, but is best remembered for the film ‘It’s Alive’, in which she played the mother of a murderous deformed infant.
She also had roles in the films ‘The Stunt Man’, ‘Lone Wolf McQuade’, and ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ (1987).
In the horror thriller ‘It’s Alive’ (1974), written and directed by Larry Cohen and featuring special effects make-up from Rick Baker, Farrell’s Lenore Davis tries to protect the hideously deformed child she just had, even though the infant...
Farrell had an extensive resume, but is best remembered for the film ‘It’s Alive’, in which she played the mother of a murderous deformed infant.
She also had roles in the films ‘The Stunt Man’, ‘Lone Wolf McQuade’, and ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ (1987).
In the horror thriller ‘It’s Alive’ (1974), written and directed by Larry Cohen and featuring special effects make-up from Rick Baker, Farrell’s Lenore Davis tries to protect the hideously deformed child she just had, even though the infant...
- 8/6/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Sharon Farrell, whose long career included star turns in film, television, and on Broadway, died May 15 in Orange County. Her death at 82 was only recently discovered by relatives, who posted the news to Facebook, but they were unsure of the cause.
Farrell had an extensive resume, but is best remembered for the film It’s Alive, in which she played the mother of a murderous deformed infant. She also had roles in the films The Stunt Man, Lone Wolf McQuade, Marlowe, The Reivers (with Steve McQueen) and Can’t Buy Me Love (1987).
On television, Farrell recurred as Det. Lori Wilson in the final season of the original Hawaii Five-o. She was also Florence Webster on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1991-97.
Born Sharon Forsmoe on Christmas Eve in 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa, she moved to New York, where she acted and modeled.
She made her film debut in 1959’s Kiss Her Goodbye,...
Farrell had an extensive resume, but is best remembered for the film It’s Alive, in which she played the mother of a murderous deformed infant. She also had roles in the films The Stunt Man, Lone Wolf McQuade, Marlowe, The Reivers (with Steve McQueen) and Can’t Buy Me Love (1987).
On television, Farrell recurred as Det. Lori Wilson in the final season of the original Hawaii Five-o. She was also Florence Webster on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1991-97.
Born Sharon Forsmoe on Christmas Eve in 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa, she moved to New York, where she acted and modeled.
She made her film debut in 1959’s Kiss Her Goodbye,...
- 8/5/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Sharon Farrell, who starred as the mother of a murderous infant in It’s Alive and contributed strong supporting turns opposite James Garner and Steve McQueen, respectively, in the 1969 films Marlowe and The Reivers, has died. She was 82.
Farrell died unexpectedly May 15 of natural causes at a hospital in Orange County, her son, Chance Boyer, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Farrell also played a movie hairstylist in Richard Rush‘s The Stunt Man (1980), the ex-wife of Chuck Norris’ Texas Ranger in Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) and the mother of the cheerleader portrayed by Amanda Peterson in Can’t Buy Me Love (1987).
On television, Farrell recurred as Det. Lori Wilson on the final season (1979-80) of CBS’ Hawaii Five-o and was Florence Webster, mother of Tricia Cast’s Nina Webster, on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1991-97.
In the horror thriller It’s Alive (1974), written and directed by Larry Cohen and...
Farrell died unexpectedly May 15 of natural causes at a hospital in Orange County, her son, Chance Boyer, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Farrell also played a movie hairstylist in Richard Rush‘s The Stunt Man (1980), the ex-wife of Chuck Norris’ Texas Ranger in Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) and the mother of the cheerleader portrayed by Amanda Peterson in Can’t Buy Me Love (1987).
On television, Farrell recurred as Det. Lori Wilson on the final season (1979-80) of CBS’ Hawaii Five-o and was Florence Webster, mother of Tricia Cast’s Nina Webster, on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1991-97.
In the horror thriller It’s Alive (1974), written and directed by Larry Cohen and...
- 8/5/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It didn’t take long for The Beatles to go multimedia. As Beatlemania took over the world, they added movies to their output with A Hard Day’s Night and Help! in 1964 and 1965, respectively. They were on top of the world; even the songs they abandoned turned into hits. The Beatles kept writing songs to soundtrack their movies, and these were the seven most successful.
The Beatles wrote soundtracks for five movies they starred in
The Fab Four made hay in the relatively short time they were together. Between 1963 and 1970, there wasn’t a year where they didn’t release at least one album. Add in hundreds of live shows, scores of interviews, television appearances, and recording hit non-album singles, and it’s a wonder they didn’t keel over from exhaustion.
With that kind of schedule, The Beatles might have preferred built-in time to blow off steam on their movies.
The Beatles wrote soundtracks for five movies they starred in
The Fab Four made hay in the relatively short time they were together. Between 1963 and 1970, there wasn’t a year where they didn’t release at least one album. Add in hundreds of live shows, scores of interviews, television appearances, and recording hit non-album singles, and it’s a wonder they didn’t keel over from exhaustion.
With that kind of schedule, The Beatles might have preferred built-in time to blow off steam on their movies.
- 7/24/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tubi is offering lots of originals for July, including the thriller “Five Star Murder” on July 28. A concierge and a guest investigate a hotel murder while a storm traps nasty hidden-treasure hunters inside.
Also coming to the streamer, a podcaster investigates his sister’s death in “Deep Web: Murdershow” on July 8. The murder leads him to a site where the highest bidder determines how a victim is killed.
“The Mummy” franchise is available July 1. In the first installment, an adventurer in 1926 Egypt travels to Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, with a librarian and her older brother. Excited by their discoveries, they accidentally awaken Imhotep, a cursed high priest who was mummified alive. Now, the all-powerful Imhotep must be destroyed before his wrath destroys everything in his path. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz co-star in the action-packed thriller.
Finally, the cult classic “Big Trouble in Little China” stars Kurt Russell...
Also coming to the streamer, a podcaster investigates his sister’s death in “Deep Web: Murdershow” on July 8. The murder leads him to a site where the highest bidder determines how a victim is killed.
“The Mummy” franchise is available July 1. In the first installment, an adventurer in 1926 Egypt travels to Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, with a librarian and her older brother. Excited by their discoveries, they accidentally awaken Imhotep, a cursed high priest who was mummified alive. Now, the all-powerful Imhotep must be destroyed before his wrath destroys everything in his path. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz co-star in the action-packed thriller.
Finally, the cult classic “Big Trouble in Little China” stars Kurt Russell...
- 6/30/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
The Beatles‘ No. 1 hits are an eclectic group of songs spanning several genres. Despite this, three of the Fab Four’s songs that hit No. 1 in the United States have the same word in the title. That word became a huge part of The Beatles’ brand.
3 Beatles No. 1 hits have the same word and 1 has a similar word
Twenty of The Beatles’ songs topped the Billboard Hot 100. Those songs are “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Eight Days a Week,” “I Feel Fine,” “A Hard Days Night,” “Help!,” “Hey Jude,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “Let It Be,” “Get Back,” “Yesterday,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Penny Lane,” “Paperback Writer,” “The Long and Winding Road” / “For You Blue,” “Come Together” / “Something,” “She Loves You,” “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “All You Need Is Love.” Notably, “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “All You Need Is...
3 Beatles No. 1 hits have the same word and 1 has a similar word
Twenty of The Beatles’ songs topped the Billboard Hot 100. Those songs are “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Eight Days a Week,” “I Feel Fine,” “A Hard Days Night,” “Help!,” “Hey Jude,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “Let It Be,” “Get Back,” “Yesterday,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Penny Lane,” “Paperback Writer,” “The Long and Winding Road” / “For You Blue,” “Come Together” / “Something,” “She Loves You,” “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “All You Need Is Love.” Notably, “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “All You Need Is...
- 6/29/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Queen’s Brian May said The Beatles‘ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is the greatest teen pop song ever. He cited the track as one of the reasons why John Lennon will always be cool. Despite this, there are better teen pop songs out there, both by the Fab Four and other artists.
Queen’s Brian May felt The Beatles’ ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ was 1 of John Lennon’s gems
During a 2020 interview with Loudersound, May said John was the most talented member of The Beatles. “Lennon, from a frankly less-than-glamorous teenager with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, developed into the coolest guy on Earth,” May opined.
“He was cool enough to write the greatest teen pop song ever (in my humble etc.) ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand;’ to embrace psychedelia and make it musically valid; to leave The Beatles when he felt...
Queen’s Brian May felt The Beatles’ ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ was 1 of John Lennon’s gems
During a 2020 interview with Loudersound, May said John was the most talented member of The Beatles. “Lennon, from a frankly less-than-glamorous teenager with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, developed into the coolest guy on Earth,” May opined.
“He was cool enough to write the greatest teen pop song ever (in my humble etc.) ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand;’ to embrace psychedelia and make it musically valid; to leave The Beatles when he felt...
- 6/22/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ “Michelle” was inspired by the bassline of another song. Paul said “Michelle” had a similarity to another Beatles song: “Julia.” The star who inspired “Michelle” later recorded his own cover of the track. The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Mirrorpix / Contributor
Paul McCartney revealed The Beatles’ “Michelle” was inspired by a country song. He said he emulated a country star’s guitar playing to write “Michelle.” In addition, he said John Lennon also learned that style of guitar playing.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Michelle’ was inspired by Chet Atkins’ ‘Trambone’
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul said “Michelle” was inspired by a 1950s country music star. “‘Michelle’ was a tune that I’d written in Chet Atkins’ finger-pickin’ style,” Paul said. “There is a song he did called ‘Trambone’ with a repetitive top line, and he played...
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ “Michelle” was inspired by the bassline of another song. Paul said “Michelle” had a similarity to another Beatles song: “Julia.” The star who inspired “Michelle” later recorded his own cover of the track. The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Mirrorpix / Contributor
Paul McCartney revealed The Beatles’ “Michelle” was inspired by a country song. He said he emulated a country star’s guitar playing to write “Michelle.” In addition, he said John Lennon also learned that style of guitar playing.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Michelle’ was inspired by Chet Atkins’ ‘Trambone’
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul said “Michelle” was inspired by a 1950s country music star. “‘Michelle’ was a tune that I’d written in Chet Atkins’ finger-pickin’ style,” Paul said. “There is a song he did called ‘Trambone’ with a repetitive top line, and he played...
- 6/1/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Paul McCartney looked for John Lennon’s approval after he wrote The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul said John knew the song was good. It became a massive hit. Paul McCartney | Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer
Paul McCartney revealed the circumstances under which he wrote The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Subsequently, he compared penning the song to having sex. That comparison makes perfect sense.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ felt right when he wrote it
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed writing “Can’t Buy Me Love.” “I have a recollection of walking ’round St. John’s Wood with that in my mind so I might have written it at home and finished it up on the way to the studio, finally polished it in the studio, maybe just taken John aside for a second and checked it with him,...
Paul McCartney looked for John Lennon’s approval after he wrote The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul said John knew the song was good. It became a massive hit. Paul McCartney | Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer
Paul McCartney revealed the circumstances under which he wrote The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Subsequently, he compared penning the song to having sex. That comparison makes perfect sense.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ felt right when he wrote it
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul discussed writing “Can’t Buy Me Love.” “I have a recollection of walking ’round St. John’s Wood with that in my mind so I might have written it at home and finished it up on the way to the studio, finally polished it in the studio, maybe just taken John aside for a second and checked it with him,...
- 5/28/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles covered songs in numerous genres. However, The Beatles’ “My Bonnie” stands above the rest of their covers. Here’s a look at why.
The Beatles | Hulton Archive / Stringer The Beatles’ ‘My Bonnie’ makes a boring old song sound vivacious and fun
The Beatles covered songs by many great artists, including Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Phil Spector. Sometimes they out their own distinctive stamp on their overs, and other times they faithfully recreated a great song. Regardless, most Beatles covers are tributes to musical geniuses.
On the other hand, “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” is an old sea shanty that everyone knows but nobody seems to like. While some songs of that age have aged beautifully (e.g. “God Save the King”), “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” is probably better left in the ashbin of history. The fact that The Beatles turned the tune into something...
The Beatles | Hulton Archive / Stringer The Beatles’ ‘My Bonnie’ makes a boring old song sound vivacious and fun
The Beatles covered songs by many great artists, including Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Phil Spector. Sometimes they out their own distinctive stamp on their overs, and other times they faithfully recreated a great song. Regardless, most Beatles covers are tributes to musical geniuses.
On the other hand, “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” is an old sea shanty that everyone knows but nobody seems to like. While some songs of that age have aged beautifully (e.g. “God Save the King”), “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” is probably better left in the ashbin of history. The fact that The Beatles turned the tune into something...
- 5/26/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A song from The Beatles‘ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer John Lennon said a song from The Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ was based on a riff
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are,...
The Beatles | John Pratt / Stringer John Lennon said a song from The Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ was based on a riff
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
A song from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are, da da da da.’ Then Paul comes in with [sings] ‘Baby, you’re a rich man,...
A song from The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was originally two different songs, one by John Lennon and the other by Paul McCartney. Subsequently, a sound engineer who worked on the song was enthralled with it. The tune complements some other Fab Four songs very well.
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, he was asked about “Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” “That’s a combination of two separate pieces, Paul’s and mine, put together and forced into one song,” he said.
John gave fans insight into how the song came together. “One half was all mine,” he recalled. “‘How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people, now that you know who you are, da da da da.’ Then Paul comes in with [sings] ‘Baby, you’re a rich man,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ “Taxman” articulates concerns different from the topics of most protest songs of the time. The song feels out of touch with the concerns that many people have today. On the other hand, the general sentiment of “Taxman” is relatable to listeners of various classes. The Beatles | Mirrorpix / Contributor
The Beatles‘ “Taxman” is one of the most famous songs from Revolver. On one level, it’s horribly behind the times. On the other hand, its message is immortal.
The Beatles’ ‘Taxman’ feels out of touch with 1960s music and out of touch with today
The 1960s saw a wave of famous protest songs. Folk singers like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger protested the ills of the world, like racism, conformity, and the Vietnam War. Even Elvis Presley, during his poppy Las Vegas years, got in on the trend with “In the Ghetto,” a protest song about the...
The Beatles’ “Taxman” articulates concerns different from the topics of most protest songs of the time. The song feels out of touch with the concerns that many people have today. On the other hand, the general sentiment of “Taxman” is relatable to listeners of various classes. The Beatles | Mirrorpix / Contributor
The Beatles‘ “Taxman” is one of the most famous songs from Revolver. On one level, it’s horribly behind the times. On the other hand, its message is immortal.
The Beatles’ ‘Taxman’ feels out of touch with 1960s music and out of touch with today
The 1960s saw a wave of famous protest songs. Folk singers like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger protested the ills of the world, like racism, conformity, and the Vietnam War. Even Elvis Presley, during his poppy Las Vegas years, got in on the trend with “In the Ghetto,” a protest song about the...
- 5/14/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles rose to unprecedented fame in the 1960s. The band was comprised of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr; the former three got together in 1958 and secured Starr as their drummer in 1962. From there, the quartet’s lives changed forever, and they found themselves in the throes of the greatest fame a band has ever known.
The band’s leading songwriters were Lennon and McCartney, who were often both credited on songs regardless of whether it was actually the work of just one of them. And Lennon, who was credited on a major Beatles hit, has come out and said that it was entirely McCartney who took the band in a new direction.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1964 | Bettmann/Contributor John Lennon credited Paul McCartney for ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
When The Beatles initially formed back in the late 1950s,...
The band’s leading songwriters were Lennon and McCartney, who were often both credited on songs regardless of whether it was actually the work of just one of them. And Lennon, who was credited on a major Beatles hit, has come out and said that it was entirely McCartney who took the band in a new direction.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1964 | Bettmann/Contributor John Lennon credited Paul McCartney for ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
When The Beatles initially formed back in the late 1950s,...
- 5/13/2023
- by Julia Mullaney
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles have impacted every generation. Despite being over 60 years old, modern audiences still recognize The Beatles’ music, and many listen to it consistently. However, it’s not exactly music that would get played in the club, as that’s typically pop and dance songs. Still, Paul McCartney said he heard one song by The Beatles at a party, and everyone kept dancing.
‘Twist and Shout’ was a massive hit for The Beatles Paul McCartney | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Desert Trip
“Twist and Shout” is a 1961 song written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley. The Top Notes originally recorded the track but it didn’t become a hit until it was covered by The Isley Brothers in 1962. The Isley Brothers’ version reached No. 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 42 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The eccentric dance track skyrocketed in popularity after it was covered by...
‘Twist and Shout’ was a massive hit for The Beatles Paul McCartney | Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Desert Trip
“Twist and Shout” is a 1961 song written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley. The Top Notes originally recorded the track but it didn’t become a hit until it was covered by The Isley Brothers in 1962. The Isley Brothers’ version reached No. 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 42 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The eccentric dance track skyrocketed in popularity after it was covered by...
- 5/13/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While many artists were satisfied with releasing lackluster B-sides, The Beatles always ensured every single had a stellar A-side and B-side. Sometimes, the fab four liked the B-side more, but the studio would decide the A-side appealed to a broader audience. Still, The Beatles weren’t shy about sharing when they believed a B-side was better. Here are three B-sides that The Beatles liked more than the A-sides.
‘Rain’ The Beatles
“Rain” was released as the B-side to “Paperback Writer” in 1966. It was a minor hit, reaching No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It’s one of the weirder but more underrated Beatles singles, as it has a unique sound created by experimenting with a tape recorder. The Beatles would play sped up but slow it down on the recorder to get the desired tempo.
Ringo Starr considers “Rain” one of his favorite songs and his best drumming performance with The Beatles.
‘Rain’ The Beatles
“Rain” was released as the B-side to “Paperback Writer” in 1966. It was a minor hit, reaching No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It’s one of the weirder but more underrated Beatles singles, as it has a unique sound created by experimenting with a tape recorder. The Beatles would play sped up but slow it down on the recorder to get the desired tempo.
Ringo Starr considers “Rain” one of his favorite songs and his best drumming performance with The Beatles.
- 5/12/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Can’t Buy Me Love” is one of the Fab Four’s most famous hit songs. Despite this, George Harrison said The Beatles preferred the tune’s B-side. He was wrong to say the B-side was superior.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | V&a Images / Contributor George Harrison said The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ was commercial but not his favorite
The book The Beatles: Off the Record includes an interview from 1964. In it, George talked about “Can’t Buy Me Love” and its B-side. “I think the B-side is good, it’s more interesting to us, musically, to be honest,” he said. “But the impact of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is more instant than ‘You Can’t Do That.’ It’s the more commercial side. But then, I thought ‘This Boy’ should have been an A-side.”
George explained how “Can’t Buy Me Love” came together in the studio.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | V&a Images / Contributor George Harrison said The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ was commercial but not his favorite
The book The Beatles: Off the Record includes an interview from 1964. In it, George talked about “Can’t Buy Me Love” and its B-side. “I think the B-side is good, it’s more interesting to us, musically, to be honest,” he said. “But the impact of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is more instant than ‘You Can’t Do That.’ It’s the more commercial side. But then, I thought ‘This Boy’ should have been an A-side.”
George explained how “Can’t Buy Me Love” came together in the studio.
- 5/7/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
During the 1960s, music fans would always anticipate the latest single from The Beatles, who were taking the music industry by storm. The single’s A-side was almost guaranteed to be a hit, with the B-side usually landing with mixed results. However, Paul McCartney said The Beatles always tried to deliver excellent B-sides, even if they flopped.
The Beatles sometimes had B-sides better that were better than the A-sides The Beatles | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Beatles had many excellent A-side singles like “Hey Jude” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” that dominated the charts in the 1960s and are still widely listened to today. However, there are a few deep-cut B-sides that many people, including The Beatles themselves, believe are better than the A-side they were on. A few examples of these include “I Saw Her Standing There”, “I Am the Walrus”, and “Rain”.
“Rain” was released as the...
The Beatles sometimes had B-sides better that were better than the A-sides The Beatles | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Beatles had many excellent A-side singles like “Hey Jude” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” that dominated the charts in the 1960s and are still widely listened to today. However, there are a few deep-cut B-sides that many people, including The Beatles themselves, believe are better than the A-side they were on. A few examples of these include “I Saw Her Standing There”, “I Am the Walrus”, and “Rain”.
“Rain” was released as the...
- 5/5/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon often collaborated on early drafts of Beatles songs. One would bring the song to the other, and they were often brutally honest about changes that needed to be made or if it was just plain bad. McCartney brought an unfinished draft of “Drive My Car” to Lennon, but the pair decided to change it with a different title.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were a perfect songwriting duo Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Donaldson/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Paul McCartney and John Lennon formed a songwriting partnership before The Beatles were even a concept. They became friends in Liverpool and bonded over their love of rock n’ roll. Once The Beatles started, the Lennon-McCartney partnership became responsible for hits such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Eight Days a Week”, and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
After The Beatles ended, McCartney wondered if he...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were a perfect songwriting duo Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Donaldson/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Paul McCartney and John Lennon formed a songwriting partnership before The Beatles were even a concept. They became friends in Liverpool and bonded over their love of rock n’ roll. Once The Beatles started, the Lennon-McCartney partnership became responsible for hits such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Eight Days a Week”, and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
After The Beatles ended, McCartney wondered if he...
- 4/29/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It’s hardly a stretch to say The Beatles dominated the 1960s, especially from 1963 onward. Their energetic debut album, Please Please Me, bowled over young English music fans. The United States finally caught up nearly a year later with the Fab Four’s historic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The fact that The Beatles had 71 songs land in the top 100 of the Billboard singles chart is as impressive as their 20 No. 1 hits.
(l-r) Joseph Lockwood, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Beatles landed in the Billboard top 100 an astonishing 71 times
Step back a bit and wonder at The Beatles’ success.
The Fab Four existed as a recording band for eight years, but their impact and success stretched well beyond that timeline. Need proof? Three of those top 100 songs came in the 1990s, and two of those were demos (“Free as...
(l-r) Joseph Lockwood, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Beatles landed in the Billboard top 100 an astonishing 71 times
Step back a bit and wonder at The Beatles’ success.
The Fab Four existed as a recording band for eight years, but their impact and success stretched well beyond that timeline. Need proof? Three of those top 100 songs came in the 1990s, and two of those were demos (“Free as...
- 4/24/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon insulted The Rolling Stones’ “We Love You.” In addition, he said The Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request as a carbon copy of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. His opinions were too narrow-minded.
The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger | Evening Standard / Stringer John Lennon said The Rolling Stones’ ‘We Love You’ was a rip-off of ‘All You Need Is Love’
The Beatles wrote a lot about love. They gave us “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “She Loves You,” “All You Need Is Love,” “She Loves You,” “All My Loving,” “And I Love Her,” and “Love You To.” They also wrote numerous other songs that focus on love without having “love” in the title.
The Rolling Stones wrote great love songs but they were less focused on the concept than The Beatles. For example, they only had one hit in the 1960s with the word “love...
The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger | Evening Standard / Stringer John Lennon said The Rolling Stones’ ‘We Love You’ was a rip-off of ‘All You Need Is Love’
The Beatles wrote a lot about love. They gave us “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “She Loves You,” “All You Need Is Love,” “She Loves You,” “All My Loving,” “And I Love Her,” and “Love You To.” They also wrote numerous other songs that focus on love without having “love” in the title.
The Rolling Stones wrote great love songs but they were less focused on the concept than The Beatles. For example, they only had one hit in the 1960s with the word “love...
- 4/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles achieved many extraordinary feats as recording artists through their years in the music industry. However, none was more stunning than the day they dominated the top four slots of the Billboard singles charts on Mar. 28, 1964.
Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison photographed in 1964 | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ debut album dropped in 1963 in Great Britain and 1964 in the US
The Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me, debuted in 1963. It recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its release.
Before the release of Please Please Me, The Beatles released two singles. “Love Me Do” hit the charts on Oct. 5, 1962, and “Please Please Me” debuted on Jan. 11, 1963.
The Please Please Me album was not released in America and was a UK hit. Instead, the group’s debut album was rebranded Introducing The Beatles, and debuted in the United States on Jan. 10, 1964, with a different tracklisting. Americans...
Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison photographed in 1964 | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ debut album dropped in 1963 in Great Britain and 1964 in the US
The Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me, debuted in 1963. It recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its release.
Before the release of Please Please Me, The Beatles released two singles. “Love Me Do” hit the charts on Oct. 5, 1962, and “Please Please Me” debuted on Jan. 11, 1963.
The Please Please Me album was not released in America and was a UK hit. Instead, the group’s debut album was rebranded Introducing The Beatles, and debuted in the United States on Jan. 10, 1964, with a different tracklisting. Americans...
- 3/28/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ songs kept returning to one theme: love, love, love. In the same vein, several of the best Beatles songs have the word “love” in the title. Here are a few of The Beatles’ best songs with that magic word in their names.
The Beatles | Bettmann / Contributor 5. ‘All You Need Is Love’
“All You Need Is Love” is a song with a great message. It also paved the way for John Lennon to write other “message” songs like “Give Peace a Chance,” “Imagine,” and “Working Class Hero.”
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon includes a 1972 interview with the rock star. In it, he discusses the tune. “I was saying to Yoko, I still believe all you need is love,” he said. “But I don’t believe that just saying it is gonna do it.
“I still believe in the fact that love is what we all need,...
The Beatles | Bettmann / Contributor 5. ‘All You Need Is Love’
“All You Need Is Love” is a song with a great message. It also paved the way for John Lennon to write other “message” songs like “Give Peace a Chance,” “Imagine,” and “Working Class Hero.”
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations with John Lennon includes a 1972 interview with the rock star. In it, he discusses the tune. “I was saying to Yoko, I still believe all you need is love,” he said. “But I don’t believe that just saying it is gonna do it.
“I still believe in the fact that love is what we all need,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ Rubber Soul is one of the most beloved classic rock albums of all time. It’s often considered the band’s most extensive foray into folk-rock music. Despite this, some of the great songs on the album aren’t folk songs.
The Beatles | Icon and Image / Contributor 5. ‘The Word’
The Beatles gave us a lot of songs about love, including “All You Need Is Love,” “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love You To,” And I Love Her,” “Real Love,” “She Loves You,” and “All My Loving,” just to name a few. “The Word” is another meditation on the subject, but it stands out because of those chic 1960s guitars. Here, The Beatles prove they were just as good at harmonizing as The Beach Boys when they wanted to be. If only this track was a single from The Beatles’ Rubber Soul!
4. ‘Girl’
“Girl” is a bit like a folk song,...
The Beatles | Icon and Image / Contributor 5. ‘The Word’
The Beatles gave us a lot of songs about love, including “All You Need Is Love,” “Love Me Do,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love You To,” And I Love Her,” “Real Love,” “She Loves You,” and “All My Loving,” just to name a few. “The Word” is another meditation on the subject, but it stands out because of those chic 1960s guitars. Here, The Beatles prove they were just as good at harmonizing as The Beach Boys when they wanted to be. If only this track was a single from The Beatles’ Rubber Soul!
4. ‘Girl’
“Girl” is a bit like a folk song,...
- 3/19/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles were excellent at deciding when a single should be released as an A-side vs. a B-side. Sometimes it was hard to tell if a song was an A-side before it was played. John Lennon wrote one song for The Beatles that he felt was “lousy,” but the band’s version of it was good enough to make it an A-side single.
‘I Feel Fine’ included one of the earliest uses of feedback in a recording John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images
“I Feel Fine” was written by John Lennon and released in 1964 by The Beatles. The track was considered revolutionary as it’s one of the earliest rock songs to include amplifier feedback in the recording. While The Beatles were innovators in discovering new recording techniques, this happened accidentally. In Barry Miles’ Many Years From Now, Paul McCartney admitted that the feedback happened after Lennon leaned his guitar against an amp.
‘I Feel Fine’ included one of the earliest uses of feedback in a recording John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images
“I Feel Fine” was written by John Lennon and released in 1964 by The Beatles. The track was considered revolutionary as it’s one of the earliest rock songs to include amplifier feedback in the recording. While The Beatles were innovators in discovering new recording techniques, this happened accidentally. In Barry Miles’ Many Years From Now, Paul McCartney admitted that the feedback happened after Lennon leaned his guitar against an amp.
- 3/19/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beach Boys were one of the biggest musical groups of the 1960s. But that doesn’t mean they completely dominated the entertainment industry. The band provided the theme song for a short-lived ’60s sitcom that few have heard of today.
The Beach Boys’ massive musical success, including dozens of hit songs and best-selling albums
The Beach Boys were formed in 1961 and were composed of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Brian was the creative mastermind behind the group’s music, while dad Murry Wilson managed them.
The group dominated the charts in the ’60s with hit singles like “Surfin’ U.S.A,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “California Girls.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and still tour today.
The Beach Boys provided the theme song for ‘Karen,’ a one-season sitcom from the ’60s
Undeniably,...
The Beach Boys’ massive musical success, including dozens of hit songs and best-selling albums
The Beach Boys were formed in 1961 and were composed of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Brian was the creative mastermind behind the group’s music, while dad Murry Wilson managed them.
The group dominated the charts in the ’60s with hit singles like “Surfin’ U.S.A,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” and “California Girls.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and still tour today.
The Beach Boys provided the theme song for ‘Karen,’ a one-season sitcom from the ’60s
Undeniably,...
- 3/8/2023
- by India McCarty
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles had unprecedented levels of success during the 1960s. Many fans were heartbroken when The Beatles disbanded in 1970, leaving John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to embark on solo careers. While each member had impressive solo careers, Harrison benefited the most from leaving the band, even if he wasn’t the most successful.
George Harrison only wrote a few songs while he was in The Beatles George Harrison | Steve Kagan/Getty Images
Harrison was an essential part of The Beatles as a guitarist but isn’t credited with writing many of The Beatles’ songs. Primary songwriting duties were in the hands of McCartney and Lennon, who wrote most of the band’s hits, including “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Hey Jude,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “Eight Days a week.”
Harrison is only credited with writing 25 Beatles songs, three of which were a full-band effort. However,...
George Harrison only wrote a few songs while he was in The Beatles George Harrison | Steve Kagan/Getty Images
Harrison was an essential part of The Beatles as a guitarist but isn’t credited with writing many of The Beatles’ songs. Primary songwriting duties were in the hands of McCartney and Lennon, who wrote most of the band’s hits, including “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Hey Jude,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “Eight Days a week.”
Harrison is only credited with writing 25 Beatles songs, three of which were a full-band effort. However,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon helped make The Beatles what they were. They never got to the bottom of each other’s souls, as Macca once said, but they wrote many of the Fab Four’s biggest hits. But not all good things last. Their working relationship was so fractured that Paul said he was too embarrassed to ask John about singing together on “Come Together.”
John Lennon (left) and Paul McCartney | Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon were at odds as The Beatles broke up
Paul and John guided The Beatles to international stardom. Their songwriting talents gave the world hit songs and all-time great albums. But all good things come to an end.
As George Harrison came into his own as a songwriter, he felt stifled when his songs rarely made it on Fab Four albums. That was by design, as John...
John Lennon (left) and Paul McCartney | Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon were at odds as The Beatles broke up
Paul and John guided The Beatles to international stardom. Their songwriting talents gave the world hit songs and all-time great albums. But all good things come to an end.
As George Harrison came into his own as a songwriter, he felt stifled when his songs rarely made it on Fab Four albums. That was by design, as John...
- 2/18/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Patrick Dempsey is in talks with Spyglass to star in “Thanksgiving,” multiple media outlets have reported.
Yes, that’s Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving,” a violent slasher film based on the fake trailer from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s double feature “Grindhouse” from 16 years ago.
Chatter has existed about turning the jokey trailer into an actual movie, with Roth having written a screenplay over a dozen years ago. Fantasy became fact when Spyglass stepped in late last year to finance the picture, with shooting to begin in Toronto next month.
While plot details are mostly concealed, it is believed that Dempsey would play a small-town sheriff in Massachusetts who must fend off a holiday-specific murder spree.
Also Read:
Krista Vernoff Steps Down as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Station 19’ Showrunner
The “Thanksgiving” trailer was one of several fake trailers played before the “Planet Terror” — Rodriguez’s zombie sci-fi horror flick and...
Yes, that’s Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving,” a violent slasher film based on the fake trailer from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s double feature “Grindhouse” from 16 years ago.
Chatter has existed about turning the jokey trailer into an actual movie, with Roth having written a screenplay over a dozen years ago. Fantasy became fact when Spyglass stepped in late last year to finance the picture, with shooting to begin in Toronto next month.
While plot details are mostly concealed, it is believed that Dempsey would play a small-town sheriff in Massachusetts who must fend off a holiday-specific murder spree.
Also Read:
Krista Vernoff Steps Down as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Station 19’ Showrunner
The “Thanksgiving” trailer was one of several fake trailers played before the “Planet Terror” — Rodriguez’s zombie sci-fi horror flick and...
- 2/17/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
While George Harrison wrote several classic Beatles songs, most of their biggest hits were written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The Lennon-McCartney duo is credited with hundreds of Beatles songs, even if there is contention over who deserved more credit. According to McCartney, this was part of the plan as he wanted him and Lennon to handle most of the songwriting.
George Harrison only wrote a few songs for The Beatles The Beatles | Fox Photos/Getty Images
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were a dynamic songwriting duo responsible for hundreds of Beatles classics like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Eight Days a Week,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” While Ringo Starr and George Harrison were irreplaceable on the drums and guitar, they were only responsible for a handful of hits.
Harrison is a talented songwriter, as proven in his solo career. However, during his time with The Beatles,...
George Harrison only wrote a few songs for The Beatles The Beatles | Fox Photos/Getty Images
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were a dynamic songwriting duo responsible for hundreds of Beatles classics like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Eight Days a Week,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” While Ringo Starr and George Harrison were irreplaceable on the drums and guitar, they were only responsible for a handful of hits.
Harrison is a talented songwriter, as proven in his solo career. However, during his time with The Beatles,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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