Episodes

  • A Hard Day's Night

    A Hard Day's Night
    May 15 2026
    The Beatles had been signed for a cash grab film deal. It was filmed and ready to be released as Beatlemania continued to rise but they still didn't have the title and the producers wanted one FAST. Overnight John Lennon wrote 'A Hard Day's Night' in a few hours and that was it. It would go on to become one of their most loved hits and the title of one of the best music films of all time.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • I Am the Walrus

    I Am the Walrus
    May 12 2026
    In 1967, John Lennon and his childhood friend, Pete Shotton, were diving into and reading a bag of fan mail that was lying around John's house. John pulled out a letter from a pupil at his former high school in Liverpool which said that teachers were now giving lessons on the content of his lyrics. Laughing at the absurdity of this, John went about writing a song that was utter nonsense exclaiming, "let the f**kers work that one out!" It was not initially accepted by George Martin but with Paul taking the lead, the song became one of their most intriguing pieces of work.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Paperback Writer

    Paperback Writer
    Apr 3 2026

    Welcome to episode 24 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.


    In 1966, The Beatles were stars at the forefront of music and culture, rubbing shoulders with other bright sparks from the worlds of literature, drama, photography, and fashion. A lot of them were also from working class backgrounds. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney's aunt has tasked him to write a song that isn't about love. They interrupt their recording sessions for Revolver to record their next hit single about the story of a man who wants to make his millions as a... Paperback Writer.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • EP 23: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

    EP 23: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
    Mar 27 2026
    John Lennon's son, Julian, brought home a painting he had done at school that day and showed it to his dad. To say John was impressed is an understatement. He was immediately taken by the psychedelic painting of Julian's classmate flying in the sky surrounded by diamonds. To a drug addled John Lennon this was the inspiration he'd been waiting for. They completed the song in 24 hours with Paul McCartney taking the reins from an increasingly unmotivated John Lennon. The song would be the most overtly psychedelic track on their Summer of Love masterpiece, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • EP 22: Yesterday

    EP 22: Yesterday
    Mar 15 2026
    Paul McCartney leaped out of bed one morning with a tune in his head. He sat down at the piano and found the chords, drumming the melody into his memory with a canny rhyme. He couldn't believe he'd written it. After figuring out it was his doing, The Beatles' producer, George Martin, posed the question... should this be the first Paul McCartney solo record? It would have been a financially prudent move for Macca...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • EP 21: Hey Bulldog

    EP 21: Hey Bulldog
    Feb 27 2026

    This episode is sponsored by EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. In IMAX Feb 20 / In cinemas everywhere Feb 27 https://www.epicmovie.co.uk


    Welcome to episode 21 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.


    The Beatles convened on Abbey Road studios with a film crew to record a promotional video for their upcoming single, Lady Madonna. Upon entering the deserted studios (it was a Sunday), they saw an opportunity to utilise this precious studio time before flying off to India. They worked on a scrap of a song John had written and ended up having the most fun they'd ever had in the band.


    Sit back and watch the history, the music and the trivia before listening to the song in full on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xYC2ZJJ9TMJL8BOl85O2R?si=c6508bdd9d5e4e2e


    Or here it is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vbJQ-MrKo

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • EP 20: Let It Be

    EP 20: Let It Be
    Feb 23 2026

    This episode is sponsored by EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. In IMAX Feb 20 / In cinemas everywhere Feb 27 https://www.epicmovie.co.uk


    Welcome to episode 20 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.


    Paul McCartney, or so it is to be believed, is burned out and is visited by his deceased mother in a dream where she offers highly valuable words of... wisdom. This vision was the basis for a gospel inspired song that would go on to become one of the most universally adored and understood track from The Beatles' discography. Despite its success, it wasn't without turmoil during the recording process as tensions between the band reached fever pitch.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • EP 19: Nowhere Man

    EP 19: Nowhere Man
    Feb 13 2026

    Welcome to episode 19 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.


    John Lennon, while feeling depressed and suffering from a bad case of writer's block, was sat up late into the night trying to write a song to be included on their upcoming album 'Rubber Soul'. After much self-criticism and introspection, inspiration struck! Nowhere Man spawned out of this and became a favourite from the album with praise lavished on their stacked vocals and signature 60s twangy guitar sound. This song is one of the quintessential examples of the 'Jingle Jangle' sound explored by the likes of The Byrds.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins