The Beatles: Note By Note

By Note By Note Series

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 p

... more

4.8

2323 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Beatles: Note By Note:

How many episodes does The Beatles: Note By Note have?

The podcast currently has 86 episodes available.

The Beatles: Note By Note episodes:

July 05, 2025 EP050 - Slow Down
“Slow Down” might be credited to The Beatles, but this cover of a Larry Williams B-side reveals more about the band’s limitations than their strengths. In this episode, we take a close listen to John Lennon’s vocal delivery—raw, impassioned, and unsteady—and question how this track ended up released at all.

We explore the hurried recording process, George Martin’s unusually hands-off approach, and the unflattering final mix that left Lennon audibly straining to keep up with the tempo. It’s not just a technical mess—it’s a philosophical one too, raising questions about artistic control, band fatigue, and the group’s growing pains in 1964.

Still, the track serves as an authentic moment in Beatles history. “Slow Down” captures the chaos of their rise and the human edge of Lennon’s rock-and-roll obsession. It’s imperfect, but telling—and we’re here for the story behind it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 4min
June 29, 2025 EP049 - Like Dreamers Do
Before The Beatles were a household name, before “Love Me Do,” there was Like Dreamers Do—a teenage composition by Paul McCartney that became one of their earliest calling cards. In this episode, we explore the song’s unusual journey through the Decca audition and into the EMI offices, where it played a quiet but crucial role in landing the Beatles their deal with Parlophone.

We also look at the overlooked role of George Martin—not just as a producer, but as a man navigating a personal crisis. His affair with secretary Judy Lockhart Smith and his tense position at Parlophone intersected with the band’s arrival in surprising ways.

Through early demos, context from the Merseybeat scene, and a discussion about Paul’s songwriting at the time, we trace how Like Dreamers Do helped turn possibility into destiny—even if the band never officially released it during their prime.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 12min
June 29, 2025 LS049 - Like Dreamers Do - Lecture Series (bonus)
In this lecture, we dive into Paul McCartney’s early composition Like Dreamers Do, exploring its melodic construction, lyrical themes, and musical architecture as performed by the Applejacks. The song unfolds a romantic narrative of longing and fulfillment, using circular, self-referential pronouns and repeating motifs to reflect the dreamlike anticipation of meeting “the girl in my dreams.” We analyze how McCartney’s phrase structures play with identity and immersion, creating patterns that anchor the listener in the song’s emotional arc. Melodically, the track expands outward before returning home, breaking conventions found in Paul’s other early works. Harmonically, the lecture examines deceptive cadences, modal shifts, and Paul’s preference for show-tune-style II–V–I progressions over typical rock clichés. We also discuss form and rhythmic texture, including the Beatles’ signature use of syncopated “3-3-2” phrasing. This song may be structurally flawed, but it showcases Paul’s early genius—and offers rich insights for aspiring songwriters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
36min
June 22, 2025 EP048 - Nobody I Know
Join hosts Peter and Kenyon for an in-depth look at “Nobody I Know,” the follow-up to Peter and Gordon’s breakout hit “A World Without Love.” Written by Paul McCartney specifically for Peter Asher, this track offers a glimpse into Paul’s early experiments in songwriting for others — and perhaps ghostwriting altogether. We explore the class dynamics behind Peter and Gordon’s image, dissect the Tin Pan Alley and Baroque pop stylings of the track, and debate whether this song could have ever been a Beatles tune. Plus: how this track fits into the broader cultural moment of Swinging London and what it tells us about Paul’s creative influences at the time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 1min
June 22, 2025 LS048 - Nobody I Know - Lecture Series (bonus)
In this Beatles Lecture Series episode, Kenyon offers a critical musicological analysis of “Nobody I Know,” written by Paul McCartney and performed by Peter and Gordon. Though it charted in 1964, the song is marked by lyrical vagueness, structural flatness, and harmonic awkwardness. Kenyon unpacks the song’s root–seventh melodic motif, a classical-sounding line reminiscent of Für Elise, and how its rhythmic monotony undercuts its emotional impact. Special attention is given to the song’s middle eight, which offers rare harmonic relief and syncopation. The analysis touches on the use of flat VII chords as functional substitutes, parallel octaves, and why the modulation to C♯—while bold—fails to mask deeper melodic issues. Though the song gestures toward romantic timelessness, its lack of thematic development and musical tension leave it sounding more like a “work song” than a finished piece. Kenyon argues it’s a curious outlier, offering insight into McCartney’s songwriting evolution.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
36min
June 15, 2025 EP047 - One And One Is Two
In this episode, Peter and Kenyon dive deep into one of the most obscure Lennon-McCartney tracks: “One and One Is Two.” Originally written for Billy J. Kramer, the song was ultimately passed down a surprising chain—from the Fourmost to a forgotten band known as The Strangers with Mike Shannon, who recorded the only released version. But who were they? Through sharp storytelling and meticulous research, the hosts uncover a fascinating tale that stretches from Liverpool to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), shedding light on a mysterious group and the unlikely journey of a discarded Beatles composition. They also explore the upcoming Beatles biopics, Paul McCartney’s demo magic, and the role of early Beatles photographer Dezo Hoffman. As always, expect a blend of music theory, Beatles lore, and unexpected history lessons in this affectionate look at a song almost lost to time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 7min
June 15, 2025 LS047 - One And One Is Two - Lecture Series (bonus)
Welcome to the Beatles Lecture Series, where Kenyon unpacks the hidden layers of even the most overlooked entries in the Lennon–McCartney catalog. In this episode, we explore “One and One is Two,” a discarded McCartney composition ultimately recorded by The Strangers with Mike Shannon. Kenyon examines the lyrical inconsistency, the unrequited-love theme, and the rushed nature of its composition—all signs of a quick commission for Billy J. Kramer. From a harmonic perspective, the lecture focuses on pentatonic phrasing, modal contrasts, and Paul’s surprising use of C minor7 over expected major chords. The result? A charming yet structurally flimsy tune that works better as a jingle than a full-fledged song. Kenyon also draws comparisons to other early Beatles material and argues that Paul’s demo version hints at stronger musical instincts than the final release suggests. Ideal for songwriters and theory buffs alike, this episode highlights how even a “bad Beatles song” can reveal creative insights
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
15min
June 08, 2025 EP046 - Long Tall Sally
The Beatles may have written hits by the dozen, but when it came to raw vocal power, they turned to “Long Tall Sally.” In this episode, Peter and Kenyon examine how Paul McCartney tackled Little Richard’s blistering classic and made it his own. From the song’s gospel-tinged triplets to McCartney’s throat-shredding vocal performance, this cover became a defining moment in Beatles live sets—often saved for their explosive finales. The hosts explore the band’s deep reverence for American R&B, the subtle modifications they made to the original arrangement, and how the recording captured their ability to walk the line between homage and transformation. With a spotlight on the blistering guitar solo, relentless tempo, and the song’s pivotal role in the Beatles’ stagecraft, this episode unpacks what made “Long Tall Sally” one of their most electrifying—and enduring—covers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 9min
June 01, 2025 EP045 - You Can't Do That
The Beatles wrote dozens of love songs—but “You Can’t Do That” is all jealousy, threat, and menace. In this episode, Peter and Kenyon unpack John Lennon’s ferocious 1964 track, a surprisingly harsh B-side to the exuberant “Can’t Buy Me Love.” The hosts explore how Lennon channels emotional volatility through biting lyrics, raw vocal delivery, and a snarling lead guitar part that George Harrison devised with a newly acquired Rickenbacker 12-string. They delve into the song’s modal blues influences, subtle key ambiguities, and its use of stop-time syncopation in the verses—a rhythmic tension that mirrors the song’s lyrical unease. The conversation also touches on the song’s live arrangements, early mixes, and the moment when Paul’s high harmony nearly outshines the lead vocal. “You Can’t Do That” may not be a Beatles chart-topper, but in this episode, it gets the spotlight as one of their most emotionally charged early recordings.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 17min
June 01, 2025 LS045 - You Can't Do That - Lecture Series (bonus)
This lecture examines “You Can’t Do That” as an early exemplar of John Lennon’s emotionally unvarnished songwriting. Kenyon dissects how the track pushes against the pop conventions of 1964, both musically and lyrically. Built on a blues framework yet rich in modal ambiguity, the song contrasts a driving, almost brutal rhythmic groove with harmonic suspensions and key flirtations that mirror the instability in its lyrics. Lennon’s vocal delivery is sharp-edged and unrepentant, revealing a narrator caught in the grip of possessiveness and social anxiety. Kenyon also considers the instrumental architecture—George Harrison’s biting 12-string Rickenbacker lead, Ringo Starr’s accented snare pattern, and Paul McCartney’s harmony line that teeters between support and challenge. The lecture frames “You Can’t Do That” not simply as a B-side to “Can’t Buy Me Love,” but as a turning point in Lennon’s expressive range and the band’s willingness to explore darker emotional registers within the format of pop songwriting.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
40min

FAQs about The Beatles: Note By Note:

How many episodes does The Beatles: Note By Note have?

The podcast currently has 86 episodes available.

More shows like The Beatles: Note By Note

I’ve Got a Beatles Podcast! by I’ve Got A Beatles Podcast

I’ve Got a Beatles Podcast!

120 Listeners

Things We Said Today Beatles Radio Show by Things We Said Today

Things We Said Today Beatles Radio Show

135 Listeners

Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway

Song Exploder

5,922 Listeners

When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles by Ed Chen and Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena, Martin Quibell

When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

82 Listeners

Rolling Stone Music Now by Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

Rolling Stone Music Now

1,003 Listeners

Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About the Beatles by Will Hines

Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About the Beatles

441 Listeners

Talk More Talk: A Solo Beatles Videocast by Talk More Talk

Talk More Talk: A Solo Beatles Videocast

34 Listeners

Another Kind of Mind: A Different Kind of Beatles Podcast by Another Kind of Mind: A Different Kind of Beatles Podcast

Another Kind of Mind: A Different Kind of Beatles Podcast

259 Listeners

Something About the Beatles by Evergreen Podcasts

Something About the Beatles

343 Listeners

Untitled Beatles Podcast by Untitled Podcast Productions LLC

Untitled Beatles Podcast

112 Listeners

Ranking The Beatles by Jonathan and Julia Pretus

Ranking The Beatles

83 Listeners

Tomorrow Never Knows-A Beatles Podcast by Duke

Tomorrow Never Knows-A Beatles Podcast

11 Listeners

Beatles Books by Joe Wisbey

Beatles Books

58 Listeners

The Beatles Stuffology Podcast by JG McQuarrie and Andrew Deacon

The Beatles Stuffology Podcast

6 Listeners

Toppermost Of The Poppermost by toppermost poppermost

Toppermost Of The Poppermost

13 Listeners