Send us a text Tim chats with author Phil Lecomber about the Beatles’ unique song “She’s Leaving Home”. They share memories of the band, discuss the song’s dramatic musical style, and explore its rich story. Phil also talks about his new book, Midnight Streets, set in the 1920s in London Soho, and how real voices and working-class tales shape his w…

Send us a text Tim Tucker chats with writer and author Ian Leslie, author of John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs, about the Beatles’ song “Two of Us” and the deep bond between Lennon & McCartney. They talk about the song’s shift from a hard rocker to a gentle, heartfelt tune, and explore how the music they made spoke for them when words fell short. …

Send us a text Tim is joined by podcaster, musician, and life coach Antony Rotunno to explore John Lennon's dreamy Revolver track 'I'm Only Sleeping,' from its conception on the back of a phone bill to George Harrison's meticulous work on the backward guitar parts. They discuss the song's unique sound textures and how it reflects Lennon's state of …

Send us a text Tim welcomes author, archivist, and filmmaker Jon Savage to discuss Lennon's folk-tinged You've Got to Hide Your Love Away. They explore the song’s context in 1965, its raw and vulnerable feel, and the hints of Dylan’s influence. Jon also shares his early memories of the Beatles and gives a clear picture of the music scene in the mid…

Send us a text Tim welcomes multi-award-winning documentary director and filmmaker Chris Purcell to talk about the band's 1965 single, Ticket to Ride. They chat about Chris’s Liverpool roots, his early memories of the Beatles, and how he once ended up playing drums on stage with Tony Sheridan. They explore the heavy sound of Ticket to Ride, the use…

Send us a text Tim welcomes podcaster and musician Max Comeau for a heartfelt exploration of Real Love. They examine the song's evolution, from John Lennon's initial demos, to the version completed by Paul, George and Ringo in 1996. They unpack its lyrical simplicity and musical intricacies, from those beautiful descending chords to its layered ins…

Send us a text Tim is joined by Beatles podcaster and broadcaster Steven Cockcroft to explore George Harrison's B-side gem Old Brown Shoe. They examine the song's intricate composition, its clever wordplay, and the distinctive musical elements that make it stand out among Harrison's contributions to the Beatles' catalogue. Nothing is Real podcast: …

Send us a text Tim is joined by music journalist and author Eoghan Lyng as they delve into George Harrison's gorgeous Long, Long, Long. They discuss the song's creation, its spiritual themes, and the musical and lyrical elements that make it unique in the Beatles' lore. George Harrison in the 1970s, by Eoghan Lyng: https://www.sonicbondpublishing.c…

Send us a text YouTuber and multi-instrumentalist Nancy Howie shares her love for You Never Give Me Your Money from the Abbey Road album. She talks about its multiple layers of meaning and effortless shifts between powerful emotions, and notes how it calls back to earlier Beatles music. Nancy's YouTube channel Fathom: https://youtube.com/@fathommus…

Send us a text Vikki Reilly, author of The Beatles 101, takes a journey into the Beatles' cover of A Taste of Honey, showcasing the band's brilliance at interpreting other people's songs while also discussing its many other interpretations and cultural significance. The Beatles 101 by Vikki Reilly: https://www.polarispublishing.com/book/the-beatles…

Send us a text Tim is joined by Stu Arrowsmith, from the Elvis Costello podcast Dangerous Amusements. They explore The Fool on the Hill, its lyrical mysteries, musical twists, and its potential inspirations. They also analyse Paul McCartney's lyrical and musical prowess, and Stu shares his experience of seeing his hero live and turning down the opp…

Send us a text Xan Brooks, acclaimed author and journalist, joins the podcast to discuss the coiled power of Come Together. He reflects on the track's unique sound, its ambiguous lyrics, and how it foreshadows John Lennon's political activism in the early 1970s. We also talk about Xan's latest novel The Catchers, which explores the early days of po…

Send us a text Chris Shaw has delighted and inspired Beatles fans with his jaunty strolls through Pepperland for the past seven years. Here he discusses The Word, from the Rubber Soul album, highlighting the song's musical intricacies, its biblical lyrical allusions, and its significance as a mid-period Beatles masterpiece. He also touches upon his…

Send us a text Tim Tucker is joined by writer and author Jeff Young, who recounts his early memories of the Beatles, growing up in Liverpool during the height of Beatlemania. He reflects on the nostalgic and optimistic qualities of the song Penny Lane, relating it to his own experiences, which he shares in his memoir Ghost Town, and his new book Wi…

Send us a text Tim is joined by renowned Beatles author and historian Bruce Spizer. Bruce shares his insights into Paul’s classic ballad 'And I Love Her,' exploring its composition, arrangement, evolution and significance. He also talks about his upcoming book 'The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night and More,' highlighting historical perspectives on the a…

Send us a text Returning guest, John Lennon biographer Jude Sutherland Kessler provides an in-depth analysis of Tell Me Why. She talks about the song’s emotional and biographical context, and how it relates to John's relationship with his mother, Julia. Website: https://www.johnlennonseries.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/JudeKessler Facebook: https…

Send us a text Adam S. Leslie, author of this year’s folk horror sensation Lost in the Garden, delves into the experimental art piece Revolution 9. He discusses why Lennon’s unique take on music concrete works so well, and how it fits within the White album’s dark and varied themes. Adam S. Leslie Adam on X (Twitter): https://x.com/AdamLeslie1974 A…

Send us a text Tim Tucker is joined by returning guests Jacob Balcom & Matt Howell of the Bronze-Age Monsters podcast, to discuss a song that signalled a new direction for the band ahead of the Rubber Soul album. They share personal memories and musical insights covering the song's recording history, thematic elements, and its significance within t…

Send us a text Jerry Hammack has written extensively on the Beatles’ recording processes and techniques, providing expert guidance on how today’s musicians can recreate those classic sounds. In this episode, he shares his insights into the Beatles' psychedelic masterpiece, 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'. Jerry Hammack The Beatles Recording Techniq…

Send us a text Jeff Slate is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, writer, and journalist. His writings have been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, WSJ, the New Yorker, and the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s box set. He discusses how the Beatles influenced his life and career, and how his appreciation of the song In My Life has changed over the …

Send us a text Chris Matheson, screenwriter of the Bill & Ted movies, joins to discuss Cry Baby Cry. The conversation delves into the track’s mysterious qualities, its thematic connections to childhood and loss, and how it fits into the eclectic mosaic of the White Album. Chris on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558533/ Books by Chris Matheson: …

Send us a text Sam Whiles is the host of Paul or Nothing, a podcast dedicated to the life and music of Paul McCartney. In this episode, he returns to the show to discuss his current favourite Beatles song, Within You Without You, taking in George Harrison’s exploration of Indian culture and expressions of spirituality through music. Paul or Nothing…

Send us a text Debbie Gendler is a lifelong Beatles fan and writes about her experiences in her new book, I Saw Them Standing There. She was in the studio audience at the historic first Ed Sullivan appearance and met the band personally in 1965. In this episode, Debbie shares her incredible journey and her thoughts on her favourite song, Things We …

Send us a text Steve Matteo, author of "Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film" and "Let It Be" from the 33 1/3 book series, talks about the Beatles’ iconic movie theme song Magical Mystery Tour. Steve’s work has been featured in The New York Times and Rolling Stone, and he’s written engaging liner notes and press releases for artists like The Kinks, W…

Send us a text In 1994, the three surviving Beatles worked on a John Lennon demo to create their first new song in 25 years, Free as a Bird. Writer and author Steve O’Brien discusses his love for arguably the most Beatle-y of Beatles songs. Website: https://www.steveobrienwriter.com/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MrsSteveMOBrien Instagram: https…

Send us a text New episode! We get into a love groove with Vivek J. Tiwary, a mastermind in musical entertainment and the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Fifth Beatle. He shares his unique insights on the iconic Beatles song All You Need Is Love and its relevance to the story of Vivek’s hero, Brian Epstein. Website: https://thefifthb…

Send us a text Turn up your speakers, we're playing ‘She Said, She Said’ and delving into the magic with Dr Christine Feldman Barrett, author of A Women’s History of the Beatles. X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FeldmanBarrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-feldman-barrett-421145a3/ A Women’s History of the Beatles: https://www.blo…

Send us a text Strap in for a fab journey with Joe Kane, the one-man beat group powerhouse behind The Poppermost. Together we explore the chiming guitars and swinging beat of The Beatles’ classic I Feel Fine. Joe Kane on Bandcamp: https://thepoppermost.bandcamp.com Joe Kane on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ThePoppermost Joe Kane on Facebook: htt…

Send us a text Rob Williams writes for comics, TV and film. His credits include Suicide Squad, Superman, Amazing Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Judge Dredd, Doctor Who, Star Wars and Indiana Jones. His first feature film is in production at the time recording. Here he discusses his personal connection to Paul McCartney's beautiful acoustic ballad Blackbi…

Send us a text David Hepworth has been writing, speaking and broadcasting about music since the 1970s. David launched and edited some of the most important music magazines in the UK, including Smash Hits, Q, Mojo and The Word. He was a presenter on the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test and the TV anchor for Live Aid in 1985. David Hepworth's books in…

Send us a text Richard D. Driver is the author of That Was Me: Paul McCartney’s Career and the Legacy of the Beatles. He is the Associate Professor of History at McLennan Community College, where he teaches courses in United States history. He discusses the stark, lyrically vivid ballad Eleanor Rigby and its timeless themes of loneliness and isolat…

Send us a text James Campion, author of Take a Sad Song, the Emotional Currency of Hey Jude, talks about the communal hymn that gave the Beatles their biggest hit single in America. Website: https://www.jamescampion.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/FearNoArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jc.author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescamp…

Send us a text Daniel Rachel, musician and award-winning author of the Lost Album of the Beatles, talks about the proto-indie rock masterpiece, Rain. Daniel's website: https://danielrachel.com The Lost Album of the Beatles by Daniel Rachel: https://danielrachel.com/the-lost-album-of-the-beatles/ Daniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanielRachel69…

Send us a text Guy Pratt has played bass with some of the biggest names in rock and pop, including Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Iggy Pop, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Elton John. He discusses the Beatles song that 'opened Pandora's Box' for rock musicians, Day Tripper. Website: http://www.guypratt.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/guypratt Facebook: http…

Send us a text Brad Elmore is the writer and director of The Wolfman’s Hammer, Bit and Boogeyman Pop. He discusses his love of the song that ‘kicked down the doors’ between rock and roll and all music that followed. Brad's films: The Wolfman’s Hammer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yjLWrxRlmXE&pp=ygUSV29sZm1hbuKAmXMgaGFtbWVy Bit: https://www.imdb.co…

Send us a text In this episode, Russ Moran from the Gamma Charge podcast is my guest to discuss The Beatles' sonic rollercoaster Helter Skelter. We deep dive into the creation, cultural impact, and controversy surrounding The Beatles' iconic proto-thrash masterpiece. Gamma Charge podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/403406 Gamma Charge Patreon: https:…

Send us a text Sam Whiles is the host of Paul or Nothing, a podcast all about Paul McCartney. He discusses one of the Beatles' finest rock tunes, Hey Bulldog. Paul or Nothing podcast: https://mccartneypod.podbean.com Paul or Nothing blog: http://www.paulmccartneypod.wordpress.com Sam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/McCartneyPod Sam on Facebook: htt…

Send us a text Trial lawyer and author Jay Bergen was John Lennon's trusted adviser during the Morris Levy litigation in the mid-1970s. He preserved the trial transcript and other related documents, and wrote about his time with John, in his book Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer - The Untold Story. In this episode he reminisces about his time with …

Send us a text Award winning author and journalist Ivor Davis accompanied the Beatles on their first tour of America in 1964. Later, he was present when they met Elvis and Bob Dylan. He reminisces about his time with the band and discusses the hit single and title song from their first movie, A Hard Day's Night. Ivor's website: https://www.ivordavi…

Send us a text Alan G. Parker is an multiple Emmy-nominated director of music documentary films, including It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper and Beyond. He is currently working on Borrowed Time, a feature documentary covering John Lennon's last ten years. Here he discusses one of the Beatles' enduring masterpieces, A Day in the…

Send us a text Dafydd Rees is the author of the Beatles in 1963, a day by day account of an extraordinary 12 months in rock and roll history. Dafydd discusses the sumptuous harmonies and thrilling soulful melody of one of John Lennon's first and finest ballads, This Boy. Follow the substack to get monthly updates and material not included in the pu…

Send us a text Gary Van Scyoc was the bass player and songwriter with Elephant's Memory, who played live and recorded with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the early 1970s. He talks to host Tim Tucker about one of the Beatles' finest ballads, If I Fell. Find Gary Van Scyoc's recordings, books, lessons and merchandise: http://www.garyvanscyoc.com…

Send us a text Jude Southerland Kessler is the author of a multi-volume Lennon biography. She discusses John's hymn to a love he lost forever, Yes It Is. Find all the books in Jude's biography series on John Lennon: https://www.johnlennonseries.com Follow Jude on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudeKessler Follow Jude on Facebook: https://www.facebook…

Send us a text Mark Cunningham is a music industry author, journalist and designer who got involved with Apple Corps during the Anthology project. In this episode he discusses one of the Beatles' most acclaimed pieces, the mighty Strawberry Fields Forever.By Tim Tucker

Send us a text Matt Howell is a podcaster, musician and co-host of the Werewolf by Night podcast. He discusses the intriguing and painful paean for a fictional dream partner, John Lennon's Girl from Rubber Soul. Hear Matt on the Werewolf by Night podcast: https://www.instagram.com/werewolf_by_night_podcast/ Listen to his band the Ex-Hustlers on Ban…

Send us a text Jacob Balcom is a musician, DJ and co-host of the wonderful Werewolf by Night podcast. He discusses one of John Lennon's most passionate and intimate love songs, Don't Let Me Down. Hear Jacob on the Werewolf by Night podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/werewolf-by-night-podcast/id1528913747 Listen to Jacob's album So Long …

Send us a text Dominic Pedler is a writer, journalist and musician. He is the author of The Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles, in which he reveals fascinating insights into the chords, melodies, harmonies, rhythms and arrangements of The Beatles' self composed songs. It's one of my all-time favourite Beatles books, and well worth a read for anyone…

Send us a text Neville Marten is the editor of Guitar Techniques magazine. Since 1983 he has played guitar with Marty Wilde & the Wildcats, one of the first generation of British stars to play American rock and roll in the 1950s. Neville discusses the complex masterpiece from the Beatles' White Album, Happiness is a Warm Gun. Tour dates for Marty W…

Send us a text Ex-Mr Big and Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert celebrates a song from the album and movie Help! discussing its 'naughty' secondary dominants, sweet minor melodies and mysterious 'things' going on. Paul Gilbert's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulgilbert_official/ Paul Gilbert's latest album, 'Twas: https://smarturl.it/PaulGilber…

Send us a text Luke Smith is the ex-frontman for British band Ulysses, who secured major acclaim from the likes of The Guardian and Classic Rock magazine, for their mix of big riffs, glam rock and psychedelic pop. Luke talks about his White Album favourite, a beguiling mix of light and shade that showcases Lennon's raw creativity and McCartney's da…