From page 102 (of the U.S. edition), describing that moment coming out of the middle eight of “Hard Day’s Night”: “After the repeat of Paul’s section, John overlaps him with a hoarsely sensual <i>hmm</i> to start the last verse, showing the tenderness that lay just beneath his hard-man front.”
Ian, I find myself absolutely delighted that you captured what is quite possibly my favorite moment in the entire Beatles canon. I had been listening to this song since I was a toddler, but I remember one day, years ago, realizing what a moment of incredible frisson that is — coming off Paul’s soaring vocal line (over Ringo’s wonderfully incongruous cowbell), John seems to “dig in” emotionally, as though he’s planting a foot for extra force on the last verse. It makes my hair stand on end to this day.
Thank you so much Ian for a wonderful book - a truly extraordinary piece of work. The Beatles have been my life since I first heard Please Please Me in February 1963 and thought I knew everything about them yet you have uncovered an essence of their music through the examination of the key relationship within the band - a gap in the literature that no-one had previously investigated - and in doing so have produced a scholarly work that is also a compelling read. You have done us all an incredible service. Thank you again
I’m loving the book and have so enjoyed all your podcast interviews (the New Statesman one with Kate Mossman especially), as well as the launch event at the Kiln Theatre. One thing I’ve been curious about is whether Jonny Steinberg’s book Winnie and Nelson, which you rated your book of the year last year (and which I think is an absolutely outstanding work), had any influence at all in how you examined the relationship between Lennon and McCartney. Obviously two very different kinds of relationship, and you may well have completed John and Paul by the time you read the Steinberg book. But I just wondered whether there was anything about that book, which clearly had a big impact on you, that affected the writing of your book.
I am in the generation before you. I went to a Beatles concert - 1964, Christmas concert at the Hammersmiith Odeon. A naif member of that generation (13 years old at the time), I had never heard of the Beatles, but I did know that a Concert was an occasion for dressing proper. I went school uniform: grey shorts, grey socks, grey blazer.
Your rather ponderous interviewer on Boom Radio should have followed up with more penetration about the difference for the generation that, as you said, picked up the Beatles from their parents.
I am three-quarters of the way through the book - it is wonderful. I am one of the advance purchasers. I am recommending it to everyone, inluding the chap who wrote a wonderful book on Ziggy Stardust and the Toby Jug pub - Tim Harrison.
I'm really enjoying the book and also enjoying hearing you on various podcasts. I feel so proud for you of your achievement! It takes some courage to dare to add to the Beatles narrative.
Interesting to read a second piece of yours about literary composition - this time your own. I’m struck by how you’ve achieved this great success through a very rational compositional process, albeit with that key piece of intuition that Tom encouraged you to trust. I’m also struck by the mention of Gordon Lish, as his compositional method is different. ‘(‘If you have an idea for a book, throw it away!’). Come to think of it, I think Lish’s method is something like the videos (that I’ve seen) of Lennon and Macartney writing. You throw something down, then find something to connect with it, until gradually a structure emerges. Congrats on the book. A great achievement!
I think fiction probably needs a different approach to non-fiction but whatever it is I think I need a structure within which intuition can do its thing. Thanks!
I'll read this again, because I'm in the phase of not writing a book that needs to be written.
My problem is this. A year ago I began researching the unknown US Army unit who liberated the town where I live, in Normandy. Very quickly I realised that it demanded a book. But I'm making a website instead, because that's easier. My 'blind spot' seems to be the narrative (even though I know where the unit was and what it accomplished every day). I can profile all of the GIs in this particular squadron and tell their individual stories. I can explain how the unit was made up and how its mission was determined, how it departed from 'doctrine' and what it achieved in hastening victory in WW2. I can write *about* the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron but something is blocking my vision of *telling its story*. I could settle for just the website, but I want the families of those men to see their fathers, uncles, grandfathers and great-grandfathers' names in real print that you can buy in museum gift shops.
As someone who has several book/story ideas that I will get to... one of these days... no, really!!... I find this very inspiring. I even have a background in writing about music, but I still find the prospect of writing a book intimidating. Thanks for writing this.
As for Beatles books, beyond Lewisohn's, I found the Bob Spitz book told the story as good as any and better than most.
This is a really interesting account and I’m very glad you wrote it … and I’m one of those folks who doesn’t care all that much about the Beatles, but does think a lot about creativity and good writing. I may pick up your book for that alone. (I’m sure you know Adam Gopnik’s The Real Work; hell, you probably recommended it and that’s why I’ve read it recently. Suffice to say, if you haven’t read it, I think you’ll enjoy it.)
As someone looking into writing some biographies, I would like to know the mechanics of writing this book. Did you sit at a desk for a minimum of time. Silence or music? Did you listen to the Beatles during the process for inspiration? Was there procrastination? How did you fight that? What software did you write on? Did you write a list of themes and then expand on that? How do you know after you had written something that it needs to be replaced or revised? Did you fight any suggestions from the publisher? Thanks in advance.
I’m loving the book (half way through, trying to pace myself) many thanks everything you put into it! Did you happen to catch Andrew Hickey’s 500 songs podcast? eg his episode on Tomorrow Never Knows was ace, I thought
Terrific stuff, Ian! I wonder if you had any thoughts on writing a book proposal...not in terms of selling a book to an agent or publisher, but in terms of clarifying the project for yourself, as you describe it. I'm helping my mum work on a book project, and I think this would be a useful exercise for her at this stage...that's why I ask...
Thanks Arudra. I tend to think of a book proposal as something like a) Title and subtitle b) One sentence and one paragraph summaries of the idea c) An article-length introduction to and pitch for the idea d) Chapter outline for the whole thing e) First chapter
From page 102 (of the U.S. edition), describing that moment coming out of the middle eight of “Hard Day’s Night”: “After the repeat of Paul’s section, John overlaps him with a hoarsely sensual <i>hmm</i> to start the last verse, showing the tenderness that lay just beneath his hard-man front.”
Ian, I find myself absolutely delighted that you captured what is quite possibly my favorite moment in the entire Beatles canon. I had been listening to this song since I was a toddler, but I remember one day, years ago, realizing what a moment of incredible frisson that is — coming off Paul’s soaring vocal line (over Ringo’s wonderfully incongruous cowbell), John seems to “dig in” emotionally, as though he’s planting a foot for extra force on the last verse. It makes my hair stand on end to this day.
Love this, thank you. Beautifully put!
Congratulations Ian. Great to see your process of getting the book published. All the best with its legacy.
Thanks Puja
Thank you so much Ian for a wonderful book - a truly extraordinary piece of work. The Beatles have been my life since I first heard Please Please Me in February 1963 and thought I knew everything about them yet you have uncovered an essence of their music through the examination of the key relationship within the band - a gap in the literature that no-one had previously investigated - and in doing so have produced a scholarly work that is also a compelling read. You have done us all an incredible service. Thank you again
Thanks so much
I’m loving the book and have so enjoyed all your podcast interviews (the New Statesman one with Kate Mossman especially), as well as the launch event at the Kiln Theatre. One thing I’ve been curious about is whether Jonny Steinberg’s book Winnie and Nelson, which you rated your book of the year last year (and which I think is an absolutely outstanding work), had any influence at all in how you examined the relationship between Lennon and McCartney. Obviously two very different kinds of relationship, and you may well have completed John and Paul by the time you read the Steinberg book. But I just wondered whether there was anything about that book, which clearly had a big impact on you, that affected the writing of your book.
Ha good question - no, I read W&N when my book was 99% done...but yes you can see why I was drawn to it. It's a masterpiece.
I am in the generation before you. I went to a Beatles concert - 1964, Christmas concert at the Hammersmiith Odeon. A naif member of that generation (13 years old at the time), I had never heard of the Beatles, but I did know that a Concert was an occasion for dressing proper. I went school uniform: grey shorts, grey socks, grey blazer.
Your rather ponderous interviewer on Boom Radio should have followed up with more penetration about the difference for the generation that, as you said, picked up the Beatles from their parents.
I am three-quarters of the way through the book - it is wonderful. I am one of the advance purchasers. I am recommending it to everyone, inluding the chap who wrote a wonderful book on Ziggy Stardust and the Toby Jug pub - Tim Harrison.
Thank you so much Bob!
I'm really enjoying the book and also enjoying hearing you on various podcasts. I feel so proud for you of your achievement! It takes some courage to dare to add to the Beatles narrative.
That’s so kind of you, thanks Fran!
Interesting to read a second piece of yours about literary composition - this time your own. I’m struck by how you’ve achieved this great success through a very rational compositional process, albeit with that key piece of intuition that Tom encouraged you to trust. I’m also struck by the mention of Gordon Lish, as his compositional method is different. ‘(‘If you have an idea for a book, throw it away!’). Come to think of it, I think Lish’s method is something like the videos (that I’ve seen) of Lennon and Macartney writing. You throw something down, then find something to connect with it, until gradually a structure emerges. Congrats on the book. A great achievement!
I think fiction probably needs a different approach to non-fiction but whatever it is I think I need a structure within which intuition can do its thing. Thanks!
I'll read this again, because I'm in the phase of not writing a book that needs to be written.
My problem is this. A year ago I began researching the unknown US Army unit who liberated the town where I live, in Normandy. Very quickly I realised that it demanded a book. But I'm making a website instead, because that's easier. My 'blind spot' seems to be the narrative (even though I know where the unit was and what it accomplished every day). I can profile all of the GIs in this particular squadron and tell their individual stories. I can explain how the unit was made up and how its mission was determined, how it departed from 'doctrine' and what it achieved in hastening victory in WW2. I can write *about* the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron but something is blocking my vision of *telling its story*. I could settle for just the website, but I want the families of those men to see their fathers, uncles, grandfathers and great-grandfathers' names in real print that you can buy in museum gift shops.
Yeah stories are good
As someone who has several book/story ideas that I will get to... one of these days... no, really!!... I find this very inspiring. I even have a background in writing about music, but I still find the prospect of writing a book intimidating. Thanks for writing this.
As for Beatles books, beyond Lewisohn's, I found the Bob Spitz book told the story as good as any and better than most.
Glad to hear that
This is a really interesting account and I’m very glad you wrote it … and I’m one of those folks who doesn’t care all that much about the Beatles, but does think a lot about creativity and good writing. I may pick up your book for that alone. (I’m sure you know Adam Gopnik’s The Real Work; hell, you probably recommended it and that’s why I’ve read it recently. Suffice to say, if you haven’t read it, I think you’ll enjoy it.)
Glad you found it interesting. Love everything by Gopnik.
As someone looking into writing some biographies, I would like to know the mechanics of writing this book. Did you sit at a desk for a minimum of time. Silence or music? Did you listen to the Beatles during the process for inspiration? Was there procrastination? How did you fight that? What software did you write on? Did you write a list of themes and then expand on that? How do you know after you had written something that it needs to be replaced or revised? Did you fight any suggestions from the publisher? Thanks in advance.
Perhaps I'll do another post at some point on the actual writing process!
I can't wait to read the book. I pre-ordered ot ages ago. Curious to know: have you had any feedback from Paul (or Ringo)?
No and I don't expect to!
Oh?! Interesting
I didn't either. But you never know!
I’m loving the book (half way through, trying to pace myself) many thanks everything you put into it! Did you happen to catch Andrew Hickey’s 500 songs podcast? eg his episode on Tomorrow Never Knows was ace, I thought
Terrific stuff, Ian! I wonder if you had any thoughts on writing a book proposal...not in terms of selling a book to an agent or publisher, but in terms of clarifying the project for yourself, as you describe it. I'm helping my mum work on a book project, and I think this would be a useful exercise for her at this stage...that's why I ask...
Thanks Arudra. I tend to think of a book proposal as something like a) Title and subtitle b) One sentence and one paragraph summaries of the idea c) An article-length introduction to and pitch for the idea d) Chapter outline for the whole thing e) First chapter