My Favourite Beatles Song

Send us Fan MailCrime writer and Shazam co-founder Ajay Chowdhury joins the show to talk about Here Comes the Sun, from Abbey Road. We discuss how George Harrison wrote it in Eric Clapton's garden while skiving off Apple business meetings, and the tricky middle section, which Dhani Harrison links to the Indian tihai and Ringo called "seven and a half time". Ajay's new book, The Patriot, is the sixth in his Kamil Rahman series of crime novels.Ajay's website: https://ajaychowdhury.comAjay on X: https://x.com/ajaychowAjay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajaychowdhury.author/Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailBeatles musicologist Scott Freiman discusses Nowhere Man, from Rubber Soul, highlighting the 30 days The Beatles had to make the album, the treble-boosted twin guitar solo, and how John Lennon starts writing about himself. He also explains what he calls forensic musicology, and tells us about the Beatles tours of Liverpool, Hamburg and London he runs with Ken.The Beatles’ Touring Era: Inside the Fab Four's Musical Artistry, Song by Song, 1962–1966, by Scott Freiman and Kenneth Womack: beatleseras.comScott's website (speaking calendar, TV and film): deconstructingthemusic.comMonthly class and the 2027 tour with Kenneth Womack: fabfourmasterclass.comFollow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailWriter and author David Quantick discusses Silly Love Songs, from Wings at the Speed of Sound. He calls it Paul's 'manifesto' and argues for McCartney as 'the first adult in rock'. We also discuss the monster bass line, and the Paul and Linda vocal round that makes it 'the world's first baroque disco number’. Plus there's the story of his slightly awkward meeting with Paul on a train to Robertsbridge, and a Red Rose Speedway Frisbee.David's new novel, The Hyena, is out on 10 November from Stars and Sabers. It follows Deborah Parkinson, a surrealist painter from Plymouth whose life takes her to Paris, New York, and Mexico. Along the way, she crosses paths with Frida Kahlo, Picasso, and Gala Dalí. And rejoice! David's book on the Beatles' White Album, Revolution, will be back in print with Polygon in November 2027.David's website: https://davidquantick.comDavid Quantick on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/quantick.bsky.socialDavid Quantick on Substack: https://quantick.substack.comThe Hyena, by David Quantick: https://www.starsandsabers.com/books/the-hyena/Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailOwen Cutts is a renowned producer and the creator of Old Music Friday on Instagram. He grew up in a house where the Beatles were always on, but getting Abbey Road on CD for his 10th birthday made them his own. Here he discusses Because, from Abbey Road, highlighting its eerie nine-voice harmony and classical connections. In his new book, Have You Ever Heard Old Music? Owen selects 52 essential tracks from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and explores why these records still connect with listeners.Owen Cutts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owencutts/Have You Ever Heard Old Music? by Owen Cutts (book): https://geni.us/OwenCuttsMr Cutts updates: https://drop.cobrand.com/d/MrCutts/sign-upFollow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailArt director and filmmaker Simon Halfon discusses The End, from Abbey Road, picking out the three guitar solos Paul, George, and John played live in one take, Ringo's only drum solo, and the closing line that makes such a perfect sign-off. He also talks about 1967: The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles, the book he made with Gary Kemp from Epstein's last address book.Guest links1967: The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles, by Gary Kemp and Simon Halfon – book and live events: https://kempandhalfon.lnk.to/1967bookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonhalfon_nemperor/Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailGary Kemp discusses Dig A Pony, from Let It Be. He tells us how John's snaking "I-I-I-I", heard on a Saturday-afternoon TV showing of the Let It Be film, gave him the spark he needed for one of Spandau Ballet's biggest hits. We also get into his latest book, 1967: The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles, made with designer Simon Halfon. It tells the story of Brian's last year, through the 404 names in his address book, which Gary bought at Sotheby's in 2020.1967: The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles, by Gary Kemp and Simon Halfon – book and live events: https://kempandhalfon.lnk.to/1967bookGary Kemp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyjkemp/Rockonteurs podcast: https://lnk.to/rockonteursFollow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailSophia Bennett writes as SJ Bennett. She's the author of more than a dozen novels, best known for a mystery series in which the late Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes. Her latest, Death on the Royal Yacht, is set in 1966 – so yes, the Beatles turn up. Here she discusses Let It Be, and how it helped her through difficult times. We also talk about her DJ dad and go-go dancing mum, the Mal Evans "Brother Malcolm" story, the song's hymn-like chords, and the day she nearly met Paul McCartney in Harvey Nichols.Website: sjbennettbooks.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJBennettAuthor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiabennett_writer/Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailBoff Whalley is an artist, writer and musician, and a founder member of Chumbawamba. Here he discusses Wild Honey Pie, from The Beatles (the White Album), and explains why he thinks it's punk and indie rolled into one. He also digs into its unsettling seventh chords and tritones, and the tape flutter that had to be done by hand on the mix. Website: https://boffwhalley.com/But: Life Isn’t Like That, Is It? by Boff Whalley: https://pmpress.org.uk/product/but-life-isnt-like-that-is-it/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boffwhalley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boff.whalley/Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailArsalan Mohammad, host of Albumtoalbum, the David Bowie albums podcast, describes how his Beatles story started when his cousin flipped over her copy of Ebony and Ivory. Here he talks about his love for that song, Rainclouds, by Paul McCartney. The discussion covers elemental lyrics, Paddy Moloney's uilleann pipes solo, and the studio session on the day Paul learnt John had been shot.Website: https://arsalan.online/Albumtoalbum: The David Bowie Albums Podcast: Apple Podcasts and SpotifyInstagram: @albumtoalbumBluesky: @albumtoalbum.bsky.socialFacebook: AlbumtoAlbum: The Bowie Album PodcastJulien's Publishing (Julien's Auctions on Instagram): @juliens_auctionsFollow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham

Send us Fan MailMusic journalist and author Eoghan Lyng is back to talk about Mull of Kintyre, the Wings single Paul McCartney wrote with Denny Laine. Drawing from his own 2018 interview with Laine, Eoghan talks about the Campbeltown Pipe Band recording outdoors in one take, the elegant simplicity of the song, and why it remains the biggest-selling non-charity single in the UK ever.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eoghanlymg/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mightylyng.bsky.socialLetterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/eoghanlyng/Queen: Song by Song, by Eoghan Lyng (Waterstones UK): https://www.waterstones.com/book/queen-song-by-song/eoghan-lyng/9781048185621Queen: Song by Song, by Eoghan Lyng (Amazon UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Song-Eoghan-Lyng/dp/1048185621Follow My Favourite Beatles SongBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myfavebeatles.bsky.socialX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/myfavebeatlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFavouriteBeatlesSongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfavouritebeatlessongOriginal music by Joe KaneLogo design by Mark Cunningham