The Beatles are considered to be the most influential act in the rock era, with more number-one hits in the UK than any other act. It is estimated The Beatles sold over 600 million records worldwide. Whenever one of their songs is played, stories about the old days fill the room. The Beatles themselves had some stories to tell too…
Brought to you by Jeroen Hamelink - expert vinyl
Let it be
With so many number-one hits it is hard to tell which The Beatles song holds the crown, but “Let it Be” (1970) definitely earns a place in the top 5. Paul McCartney wrote the song based on a dream about his mother, who died of cancer when he was fourteen years old. McCartney was in a very bad place at the time, when in his dream his mother appeared, very clearly, comforting him with the words “Let it be”. McCartney went right over to the piano and wrote The Beatles world famous words; “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be”. Soon after writing the song McCartney met his future wife Linda, which was, as he claimed; “the saving of me. And it was as if my mum had sent her”.
The story about this song also shows that dreams can be inspirational. McCartney woke up with the complete melody of “Yesterday” in his head, spending weeks and weeks to make sure no one else had heard the song before: he feared he had subconsciously plagiarised someone else’s melody…
Strawberry Fields Forever
A place from his youth inspired John Lennon for this song: the secret gardens behind the Salvation Army in Liverpool he used to stay. He wrote the song in 1966 in Almería, Spain, while shooting the movie How I won the war. The Beatles had just finished their last commercial tour and were about to change directions with the band, which is probably why in “Strawberry Fields Forever” Lennon reflects his live, his youth, his insecurities. “No one I think is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low”, Lennon wrote, meaning nobody seemed to understand where he was coming from. “Nothing to get hung about” refers to his Aunt Mimi – Lennon’s primary caretaker for most of his childhood years - telling him not to play on Strawberry Field. The Strawberry Fields Memorial was created in Central Park after John Lennon was killed in 1980.
Here Comes the Sun
George Harrison wrote this song in Eric Clapton’s garden, using one of Clapton’s acoustic guitars. “Here Comes the sun” (1969) expressed the relief Harrison felt being away from all the pressure: at the time, The Beatles commitments often overruled their sense of freedom and creativity. He skipped a meeting with the accountants from Apple, went over to Clapton’s house and felt inspired to write this song when the sun came out after what seemed to be another English never-ending-winter.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1967) is a song that really sparks ones imagination. “Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies. Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,a girl with kaleidoscope eyes”. John Lennon’s love for the stories of Lewis Carroll – “Alice’s adventures in Wonderland” in particular- seem to be the inspiration for this song. Or were it drugs? The song was banned by BBC due to an assumed reference to the drug LSD. Lennon claims he had no intention of spelling out “LSD” with the title; rather, the song is based on a drawing by his son Julian of his school friend Lucy in a diamond filled sky. He has the drawing ánd the school friend to prove it. To many, though, there is no question whether the song is about LSD, since The Beatles were known to use many drugs. Other songs with presumed hidden messages about drugs are “Day Tripper” (acid) and “Got to Get You into my Life” (cannabis).
On Catawiki you find The Beatles in our special weekly The Beatles auction: from LP records to rare pictures or home decorations. Looking to sell an item? Sign up here.