ALWAYS WALK AWAY FEELING GOOD WITH THIS GROUP! First Time Hearing The Beatles - Penny Lane Reaction!

[@onechess]

When my youngest daughter was about 11 she started bringing KZbin vids of the Beatles to me "dad, look at Ringo's face in this one" . I gathered up all my Beatles cd's and albums and took them to her and said. take care of these but you can have them". She was like, "DAD, why didn't you tell me about these guys?" I said, "All those times I was playing my music and you kiddos were complaining about "dads music" a lot of that was the Beatles. You just had to find them for yourself". I took her to see Paul (her favorite) when she was 13 and last year she saw Ringo at a show here. She loves them to this day!!

[@KevinDemo-e2e]

As one who grew up with the Beatles, you said it perfectly. You were ALWAYS surprised by this magnificent gift to the world!!

[@donw804]

And as another who grew up with them... we were never ever disappointed with each new single or album (other than side 2 of Yellow Submarine.)

[@Mare_bear738]

True ❣️

[@zazenforever4940]

I agree. I grew up with them as well and just thought this type of music was normal!

[@stephencolligan]

I live 5 minutes away from Penny Lane. Practically every day of the year there are tourists there,making the pilgrimage to pay homage to the Beatles ,even now over 50 years later.

[@Mare_bear738]

@stephencolligan Wow! How amazing is that? The rest of us are now jealous 😢 Lol.. Seriously, though, living that close to Penny Lane is special indeed❣️.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

That is a specialized kind of trumpet called the piccolo trumpet. It's been used in classical music for quite a long time. Just as the piccolo itself sits at the top of the register of the woodwinds, the piccolo trumpet sits atop the register of the brass choir.

[@StuartistStudio1964]

You beat me to it.

[@Boomer_Power]

George Martin referred to it as a "Bach trumpet." Alternate name, I guess.

[@jamesmorgan4121]

Dam beat me to it too 😊

[@dagmar.6954]

Great song written by Paul McCartney. The lyrics refer to a real street in Liverpool called Penny Lane. Paul mentions the sights & characters that he remembers growing up there.

[@mikechiarelli6895]

Great song about mccartney memories of Liverpool. George Martin - the producer and fifth beatle had a classical music background resulting in use of orchestra to augment many of their songs. Absolute genius band. Great song that I loved in my childhood and still sounds amazing.

[@dellblackman4565]

When a new Beatles song would play on the radio, it was like getting a Christmas present you never knew how much you needed nor would love!

[@thomastimlin1724]

Strawberry Fields Forever was the flip side, in early 1967. Probably in Canada as well. This was the first time fans had seen their new look, a major change, with facial hair and all. Some didn't like it or the music, they wanted them to be the suited mop tops forever. Much more support from orchestral instruments you hear brass, a flute solo and the piccolo trumpet. The Beatles finished recording Penny Lane in Studio Two at Abbey Road Studios with David Mason's famous piccolo trumpet solo. David Mason (2 April 1926 - 29 April 2011) After leaving the Royal College of Music, Mason became a member of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, moving on later to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra where he eventually became principal trumpet. After seven years in that role he moved to the Philharmonia, where he remained for most of the rest of his orchestral career. He was a professor of trumpet at the Royal College of Music for thirty years and thus taught many of the trumpet players who now make up the core of the profession in the UK. Although such piccolo trumpet solos became almost commonplace in some types of pop, this was innovative at the time and was among the first such uses: Beatles producer George Martin later wrote, "The result was unique, something which had never been done in rock music before".

[@GatorScribe726]

I never really realized before how much of the focus in this video is on John, even though it’s a Paul song. Anyway, one of their best songs. ✌️☮️

[@redletter2008]

They did the reverse for the flip side of the double-A sided single, John’s “Strawberry Fields Forever”, where the video focuses disproportionately on Paul. Yes, a great song and part of one of the greatest singles ever.

[@PattiCrichton]

Yes. I agree. I always thought it was odd that they keep showing John walking, when it should have been Paul since it's his song, and he grew up near Penny Lane. I have been to Penny Lane back in 1968 and it's all there, what Paul describes, and signed the Penny Lane sign. Back then, people kept stealing the sign, and the city was constantly replacing it. When we went back a few years later, they had placed the sign higher up on the side of a building. But from what I have seen it is now embedded in a brick wall, and people still sign it and leave messages for the Beatles.

[@markhodge7]

Top shelf Beatles. 1000 listens of this one never gets old.

[@joyceellis9722]

My mother was born and raised across the Mersey from Liverpool in Birkenhead. She saw the Beatle at the start. She is 90 now.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Did she see them with Pete at The Cavern?

[@jtf2dan]

Penny Lane is a road in the south Liverpool suburb of Mossley Hill. The name also applies to the area surrounding its junction with Smithdown Road and Allerton Road, and to the roundabout at Smithdown Place that was the location for a major bus terminus, originally an important tram junction of Liverpool Corporation Tramways. The roundabout was a frequent stopping place for John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison during their years as schoolchildren and students. Bus journeys via Penny Lane and the area itself subsequently became familiar elements in the early years of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership.

[@markmcelligott2542]

Paul wrote this and Eleanor Rigby... both reflexion on the people he saw in his life, one light and one dark... both brilliant

[@DavidAston-bn9bz]

Hi guys yes this about my local city of Liverpool. There are so many more emotions to discover. From the sadness of "Eleanor Rigby" to the psychedelic "Strawberry Fields" or "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" or the rocking "Revolution" there's dozens of classics still to choose from.

[@pjg58x]

The incredible thing about the Beatles that a lot of reactors don’t realize about is that despite their huge catalog, varying styles, different eras, it all took place in a very short period of time. They released their first single (Love Me Do) in fall of 1962 and finished recording their final album (Abbey Road) in summer of 1969. The Let It Be album was released after Abbey Road but was recorded, for the most part, in early 1969. None of the Beatles had even turned 30 yet by the time of their breakup.

[@timwhitnell7145]

Everything about The Beatles is mind blowing even their chronology.

[@GreenOlives4952]

What also is mind blowing is that they were in their mid-20s when they wrote these very innovative songs!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Same with Led Zeppelin. The evolution in a few years is mind blowing. Communication Breakdown to Stairway To Heaven in 2 years. Both bands broke up before they became old men going on and on.

[@jp3813]

I think artists peaking in their 20s is very common in popular music (30s is runner-up). Their solo releases are nowhere near as widely revered over the decades except for "Imagine".

[@mlong1958]

John sparked Paul to write this song by writing Strawberry Fields. Both songs are about places around where they grew up in Liverpool. Paul had heard the Piccolo Trumpet in a concert and asked George Martin about it, since he had never heard it before. Both songs were released as a double A side single, which was rare. Paul actually recorded the vocals for this twice on successive days. He thought he could do it better after sleeping on it. Pretty sure he nailed it. During that time, radio stations, as a rule, would not play anything much longer than three minutes; that is, until Hey Jude, and once again, The Beatles were the exception to the rule.

[@kbrewski1]

The solo brass instrument they used in Penny Lane is called a "piccolo Trumpet", which can play an octave higher than a regular trumpet. McCartney saw and heard that trumpet played in a classical piece of music (Brandenburg Concerto) and was fascinated by it and wanted it included on Penny Lane. Penny Lane was the "double A side" single paired with Lennon's Strawberry Fields Forever single both composed while they were working on Sgt Pepper album. They didn't fit on Sgt Pepper, thus the amazing double single was released, and it was a blockbuster. The Beatles were overflowing with Innovative and creative ideas during this time, and the 2 songs perfectly capture the ying/yang of John and Paul's creativity. Because of that piccolo trumpet solo, Penny Lane was an example of "baroque pop">>>pop music with significant classical influences (see also Eleanor Rigby, She's Leaving Home etc). They were always pushing the envelope.

[@CB-xr1eg]

It was always going to be a double A-sided single so it wouldn't have been on Sgt Pepper as they didn't do that at that point.

[@ronaldalagia9211]

a flugelhorn was also played on penny lane

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@ronaldalagia9211 One of many instruments on the song. The Beatles' song "Penny Lane" features many instruments, including: Piccolo trumpet: David Mason plays a solo on this instrument, which was recorded in A, using a slightly longer leadpipe than the B-flat piccolo trumpet. Piano: A piano melody drives the song's upbeat ballad style. Drums: Ringo Starr plays the drums. Bass guitar: Paul McCartney plays the bass guitar. Rhythm guitar: John Lennon plays the rhythm guitar. Flugel horn: This instrument is featured in the song. Bb trumpets: These trumpets are featured in the song. Cor anglais: This instrument is featured in the song. Oboe: This instrument is featured in the song. Tubular bell: This instrument is used to create the "fireman rushes in" effect. Penny Lane - song facts, recording info and more! The song also features handclaps, congas, and harmony vocals.

[@charlier711]

Great comment. Enlightening.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

The Beatles, and especially Paul, were always looking for new things to incorporate in their music.

[@bski308]

Still my favorite band after all these years, I love all types of music but there is nothing quite like the Beatles, thank you for this.

[@DrumAndDrumber]

I've always considered this the perfect pop song. Melody, hooks, chorus, arrangement, etc...Just perfect.

[@williamowsley9771]

Well said! I feel that way about Queen's Somebody to Love as well. Melody, hooks, chorus, arrangement, vocals. Also brilliant. I might give the edge to Penny Lane just because it came first and the lyrics are more entertaining. But both classic.

[@richardmartin9565]

You're right. Every new Beatles song was a major event since just about everything they did was a new sound or lyrical treat.

[@davidharward8908]

I love the piccolo trumpet. It adds so much to the song. Paul wrote it and sang it. It isn't just about a street but an area where John lived.

[@loosilu]

They BOTH lived there! they lived just one mile apart. They met up at the Penny Lane bus stop.

[@PattiCrichton]

Where PAUL lived. Strawberry Field is near where John grew up.

[@loosilu]

@PattiCrichton Paul and John lived only a mile apart.

[@brendanbyer2327]

This song is McCartney reminiscing about his childhood. The flip side of the single is Strawberry Fields Forever, Lennon reminiscing about Strawberry Field from HIS childhood. The Beatles planned for these 2 songs to be included on Sgt. Pepper but the record company was pressuring them for a new single, so they were released as a double sided single and dropped from Sgt. Pepper. As great as Sgt. Pepper is, it would have been even more incredible with those 2 songs. After the first couple of albums, the Beatles' sound changed record to record (an astonishing progression from Feb. '64 to 1970). It was often noted that, although the sound was different, you immediately knew it was The Beatles.

[@johnjsal]

Isn't Sgt. Pepper a concept album, though? Would these songs have fit the idea?

[@wpollock1]

This is a great song! The Beatles just crank out the melodies......such genius.

[@denpea-mm8zr]

If I was stranded on a desert island and had only one record (and record player with huge batteries), I would hope it was "Penny Lane" . I just never tire of this amazing melody. (Plus, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is on the other side of the 45.)

[@John_Locke_108]

It's just insane that Paul could write a song this wonderful just by recalling memories from growing up in his old neighborhood. On the surface it's just a simple song and yet it's so much complex than that when you take a deep dive into it.

[@jtf2dan]

This song was released as a Double A Sided single....with "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the other side in February 1967.

[@keithmassey3914]

I even bought this 45 (that RPM, for younger folks, before digital, records were often designated by their RPMs, a 45 was about half the diameter of album with a big hole in the middle, 45s were the most popular format and in the 50s to the mid 60s, albums, which played at 33 and third, and they usually contained about 12 songs, became the most popular format, one of the reason is that groups, like the Beatles could easily produce 12 great songs.

[@dougsusie2319]

That was a piccolo trumpet in the middle there which went out of fashion in around 1784. This song and "Strawberry Fields Forever" was released as a Double A-side single because both songs were so good there was no B-side. This single is still regarded as the greatest single in history 57 years after its release on 2/17/67. These two were the first two songs recorded for what would become their "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" before "Pepper was a concept yet. All they knew was that these were the first two tracks laid down for their next Lp. Sadly, due to corporate greed they went out as a single. EMI excec's began pressuring their manager Brian Epstein for a single because the band hadn't released a single in 7 whole months. In turn Epstein along with exec's began pressuring Beatles producer the great George Martin for a single. He resisted but eventually gave in and released the single. He stated up to the time of his death several years ago that the only regret he had recording The Beatles for their entire career was releasing that single. He said they should have been on "Pepper". "Sgt Peppers is still considered by many music historians as the greatest Lp ever. If these two tracks were on there for me no contest, hands down "Sgt Peppers' but I tend to lean towards the other camp and feel that their previous Lp "Revolver" released on 8/5/66 may be the greatest Lp ever, it's one hell of a record. "Penny Lane" was credited as 80% Paul and 20% John. They were always trying to slip little sexual references and drugs too past the BBC censors. John got this one past them with the line "Four of fish and Finger Pies" get it? John was proud of that one, so so John.😂😂. Penny Lane wasn't just a street but also a district. As John put it he was the only one raised in Penny Lane district. The other three were raised a few miles away. The barbershop in the song is a real place. Paul said it was named Bilotto's or something like that and he had pictures in the window of men's heads with the different cuts you could get and was still there in the 90's on The Beatles "Anthology" series and I would assume is still there. The bus stop at the roundabout in the video is real and still there. John, Paul and George would meet up there in there teen years. Pretty damn cool! Happy New Years. 🎉🎉❤❤

[@827dusty]

This is an actual place near where they all grew up in Liverpool England. It's a must-see attraction for all of us Beatles fans if you ever go to the UK.

[@SG-js2qn]

There was a time when so much that's in this song was NEW and different.

[@michaelzzzzzzzzzzzz]

The Beatles were phenomenal. Not just because they played so well, and wrote so well, but all theor songs have some magic even if you are a ine genre type of music fan, The Beatles will have something for you. But for a true music fan, there is no artist that has so many genres and differences in their songs. All their songs are different. No artist has that as they all follow a winning formula, The Beatles always thought out of the box and one if the reasons why they arr held in high regard today

[@gaizkasalazarrodriguez5054]

Their Songs were perfect and magic!!!

[@noteverton]

These are the streets I grew up on. I also went to the same school as Paul and George.

[@bob29576]

The first heavy metal song in history the Beatles. Helter skelter. A must play!

[@lesgrice4419]

German politician Martin Schulz once described the song as a working class anthem. He said that it is his favourite Beatles song and it can reduce him to tears sometimes. It is a symbol of class consciousness for him and the Beatles' working-class background reminds him of his own. One of the greatest songs ever that captured a moment and place in time....

[@johnthegreek5836]

Definitely in my top 5 songs from The Beatles

[@alexshkoditch4593]

This was the first music The Beatles released after 7 months of silence (the previous single, Paperback Writer was released in June of 1966, this came along in February of 67). The flip side of the single was Strawberry Fields Forever which was also promoted as an 'A' side and both songs made the charts individually. Both songs were part of the Sgt. Pepper album sessions, but they were released 5 months before that album came out and both were not included on that album. Both Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are real places in Liverpool. The initial idea was to record a series of songs about places the Beatles knew, but that concept was never addressed after this single came out. The Beatles had been averaging 2 albums and 2 (sometimes more) non-album singles per year, so 7 months without new Beatles music seemed like an eternity back then.

[@charleskurtz9744]

Ringo, again with no more or less than is needed.

[@mikefetterman6782]

Penny Lane is Paul's hometown tribute song. It is a bus stop in Liverpool, where Paul and George, would transfer to another bus that took them downtown to school. John would meet them there from his bus coming down Menlove ave. It also inspired John to write Strawberry Fields Forever. Strawberry fields was a church garden near John's aunt Mimi's house where he had a fort in the trees, an escape from the world.

[@mikeplott4817]

Thanks So Much For Sharing 👍🙏💯😎❤️ From California

[@lanazugg-zugg8433]

I was a pre-teen when this song and the Beatles were introduced to me and everything I heard from them seemed so magical to me. All those sounds from all those strange instruments (from a kids perspective) was unlike anything I ever heard. Thier music still makes me feel like a wide-eyed child living in a beautiful colorful world

[@susanliltz3875]

Paul wrote this one!!! About a street from his childhood!! The barber shop is still there and inside there’s a picture of Paul and John goofing around pretending to cut their hair.!!

[@Mare_bear738]

That's so cool!

[@edsmith3461-z7m]

And Paul recently revisited it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5vZq3aKptB1erM&themeRefresh=1

[@Mare_bear738]

@@edsmith3461-z7m Even cooler now that I've seen this! Thanks for sharing ❣️☺️

[@Bekka_Noyb]

♥ The Beatles!

[@edgarsnake2857]

When I visited Penny Lane, the bank, the barber shop, and the fire station were all there. The Beatles' ability to turn the mundane into something iconic is remarkable. Loved your reaction.

[@kidpoker007]

One of the great Melodie’s of all time

[@michaelescareno7048]

When I was little in the 60s, always use to get up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons, and The Beatles cartoons were part of that. They had many. It was a 30 minute cartoon, and had two mini cartoons in each episode. The name of each cartoon was the song that they were going to sing in it.

[@danielakorneck8385]

For me Penny Lane is always something special, somehow it creates such an intimate, private situation because I know that everything you hear here is real, the people, shops, etc., so nice that Paul always took notes when he was waiting there for John.

[@tonyginnetti5828]

The solo was a piccolo trumpet, played by David Mason of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - "Penny Lane" introduced that instrument into the pop/rock music scene!

[@davidcohen7146]

Bars& Barbells- Thanks for doing this one. Anything from The Beatles is great. They are the greatest group ever. Please check out there song The long and winding road.

[@Trish-ql9kz]

Mum used to tell me that I’d bob up and down in my Pram / cot whenever this came on the radio.. radio was on all the time and so where Beatles songs in the early 60’s

[@hartspot009]

Glad you continue down the Beatles road. Hope 2025 continues to be stellar for both of you 🙏🙏

[@barsandbarbells2022]

You too!

[@PhilipOgden-m7z]

Such a great song. Loved it as a child.

[@MikeWalsh-f1g]

If you want to check out not cheery Beatles, try Eleanor Rigby. Sad but brilliant, one of their greatest songs 👍

[@strathman7501]

The song was mainly Paul's writing and arrangement ideas with a couple of lyrical suggestions from John. You ask for more info on the Bb piccolo trumpet. Yes, this idea was Paul's after hearing a Bach piece on TV. George Martin discussed it in 'All You Need Is Ears' and 'Summer Of Love,' where he admits "I could have written some notes myself, but they would not have been such good notes." George Martin: "We had no music prepared. We just knew that we wanted little piping interjections.... As we came to each little section where we wanted the sound, Paul would think up the notes he wanted, and I would write them down for David. The result was unique, something that had never been done in rock music before, and it gave 'Penny Lane' a very distinct character.” David Mason: “We spent three hours working it out. Paul sang the parts he wanted, George Martin wrote them out, I tried them. But the actual recording was done quite quickly. They were jolly high notes, quite taxing, but with the tapes rolling we did two takes as overdubs on top of the existing song....I've spent a lifetime playing with top orchestras yet I'm most famous for playing on 'Penny Lane'!” see www.beatlesebooks.com/penny-lane

[@diggersouth]

My favorite Beatles song. Top 5 song period. The entire song is at a pitch that makes me feel happy. Esp. the part ( BLUE SUBURBAN SKY). Calming. Thank you Paul for the song.

[@donnasmith5942]

Love this song.

[@sharonstonts]

That's my son's favorite Beatles song. He is 12 and has great taste! 😊

[@donaldbrunner6250]

The reason why the songs are short back then it was because to get radio air time they had to be no longer than 3-3 1/2 minutes. That changed with "Hey Jude".

[@johnritter6864]

I remember watching The Yellow Submarine as a kid. What a trippy film.

[@loosilu]

Paul wrote this song about real people.. Penny Lane was the local bus stop, it's still there. Paul is the songwriter who did storytelling, inventing characters. The flip side of the single was Strawberrry Fields, which was also about a local place in Liverpool. Strawberry Fields is known as a brilliant song. Penny Lane is musically underrated. One of Paul's signatures is putting baroque music over a rock base. Paul heard Bach's Brandenburg concertos, and got the idea for the high pitched horns. This song was low key innovative and influential.

[@tedjung3700]

One of their very best!

[@thomastimlin1724]

The group charted 64 total songs on the Billboard [USA] Hot 100 between 1964 and 1970, of which 20 hit No. 1 - a record for the most leaders that still stands. To date: The Beatles worldwide have sold 1.6 BILLION singles in the United States, and 177 million albums. Worldwide album sales top 600 million. You don't have to like the Beatles' music to see that regardless of one's limited musical taste, which often excludes classical and jazz and world music as well, they are the most popular and iconic band in history. Period.

[@kenennis6287]

I eas 10 when i saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and my appreciation has never diminished in the 60 years since

[@beckiramsey9561]

Haven’t heard this for a really long time!! Another great Beatles song!!❤❤🔥🔥

[@bradjenkins1475]

You guys hit it right on the head. It's what separates The Beatles from all the other great groups that existed during that era. They cover so many genres in their writing and they're performing the songs they write. Most great groups are in a category and are great in that category. But The Beatles have such a wide variety of music through their short career that there's no arguing as to who's the greatest band ever, but not the greatest in any single category, like hard rockers like Led Zeppelin. It's like gymnastics in the all around event where the person who ends up being number one may not have been the best in any 1 of the categories, but rather 1 of the best in all of them.

[@roydownes2458]

impeccable musicianship in a sunny and pleasantly weird setting.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

This makes me happy and a bit sad. The years of great music gone by, never to be seen at this level again, and I'm not just talking about the Beatles but Stones, Who, Zep, Genesis, ELP, on and on. Keep in mind that a good bit of this song comes from the production of the fifth Beatle, George Martin--that French horn, the strings, the arrangement. Fantastic stuff. When music was great and the times were easy. God bless.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Really fun review as always. I'm so glad you guys are exploring them even though they can be difficult. I've watched other reactors successfully negotiate this over time. But Sam talking about uplifting, you've got to check out their hit "Good Morning!", which was kind of around the same time period I think.

[@lilamuzik3385]

I think their genius is to see everyday people in a clearer light. How many Brits knew Penny Lane, but didnt " register" Penny Lane as an amazing street with lovely people about. They consistentl let you see the place and people in it differently.

[@Joesmovietalk]

I was born in Liverpool and now living in Virginia. Penny Lane is just a pretty normal street in Liverpool made famous by the beatles as I think Paul grew up around that area and took in the many people he grew up around.

[@briandraper2051]

From what I have observed the Beatle reactions that don't get blocked are mainly music videos or filmed live performances.

[@clifton8929]

Penny Lane is a street and park in Liverpool where the Beatles grew up and played as children. Paul & John were reflecting on things they remember about their youth.

[@rossdownes4240]

This was one of their 22 number one's in an 8 year period incredible.

[@tonyginnetti5828]

Another thing that has to be realized (in reaction to a comment you made, Phil, regarding the running time of songs you've both reacted to) is that "Penny Lane" was released in early 1967 - this was still the era of AM radio and mainstream popular music had to be within 3½ minutes or so! Stations would actually "cut" songs if they ran over the alotted time. When The Beatles released "Hey Jude" in August, 1968 (with a 7:11 running time), that was the first time AM radio allowed a pop song over the 3½ minute time to play uncut! The late 60s also ushered in dawn of FM radio and the whole recording industry changed forever as to what could be allowed to play on radio airwaves! Yes, The Beatles set the precedence again!

[@ciphernine7824]

A “Mac” is a 3/4 length raincoat, named for its Scottish inventor, Charles Macintosh, who in 1823 patented a coat made with the new waterproof fabric he had created.

[@patricksonsalla3623]

This is a song that Paul wrote about what he saw in his neighborhood in one day

[@brianferris8668]

From "My Bonnie" to "Penny Lane", in the space of five years, amazing progress.

[@RabbiSteve1]

Thanks for reacting to this. A great tune. One of those that ventured into somewhat of a different territory for them at this stage. PS: I think the horn was a French horn. I could be wrong. Might be a trumpet.

[@mickroser5106]

Apparently the horn is a baroque trumpet.

[@kbrewski1]

Piccolo trumpet

[@charlier711]

This was Paul’s answer to John’s Strawberry Fields Forever. Penny Lane was in Paul’s neighborhood. I think it’s brilliant. The melody, lyrics, the instrumentation including the trumpet which was inspired by Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto. George Martin got a player from the London Symphony Orchestra to come over and record the solo. Last, those high notes are out of the theoretical range of the trumpet but Paul pushed the LSO guy to get there.

[@kbrewski1]

@charlier711 Paul saw and heard a Piccolo Trumpet being played at a classical concert and wanted that high register sound, so they hired a player with the LSO to play the solo on that instrument. It wasn't an ordinary Trumpet, the piccolo trumpet can play an octave higher.

[@James-hd6ez]

​@@kbrewski1Penny Lane is a stones throw from John Lennon's home at number 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree.

[@mack1305]

Penny Lane and Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da are my favorite Beatles songs

[@boosuedon]

In the beginning John and Paul wrote almost all of the songs together. About this time they began to write songs independently of each other as well as working as true collaborative. We begin to be able to tell the difference between the three different styles. This one is truly Paul as Strawberry Fields is all John.

[@smffeb58]

Great story about Paul, as told by George Martin. As it goes, Paul had attended a symphony concert in which the “Bach Trumpet” was used during concert. Before producing the Beatles, George Martin was a producer at EMI for classical, and symphony recordings. Paul asked George what the exceptionally high pitched trumpet was, and after being told, he advised George he’d like to use it with the right song in the future. Voila the rest of the world was introduced to the Bach Trumpet, or piccolo trumpet. BTW - the line: Four of fish and finger pies .. aint what you might expect

[@markw.8455]

AM radio had 3 minute (or so) song limits, and was the main vehicle for getting songs heard by the public (1960's). Then came TV shows-- 'Midnight Special' where bands (could) perform longer versions, and concert based material, etc. (However, many of their hits were in the 3 min format, so the bands were compelled to play those.) FM radio also got into the act and afforded longer songs, as well..

[@markw.8455]

For your personal journey, may want to check out the Ed Sullivan Show (1964)-- where the Beatles debuted in the U.S. by playing on 3 consecutive Sunday shows. The were the BIGGEST band of the 60's and were the cornerstone of the emerging rock era. They also formed Apple Records, so they owned the recording studio. Thanks.

[@susanliltz3875]

John Lennon wrote the song “Strawberry Fields “ about growing up in Liverpool.

[@Scotsman1969]

The scenes where the band members appear were all filmed in the east end of London, in the west of London in Chelsea and at Sevenoaks in Kent.

[@rudolfg.7041]

So viele Erinnerungen 🙆🙆

[@Meeshrick]

Paul McCartney may be the greatest songwriter of the last 100 years! In the early days of the Beatles, it was mostly John as the driving force, but by 1966, Paul (and George) really stepped up when John became a bit complacent, so to speak. The majority of the mega hits in the last few years were being written by Paul, and they were great. Let's not forget Paul's post-Beatles career and the true bona fide touring rock star he became.

[@charlier711]

Fully agree. I still get annoyed that John accused Paul of being a lightweight after they broke up. Paul carried that weight, so to speak, the last few years.

[@joeboudreault4351]

Take away McCartney and Harrison and you really don't have any Beatles...

[@tim5365]

London Symphony's Dave Mason played the piccolo trumpet on this track and played it on the first try. He mentioned after running through the first take that he was ready to record the solo and George Martin (the Beatles producer) said that it was perfect on the initial try.

[@richardbeaton7324]

This was Pauls answer to Strawberry Fields which John wrote about a park in Liverpool that he use to play in. So Paul wrote Penny Lane which is about a street he and John use to walk down.

[@garybradford8332]

I wonder how many times before they made this that they had ridden a horse. Paul looks most comfortable while George looked uncertain as they came out of the narrow alley. The Beatles will be remembered one day for their contribution to music as much as the great masters like Mozart, Bach and Beethoven. Their music never feels stale no matter how many times you hear one of their songs, like this one that I've heard 100+ times and it's still entertaining.

[@RJ986S]

Thx for the reaction. One of their all-time great songs. There's another version of Penny Lane in which the piccolo trumpet melodically finishes the song (rather than the use of that cool but abstract note.)

[@hectoraguilar965]

Thought to be the very first example of a "music video" very pre MTV in 1967. There's also a nice little play on words as they reveal Penny Lane is the barber's name. Hence the line "Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes..."

[@ColinWard-f2h]

Great reaction. The Beatles as you have discovered are extremely versatile in their music. For something really different check out 'Tomorrow never knows' by them.

[@michaelway7936]

Don't know if you've heard it yet, but you should check out a banger called Helter Skelter, Paul rips it up,and Ringo goes off on the drums and has a funny admission at the end

[@magillanz]

Been to Penny Lane (which is a very long way from New Zealand) and many of the places mentioned in the song are still there.

[@ricknbacker5626]

A couple fascinating aspects of Penny Lane (key of B major) is how the chorus's drop a whole step to the key of A major. Returning to B for the following verses and solo. When the chorus at the end is doubled up, the doubled-up chorus returns up to the tonic key of B for the final chorus. Can this modulation, up a whole step for the final chorus, be considered a key change...when it returns to the songs natural key??? Great reaction B & B. RNB

[@top40researcher31]

Another instrument you hear in the Chorus is a woodwind instrument called Cor anglais. You would see paul holding it on the cover of the sargent pepper album

[@johncurtis7186]

The cool sounding brass instrument being played, is something called a piccolo trumpet.

[@wpollock1]

Yes, a normal trumpet is a B Flat - this is a higher pitch.

[@alfresco8442]

Penny Lane was the stomping ground of Paul and John. The shelter in the middle of the roundabout is still there, at the north end, junction with Smithdown Rd...although its now the Sgt Pepper Bistro.

[@michaeldean846]

This was the start of the Sgt. Pepper’s (Modern Rock era). The first song they released where they could add layers of sounds and instruments due to new mixing technology. And they used it. Causing the whole landscape of music to change. You started to hear longer songs, more experimentation. And new genres emerge like heavy metal, symphonic rock, jazz rock and progressive.

[@vvcougar71]

My second favorite Beatles song behind only Help.

[@RichjojoCehura]

Like I've said before. The Beatles and Led zeppelin set the bar for best band ever. 😊😊😊😊❤❤

[@stevenmotchan2048]

John wrote Strawberry fields about his boyhood playground and that prompted Paul to write about his boyhood haunts.

[@TheodoreWeiser]

Thanks Paul....Penny Lane is now in MY ears and in MY eyes Ps this song was part of a Double-A side single with Strawberry Fields Forever. Maybe the best 45 ever recorded

[@John_Locke_108]

People consider Sgt Peppers one of the greatest records ever recorded and yet the two songs they left off the record for a single are also considered two of the greatest songs ever made. John and Paul literally had more hit songs than they knew what to do with.