Beethoven, "Because" and John Lennon

For many of us, a list of great composers would indeed include Beethoven AND John Lennon. Here's a case where the connection is (pretty) clear. From "Deconstructing The Beatles' Abbey Road." Save 10% on these films, and everything in our store, with this link: shop.culturesonar.com/discoun...

[@yowzephyr]

To quote the late, great Johnny Carson: "I did not know that."

[@CuriousPassenger]

I also love how the song ends not resolving to the tonic, leaving an unanswered question hanging in the air.

[@louistyson4430]

You know what, I've never even thought about the lyrics in that way. John truly was a fantastic lyricist

[@damilasa]

and let's not forget the fantastic harmonies of John, Paul and George on Because

[@eb1684]

What about Ringo?

[@lele930]

@@eb1684 he holds an umbrella

[@eb1684]

@@lele930 ?? Please explain.

[@joadbreslin5819]

@@eb1684 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aILCi614fLWXp6c

[@eb1684]

@@joadbreslin5819 Thanks, Joad.

[@jakobbauz]

Wow. Two of my all time favorite songs and I never realized how closely they're connected.

[@hippiehopper]

same here!

[@deantodd5042]

A sonata is not a song. A zipper is not a pizza. Easy fix is: say "all time favorite pieces" and then idiots like me are happy. Are we good?

[@jakobbauz]

@@deantodd5042 I knew that already. Sorry to not speak as precisely as you would like me to, I guess. :)

[@olgalehanova5172]

So am I. I am very surprised 😮

[@nyaKona]

🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓@@deantodd5042

Without question one of the most beautiful songs ever composed. Over fifty years have passed since this masterpiece was written, and I still never tire listening to it. It even gives me chills sometimes.

[@randymillhouse791]

Might just put on a sweater when that happens. Could be a bout of pneumonia.

[@joedoe783]

Have listened to this song for years and had never noticed how great the lyric was.

[@Nile67676]

This song has the most beautiful harmonies to me!

[@rcpmac]

Among the various takes, outtakes, mixes there is a track isolating the vocals. It’s breathtaking

[@PinkyPuff69]

"Because" is so beautiful and it's always been one of my favorite songs since Abbey Road was released the year I was born. My Auntie and my mom played the record constantly.

[@user-pw7no3te1t]

I was 15 years old in January 1969 - 🤠 Canada - 5/25/2024 - THE BEATLES!!!! 👀❤

[@rachelled6763]

John Lennon's mind was hauntingly beautiful.

[@waynej2608]

Eloquently put. That blows my mind.

[@natural1952]

He was a genius and more or less a complete jerk.

[@rachelled6763]

@@natural1952 I don't think it fair to make absolute judgements about John's personality and character, unless you knew him personally.

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

@@natural1952 did you meet him?

[@robertwoodpa6463]

@@natural1952 True. Ask his son Julian. It seems that a lot of people that have some tremendous gift to the world are difficult people. Steve Jobs comes to mind.

[@TheSomsom3]

Lennon certainly knew how to write brilliant lyrics!!!

[@tomasmauro2436]

Lennon was a genius. Absolutely stunning

[@tomd720]

I am amazed at the talent and creativity of John and the other Beatles !

[@StuartQuinn]

I can see how the arpeggios of the moonlight sonata could have also inspired I Want You (She's So Heavy)

[@mickavellian]

It reminds me of Picasso's " inspiration is easy... keep stealing from yourself"

[@paulkinsella6536]

@@mickavellian there is another similar song called, Because, sung by Irish tenor, John mc cormack. Sounds a bit the same.

Absolutely!

[@sorellman]

... and the national Anthem.

[@sagaurora]

I always just thought that Because inspired I want you or vice verse

[@glenndespres5317]

Isn’t it amazing how you would never think of linking the two songs but when someone points it out, it seems so obvious!? Moonlight Sonata! I love both these songs and my love for Because just got bigger. Well done!

[@deantodd5042]

It is common for people nowadays to call everything a "song". Even recording engineers for classical music. There ARE in fact Songs Without Words (Mendelssohn) but mostly songs are sung, sonatas are played.

[@donniemoder1466]

The vocals were stacked on Because. John, Paul and George recorded their vocals 3 times each. Queen used this later in the 70s.

[@lynnturman8157]

Thanks for the clarification on this. I'd always heard that Because was Moonlight Sonata played backwards. But when I listened to the Beethoven backwards, I didn't really hear the connection. And that's because it really isn't the same progression, only backwards, is it? There are similarities that you pointed out but Lennon was basically inspired by Beethoven more than he was lifting a chord progression (which John claimed he did). It's much more of an original composition than given credit for.

[@premanadi]

Absolutely. There is really no connection apart from being in a minor key and having arpeggios. The connection that this fellow is talking about (moving to A major) is a bit of a stretch.

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

I'd heard that he was looking at the music sheet upside down and interpreted it that way. I can understand that though I've never tried it out.

[@ronaldtant3196]

@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 He couldn’t read music let alone upside down .

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@@ronaldtant3196 Yes but Yoko could, and she was always by his side.

[@Fm-xu9id]

The first movement (adagio sostenuto in C#minor) from piano sonata #14 of beethoven is based on Mozart's aria "ah soccorso! Son tradito" of the Opera Don Giovanni, Beethoven copied or was influenced from this melody, Beethoven owned a copy of the first act of Don Giovanni where this melody appears. Check Out this links kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3bakJmbnruSmdE Check out the minute 3:50 look the violín's, violas & winds in this score kzbin.info/www/bejne/bInJnKl3g8uMmJY Moonligth sonata score kzbin.info/www/bejne/j565dJZ8aZeZY5I Look for the book " Mozart's Opern " by musicologist Stefan Kunze where the similarity between the aria "Ah soccorso! Son tradito" and the first movement of the sonata no.14 by Beethoven. Edwin Fischer, the renowned pianist, describes in his book "Beethoven's pianoforte sonatas" a discovery he made when he was in the library of the archives of Wiener Musikverein, there he found a sketch, in Beethoven's handwriting, of the scene from Don Giovanni, the sketch transposes the original music into C#minor, which is the key of the sonata. In Fischer's opinion, it becomes clear where Beethoven drew inspiration for his piece and he certainly has a point, the death scene of the commendatore in Mozart's opera might have been the actual inspiration for the famous sonata. Sir Andras Schiff has looked at a still existing transcription by the hand of beethoven of the score of that part of Mozart's opera and proven that actually it directly stems from there. (This is based on Andras Schiff's lecture on Beethoven's sonata no.14 in C#m The lectures took place at Wigmore Hall, London UK, from 2004.) Here other link 👇 www.roberto-poli.com/did-chopin-quote.html

[@marcmaschal2897]

Well done sir.Im a huge Beatles fan and was vaguely aware John had borrowed from Beethoven when he wrote Because.Great way you wove it all together. That song does make me cry.It's so damn beautiful ..

[@musgrave6886]

john couldn't read music but his musical instincts were supreme...

[@Azabaxe80]

Actually, not knowing notation or theory was an advantage to both Lennon and McCartney. This is so because they weren't constrained by the "rules" that theory imposes on musicians. They weren't aware that they were breaking musical rules or being innovative, they just followed their instincts, which were, of course, of the highest order. Now, both these guys were supremely talented and maybe knowing notation might have allowed them to come up with even more daring arrangements, but luckily they had a classically trained producer in George Martin to sort out that end of things.

[@musgrave6886]

@@Azabaxe80 i agree. yngwie malmsteen has also pointed that out when discussing his love for the beatles. cheers!

[@melissagomez2091]

The Beatles did know music notation and theory, koz they studied music as kids in Liverpool. Most famous and talented musicians were taught music from their early childhood.

[@Azabaxe80]

@@melissagomez2091 globalnews.ca/news/4503916/paul-mccartney-cant-read-music/

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

@@melissagomez2091 they didn’t.

[@Acujeremy]

Let's be honest, Beethoven pretty much changed music forever, he elevated music in the early 1800s to levels never seen before, and he is the greatest songwriter of all time. Seeing Beethoven #9 live with a full orchestra and chorus was one of the greatest concert experiences I have ever had!

[@MrRichulan]

Man, this is so interesting. I didn't know that Yoko was an instrument player herself. I never before saw an analysis like this, especially with your demonstration on piano. And last but not least: Beethoven and the Beatles, say, pop music had indeed a lot in common. That's why the song was written: Roll over Beethoven!

[@amyselwyn]

Check out all of Scott Freiman's documentaries on The Beatles. They're called "Deconstructing The Beatles" and they are absolutely fascinating!

[@tonym994]

by CHUCK BERRY that is .the 'roll over ' part being most important.but the BEATLES' version is one of the best covers ever.

[@eb1684]

I never heard that about Yoko either, in all these decades! I wonder why that was kept so quiet. I have respect for her now.

[@ronaldtant3196]

@@eb1684 Have you ever seen her at a piano?

[@eb1684]

@@ronaldtant3196 Never. But I feel she should have left them alone when they were recording. That's just a courtesy.

[@FreeSociety1]

Great breakdown of a Lennon Classic

[@owenhughes1325]

A great breakdown, it really demonstrates Lennon's genius.

[@randymillhouse791]

Genius in stealing someone else's tune? No.

[@valsammut1084]

U need to Google the isolated vocals on this song, amazing

[@waynej2608]

@@randymillhouse791 The idea itself, John's lyrics and The Beatles singing it, make it 'genius', you Philistine.

[@johnmc3862]

@@randymillhouse791 It was expanding on an idea! Ffs!

[@tjcint]

@@randymillhouse791 It was a starting point only. He took it to another musical universe.

[@catsmeow374]

Just came looking for this after reading an article about it. A quote from Paul: " I wouldn’t mind betting that Yoko was in on the writing of that. It’s rather her kind of writing: wind, sky, and earth are recurring. It’s straight out of [Yoko’s poetry book] Grapefruit.“

[@peteriker5080]

Masterpiece indeed. Loved it from the first moment I've heard it, and yes, it has blown my mind. Had it played, even at my moms final parting ceremony.

[@melaniedoyle2968]

What a great break down of the song in every way. Also, I never thought of the lyrics that way; I always thought of them as Lennon's weakest lyric (as opposed to Across the Universe) but you've revealed the cleverness inside the apparent simplicity

[@genatzvalee]

Yeah, I read about that, and I always wondered what Moonlight sonata would sound like if played backwards. It's cool that John evolved it and make it his own. And the 3-voice harmonies, my gawd, they are so otherworldly. Pretty complicated, too. And the diminished chord that remains unresolved? So many things that make this song special! It does sound like a classical piece.

[@CultureSonar]

It really is quite a beautiful song and production. Thanks for visiting, and writing.

[@alwaysonline66]

Excellent presentation, you greatly expanded my awareness of the Beethoven connection. And the lyrics! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnarmon7818]

That was such a beautiful building of an idea from its beginning to its final composition. Thank you so much for the insight! Wonderful!😄😊😄

[@MusoMaker-SouthAfrica]

Your analysis on this piece and the other Beatles songs in your collection is outstanding!

[@philhayhoe1]

Just stumbled on these and wow dude your analysis is really good. And of course we are once again reminded of the casual brilliance of these musical geniuses.

[@fredneecher1746]

"Grow Old With Me" on the Milk and Honey album is drawn from the second movement of Beethoven's Pathetique sonata. Tragically ironic because it was recorded shortly before Lennon was murdered.

[@multitrackers3770]

thank you so much for this. I am a massive Lennon fan and am always fascinated by how he wrote and his inspirations. Grow Old is a fave. I went and found the sonata you mention. Woow! Hats off to John Lennon. A great tune, but Ludwig got to it first. By the way, I hear in one section of the sonata, what sounds like part of Billy Joel's This Night song. Thanks again.

[@carlospadinmartinez]

I really love your analysis of Beatles songs, I hope they come more often, keep up the good work 👍

[@jakollee]

This is a great video, short and to the point, and now I have a greater appreciation for both pieces of music!

[@careyrowland]

What a great back-story! so long after the event. This is a profoundly fascinating analysis. Thank you! Keep up the good work.

[@parithrush7921]

I learned something today.

[@rcpmac]

No, Something is a different story

[@Lombricompostagefacile]

Thanks for this short and beautiful explanation for my most favorite song ever...

[@djohnson-ku4cl]

I had heard this before, but I like the way you explain and demonstrate it. Nice video.

[@julioaranton461]

Excellent musical explanation of a favorite song. Thank you.

[@uochannel]

Such a wonderful analysis, thank you so much!

[@ronnienaidoo3249]

Sheer Genius !!! John Lennon. Incredible !!!

[@dodojack1045]

Just wonderful listening to you..... bringing more joy from the music.

[@steveoshow4832]

Thanks so much for this analysis. Considering Yoko was given so much criticism on so many levels at the time it is ironic that she was John’s inspirational muse for Because. Of course this song especially reflects John’s genius and how his creative mind worked, no wonder then that with the combining genius of Paul that they remain one of the greatest of their era. With those wonderful John, Paul & George harmonies that provided that magical heavenly glue that not only for that song and album but again in 2023 when lifted and used in the final segment of Now And Then😎👌

[@petersusa4071]

That was wonderful: sheer genius all around. MORE! MORE!

[@CultureSonar]

Glad you liked it. Please tell your friends!

[@jeanmariefagon]

I really like your videos. Very good insight.

[@sappo504]

I've always wondered what he meant by playing it backwards - because you play it backwards and you don't get "Because." Now I know! SO well done, this explanation. I've never even parsed out the word play in the lyrics either - just over my head. Thanks for this pithy little video explainer!

[@iamtheralwus]

This is brilliant! Very well done, Sir.

[@Aldoborzoni]

Very enlightening musical analysis of a beloved Beatles song. Thank you.

[@garysandiego]

This blows me away!!!

[@ofrabjousday1]

I also like very much, Paul's surmising in the book, "Many Years From Now" that Yoko could well have written the lyrics. He points out that if you listen to Yoko's body of work from that period of time and well into the 70's, imagery like the world, the wind and the sky are "very Yoko's thinking." It's still true for her.

[@aquamarine99911]

"Imagine" was clearly at least "inspired" by Yoko, and she has said that she also helped with "Jealous Guy" (which was called "Child of Nature" before J & Y got together). But for marketing purposes, she said the decision was made to say the songs were written by John alone. Certainly John is on record as saying "I have only worked with two people: Paul and Yoko." Perhaps we should take John at his word, and believe that he actually "worked with" Yoko - i.e. she was a co-writer. People want to criticize her, but all that really matters is the art.

[@topsecret1837]

@@aquamarine99911 She is a strange person in the history of the Beatles, one thing for sure. Some people want to crucify her, while others want to include her in the mastery of the Beatle’s musical work. I’m not sure what to think of her, really.

[@patbrennan6572]

The media had to find a scapegoat for break up and Yoko was in the firing line. They treated her badly and unfairly.

[@dannyvine3605]

@@aquamarine99911 As you rightly said; the chords and structure of Jealous Guy was written before John left Cynthia for Yoko, so I doubt she had much to do with that. Imagine is pretty much all John - Yoko may have been his muse and suggested some things but that does not mean she should take the credit! George Harrison often contributed to Paul's and John's songs and got no credit for it! Yoko did contribute to a number of John's solo works - you just have to listen to the albums Double Fantasy and Sometime in New York City to know that. Also, seeing Yoko so involved in John's musical works inspired Paul to do the same with Linda.

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

@@dannyvine3605 exactly.

[@Andrew-cu9lf]

Wow! This was great, and really enlightening. Thank you!

[@danielguilloton6975]

Very interesting ! The progression to arrive at "Because" which is a beautiful piece ! Thanks for your explanation !

[@Actanonverba01]

Excellent descriptions

[@lety04]

Awesome video!I'd never thought of the double meaning to "blue",so silly of me!I'd wondered why the lyrics said that😅Thanks!

[@ianbentley7276]

well explained and fascinating, thank you.

[@hughand54]

Great explanation here.Well done.Two great composers.I am sure Beethoven would be thrilled that he influenced the greatest pop band ever.Would like to hear you talking about some more Beatles songs.Thank you.

[@CultureSonar]

Thanks, Hugh. Here's our "Deconstructing" playlist, which has more like this: kzbin.info/aero/PL8qLlLUG51jLQyxvX5yb3wL7EDM9Cj7Vg

[@waynej2608]

@Revenir à la raison Sure, he would.

[@stephenburnage7687]

My guess is that Beethoven never expected people to be listening to his music, 200 years after his death.

[@stephennewcombe976]

@@stephenburnage7687 No, he was probably the first composer to think he was writing for the ages. He is famously quoted, when he was conversing with one of Austria's many princes as saying 'What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven'.

[@bleekblaw5446]

Very interesting! Thank you

[@jamesb.9155]

A perfect example of how John could summon so much beauty up in his songs & music!

[@oldcougar65]

Whenever I listen to the medley on Side 2, I always start with Because. Seems to me it fits.

[@LearnMusclescom]

Yes. I absolutely agree! Even though it was not written as part of the medley, I have always felt that it fits in as the first song of the medley.

[@shonita7171]

Thank you for this channel!.

[@CultureSonar]

Thanks so much for visiting. Please do tell your friends about us. We can use the support!

[@corbindallas18]

Well done. Thank you for posting this.

[@jbyesterday3959]

I've experienced some of Scott's live Beatles' educational journeys, & own quite a few of his "Deconstructing The Beatles" DVDs. They always have a freshness to them & never get old !

[@maestrobjwa90]

Excellent, Excellent breakdown of a song that combines two great musical loves of mine: Beethoven...and the Beatles 😁😁 Thanks for doing this!!

[@tomcartwright7134]

Thank you so much for this great and deep dive into the subtleties of the music of the greatest most creative band in history.

[@sociedadebeneficentenovaha2898]

Great video!

[@blackisblack22]

Excellent analysis.

[@zyxmyk]

this guy is great. i bought the whole set and listened to them during the freak snowstorm this winter. they are fantastic.

[@CultureSonar]

Thanks for the kind note. We're so glad you enjoyed the films!

[@AlenIlijic]

love that painting on your wall.

[@euskedyzestoa2008]

You are the master of the masterpieces wow! That is exactly what I was looking for! Not “the backward” version like others could not even explain THANKS!!!

[@alecmisra4964]

Beautifully played.

[@steveflor9942]

Very cool stuff. Great video.

[@terryadams3489]

Very nice observation. Thank You

[@echointheroom9451]

Thank you very for this excellent review of the interpretation

[@user-oc4fl9lg2z]

Excellent. From Formosa (Argentina)

[@playmusicnet7347]

Excellent! Breakdown and Evaluation, Thank You!

[@robiandolo]

Good job! The second you started playing moonlight sonata I started hearing because. I didn't know how he got there but I could hear the raw flow.

[@jarichards99utube]

Fascinating...! Thanks : )

[@guruuDev]

Wow, great stuff -- showing the genius of the music and the lyrics!

[@CultureSonar]

Very kind of you. Thanks so much.

[@javierandrespineiro9610]

Maravilla de explicación. Muy bueno!

[@dylanjanpierre2001]

Very thanks man This video was interesting.. Very good information about this classic john song

[@mjjames2442]

Thank you for this analysis

[@zhanbolat5654]

Great explanation. Thank you

[@williamwhitaker2686]

great analysis. More please.

[@EwelinLoveTre]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@StAugustinesEpiscopal-StPeters]

If someone had asked me to play something like "Moonlight Sonata" backwards, I would have assumed the request would have been to reverse the chord movement, regardless of the arpeggios.

[@dorisblay2734]

This is out of the world, love it

[@AdFunk]

Fascinating. Subscribed 👍

[@agindo]

fantastic! thank you!

[@edfulginiti8798]

Brilliant ... love this!

[@TheAirRunner1]

Wow this is very quality I never ever would've made this connection.

[@lynnaridgeway2104]

And no one has sung it like the Beatles themselves.

[@michavandam]

Elliott Smith came close.

[@dickon728]

Maybe, but have a listen to this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXSyi3yDf7iCaa8

[@dickon728]

@@michavandam Maybe he would come close if there wasn't an audible breath at the beginning of almost every single line.

[@michavandam]

@@dickon728 That's a bit too slow.

[@dickon728]

​@@michavandam That's your response?

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Excellent exposition.

[@norbertoiusem2304]

brilliantly explained. Thanks a lot

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Great analysis...I’ll enjoy it even more....

[@jordanrazowskymusician8178]

Great vid. Thanks for sharing.

[@shadygroves8252]

Awesome videos

[@AlenIlijic]

brilliant, well done.

[@noone182]

thanks for content! I rly love beatles and with this explanations I love them stronger :)

[@aliasreco]

Clear, fast, and good explained!

[@cardbuddy4988]

Awesome breakdown