The Beatles' Ultimate Chord Lesson

In today's livestream I break down the most interesting blend of diatonic and borrowed chord harmony by The Beatles.
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[@RickBeato]

Only available through the end of June: 🎂The Channel Anniversary Bundle - $89 FOR ALL OF My Courses: ⇢ rickbeato.com/ 📘- The Beato Book Interactive - $99.00 value 🎸 - Beato Beginner Guitar - $159.00 value 👂- The Beato Ear Training Program - $99.00 value 🎸- The Quick Lessons Pro Guitar Course - $79.00 value …all for just $89.00 Get it here: rickbeato.com/ This sale will end Friday, June 30th at midnight EST.

[@albietzaesthetics1064]

What guitar is this acoustic

[@albietzaesthetics1064]

What acoustic guitar is rick using here

[@bikerjon8934]

@@albietzaesthetics1064 19:04

[@jessej7612]

Gibson country western (1960's), he probably has talked about his guitar in some of his room tour videos (where he shows all his instruments and stuff)​@@albietzaesthetics1064

[@Andyw1228]

Why isn’t the arpeggios course included? I’d like a discount of that.

[@giovanniscardetta333]

Also "here there and everywhere " is stunning in modulation and tonality changes

[@im-un-fragile]

Quincy Jones called the Beatles "the worst musicians". Man, I'd give almost anything to be as bad of a musician as the Beatles.

[@darrylmendonsa8922]

Yes, Quincy Jones did make critical comments about the Beatles' musicianship in an interview with Vulture in 2018. He referred to them as "the worst musicians in the world" and shared an anecdote about how a session drummer had to be brought in because Ringo Starr couldn't get the beat right. However, Jones later apologized for his remarks, acknowledging that his comments were inappropriate and a result of his advancing age and the candid nature of the interview.

[@jasonicnyc]

@@darrylmendonsa8922and he was a drunk

@@jasonicnyc That sounds about right

[@bsharporbflat8378]

@@darrylmendonsa8922We can also say that the Beatles were genius song writers and amazing harmonizers, changed the world musically and even politically ….but were less good at interpreting, especially live. Just gotta love them though.

[@josd6387]

@@bsharporbflat8378 I agree with what you say, but I would just add that the Beatles were excellent at interpretation. Paul said Sargeant Pepper was the band stepping out of themselves and being influencing by what they had done musically.

[@dosrios9517]

Just got back from a trip to Liverpool for the first time in 35 years ago. The Beatles legacy has been a big part of the city’s modern revitalisation after some years of being seen as an underdog city during the deindustrialisation of UK. It’s interesting that in the 80’s there’s was little overt evidence of the Beatles coming from there. It seems the interest in the City was renewed about the time of anthology releases in the 90’s. Most surprising is the age of people heading to the Cavern Club and other landmarks associated with the Beatles. Grandchildren of original Beatles fans now showing interest.

[@D97Music]

It's an increasingly huge pet peeve of mine when people impulsively credit George Martin with ANY sophistication heard in a Beatles song. He talked quite openly about what his contributions were, and I can't recall him ever mentioning reharrning their songs to be more sophisticated. If anything, the opposite, like when they stood their ground to end She Loves You on a major 6th chord, which Martin found "corny." They were right, and he was wrong.

[@cyborgjanitor]

Rick's singing is getting better🎉 Keep it up😊👍

[@jacquescousteau217]

Paul singing the melody on both verses, and bridge, except intro, and those small lead ins between verse which are unison with John. Lennon is singing the low harmonies throughout entire rest of song with exception of noted above unison .

[@richardstiers9010]

As a kid, I LOVED this son. This shows the chasm between the Beatles and the flood of bands, at the time. It may very well not even have been intentional. Just intuitive.

[@davegibbs6423]

Favorite Beatles harmony song.

[@hw343434]

John was the ultimate chord progression composer genius in the Beatles. He broke the rules and created masterpieces with time signature changes, key changes, borrowed chords and then on top of that some of the most imaginative lyrics and melodies ever written

[@anth-ny]

Thank You Rick. This is 1 of the best. The song was included in both the lp and film A Hard Day;s Night in 1964.

[@buffalobobbayoushow6040]

That was my dad’s favorite song, I never asked my dad his favorite song,you’re a lucky man!!

[@kovie9162]

The Beatles' songs were so inventive throughout their career, and it just makes me wonder to what extent this was because they were compositional geniuses, which of course they were, and to what extent it was because they had the artistic courage and integrity to pursue their musical ideas no matter how new and unusual they were at the time despite the artistic and business pressure that they surely felt to just do what everyone else was doing and not take risks or be "weird", and play it safe. Clearly both played into their music. I think that all great artists possess both qualities, not only the raw talent honed by years of practice, but the character to just say fuck it, I'm doing what feels right to me and to hell with all the doubters and critics. They all did this, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Joplin, Debussy, Stravinsky, Parker, Davis, Dylan and the Beatles. Many others of course.

[@winstoncoerecius]

Paul and Ringo are still around. Ask them how they did it and stop speculating just to have info for youtube

[@StevenDempseyArtist]

Enjoyable breakdown. Some of those progressions remind me of Seal’s Kiss from a Rose.

[@bruceterrell9287]

There seemed to be a jazz and flamenc influence that showed up somewhat early here and in George's rendition of "Til there was you", others? Was that an influence from George Martin maybe? John seems always known for "banjo" chords and Martin was a more worldly and sophisticated influence on their music at the time, working with them on their arrangements.

[@TheMkarr]

Welcome back. Love your cast.

[@donaldaxel]

You have a harmonium - finely polished! looking good! and the famous "Abbey Road" cover picture of Beatles crossing a footcrossing. ❤

[@donaldaxel]

And I love you compare with "Waves". Jobim. The voicings of Jobim's songs are so important, and most jazz groups destroy those Jobim songs by changing voicing. It is not always possible to improvise better than a composer like Jobim (or Jules Styne, or whoever). But would you comment on the voicings of fx. "Girl of Ipanema" - when Jobim plays piano he seldomly uses "fat chords" but keeps the song so sweet and light, same applies to "Waves" and "Chega di Saudade" (have you ever heard a singer who does it right? I found ONE on KZbin only).

[@StuartBiliack]

If I Fell is one of the Beatles' most well-written songs, considering how early in their career it was when it was written. Also very difficult to sing due to the unexpected hooks in the melody. Used to be our favorite pub sing-a-long years ago. Very few could actually do it.

[@ErnestHemenhaw]

Rick, the question I have is - did John know all this? Was he aware of the chords and variations or was he simply going by ear? I know he (or Paul) didn't know theory but they still probably knew the chords they were playing, right?

[@fishon7301]

Why is it that none of the Classic Rock FM stations ever play any Beatles? But they love playing Ozzie and his songs that I've never heard of? I swear the FM station in Lincoln NE is the Ozzie Fan Club Central.

[@marcuspedrosa9742]

I don't understand how musicians are so concerned with chord changes, Beatles did what they did precisely because they didn't know music by the sheet music, but by the heart and soul and emotion of life.

[@acendales]

"If i fell" tal vez tenga más parecido con el genero musical del Bolero que con la Bossa nova

[@artemisnite]

My biggest question is was he writing the melody to follow chords he'd written or vice versa. Is it possible he wrote them concurrently? 😮

[@joseppi2382]

If I fell One of the best songs ever and i should have known better-- great songs by the beatles

[@jorgevelasquez9955]

Rick, I thought the boys did not write or read music? So how did they compose and arrange without having the tools to write these sounds down and share with others?

[@miguelsuarez8010]

This song always striked me as weird because the first melody never returns, like Tchaikovsky's 1rst piano concerto, where the grandiose introduction melody never returns.

[@rickharper3940]

in the film you can easily see what the chords he really played were

[@grahamhaynes9201]

But Rick if you are in D minor the D is the I chord and E is the ii chord. But you said C#. Why ??

[@robertcowart1]

George Martin later re-edited that McCartney voice crack using the other "was in vain" that was good.

[@glendirienzo1365]

Rick, speaking about the Beatles I do hope you get Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for interviews.

[@KerryKugelman]

Yesssss!

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

I second the motion.

[@rd5081]

Ditto you’d do a great job!

[@GregSRX7]

Yes, yes....a great idea!!!

[@marcos061059]

It's settled then.

[@Apocalypse4162]

I've loved the Beatles for 20 years but every time I see a theory video about their songwriting techniques or chord changes or anything like that, I gain even more respect and appreciation for their genius. There are so many amazing bands out there but almost without a doubt The Beatles are the most pivotal and impactful on modern music and really took things to new heights that no other band will ever be able to achieve. They hit the peak of songwriting from the first album and basically stayed there for their entire music career.

[@denverguitarhero]

Facts

[@HM-ho4fz]

Well said

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Especially Mr. Lennnon.

[@stevetruth2696]

My guitar teacher had a Masters in music and worshipped The Beatles.

[@TonyBurke100]

I've, like you been a Beatles fan since I was a kid, I'm now 70 and Rick has shown me just how brilliant they were. Familiarity does breed contempt and indeed it does.

[@rafaelcartafina]

Nice to see you playing Tom Jobim and happy to know that Wave was your father's favorite song. Greetings from Brazil!

[@ronniechilds2002]

What can you say? It's magic. That's the only possible explanation. As far as I know, Lennon never had a lick of music lessons in his life, except maybe the stuff everybody took in school. All those sophisticated concepts discussed in this vid just came naturally to him. That, plus his voice, his looks, his intelligence and wit, on and on. And the same applies to all 4 of them in varying degrees. Now that really is magic.

[@danduntz2539]

He was taught banjo chords by his mom, and the occasional chords from random people across town, but no formal training, but he had great ears and listened to a great many songs from Motown, and others.

[@ayoutubechannul]

When is Ringo or Paul going to be here for an interview with you Rick?

[@Fdt172]

BOTH 🎉

[@imikewillrockyou]

Rick, this is the ultimate channel for musicians. Your content is going to outlive you by, who knows, maybe centuries. You're a model for how to be a music educator. Thank you so much for all the hard work you've put into the channel.

[@joycerichardson1810]

Well said!

[@machmen1000]

I think Lennon had that same quirk that Chris Cornell did. To make an alien chord progression sound familiar,or the other way around. One song off of Beatles ‘65 that I found harmonically interesting is “I’ll Follow The Sun”

[@denverguitarhero]

I'll follow the sun is so beautiful ❤

[@raymondfrye5017]

The song is basically a Cuban Bolero as in Latin American tríos music. The lyrics are in English though.

[@lilianelucas8123]

​@@denverguitarheroPaul wrote this song AT forthlin road when he was 16.

[@davygravy7812]

Lennon was only 24 in 1964 when he wrote this. These guys were geniuses. Just amazing

[@chrishyde1216]

He was 23 through most of 64, then 24 from 9 October.

[@davidjohnson1654]

@@chrishyde1216 This is definitely ADVANCED Harmony stuff they were doing, for sure. :)

[@ktcarl]

@@davidjohnson1654 He couldn't sing the melody and gave it to Paul to sing while John came up with the harmonizing vocals.

[@007KayElleKay]

@@ktcarl - yeah it was too high for him so he graciously handed over NW to Paul to sing it and even his voice cracks on the word “chair” . 🤗

[@kafkaesque123]

Likely George Martin contributed to the arrangement.

[@andrewhammill6148]

The chords played arpeggio style, would make a great acoustic guitar tune in its own without vocals. They are beautiful chords. My personal opinion is that the Beatles wrote this stuff simply because it sounded cool. Not so much that John or Paul "knew" all this stuff. It just sounded right.

[@FREEDOM-bx7mr]

Simply put..the Beatles were the best song writers ever.

[@marcuspedrosa9742]

As Albert Einstein said, Imagination is a powerful weapon for solving problems, even more important than knowledge.

[@jasonweinstein5622]

I'm still waiting for the pinnacle interview with Sir Paul! I really hope this happens for us all! Keep up the GREAT work Rick!😎🤙

[@davidgagne3569]

THANK GOD someone is finally diving into this wonderful song.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

when I hear the opening, I always think of the Rutles song, "with a girl like you" which obviously, the Beatles frankly ripped off a bit, but that was common back then.

[@zaphodrahja]

They Rutles really should have sued them.

[@lpadron13]

Nasty > Lennon

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

​@@zaphodrahjaI heard they did sue them, but they lost that 10 quid in a drunken darts game, called their lawyers "fookin' arseholes" to which their lawyers had the lawsuit reversed and 10 quid was paid back to the Beatles... That's what I heard...

[@philippesauvie639]

The Beatles playing this song in the film a hard days night was the highlight of the movie for me!😊

[@zetmoon]

On the mono version Paul’s voice doesn’t crack on the last note of the bridge.

[@MrCranberries17]

The Beatles changed everything, music, style, etc.

[@lonewolf1053]

Anything and everything about the Beatles is cool by me!...

[@ransbarger]

Same.

[@electrovoyage2613]

Rick BEEATLE

[@rongletherow2682]

This is why we always had trouble as kids trying to work out Beatles songs. Their songs were pure genius.

[@ShawnBarnesbass]

The Brazilian singer/guitarist Nando Lauria does an absolutely gorgeous cover version of the song discussed here on his 'Points Of View' album. It features Lyle Mays on piano. Highly recommended.

[@expositooculto1040]

Years ago, Paul Gilbert made a list of 10 songs that would help you understand guitar playing and that you should learn. One of them was If I Fell. I believe this song exemplifies how different the Beatles were melodically, how they broadened the spectrum of pop music. Another example, to me is All my Loving. That song has a myriad of chords, quite unusual for the time (we are talking 1963/1964). I believe that simple complexity of The Beatles is what made them unique and at the same time why so many jazz artists have covered the band. Just my opinion.

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Rick makes Me feel like a Zoo Chimp. It all makes sense; I cannot repeat it thereafter.

[@michaelcraig9449]

A lot of bands used a lot of chords back then. Do you think someone just now invented complex musical harmony? Look at jazz and classical music!

[@expositooculto1040]

@@michaelcraig9449 Of course, that is why I referred to the pop music realm. And that is why I said many jazz artists covered The Beatles.

[@vivito-]

A perfect mix of sophistication and viscerality

[@MartijnHover]

I always had the idea that Lennon's "uncoventional" chord progressions were very much the result of his friendly "competition" with McCartney. I think McCartney had more of a "natural" ear for music, so his chord progressions, even for his more complicated songs, were more "traditional" than Lennon's. When McCartney wrote a complicated song, Lennon often felt "obliged" to come up with a similarly complicated song of his own. I think maybe the best example of that process are the songs Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever, both written about the same time, with a similar theme, the Liverpool they remembered from their younger days. Paul's song is quite traditional, both as a composiiton and in its arrangement and instrumentation, with the "Bach trumpet". Whereas John's is very unconventionally written, arrenged and produced, as one the most "psychedelic" songs ever. I would love to see Rick do a comparative analysis of these songs.

[@mr.e8059]

It's a beautiful song. An underappreciated early Beatles effort. Liked it immediately upon first hearing. I would add And I Love Her to the list.

[@marshac1479]

A hard day's night is the best film by any band.

[@D97Music]

The Monkees' Head is pretty damn great too.

[@deepzepp4176]

Slade in Flame is good.

[@stevemawer848]

Better than All You Need Is Cash by The Rutles?

[@marshac1479]

@@stevemawer848 Yes!

[@eddiepeach3975]

Even Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny?

[@thomascordery7951]

People who ought to know better often say that the Beatles didn't know music theory. I believe it's true that none of them could read sheet music, and there's no shortage of direct statements from them to that effect. But as they progressed through those few active years of fame their harmonies and rhythms became more and more sophisticated. John, Paul and George were also among the most innovative composers of their time, if not of all time, this song being an example. Certainly George Martin was a great influence. They could hardly have had a better mentor. George Martin wrote many of their orchestrations, and Sir Paul certainly picked up a great deal from him. Martin would also point out if something they came up with was highly unconventional, though I think did so in challenging non-traditional ideas they'd bring, then nod agreement when they'd shrug off his challenge because they liked the sound. It was almost like he was testing their commitment to a new invention. My point is that in those few intense, whirlwind years, the Beatles picked and internalized more music theory than most casual observers ever give them credit for, despite not being able to sight read the result from a chart. They might not have had the facility of putting their creations down on a grand staff, but they certainly could anc did so on magnetic tape. They knew exactly what they were creating, as well as why it worked, in the process.

[@---wd3hp]

CORRECTION- Should Have Known Better.....

[@georgeanderson3341]

Got to imagine George Martin hepped them to a lot of practical theory that made their writing more sophisticated.

[@---wd3hp]

@@georgeanderson3341 Mostly, on the arranging side. He had all the practical skills. He was not going to turn the Dave Clark 5 into the Beatles

[@nurembergcode6148]

The Beatles was a Tavistock Operation which brought us LSD and not much else. Most of the music was NOT written by any Beatle.

[@RednaZela]

It also helped tremendously that they learned by ear and hammered out 100s of cover songs from different genres during their 1100+ hours of stage experience in Hamburg. Putting in that kind of work, I believe they started internalizing things on top of their unbelievable natural talent. Then, even after the fame, they always had their ears open to new and interesting things with endless curiosity. It was such a perfect and unlikely coming together of things as to be unbelievable - if it hadn't actually happened.

[@jscottyrolls2702]

Actually one of the most beautiful songs and harmonies ever. Rich in harmony, simple in structure, has stood the test of time.❤

[@resslerartstudios]

I just don’t think John was thinking of core progressions and modulations as you explain it when he wrote this song as a singer and song of myself he probably just wrote it. It just came from him. That’s the magic has Bob Dylan said he doesn’t know why or how he wrote what he wrote it just happened. It’s the magic.

[@jaimev.1387]

I see Beato talking Beatles, I click. Simple

[@thomasfisher5742]

Me too lol

[@hollydeitrick2515]

Me three ❤

[@aBeatleFan4ever]

Rick - When Paul's voice "cracks" on that high harmony vocal... it's one of my favorite Beatles moments. I love it... and I think they left it in because it sounds so great. I just has a ton of character.

[@willzimjohn]

It was a mistake that was fixed on the mono mix by double tracking Paul's vocal. When they went to mix the stereo, which was an afterthought at that point, they neglected to include the double track and the unwanted error is exposed. The Beatles had also decided that John's voice on the intro should not be double tracked to make it more intimate. That's how it is on the mono mix. Again, they weren't as diligent on the stereo and the double tracked intro was left in, which is not what they wanted. The mono is the definitive version. The voice crack is a mistake that was supposed to have been fixed but, due to carelessness in stereo mixing, wasn't.

[@alexcharow7282]

I remember hearing that as well

[@05645ci]

This song captivated me when I bought home the album Something New; listened to it over and over trying to hit each vocal note and always missing; it's still one of my fave Beatles tunes; it is an awesome display of John and Paul's vocal harmony. Congrats, Rick; we love you!

[@TomSaps]

Man. What with all these amazing interviews it’s easy to forget what a fabulous musician Rick is. Your perfect pitch and musical knowledge just blows my mind! That sudden switch into the bossa nova track was awesome!

[@cliffhughes6010]

I don't suppose John considered the theory here (he didn't have The Beato Book), but I'm certain he just followed the melody he heard in his head and fitted the chords that sounded good to him.

[@edbuller4435]

almost certainly!...He wrote Julia FFS he had a very sophisticated ear.

[@karennewell8085]

I have always thought John and Paul “heard” the melody and found chords that fit.

[@HabAnagarek]

I find it funny to say he "just" fitted the chords

[@cliffhughes6010]

@@HabAnagarek It was simple to John, but difficult for everyone else.

[@matthewhopeck9276]

Part of me wonders if they got a lot of help from George Martin with some of the theory stuff. Maybe they’d come up with a melody and he’d suggest chords and changes.

[@lavatar3562]

I imagine Paul would have helped with the music. Rick should interview him to find out first hand. Fab4forever

[@strathman7501]

John told David Sheff (Playboy interview) that "Paul gave me the middle eight" for If I Fell.

[@hw343434]

The unique genius chord progressions were usually more John than Paul. It’s a John song. John helped Paul also a LOT with his songs like “She’s Leaving Home”, “We can work it out” and so many more

[@lavatar3562]

@@hw343434 yes JL was certainly a unique songwriter but it was usually a collaboration!

[@strathman7501]

@@hw343434 That's an odd response. The topic here is a particular song, If I Fell, and it is a fact that John's last word on the composition of that - emphatically delivered, I may say - was that Paul "gave me the middle eight". If you can offer a reason to question John's account, then fair enough, let's hear it. But just "It's a John song" is not at all helpful.

[@lauracoleman8049]

And this is a masterclass in why you literally can’t cheat playing Beatles songs. These chords are so specific to the harmonies. It’s awesome but also infuriating lol.

[@AScottInChina-ug5iy]

Nit picking, but wasn't "If I Fell" 1964, not 1965? Pretty sure the movie "A Hard Day's Night" came out in '64, and If I Fell was definitely in that!! I could be wrong, anybody able to check me on that? Maybe it was released in the US later??

[@sofarsogut]

Correct , 1964 Went to see the movie and got "Beatles addicted"

[@AScottInChina-ug5iy]

@@sofarsogut nice!! I wasn't born until ten years later, but I was addicted by age six, and remain that way until today!!

[@sofarsogut]

@@AScottInChina-ug5iy I got addicted then. I'm the same age as Paul, still practice music and hopefully improving. Cheers from Canada, are you in 中国 (China?)

[@AScottInChina-ug5iy]

@@sofarsogut I'm in Zhaoqing, to the west of Guangzhou. You're a fellow muso as well? You must be a good guy then!! Guitarist myself, as well as dabbling in other things. Beatles got me hooked on music. But it was Paul Kelly who inspired me to buy my first guitar, and Tom Petty who inspired me to try performing!!

[@kristopherguilbault5428]

Right when i heard you say pivot chords i knew it was gonna be "You've got to hide your love away" i was wrong lol also. You can tell by how youre singing it Rick that you have for sure heard Lennons old demo of this with his Falsetto accompaniment.. absolutely Gorgeous. I recommend anybody look for it on KZbin if you haven't heard it.. its completely different sounding .

[@dtchinacat3973]

One of my favorite songs! It seems the early Beatles love songs tend to have that Bosa Nova feel!

[@Rainyman63]

I guess when they played their 6 hour gigs in Hamburg they frequently threw in a few Bossa Novas. The dancers have an opportunity to get a little touchy, the band can relax for a moment while playing, and afaik Bossa Nova was pretty popular in the late 50s, early 60s. It would be natural to try writing in that familiar style for a mellow love song then.

[@mrsherwood2599]

It would have been a hip thing to do at the time. I love how Ringo rock-and-roll-ifies it.

[@riverthegoldendoodle350]

Happy 8 years Rick. We have enjoyed all of them with you

[@CupidStunt72]

Hey Rick, I love your Beatles stuff ! Been with you since before 1million suns

[@mattsmith2760]

Even as a little kid I was utterly captivated by this, the complexity of its movement through the song floored me.

[@ErichStrelow]

When this video popped up I was hoping this was the song. It's one of the most beautiful melodies I know. Many years ago, when I became a dad, I suddenly discovered that this was the song I hummed our baby to sleep.

[@neto116]

check out rockabye baby..they made songs into instrumental lullabys and " if I fel" l is one of them

[@reginald6803]

Almost all Beatles songs are "unusual".

[@frederico4621]

Your joy is contageous

[@LasshaLiou]

Wave! So happy to see and hear you playing a short section. I am a Bossa Nova singer in Portuguese, English, and French...so cool! Love If I Fell and each and every Beatles song

[@EddieReischl]

This was a great video. "If I Fell" was my dad's favorite Beatles song, and a top ten one for me too. Similar to your dad, he had a lot of jazz guitar albums. I think Barney Kessel was his favorite, but also Johnny Smith, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, and others, and he had albums by Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz as well. People don't realize that the early 60's had a wide variety of music, and rock n' roll and improv jazz were co-mingling a little bit, rock bands would play some jazzy numbers to show they were competent musicians, or if you had to play a club versus a dive bar. I think he recognized the improv jazziness of that song, because we would have guitar sing along night with the family sometimes on a Saturday night when we were kids. "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" is one of the songs he'd play and my mom would sing it. He'd want me to play "If I Fell". It's important to have that diminished chord in there. It's a good lesson of how to do a minimum of finger movement while changing chords and finding the right frets on a guitar to play that song. When you were doing the arpeggiated chords, it really dawned on me that this would have been a great song for a Joe Pass or Barney Kessel to mess around with on a record, perhaps it wasn't quite popular enough? There is a video on YT of Henry Mancini playing it in 1965 at a celebration of Beatles music. It can clearly work as "Casablanca" type lounge jazz.

[@KaykyStiliano]

As a Brazilian, I feel very honoured and happy to hear Tom Jobim appearing in videos, but coming from you, Rick, it's even more exciting! You definitely need to do a deep dive into Tom Jobim's music with an explained video.

[@maxpayne0006]

Now that I’m in my 30’s I appreciate The Beatles songwriting much more, especially their deeper cuts.

[@dmcguire70]

Every single budding guitarist should get a copy of the Beatles songbook and learn as many chords as possible. If you can play these chords, you can play anything.

[@headrat1]

Nando Luria has an excellent Brazilian version of this song.

[@clarkwilliam8667]

Great to have you back!

[@hermannschaefer4777]

You never give me your money.... next.

[@samstamos427]

If you can add an edit remark at 23:43, when you display the whiteboard showing the D major and parallel D minor, your ii* chord is listed as C#*, where it should be E*. (*= diminished)...🧐 🖖.. I suppose the carpal tunnel was a distraction.. Great stuff as always Rick!

[@hieronymus9]

What I scrolled down to say!

[@johnberkley6942]

The vocals, though! This duet is absolute perfection, and terrific to sing. Alas, not for me any more as my vocal range flew up the chimney some time ago. Well... I could probably manage Lennon's part still.

[@RobsterInEdmonds]

Rick, a few thoughts... The Beatles stints in Hamburg were hugely important in their development. They had to play a variety of dance numbers, including cha-cha and other South American styles that were popular, as well as slow songs and rockers. I swear that's where they picked up cool chord progressions and changes that carried into their own songs when they started writing great songs (like "If I Fell"). Second, John definitely played easier-to-play versions of the chords you were using - another great trick a good bar band learns to do. Third, this is one of the few Beatles songs where the main writer of the song sings the harmony lines. If you listen to the demo tape, John was writing and singing the melody in a lower key. When they brought the key up (for marketability, I assume, as it plays faster), John's voice wouldn't reach the melody, so Paul sang melody and John sang the lower harmony (and then unison on lines like "I must be sure," and "Would love me more..."). Just a few years later that incredible collaboration started to fall apart (drug use, Maharishi, drug addiction and Yoko) and though they made great music the incredible bond was gone.

[@silat13]

Grow up and stop blaming Yoko. None of the Beatles blame Yoko, but you do.

[@GaryTimms-p5j]

You never leave beatles music behind, always go back to it

[@sawboss216]

Now you got me deep diving into this song. Isolated tracks and such. What a magnificent song!

[@tomculhane6648]

Great breakdown of the classic Lennon & McCartney ballad, Rick!

[@martingravel1157]

Seems like, since the 60s, some musical knowledge has been lost along the way…

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

But HOW did John Lennon know anything about these chords and voicings? I think it's been pretty well established that none of the Beatles were big on practising their instruments, certainly George and Ringo have said so in interviews, and John mentions 'going five years' at one point in the 70s, not touching a guitar. None of them had any sophisticated musical training, although they were certainly eclectic listeners, from a young age... But the mystery remains; HOW did he know or come up with sophisticated changes and lines like these? Was it pure talent or luck? I've always loved their music, and have played at least a couple dozen of their songs in various bands or solo over the years. I'm just not very analytical about my listening and comprehension of theoretical aspects of my approach to music. I guess I'm more 'intuitive'? Was that Lennon's case as well?

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

Yes.

[@RobertWeir]

They must have Read Beatos book

[@sup9542]

Perfect storm of everything went into creating their story. Never to be repeated as perfectly. That's why we still have all these Oscar winning directors trying to direct more movies about them. The story gets better and better the more you delve into it.

[@WilliamGuilfoil]

Either John came up with the melody and figured the chords that fit. Or he was playing around with different chords and thought they sounded good together and strung a melody that fit those chords or a combination of the two (figuring two or three chords, stringing a melody to them, then adding chords as the melody progresses in his head). Many great songwriters (as well as not so great) write this way.

[@jtf2dan]

The Beatles re-wrote the book on creating music....no wonder no other group has come close in the last 50 years......and why they will always be known as the greatest band of all time...

[@jritechnology]

But the internet toldz me Tatylor Swiftyz iz as good as BEETLEZ!?!?!? ONEone1

[@positivityfunction]

They are a wonderful band and close to my heart for sure, but there were other innovative bands in the last 50 years that you could easily say have "come close" and contributed to music in the same great way. Even just in soul music I would say Herbie Hancock, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Parliament Funkadelic, and Prince are all innovative. In rock you have bands like Talking Heads, Blonde, Led Zeppelin, Yes, ELO., Nivana, and countless others doing super innovative things.

[@andrewmarsh3094]

Ummmmm there were better bands at the time but they had the management and promotion. Not taking anything away from them but just wanted to point it out. We are from that area of Britain and my Dad used to tell me about the music scene at the time.

[@gooddognigel9992]

⁠@@andrewmarsh3094name the bands that were better than the Beatles.

[@trysometruth]

@@gooddognigel9992 Well, for example, The Captain & Tennille. (ok I'm unable to just type that and just hit Reply... ha ha hahahahahaha)

[@alexladd6861]

Rick, PLEASE do a segment on Jobim. He is unfortunately not known by too many people nowadays. This in spite of the fact that they've heard his songs countless times and don't know it. He for many years was neck and neck with the Beatles in terms of most played songs and hits (his quip was 'yeah, but there were five of them!').

Thank you. This really shows the harmonic genius and masterful songwriting of the Beatles. It's cool how the bass line descends to go along with the lyrics "if I fell...".

[@simoncolvex]

I don't believe John and Paul were intentional with this (and many other songs), they thrashed it out and tried different things until it worked. I could imagine John asking Paul for his input and together they took it to amazing new places.

[@loumulkern2724]

that intro seems a bit like a Cole Porter-ish prelude to the main melody... rarely done in more modern pop

[@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill]

One of my favorites from The Fab Four; great harmonies and fun Bridge & turnarounds. This one, and "I Will". The 'seesaw' between major & minor = signature Paul.

[@1rwjwith]

The song is on the album HARD DAYS NIGHT, RECORDED IN early1964. They are shown miming to it in the film so it certainly predates 1965.

[@ClaytonBanes]

February 64.

[@martingravel1157]

The richness of Jobim’s harmonies… Amazing!

[@raymondfrye5017]

Antonio Jobim: Star student of Master Conductor of the Austrian National Symphony Orchestra. Magna Cum Lauder (Máximos Honores)

[@timn5008]

Maybe Lennon was sitting there for a few days with the acoustic and started trying different things, putting things together in parts and then joining it all together.