The Beatles - Across The Universe LESSON

[@douglasmijangos3327]

“Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a million suns… it calls me on and on across the universe”❤ that might be my favorite John Lennon lyric … poetic doesn’t even begin to describe it.. I can close my eyes and imagine myself in space wit this incredible light shining on me ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️❤️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️😂

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

John was just a brilliant man!

[@user-AllenE]

Some say a million eyes but I like a million suns better. Was it originally a Million eyes ?

[@aciddanz]

I think he said both, eyes in one verse and suns in another

[@JHBG1971]

The "simple" Beatles song are never that simple are they? Love this, thanks Mike!

[@RipReed]

I'd like to be able to say "I came for the backstory, stayed for the lesson" but that wouldn't be true :D Mike, thanks for your fabulous attention to detail both in the context of the story and the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the arrangement. You're a real treasure!

[@angelomia6691]

To me this shows how spiritually deep John is and you have become a master at unveiling his genius for us.❤

[@Edward-o3z9v]

Mike , your musical talent is amazing.

[@juliuscepeda9655]

One of my favorite Beatle songs. One of John’s best lyrics with a beautiful melody.

[@louislamboley9167]

I have to agree with John. It is a wonderful song. Very moving and sincere. I always thought it was one of his best.

[@annamariaisland1960]

I love the symmetry of the chord/meter structure in this song. In the first verse, the first of the two lines has 3 measures of 4/4 and then the 5/4 one. The second line has 3 measures of 4/4 and a 2/4 measure, and employs the Gm chord. In the second verse, the first line has 4 measures of 4/4, while the second line has 3 of 4/4 and one of 5/4. No 2/4 measure and no Gmin chord. The third and final verse is nearly a mirror of the first. The first line has 3 measures of 4/4 and one of 2/4, with the Gmin chord. The second line has 4 measures of 4/4 (no 5/4 here). The version on the Anthology does not have either of the 5/4 measures, perhaps showing that John decided a brief pause or breath was needed after the words "across the universe," to let them soak in the mind another beat. What a wonderful song, and a beautiful explanation of how to play it. Thanks so much Mike!

[@martynspooner5822]

Mike is just the best at Beatles stuff the detail is phenomenal. Thanks a lot.

[@stephenhyder4659]

This is really, really so good. You did a great job with it. This one and Long and Winding Road are the only Beatles songs that draw tears in my eyes.

[@ernest5328]

If compare all the youtubes, listen to the album version then compare to all the youtube versions again, I can get it correct. Learning music may help some😊

[@marcioljk]

Congrats Mike, superb job❕Lizzie Bravo, one of the girls in background vocals, was Brazilian 🤍She passed away in 2021 ☁️ Greetings from Brazil🏳️

[@gpet23]

Amazing! I never knew of her. Now I do🙏🏻

[@1rwjwith]

To me this song is an example of a poem set to music…straight ahead . Absolutely beautiful song. Great job!

[@Kenaiwolf]

WOW! Mike, thank you. This has not only given me greater respect for the song, but will hopefully help my musician kids with their composition. Yes, I keep telling them "...go back and learn Beatles songs. It will help you hear how chords go together and write the melody".

[@hscottcpa]

I always look forward to the history of the song (as well as the lessons!) Beautiful job as always

[@sapelesteve]

Another fantastic analysis & lesson of an amazing Beatles song Mike! The musical genius of JL is truly mind blowing! Thanks for all of the hard work that you put into making these Beatles lessons! Hope that all is well and that you & your wife are enjoying life! 👍🎸🎤👏

[@HieronymousCheese]

Superb, as usual. Love your version. And...hello Mrs Pachelli. 😊

[@tpaine1968]

So good…you have been a treasure…I love the way you teach these wonderful songs..Thank you

[@thereactors-southbay3276]

Hey Mike- great lesson & backstory ...I've been playing this forever, but will step up to get the precise John rhythm. Your better half has a great voice! This is always an emotional song for me as my brother & I played it at our father's funeral.

[@widely]

oh john. so amazing. thanks for such a detailed analysis. I will try to even come close to playing this right... thanks so much.

[@theratonesallstars]

Thank you Mike for this and all your lessons...all outstanding..i am your fan !

[@blueshawk5649]

Simply my favorite Lennon song.

[@chrissavage1534]

Excellent as always, Mike. That main acoustic sound is pretty spot-on.

[@gtechblues]

It’s the best version I heard for this great song. Thanks for the tutorial…

[@vaccarioou22]

Excellent ! Especially for expunging the spector to reveal a great song - possibly his best.

[@jjazzyt8588]

Excellent work Mike ! An essential piece of music history that you detail perfectly and that is very pleasant to work with, thank you very much!

[@rememberyoureawomble1816]

I always enjoy your videos,so insightful,especially Johns playing,and always inspires to pick up the guitar and have a go.👍

[@matcoffidis1135]

You did a really nice job. John had a very interesting, but different take on rhythm guitar. Oh, that sound-alike is spectacular! Well done...✌️

[@stevenl9072]

Mike, you are the best with these Beatle lessons.

[@paulporto1318]

An excellent, detailed, lesson… very easy-to-follow… and for a song that is rather difficult. Can’t wait to see the chart! Thank you Mike! Your lessons are second to none!

[@Hammerman48]

Great job Mike…..very thorough. Love that you got Lizzie and Gayleen’s parts in!

[@brucewallace3285]

The back story is just as good as the lesson and performance. Thanks!

[@WePlayTheBeatles]

What a lesson! The acoustic guitar sounds simply marvelous.

[@neverforget6523]

sounds like 12string, but looks like 6string.

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

John is amazing

[@alanmeeker2179]

Wow, the history alone would have been worth it, but the lesson is a masterclass in itself - great job!

[@1tigercat2]

I think I just saw John Lennon give you a huge thumbs up! Thank you so much, that was brilliant

[@MrOlegBoldyrev]

Cosmic and majestic like intended. Thank you Mike!

[@alangriff1]

Masterful once again as always Mike. Nice touch to see your wife doing the high parts.

[@MPfrance]

Thanks - It was like pulling teeth to get her to do it! :-)

[@robbiegadeguitar]

The best lesson of a perfect song.

[@AlbieSol560]

Pure poetry from John! Great breakdown Mike, thanks !

[@charleshultquist9233]

Beautiful

[@cameronkanemusic7738]

Never thought I'd play this song. Thanks for making the lesson easy to understand. Coincidentally, I spent the last month drilling on 16th notes, so reading the music was familiar. Great lesson as always!

[@chimaloo]

Brilliant as always Mike 👍👍

[@MPfrance]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@royzug2847]

Always a favorite of mine. Thanks for including it in your lessons. I read somewhere that John was upset with Paul because he didn't support the song. Have you seen that anywhere?

[@MPfrance]

I allude to that in John's comments about the recording. But I didn't want to dwell on it...

[@aceopinions]

It wasn't until I heard the "Naked" version that I realized what a great song this is. I detest what Phil's Spector did to this song on Let it Be. Remember, back in 1970 when Let it Be was released, there was no "alternative" version available - to most of us anyway. Thanks Mike for such a great lesson on such a fantastic John song!

[@elvispresleydaily3952]

Me and my band are your biggest fans Mike!!

[@donniescruggs2931]

Brilliantly crafted!

[@Cookiedust-h5o]

One of the most beautiful vocal melodies in history, IMO. Thanks!

[@andrewpappas9311]

This has always been one of my favourite later Beatles songs, John's acoustic work and lyrics are definitely some of his best. Awesome lesson as always, I know I've kept asking for these but I'd still love to see a lesson on Hey Bulldog, Helter Skelter, I Want You (She's So Heavy), Strawberry Fields Forever or even the Abbey Road Medley (either the individual songs and then put it into one video later or one long video on the entire medley)

[@louislamboley9167]

I'll second the motion on Hey Bulldog. I'd like to know if that's George or Paul on that lead run. Sounds very Paul ish.

[@timetraveler1281]

Appreciate your attention to detail , and sharing your knowledge ! 💥!

[@MPfrance]

I appreciate that!

[@midnightblues717]

Beautifully, beautifully done Mike, thanks for this! Cheers, MB

[@dougwolfberg567]

Good lesson. Thank you.

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Thanks for all this background. I always thought that was a magical song. So much of Lennon’s work is usually right, straight out of the box. Then it gets overproduced. Even his last album, the producer, Jack Douglas, said when he heard the demo tapes where it’s just John singing, and playing piano or guitar, he told John that’s it. Let’s just put this out as is. That’s the album. And he was right. Then it became a John and Yoko album, with that awful screaming, and of course John’s unique voice had to be buried under multiple re-dubbing and echo and who knows what. Thank goodness for the internet, where EVERYTHING that was EVER recorded inevitably finds the light of day…

[@tomatencio9223]

Love the song!!!!

[@J99-v8z]

Another great lesson. Thanks. A question: Lennon's rhythm guitar playing is so underrated. Do you think in this song his strumming patterns were driven by what worked for what he was singing or was he just playing to the groove and whatever worked? It seems like in songs like this or maybe We Can Work It Out, Lennon plays to augment what the vocals are doing as opposed to just feeling the groove.

[@MPfrance]

Yes - John strums to accentuate what's being sung.

[@crazymanemu]

Great video Mike. You actually sound like John. Looking forward to having a go a this myself.

[@purchville]

Amazing lesson, amazing song

[@davidetheridge5123]

Brilliant, as usual Mike!!

[@bobloblaw8099]

Great work, Mike....nailed it, my friend......

[@MsRebelcowboy]

Awesome Job Bro! One of my Most Favorites by the Fab4. Blessings to you 😇

[@BrianAciper]

Brilliant as usual. Sometimes a forensic examination of the way something we love was created detracts from the magic and mystique. Your work only increases my love for the work of these guys, as well as increasing my appreciation for their innate talent and dedication to producing new music that did not necessarily strictly adhere to the strictures of the contemporary music idioms. And I also love your other work, especially Django Reinhardt (even though you take a few liberties by playing with more than two fingers on your fretting hand!). Best wishes from Australia.

[@colinjohnrudd]

That was lovely Mike, thank you! x

[@cjsciandra2623]

Excellent work as always brother 🎸🥁🎶❤️

[@MPfrance]

Thank you kindly!

[@martinwalker3372]

Just brilliant again Mike. Thank you.

[@happy2love339]

this is a owesome ~!! Wonderful analysis~!!! Great~!!!

[@michaelsicowitz362]

You do such a great job on the tunes I grew up on. I've been playing forever, drums too, but don't know quality acoustics. Do you recommend the Taylor? Or would a used D-28 be better? Shame that song got messed up, Phil Spector version is sacrilege. One of John's best. It's LSD influenced with a dash of Donovan.

[@MPfrance]

Go to a music store and play a number of different guitars. Pick the one that fits you the best. Then buy it used on eBay or REVERB.

[@michaelsicowitz362]

Thanks Mike, it's my winter project. Next up is Dear Prudence, again thanks, you're truly an artist@@MPfrance

[@dexrus7659]

Thank you Mike 👍🎸👍

[@ziryabelandaloussi]

What a sound!

[@jamesvalentimfaria]

Nice job Mr. Pacelli as aways!

[@MPfrance]

Glad you like it!

[@tonyhaines2337]

Sweet! I have been playing this wrong (my way) for years. I don't feel so bad struggling with the chords and timings.

[@bendagostino2217]

Lennon is a genius.

[@1heybulldog]

Sounds great!

[@guitarandbeyondplus]

Great stuff Mike !!!

[@kenschachsieck1357]

Great job explaining this song, I agree with Mr Lennon that these are some of his best lyrics..

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

And that's saying something...

[@Geronimo122]

Great lesson! I actually like that G-5 chord, and while unusual, I think it works well leading back to the D. Also, agree 100 percent on the Phil Spector version-- thanks Mike.

[@poshkev1963]

Thanks Mike. You're a legend

[@carlotomass119]

Great job Mike thanks

[@Jorundes]

Hey Mike, Don’t know if you’re going to read this, Could you please make a tutorial for “One and one is two” by Paul McCartney? It’s a unreleased song but it’s amazing and wanted to see if you can make a tutorial because I can’t figure out the strumming pattern like you would

[@dodgedandle8311]

Great Lesson and What a Great Song 🌞❤️⭐️ one of my all time favourites 👍🏻. Just wondering what is the device at the top of the sound hole of your guitar in this video ? .. just curious..🌞

[@ivancabrera5720]

Excellent!!

[@MPfrance]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thenirvalesdjaya4629]

Mike u're very awesome😊

[@davewells4936]

Hey Mike- what did you do just at 5:59-6:00.....I think you hit an extra note but it sounds incredible! I may incorporate it into my playing if I can figure out what you did :)

[@scoby1knoby]

There were only 1200 of those Taylors made. Last guitars before the expression system and bolt on necks started production. I bought mine in 2002.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Nice work Mike, one of my Lennon favorites -it just has that transcendental quality eh?

[@boatworkr]

Great sound a like. I play this on my 12 string to get a natural chorus sound.

[@stephenstrang590]

Let it Be Naked is a fantastic album.

[@MPfrance]

I agree - FAR superior to the LET IT BE album.

[@MrGugglehupf]

Thank you 😊👍❤

[@MPfrance]

You're welcome 😊

It makes laugh all the time when you say, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi "Bear." With Yogi Bear cartoon walking by....sooo funny! Thank you Mike!

[@MPfrance]

I think all 'holy men' are cartoonish!

@@MPfrance Keep up the great work! Greetings from Southern California! And yes, Albert Hammond's song, "It never rains in Southern California." hasn't applied in the past several years. Record rainfall in 80 years and first "Tropical Cyclone" in as many years that ripped through Los Ángeles and So Cal last month!!

[@marcottavi2655]

hello Mike ! Thank you so much. I really like the soud you got here. Did you record the Taylor in stereo to achieve it ? Thanks a lot

[@MPfrance]

@marco - The Taylor was recorded in mono. I used a doubler plug-in on the mix.

[@frednerk8366]

I want this played at my funeral.

[@roncaruso931]

John Lennon...genius.

[@stephenagosto6198]

If you haven't already, please do “One After 909.” Such an interesting history!

[@David-ik9yn]

I think that the flat notes/chords lend themselves well to phasing. I wonder if John wrote it with that in mind.

[@Starman2099]

Thank you

[@camioso]

Love you bro

[@peterfortin7522]

Please do I’m happy just to dance with you!!!

[@mikejones8198]

As usual great but, even though it would not be 'original' it feels like a bass throughout would really round it out and make it a Beatles sound rather than, as you point out, a Lennon 'demo' that never caught their interest. Just a thought.

[@nicklyde4361]

Top man, when it comes to the 'Boys'. ...

[@nathanhartman8585]

Just happen to be learning this on may 18th what

[@gwandao]

One of those few Beatle songs I would skip. That said I think I’m right in saying the recording was the inspiration for Jeff Lynnes compositions with ELO.

[@Michael_Chico]

Hey Mike Pachelli, I’ve been wanting to get a Rickenbacker 325. Should I get a Rickenbacker 325V64 or a 325C64? Which one do you have?

[@MPfrance]

Don’t get any of them. They are horrible guitars!

[@thereactors-southbay3276]

for an anniversary my wife bought me the 325 and I was so excited...until I played it in a band situation. She was kinda bummed I ended up selling it.

[@Michael_Chico]

@@MPfrance What kind of guitars should I get that the Beatles used?

[@MPfrance]

The ONLY one I found that is worth the $$ is the Gretsch Country Gentleman that is made in Japan. Or (what I have) the Gretsch Country Classic (that is also made in Japan) and the same as the Country Gentleman but without the useless mutes.

[@MPfrance]

@thereactors-southbay3276 - Yep - they are only "cool" because Lennon played one.

[@jacklawer6389]

I'd wish paul mccartney and ringo would invite mike all expensives paid to their home. For a get together , he deserves it what he's done with the beatles songs is incredible....