THE BEATLES - MAGIC in UNDER 3 MINUTES - A music lesson from the Fab Four + George Martin

#beatles #musiclesson #songwriting
What is the average length of The Beatles' biggest hits? This video answers that question with examples of brilliantly arranged classic Beatles songs.
Spoiler: ALMOST EVERY HIT that made The Beatles a musical and cultural phenomenon was under 3 minutes long!
Discover this surprising "Bombshell from The Beatles" and experience the magic as I play snippets from major hits including
Love Me Do, Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, And I Love Her, A Hard Day's Night, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper, Norwegian Wood, All My Loving, We Can Work It Out, Yellow Submarine, It Won’t Be Long, She Loves You, Can't Buy Me Love, Help!, Nowhere Man, Eleanor Rigby, and Paperback Writer.
Ultimately, The Beatles and George Martin teach us that it's not the length of a song that gives it impact and gravitas. In many cases, it's the economy of the arrangements - the power of keeping everything tight and to the point. Watch this short video to discover what I mean, then apply what you learn to YOUR OWN playing, singing and song arranging.
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Includes all 194 songs written and sung by The Beatles, transcribed for strumming guitarists, from the actual recordings, in the original keys. Each song includes chord symbols, guitar chord boxes and complete lyrics. Also features a playing guide and full discography.
Robert Cassard shares guitars, gear and tips to make you a better musician.
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Hi, my name is Robert Cassard. Thank you for watching, liking and subscribing.
I am a lifelong guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, and music fanatic. I create Guitar and Recording Discoveries videos to share the pure joy of music - shortcuts to help you play guitar, sing, record and sound great doing it. I learn the hard way so you don’t have to!
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[@LoraxChannel]

I knew the Beatles had several sub-3 minute songs, but not I never realized almost all of them were short. It truly is hard to believe, given that so many of their songs leave the impression of being much longer.

[@RobertCassard]

That's exactly how I reacted to seeing such a LONG list of SHORT songs!

[@ehleroo]

Top-notch analysis. Clever idea making this video 3:49 - the same runtime as “All You Need Is Love.”

[@RobertCassard]

I'm glad you made that connection, because I hadn't! LOL Lots more Beatles-related content for your enjoyment: What the Beatles Taught Me - Complete Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLJUm5NcjSm4h46M-IlNy7xudjxDz8rCZT

[@toolatehello3345]

Eleanor Rigby is an example of how to write an amazing , thought provoking song in around 2 mins. It tells a story of 2 people lives in 3 short verses and leaves the listener spell bound in both its music and its Impactful lyrics.

[@RobertCassard]

So much in such a short time, eh? Lots more Beatles-related content for your enjoyment: What the Beatles Taught Me - Complete Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLJUm5NcjSm4h46M-IlNy7xudjxDz8rCZT

[@57RickH]

Great observations and wonderful examples!

[@RobertCassard]

Glad you like them! More Beatles stuff for your enjoyment: What the Beatles Taught Me - Complete Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLJUm5NcjSm4h46M-IlNy7xudjxDz8rCZT

[@BedeLaplume]

"Old Brown shoes", is one of those great underrated songs.. Awesome solo by Georges..

[@writerpaperback6284]

Cleaver analysis, magic within 3 minutes. Geniuses.

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks. I tried to explain the "under 3 minutes" phenomenon in under 3 minutes, but it took me almost 4! LOL

[@jimiV66]

The Beatles never had wasted notes. Every note had purpose, impact and musicality. From the first note,we knew it was the Beatles on the radio. And from the first note we were committed to hearing the song through. My only complaint is those magical songs were TOO SHORT!

[@bobbest8627]

Great video, Robert. Funny I was just talking about this about a month ago with a friend of mine. Once again, you validated me. When I think of all my loving, it blows me away that John Lennon was playing those triplets on the Ed Sullivan show (using all four fingers) when just about six years before he only knew banjo chords. Yes, magic. The gift that keeps on giving.

[@jvblhc]

And in the middle of everything, Georges does a bit of country because why not and the song is still under 3 minutes.

[@RobertCassard]

Happy I could validate you, @bobbest8627! It is a gift that keeps on giving... Have I turned you on to John and The Beatles' process of writing and recording Strawberry Fields? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJiunKFnpNSmj8k

[@RobertCassard]

That's a great solo!

[@Slydeil]

Absolutely spot on, their songs are succinct, yet packed full of ideas and always "perfect", never overstaying their welcome. I find a lot of music now has superfluous flab or padding, and is a case of "never mind the quality feels the width". I'd like to highlight Jellyfish, the only band I've come across with the same sort of ethos of melody, eclecticism and musicality. Unfortunately they only managed 2 albums but they were close to perfectionism, and the leaner Bellybutton is my favourite.

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks for the Jellyfish tip. Great stuff!

[@Slydeil]

​@@RobertCassardThey are pure ear candy, poptastic! Everything I had looked for in a band. They even have songwriting partnership at the heart...which turned sour, after Spilt Milk. And so many offshoots...

[@RobertCassard]

@@Slydeil I'll listen more closely over the weekend!

[@alkitzman9179]

Glad I discovered your channel Robert. These Beatle videos are fantastic. Yes sometimes less is more in Music

[@RobertCassard]

Glad you like them, Al! Lots more Beatles-related content for your enjoyment: What the Beatles Taught Me - Complete Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLJUm5NcjSm4h46M-IlNy7xudjxDz8rCZT

[@paulbessell6154]

Yep. When it comes to song structure, they became the industry yardstick. One small thing I would add is that, unlike many songwriters who put everything into the chorus, The Beatles (and GM) never underestimated the power of a melodic and memorable verse - some of their songs barely even had choruses the verse was so powerful. E.G I Should Have Known Better; You Can't Do That; Mr Kite; A Day In The Life. Of course, we could then get into the slippery territory of what constitutes a 'chorus', so we'd probably better not go there on the internet! 😀

[@RobertCassard]

I agree, Paul. I spent more time listening to early Beatles hits today and was struck by the tunes that have very short choruses, sometimes just a line at the end of the verse. Numerous songs repeat the middle eight twice.

[@RevivalPortland]

You are very smart, thanks

[@RobertCassard]

So nice of you. You might also enjoy this video series on each of the Beatles: What I learned from John: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e52wnGZ9j62lg9k What I learned from George: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jouThaObarR2j7s What I learned from Paul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2rbYWyQa7ykqbs What I learned from Ringo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGXbe5eIZbutaqs What I learned from George Martin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXvRmp2LipeEoLMsi=UPNBlOKrfn-S5pHs Have fun!

[@pierreolivier1486]

Tout est dit !!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@RobertCassard]

Il m'a fallu presque 4 minutes pour expliquer ce que les Beatles étaient capables de faire en moins de 3 minutes !

[@pammickle3935]

I thought radio AM radio wanted short songs so the DJ could fit in more ads.

[@jimiV66]

This fact contributed to the Beatles getting so much airplay

[@RobertCassard]

I'm sure you're correct. Deejays back then often liked intros they could talk over, and many promo 45s of the era have the length of the intro stamped right on the label. The songs with NO intro served another purpose as they could fit into small spaces leading up to "the top of the hour."

[@jimiV66]

@@RobertCassard I liked that the Beatles started songs intros, verse or chorus. Brilliant creativity. Intros are a lost art

[@Pajko-g2y]

There's a Place 1 : 49, pure magic.

[@RobertCassard]

Wow!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

With all due respect, there were some short songs that I dislike that seem to drag on forever! Fortunately for me the early Beatles songs are still my favorites! Robert can you tell me what the average lengths of more recent songs are?

[@RobertCassard]

Do you mean the more recent Beatles songs? Or the average lengths of hit songs generally?

[@hippojuice23]

..and most Guided By Voices tunes (used to) clock out at lest than 1.50!

[@RobertCassard]

Tight!

[@elizabethingram9784]

Never underestimate the contribution of George Martin. 😊

[@RobertCassard]

I couldn't agree more, @elizabethingram9784! In case you missed this: What George Martin taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXvRmp2LipeEoLMsi=UPNBlOKrfn-S5pHs

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Yeah, after the Beatles, Mr Martin did SO much with America (biggest hit: Tin Man, only went to #4), and, um, who else? Oh yeah, no one else. Except for a Beatle named Paul in 1973. But thank God Mr Martin was there for the Beatles. He was equipped to rise to the challenge. The end.

[@RobertCassard]

@@BeatlesCentricUniverse You need to read Martin's bio: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martin He produced a lot of stuff and had plenty of hits in the 70s and 80s, notably with McCartney. But almost as importantly, he was co-founder/owner of AIR Studios in London, Montserrat, and Hampstead, where countless classic LPs were recorded.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@RobertCassard I've read Martin's three books. (I owned them all way before you, lol). I stand by my statement.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@RobertCassard All that being said, I really enjoyed all five of your Beatle-related videos! You brought some legit insight.

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

Good advice for success in the music industry. Not necessarily for making good music. Still, a case that popular music can also be GOOD music. Even in an age of short attention spans.

[@RobertCassard]

Interesting point, @Kermit_T_Frog. Short songs were the norm in the early-to-mid 60s, and were demanded by radio stations. Of course, the later Beatles were part of the evolution toward longer songs and Album Oriented Rock. Rick Beato just released a video about how short songs are firmly back on the charts, likely for a variety of reasons, including artists' streaming credits and TikTok-short attention spans. I personally don't much care what the length of a song is, as long as it's good all the way through. But I was pretty surprised that ALL those Beatles hits were under 3 minutes long! One of my (unusual) originals called "Om," released last year, clocks in at just 2:13: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZzEh6qojpisqrssi=Fbitu5pL9lxjc3ue

[@vitoguttilla2926]

Simple.. The Beatles were Magic. Everything that happened to them was perfect, either timing or being in the right place at the right time. If Paul hadn't met John , The Beatles wouldn't have happened.

[@RobertCassard]

All 4/5 were essential to the synergy. Here are the other videos in the series, in case you missed any: What John taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e52wnGZ9j62lg9k What George taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jouThaObarR2j7s What Paul taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2rbYWyQa7ykqbs What Ringo taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGXbe5eIZbutaqs What George Martin taught me: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXvRmp2LipeEoLMsi=UPNBlOKrfn-S5pHs

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

The new mixes are so good…but we’re not gonna talk about that walrus situation.

[@RobertCassard]

The 62-66 compilation is a revelation because they songs have more edginess. The Beatles were a ROCK band. You can hear the valves on their AC30s whining away!

[@davidwhite8220]

Just a quick note: I just heard two AI songs, and both had "off-beat, over-flow". So AI has figured out that part of the game.

[@RobertCassard]

Wow…it’s happening, whether I want it to or not!

[@davidwhite8220]

@@RobertCassard Since the instructions for the AI were (bizarrely) to sound like 90s and Country, the chords were pretty damn boring. The guy who produced the video, if you're interested, goes by "Wings of Pegasus".

[@RobertCassard]

@@davidwhite8220 I know Fil’s channel. He does good analyses of vocals and auto-tuning.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Hmmm. You're learning over into Martin apologist territory. He fully deserves credit where it's due. But don't overstate it. (And you are.)

[@RobertCassard]

I've done videos on all five Beatles, including Martin, because each of them had a major individual and collective impact on my musical path. John, Paul, George and Pete/Ringo had already been turned down by every label in England. You and I probably wouldn't be corresponding on this thread if Martin hadn't signed them.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@RobertCassard I'm grateful Martin was there. But you are overstating his part. Look what he brought for America, after the Beatles. Ummm, next to nothing. Only other time in his career he accomplished anything noteworthy was the 2 times he worked again with Paul. Martin brought exquisite musical skill and taste and finesse to their productions. But the talent and skill of the Beatles would have allowed them to become as well-known regardless of producer.

[@RobertCassard]

@@BeatlesCentricUniverse There's no way to know if they would have been "as well-known" without GM, but it's quite possible they would never have been signed. Did you watch my video about What George Martin taught me? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXvRmp2LipeEoLMsi=UPNBlOKrfn-S5pHs To me, all four core members + Martin were essential to the synergy that made and sustained their excellence and their fame. Just because Martin didn't help other bands or artists achieve Beatles-level success after the Fab Four disbanded doesn't mean they could or would have achieved the same level of popularity without him. Perhaps because I've been a producer myself, I know how important a producer can be as the cornerstone on which the entire recording process is built. Some of the projects I've produced simply wouldn't have happened if I hadn't taken the initial risk and committed myself to give structure to the project. GM helped harness The Beatles' raw talent into something more potent and powerful than it otherwise would have been.

[@davidcox8945]

Coincidentally, the average sexual congress also lasts about 3 minutes ( or so I have heard )….🖖🏻

[@RobertCassard]

Song = Sex

[@davidcox8945]

@@RobertCassard Ravels Bolero for the conscientious

[@OldBenOne]

@@davidcox8945Great, now I can't get that out of my head.

[@davidcox8945]

@@OldBenOne lol

[@georgegemmell6231]

And Why… their Live shows were only 20 ish mins long ! Lol 😅. 30 if they Liked you… Of course, Hey Jude broke the mold on the short stuff.. Another Beatle ‘first’

[@RobertCassard]

Right you are, George. There's a shift in 1967, where suddenly they sometimes pushed the boundaries in the OTHER direction. Strawberry Fields in over 4 minutes and Hey Jude really broke the mold. But it was THE BEATLES, so radio played those songs regardless of length.