Let's check out John Lennon's ISOLATED LIVE vocal AND lead guitar playing!

[@gravano2]

The greatest band ever - there will never be anything like this again .

[@suzettebavier4412]

that's Right

[@ludannelasyvyus1824]

@gravano2 Exactly, often copied, BUT NEVER DUPLICATED. I've been waiting since they called it quits, for another group to replace them, or close to them. Nope, NEVER happened 🤷 Though there certainly are other great bands.

[@M-zd8su]

Agreed!!!!

[@soullimbo]

Wow, those isolated backing vocals are unreal, the harmony is....just so good.

[@davidsatinoff2354]

Well that's why they're The Beatles

[@davidsatinoff2354]

But of co I wonder I wonder if anybody knows who came up with the background vocals whether it was George himself or a collaboration or whatever urse we take it for granted but I still think George Harrison's backup vocals were very underrated tho they were very simple

[@thenewholistic]

My son fell in love/obsession with the Beatles at 2 years old. He helped me appreciate the early Beatles’ years in a new way. They are the best band that ever existed. BAR NONE. Their legacy will continue to enrich humanity, forever. Thank God for the Beatles.

[@tjcint]

Nicely said.

[@hw343434]

He’s applying the rasp on a precise emotional line: “I go out of my mind!” John is literally going wild to express the emotion of that line in the song, so I think he applies it methodically and emotionally at the same time to fit the lyric and mood of the song

[@kbchaffin53]

This was George Harrison's favorite Beatle song. It's my all time favorite live clip. Lennon was so great, this is his song, the full Beatle look, the boots, and the only solo Lennon played live. That whole show is just magic. Thank you Australia.

[@annakermode6646]

John played lead live on “Get Back” on the rooftop

[@kbchaffin53]

@@annakermode6646 I know.

[@annakermode6646]

@@kbchaffin53 my comment was because you said that the "you can't do that" solo was the only one he played live. Figured you mustn't have known. All good 🙂

[@montyholway4297]

@@kbchaffin53 hate to say it but he also played a solo in Long Tall Sally

[@scottthorstein]

@@montyholway4297 And Honey Pie.

[@noonetime8478]

John Lennon's voice will always be my favourite, there are many singers that I really admire but I've always imagined, in my dreams that I sound exactly like him but that can only be in dreams, you can't work your way to sounding like that. When he sings a rock song, I like the raspy element, power and unique tone in that voice. And his ballad voice is so beautiful.. the right amount of nasal(ness), the weight, the unique tone and the soulful delivery

[@ianbartle456]

Beautifully written - you've nailed it well here.

[@ricopaulson1]

Nothing gets my rocks off like early Lennon vocals where he is pushing his vocal into some grit. Anna, Yes it is, It Won't Be Long, Twist and Shout etc. I'm a singer and writer as well, so I get wanting that power. When he sings like that you catch a glimpse of what people saw when they were young. Shitty PA (if there even was one) and singing rock and roll made them tight and gave them these vocal chops. Seeing them play the R&B and blues covers they loved live early on must of been electric. John screaming because it's the only way to hear himself. JFC. I bet it was amazing.

[@scottlewis1530]

And how is it that Lennon's voice always sounds doubled, like it's tracked twice but actually isn't (as this video shows)? You really hear it here, and on Strawberry Fields and I Am The Walrus. Is there a formal term for this attribute?

[@timtonner946]

Nicely stated.

[@Rick-lo9sd]

Very well said!

[@drewpall2598]

When an impact of a band is still talked about, and their music still being played on the radio 30, 40, and 50 years after the band had called it quit and each member has gone on their separate ways or passed on tell you how great they were, and their music still is. Thanks Fil, Paul, John, George and Ringo. 😊

[@kellywilliams6151]

The Beatles will be talked about 500 years from now.

[@pit2ryan3]

Drew Pall - It's called marketing... Lots of stuff is famous after many more years, and sometimes it's really bad...

[@jb-vb8un]

agree with young Fil, re: BEATLES body of work ( 300 ? hits ) - That places the ' fab 4 ' in the dizzying heights with other composers as BACH, MOZART, BEETHOVEN. Those damn long-hair foreigners .... blimey

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@pit2ryan3 Wrong. Music that lasts for 100's of years is real - marketing doesnt last that long. And every modern person knows about marketing

[@pit2ryan3]

@@granthurlburt4062 - Of course you're not into the marketing biz at all, right?

[@TR4Ajim]

The amazing thing about these vocals; they’re singing against all that screaming WITHOUT VOCAL MONITORS!! I’ve sung in clubs without monitors and that was tough. I can’t imagine in a large auditorium, with screems, staying in tune at all. Performing all those years in England and Germany really paid off.👍

[@robertakerman3570]

re: screaming; John's "going out of My mind" , I believe was intentional to convey the lyrics.

[@suelucey9621]

.. and he didn't just say "f@#k it" and scream or go out of tune. Professionals all the way!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I’ve played in bands too, unfortunately no throngs of screaming girls. But yeah I remember a gig where I can’t hear the vocals or really the guitars very well. I remember just feeling the thud of the bass and drum and playing to that hoping I’m on key and on the right beat. That’s where being well rehearsed really pays off.

[@Voirreydirector]

@@robertakerman3570 yup, form follows content.

[@robertakerman3570]

@@Voirreydirector Susan, I appreciate UR response

[@Sheamarie]

My first concert was 56 years ago today, the Beatles, in St Louis Mo, Aug 21, 1966. It was pouring rain, they played about 11 songs in 30 minutes. They only played 4 more concerts after that. Thank you for your review. I always enjoy your reviews. Keep Smiling :).

[@coldlakealta4043]

August 17, 1965 @ 8 pm at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada - horrible sound/sightlines but it didn't matter - we were there!

[@lisag18]

Awesome!!!!

[@jerrypugh8893]

Saw them , sept 13 baltimore civic center 1964 Afternoon 2 pm show

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

I was in Memphis two days earlier aug 19, 1966

[@oldermusiclover]

would have liked to have seen them with out the screaming mimis

[@tjcint]

The more I learn about John Lennon, the more I admire and am in awe of him .. he was so different to any other .. his gifts, his shouldering of the greatest group we have ever seen, his impact on this world .. he was a titan, a force of nature, a great soul in the truest sense of this expression. He is with the greats in history.

[@johnrogers9481]

Yes! I'd say he.was ten.steps ahead of everyone else, the world was trailing behind him, behind his influence. And wow yeah, to hold it all together through all of what was going on! Astounding!

[@tjcint]

@@johnrogers9481 A great comment.

[@kellysmith3628]

John Lennon is my idol he has influenced my playing, vocals he was so ahead of his time.The more you learn about someone like John you will realize that R&R changed his life for the better.

[@emanuellandeholm5657]

John Lennon was always my idol growing up. I was eight years old when I got the news that he had been killed, and I remember this to this day. I know there's a meme for this, but this was actually a thing that radically changed my view of things. I learned that even god like beings could be taken out, just like that. It kind of up-ended my entire world view. As I've grown older, I've increasingly become aware of the problematic stuff John Lennon did. The violence in his teens, the hard drug use, splitting up the Beatles, John & Yoko, his kids, all of those things. I just have to step back and accept that John was a huge influence on me in my "tender" years, and I really don't have to defend everything he did.

[@tjcint]

@@emanuellandeholm5657 A warning if I may ... Much of what is written about John is false/false characterization. One way you could look at him is to look at the beauty in his work. It is extraordinarily beautiful ... If I fell, Across The Universe, Grow Old With Me and many more. Such beauty cannot come from a man who is not extraordinarily beautiful. It is impossible. As below, so above. Who he was is in his work. It is not in accounts penned by shallow, judgemental know-it-alls. Another important reality is Yoko is a powerful witch. She blinded and enslaved John. He was in great inner pain in the last years of his life. He was in an occult prison. The truth is John was a great soul, in the true sense of this expression. He was born to bring great love and light through music to mankind, and he did. He is up there with the greats of history.

[@1Moonchild]

Love this analysis. I always felt John Lennon's guitar and vocal abilities were often overlooked and overshadowed by his writing ability. Thanks for highlighting just how good he was.

[@hw343434]

Yep, John criminally underrated as a guitar player and guitar riff master

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Fil, you're spot on, there was never a gratuitous (or extended - unnecessary) solo in any of the Beatles songs. They were also perfectly tailored to the song....much like Ringo's sympathetic drumming.

[@BazzerObama]

60 years on from ‘Love Me Do’……….and there’s still never been anyone to touch them, amazing band.

[@CrankCase08]

Not that it has anything to do with the issue here.

[@deed.3230]

Always loved Lennon’s voice and style, nothing against McCartney, he was great too, but for me it was John. Thanks for this excellent analysis!

[@kb9788]

@@A.Briggs628 John just had the emotion and edge. The voice!

[@wendyjohansen6174]

@@kb9788 a voice which HE hated.

[@charlieleonardo]

One of the finest lead vocals in popular music!

[@satorified1612]

I’m a Lennon guy all the way and recently I saw a guy who looked like him at a drugstore in town. When I told him this, I was shocked when he responded, “Yeah, I was always more of a McCartney guy.” Guess I assumed because he looked JL, he would prefer his music, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

[@charlieleonardo]

@@satorified1612 in my youth I was told I had PM in Wings period look, however I was a JL fan 100%

[@patriciaeddy7629]

John could always keep things lively by his improvising and rerouting tunes around. It was his way.💜 He was always seeing how much he could get by with. John could always keep Paul smiling.💜

[@adox26]

It’s amazing how well The Beatles live works holds up considering the circumstances under which it was recorded.

[@M-zd8su]

So very true !! Another true fan of The Beatles since 1964. Never tire of listening and enjoying a Beatles tune. RIP John and George.

[@garymclaughlin9559]

Early Beatles were ALL about John Lennon. His songwriting. Guitar playing. Stage presence. Confidence and wit. They are all hardly mortal, but John was the force that created the Beatles.

[@yvonnelygo681]

John was known to have extremely high I. Q. Amen.

[@JeffJones-tg7pj]

Paul is a musical genius and technically a better player than John.

[@Aderin.]

​@@JeffJones-tg7pj yeah

[@Aderin.]

That was the opposite in the later videos

[@eh-i1841]

For me,and I was a mid-teenager,when they burst on the scene,the Beatles were all about Paul.For my best friend,they were all about John.But then,we were mostly going on animal magnetism.

[@joycejohnson7164]

John had true rock 'n roll voice. (you've really got a hold on me)

[@tammydoolittle6054]

John Lennon was a great vocalist and guitarist, he was also my favorite Beatle. I love a lot of his songs as well as a lot of Beatles songs. It was another great analysis, and I enjoyed watching your demonstrations on your guitar.

[@mikedovsky]

John has always been my favorite Beatle. He is also my favorite male vocalist.

[@LoneJedi]

It's hard not to love the greatest rock vocals of all time

[@ITILII]

Not to mention that John is the greatest songwriter of ALL time too !

[@mikedovsky]

@@ITILII Agreed!

[@tjcint]

@@ITILII I totally agree.

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

Music Critics of the 60's named John the best rock vocalist of the decade. They weren't wrong.

[@ianbartle456]

No small honour. There were solid solid contenders. I'd rate Jagger, Daltrey and perhaps even before them, the stellar work of Eric Burdon. No slouches any of them, but Burdon also had a voice to move you in the depths of your being.

[@shawnkennedy855]

Lennon said Burdon was the best blues singer in England,but that might have been a little dig at Jagger.@@ianbartle456

[@jeffhorn1992]

And he was

[@deniseg812]

Charles Huhn Humble Pie​@@ianbartle456

[@slavaukraini404]

Actually McCartney was the greatest, his range was beyond belief. Lennon was second. Together they are unbelievable.

[@lindaross783]

I saw them in 8/1964 in San Francisco. My mom knew I was having a tough time and wrote a sad letter to the Cow Palace and they sent me a ticket in the fifth row in front of John. First song was Twist and Shout. Thanks Ma... My dad was a really good guitarist, so from listening to him play and talk about music I enjoy Fil's critiques.

[@drewpall2598]

@Linda Ross thanks for sharing your memories with us. 😊

[@mattfoley2315]

I was to young to go , but sister went, three years older, and still has the cigarettes that they had on stage, yellow blue and pink. Lucky for her and you. Peace and Love

[@johnmorgan2619]

🤣 dang. I'm 70 now.. I grew up in DALY CITY. ... wish I was there... ( Lived very close to the COW PALACE)☺️

[@PAD939]

I don't care Linda Ross

[@ianbartle456]

Even today few singers would be confident to begin with Twist & Shout.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

Paul may have provided the cleaner vocals, but John had that good old ripping voice. Not that Paul couldn't rip it, he could, quite well, but John's vocal qualities are just dirty enough to make it a great, quintessential rock and roll voice, the kind that just grabs ya. So hard to believe he's been gone longer than he was alive. RIP John, we still miss ya.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

@steve phillips Now junior, behave yourself!

[@moeb4348]

Johnny could also sing so sweet as in his song "Julia". The guy is a great vocalist!

[@63002]

John better for sure.

[@konstantia1607]

How much fun their old songs were! I feel like here they were bringing the energy and knowledge from a zillion hours of practice on the Reeperbahn! Thank you, Fil, for the great analysis❤️

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Exactly true! No rock music group in 1962 had worked as hard as they had to get where they were. Their whole set list was muscle memory by that point.

[@konstantia1607]

@@sourisvoleur4854 Hi Souris! I agree! They arrived in very rough shape, and Hamburg was a very rough place. The long hours of learning and playing on stage transformed them. Muscle memory, yes! I'll add that I met someone I'd never heard of named Tony Sheridan when I was a teenager in Greece, and got to know him a little. He talked about how he and the Beatles were all very young together in Hamburg and how they all helped each other and recorded together. I didn't know then, and not until way later, that he was being very modest! So many musicians, recording engineers, oldtimers from Hamburg, etcetera, tell quite the story! Not the Wikipedia/Beatles fan sites versions.... Tony was already a sensation there, as a singer and guitarist. The trailblazer. He had been a child prodigy in England, trained in violin and voice, and he taught himself guitar. That machine-gun stance at the front of the stage that became John's trademark was totally Tony, according to Gerry Marsden (who also adopted it!) The Beatles all called him "the Teacher", and George, who remained a lifelong friend, said that everything he knew about rock-and-roll he learned from Tony Sheridan. (I think maybe he also kept them alive, physically!! It was a pretty dangerous scene---and he was an imposing figure back then.) Speaking personally, I can say he was an extremely kind and wonderful teacher---generous and patient. Sang all these old songs to me. Ultra-beautifully. My own feeling now is that, without Tony, the boys might of course have succeeded in some form/combination. But they couldn't have become the Beatles we know.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

@@konstantia1607 Interesting story! Thanks for that. They had so many lucky breaks that channeled their amazing talent into what became the Beatles.

[@theyrekrnations8990]

There was no one to touch the young John Lennon. He and Paul had the voices and the professionalism

[@ianbartle456]

Yes. Great as they were, the Rolling Stones didn't compare with their own approach to harmony. To give him his due, Jagger doubtless looked at the very static nature of the Beatles performances and cleverly opted to MOVE in a different direction - and vive le difference! Another from the era who went with the more powerful style of singing and visual presentation was of course Roger Daltrey. A relevant factor was that as music turned for r'n'r into full-on rock, the stages got bigger and the singer needed to own more space to big up their visual presence in the way new large PAs allowed them to big up their vocal presence.

[@onyourmarkphoto]

Fascinating that they were able to sing in tune yet alone harmonize so accurately with that much screaming drowning them out. Quite a moment in time. And for Paul to laugh at John's slight miss in the solo shows you how comfortable they were on stage. Thank you for sharing this.

[@jamesmcgowen1769]

I find it amazing Paul could even hear the miss of John’s solo, unless John made a facial expression to Paul to say oops! I remember Ringo saying he couldn’t hear what they were playing due to not having fold back speakers on stage, he said just watching John, Paul and George perform he knew where they were up to in the song!

[@rachelled6763]

I first heard the Beatles at the age of 12. I listened to their first album songs like Twist and Shout, Anna, Please Please me and was drawn to John Lennon like a magnet and still am to this day. There was something very unique and special about him. I think you say it well Fil, when you describe how John uses his chest voice to convey emotion with that rasp and plays the guitar to fit with the mood of the song. It reflects so much of his personality; his immense rawness and passion as a person. He gets you in and your hooked with his voice. I enjoyed your guitar playing analysis so much on John. I just can't find anyone that articulates such knowledge and insight and plays by ear so well when doing demos on KZbin of performers as you do. Thank you so much. Your channel is brilliant.

[@ianbartle456]

You've described John well here. He definitely seemed to get served a double dose of charisma, both as a person and as a musician. His was a voice and a perspective that was destined to affect people. His various imperfections failed to define him - his passion and belief in truth and authenticity did.

[@rachelled6763]

@@ianbartle456 Well said!

[@joshwmusic6838]

Some great Lennon raspy vocal performances are in the songs Rock N Roll Music, Twist And Shout, Yer Blues, I Want You (She's So Heavy), I Call Your Name, Mr Moonlight, I Should Have Known Better, Tell Me Why, Don't Let Me Down and Hey Bulldog just to name a few

[@bluesound666]

Suddenly listening Mr. Moonlight from the anthology version again, great voice

[@stevefranckhauser7989]

Add Bad Boy to that list.

[@cadeevans4623]

John Lennon is a legend love the guy fil

[@dvelilla]

Johns natural rasp is on FULL display during Twist and Shout as it was the last song put on tape at the end of a typically long marathon recording day. They did one full take and attempted to start a second take but John simply had nothing left vocally so it was stopped a few seconds in. That one take was still good enough to become the master and is considered by many rock historians as the greatest single take in rock history!

[@ianbartle456]

If there's a contender, I'd be more than interesting to take another listen to it.

[@c.e.anderson558]

Yeah he wasn't trying to be raspy he had no voice left. He was actually shouting the whole song. And I read he hated his vocal and wouldn't listen to it for years.

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

Exactly what I was thinking of when Fil was talking about John’s chest voice at 8:18

[@kevinknight470]

Saw the Beatles live and when the scream wave died, the singing and music was spot on. Amazing group to here live considering the time and conditions they had to play in. Excellent analysis, thanx Fil.🙂

[@johnnymouse886]

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

My sister said if she screamed as well it helped her hear them. I also had a ticket offered but declined, I was quite young at the time and wanted to watch Batman I think it was on TV instead! What a dummy I was, lol.

[@MysticOblong]

@@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus Seeing Batman on TV when it was first broadcast is very cool too though!

[@RaiderLeo1]

@@rmacdougallaliasdogviticusMy sister had a ticket for me for 1964 concert in Adelaide, Australia. I became a bit overawed at the last minute (12yo) and my mother took my place.

[@hw343434]

Another example of John strategically applying the rasp to fit the lyric/emotion of the song is on “I’m So Tired” where he puts on the rasp on the line “I’m going insane!” kind of like he does here on “I go out of my mind!”

[@Voirreydirector]

Good point about a highly underrated track.

[@pit2ryan3]

Andres C - May I recommend you listening to Frankie Miller, one of the best blues-rock shouters ever?

[@hw343434]

@@pit2ryan3 cool, will check him out! Thanks

[@josephmango4628]

What really floors me about the Beatles is the incredible transformation they went through both musically and physically in a mere eight years. From their polished look on Ed Sullivan to the Titanhurst photo shoot is mind-boggling. Thank you, Fil! Always love watching your clips.

[@igorszamaszow171]

and it wasn't even eight years, more like five and a half

[@maryasbury7814]

I love John Lennon'voice. They were all great it took George awhile but his voice and songwriting fit his style. I read somewhere that John hated his singing voice.

[@WeirdScienceComics]

He did, but that lead to him doing a lot of experimental things with it - lying down, adding flange, echo, delay… and much more!

[@charlieleonardo]

Yes I liked John’s vocals best: ‘Ticket to Ride’, ‘Should’ve Known Better’, ‘Revolution’, ‘Come Together’ & of course ‘Ballad of John & Yoko’!

[@daraorourke5798]

And his gentle songs like You've Got to Hide Your Love Away or In My Life

[@charlieleonardo]

@@daraorourke5798 for sure!

[@ThisBirdHasFlown]

I think George always had a very nice voice, even if he was never on Paul or John's level.

[@cherriberri7161]

Phenomenal choice today! I love the raspiness of John’s voice in the early days! My main frustration is when the cameras panned on the strumming rather then the fret, lawd I want to see those marvelous illusive cords they are playing! Someone needed to school the camera operator on that point! Love your channel Fil and The Beatles are my all time #1 group! 💖 I wanted to add that John Lennon & Mike Smith (DC5) have the best rock screams ever!

[@pkoven]

It's particularly frustrating since this was the only song from that era on which Lennon played lead guitar, and this the only recording of this song live. and during the lead, the cameraman was somewhere so we can't watch him play the lead.

[@cherriberri7161]

@@pkoven it happens a lot it seems, I have to try and work the cords out myself and as you may know the published cords are never correct they’re usually very sterile lol

[@Roystothecoolkid]

John always told the camera man to pan away from him when's he's soloing, all because John wasn't that confident in his lead playing.

[@SpaceCattttt]

But don't you know that it's all in the right hand for right-handed men, Cherri? 😂

[@GeorgeCrosley]

Do you mean elusive chords?

[@starwood213]

Fantastic analysis. I love John's voice. It's mesmerising. Totally agree about the solos. They were designed to be part of the song, not as a stand alone piece.

[@LisaGemini]

John thought he wasn't a good singer. Crazy, huh? Thanks for doing this, they're my faves. Nobody else will be better than them. Never.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

His Voice on his Cover of Stand by me is pretty bad.

[@daveman_50]

Lots of rock musicians who grew up with the Beatles learned to apply this rasp as the "normal" way to sing. Thank you John!

[@BobChristopher]

Don Henley. Perfect example of using “that” rasp. It’s made Henley a multi millionaire.

[@johnleduc5276]

John and Paul worked so well together because he was a genuine TOUGH GUY. Nobody was going to mess around with these four cats- every band needs that level of confidence, playing in bars. I read he actually threw a knife at some heckler. In Germany, when he had some beers, he jumped up on stage and screamed, "Bloody f---n' Nazis", with his Hitler salute! He was afraid of NO one and the other band mates felt this confidence

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

I just turned 68 and John’s rasp still makes me catch my breath. Thank you, Fil, for singing the line with and without the head voice. Singing in the chest voice really does add emotion to the rasp. I wonder if not being classically trained allowed them to make up their own rules and conquer the music industry?

[@carolinej3661]

Yes! That was what was so delicious about John's singing - that gravelly, "raspy," effect that was so sexy-sounding. Thanks for explaining how it happened.....Also, listening/watching your analyses of The Beatles has made me much more aware of their superlative talent not just as composers, singers, performers, but as musicians/players totally in control of their instruments....

[@rosemarygilman8718]

This was excellent, Fil. You ponted out a lot about what John was doing with his guitar playing that I hadn't realized before. I'm learning so much from your videos. Thank you!

[@angelsshare.]

This was so much fun, dissecting each chord change, especially the part where Paul chuckles at John's flub on the D-string bend. Fantastic analysis again, thank you!

[@ianbartle456]

Face like an angel, ears like a flaming elephant, that Paul. Gifted like very few before or since.

[@TDAMGIRL]

oh wow John Lennon was my favorite Beatle but I loved them all. I got to see them twice. I lost my voice for 2 weeks after that. It was worth it, ❣👍

[@augustdaye2746]

I've always been amazed at how accurate their harmonies are live.

[@olga138]

I was a mindless teenager just singing along with the records, so I really appreciate this analysis now that I have enough musical education to appreciate it. Thanks, Fil!

[@MsAppassionata]

Lol. Same here.

[@thomasparker9638]

I remember watching this at my cousin's house sixty years ago! A simple but bad-ass guitar solo by John combined with a very simple electric 12-string part by George backing up their vocals made this song a hard rockin' hit!

[@chazmann108]

As an 8 year old in 1964 listening to John singing this I was a little scared but compelled by his voice. Not until years later did I understand John's angst but it was in his voice for all to hear! John was SUCH a great SINGER, and in many songs "You're Gonna Lose that Girl", "No Reply" he let it be known; later in "Norwegian Wood". I have ALWAYS loved John's songs and SO EASY to distinguish them from Paul's even tho they collaborated. I was a child Beatlemaniac and had the 'baseball cards' where I learned that George's favorite guitar player was Chet Atkins. So easy to hear that now. Wish I still had those Beatlecards now. My 3rd grade teacher (a nun) confiscated them from me. They were my cherished possessions but back then you did not argue with THE NUNS!

[@cathyortiz1280]

I love the raspy vocals. It sounds very Rock & Roll to me. On one song where he wanted to sound really raspy, I heard he deliberately yelled for hours beforehand. It's strange to me that I've heard John didn't like his own voive. I always preferred John's songs & vocals. But Paul could do the rock scream that Little Richard taught him when they were on tour in the early days. I used to have an early songbook of Beatles songs with "Beatle chords" because they guessed at them in the early days. They didn't learn all the real chords until later.

[@stevegordon8474]

John Lennon is the greatest rock singer ever in my opinion. He is greater than Presley despite Elvis having an overall better voice because John delivers real edge and intensity, which is what singing Rock 'n Roll is all about. Elvis could deliver high intensity too but primarily he preferred singing ballads whereas John was always a rocker. So on this basis, Lennon is #1, Elvis #2, and McCartney #3. After them, based on intensity being the most important measure of a rock singer, #4 is Jim Morrison, and #5 is Kurt Cobain. They are the top 5 in my view.

[@slipperynoodle20]

Somewhere in your list you misspelled Little Richard.😉

[@stevegordon8474]

@@slipperynoodle20 Haha, I'm not that bad a speller, Tom but Little Richard would probably make the next tier, the next five, along with Jerry Lee Lewis. I'd like to place Bon Scott, John Fogerty, Gene Clark, and Chrissy Amphlett too although the last two deliver more of an emotional intensity than a full-on vocal assault. Fortunately, there are many, many brilliant and original rock singers who could go on such a list so determining a list with solely objective criteria is fraught with trouble. I am grateful to Fil for at last explaining in his brilliant analysis why Lennon's voice has so much appeal. That was nothing short of a revelation.

[@buddyneher9359]

I love your enthusiasm for the Fab Four. They rule 4ever!

[@johnford7671]

Wow. I’m blown away by the attention to detail here. Really satisfying and enlightening about the greatest band ever.

[@roypemberton1983]

What an amazing piece of analysis of technique, both vocal and guitar! Such a great demonstration of the degree of sheer mastery of understated technique present ever present in the Beatles work, focused on musicality and musical feel rather than egotistical virtuosity. So many postings about the Beatles dismiss the incredible (especially given how pioneering every element of their work was) performing talent and focus on their writing talent. Whilst that is undoubtedly amazing too, the essence of their sound came from their performance skills, honed by their intensive performance schedule in Hamburg, as this post clearly demonstrates. Those rhythm and lead patterns, together with their mastery of vocal technique, are central to the Beatles sound and its amazing to see it broken down in this way - a clear illustration of their superiority over other artists and bands of the time. As this piece illustrates, they were so practiced in these techniques and their impact on the total sound that they simply did it instinctively when we mere mortals have to spend time working it out. Let's not forget, as mentioned in the piece, that the other amazing component was how supremely their three part harmonies worked together. It's such a shame that people focus on what a brilliant singer Lennon was and miss the brilliance of how complementary their vocal styles were. Yes, Lennon had the edge and the rasp, McCartney was 'sweet' and George was a little 'nasal' but that worked brilliantly as a composite. The guesswork on the reason for Paul's laughter illustrates another, hugely important fact, that they were so closely attuned to each other that they would recognise when there was something a little divergent. Whilst they were amazing on many fronts- writing, playing, etc., their single biggest strength was that they worked as a single integrated unit that was greater than the sum of their parts. Though this piece focuses on vocal and guitar technique so doesn't touch on Ringo, all the above is equally true of his part in the sound. Apparently, he never needed time, as most drummers do, to work out the drum parts, he just played the right drum part for each piece first time, every time. However much people talk about "the new Beatles" or similar, there has never been any other "combo" to match The Beatles on such multiple, instinctive levels.

[@roypemberton1983]

As a side note, whilst clearly stating that, as somebody who was around at the time and held him as my role model or even guru, including his very public flaws and weaknesses (which enhanced his position as role model because we all have flaws and weaknesses and because he was more than happy to publicly reveal them), I do feel that the numerous responses that focus on recognition of Lennon's immense talent, charisma and ethos, are missing the point that he came to that position as part of The Beatles and that he would have been nothing without the close affinity and collaboration with the other guys, especially with McCartney who brought the wider musical palette to bear, though I have no desire to diminish the part played by George or Ringo. The three key singers all possessed that same ability to hit the right note and tonal quality, perfectly coordinated to sing as a single unit, despite the impossibility of hearing themselves. Add in the solid rhythm section of McCartney/Starkey, and we had magic. Lennon was an amazing guy, without any shadow of doubt, but so were the others and none of them would have been the giants they were without each other.

[@duff0120]

his voice in ``this boy`` live is incredible in my opinion. its an honour to see u react to the beatles pegasus and post it for us on youtube. my life is saved for a few weeks now )

[@maryphillips3140]

Thank you ‘ it is a joy to hear Johńs voice.

[@jgregveneklasen2657]

This is just SUCH a great analysis, and I love that you can emulate various performers' vocal sounds and styles seemingly out of the air, it makes your vids so entertaining as well as instructive. Keep 'em coming!

[@63002]

There is a video out on KZbin of ringo. And it's astounding what he said. He said to this day John was the best rhythm guitar player still.. And in a crazy way it was like playing lead guitar.. Absolutely an amazing compliment... Really says it all..

[@vincentm4717]

This particular concert was probably one of their better filmed concerts. The Beatles were so much better live in 1963 and 1964. They sound simply great here.

[@alkitzman9179]

There is a film of them in 1966 at a award show Circus Krone Munich Germany they were fantastic as nobody was screaming. Nowhere Man live sounds just like the record . Check it out

[@bradparker9664]

Yeah...Circus Krone is an outstanding show. You can tell they are very much at home with the German audience. The thing that the Austrailian show demonstrates in higher quality than any other video is, in my opinion, Beatlemania. It's sort of the other side of the coin that we see with the Tokyo shows in 1966.

[@marknovak6498]

Having fun with the music on stage and taking it seriously at the same time is a type of performance to savor. People just don't play with that level of in-the-moment mastery that often today if at all. Love the Beatles the more I see the levels you share.

[@underradar9858]

I would love to hear a vocal pitch of the Beatles john singing “I’m a loser” as he goes down deep on some notes. That’d be great to see.

[@tracyzimmerman7912]

This was a great analysis Fil... wonderful demonstration of what is going on with the guitar. Also you show what it sounds like when you don't apply the techniques that are needed. I don't play but I appreciate seeing how difficult it can be. Since I sing I love how Lennon pushes his voice to the limit. Lennon does have a great voice. A side note I auditioned for a choir today.

[@MsAppassionata]

Ok, I can’t resist. Did you (like The Beatles) pass the audition?

[@ericashmusic8889]

Yep you said it. I was in the Jimmy Powell Band that arrived at the Top Ten ( Reeperbahn. Hamburg) on the day the Beatles left. 1961, Playing an hour on & an hour off, right through the night from 6.0pm till 4:30 am,or 5, & 6:0 am @ weekends. Now words can tell you how gruelling it was, by the end of 5 weeks one did not need to look at the guitar anymore, truly we learnt to play by sound & feel. I said I would not do it again !!🤣 but I did 3 times. I reckon that all guitarists Bass Drums piano, or singers who could endure, sustain & revel in this, multiple times- it just became effortless, & toughened us up & it still shows 50 yrs later. Wonderful. !

[@leegreenaway8006]

Fantastic video again. As a music lover, especially 60's, but someone who is musically tone deaf, I am strangely drawn in to the explanations of what is happening, while at the same time being totally confused. But I keep coming back for more.

[@rosachristopherson4309]

Many thanks! It was so FAB to hear this song. I may not have heard it in 50 years, but one never forgets those Beatle songs, singing along, and getting the words right! You inspired me to get out my old, beautiful albums, and listen to everyone’s voice and musical parts once again.

[@DS40764]

When I think of the late John Lennon, I think attitude and edge. His voice , songs and guitar playing reflected that and he added that to the band. He even had an edgy personality

[@ianbartle456]

Wrong order, I'd say. The edgy personality is where the rest of it came from.

[@tomdmann]

Great vid, nice you're shining a light on John as both a singer and rhythm guitarist (underrated at both).

[@Arthurpewdy]

Thank you Fil for enhancing our enjoyment of John's music..... & this unbelievable band.

[@Will-sh8kl]

I really think She Loves You was the best song ever from that era. There's just something special about that song. Thanks!

[@fergo7010]

I was 8 i remember this on tv like it was yesterday ... the best band of all times ... RIP John and George ... thanks Fil much appreciated 👍👍✌🤘

[@georgerodrigues4638]

I remember reading somewhere that John always requested producers/cameramen never focus on him when he played lead. He rated himself as a rhythm player though. Another great video Fil, thanks 🙂

[@garymccoy6564]

This is a terrific analysis and Fil is right on. One very noticeable thing is what a great, clean (but ballsy) tone Lennon is getting on his Rick compared to that blurry distortion that Fil is using.

[@barbaralavoie1045]

These guys were my very favorite since they started here in USA. Marvelous group and there will never be another one like them. Love them all forever!❤️💞🥰😘👍👍

[@pcarlover]

easily my favorite beatles song. it has it all in just over 2 minutes of perfection. thanks for your analysis

[@dalebaker9109]

It’s The Beatles so I am in. They always hit it, even with all the deafening noises around them. Absolutely magnificent. This video is utterly incredible Fil. Another great job Fil.

[@stephenmartinez9355]

I can't understand how some people say that the Beatles were simply pop music and didn't know how to rock. This song rocks hard.. and it's only 1964.

[@KathySandru]

I really wish we could hear live recordings of their earlier performances in Germany during the Kaiserkeller & Bambi Kino club days & compare them to this performance. We would be able to compare & contrast how they’ve improved.

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

The only recordings of The Beatles that exist of the Hamburg days are the Star club tapes from December 1962.

[@bobwoolerOriGinal]

@ArchKomposer Just one.

[@hannahdobbs226]

I'm not sure they improved much from the Hamburg and Cavern Club days, they were already spectacular before they 'made it'. Where they did improve and continued to do so was in their songwriting.

[@OmniphonProductions]

That D7 with the raised 9 is a great way of implying a "Blue 3rd". Knowing how influenced they were by the previous generation's great Blues artists (and Blues-rooted Rock & Roll artists), that space _between_ the major 3rd and minor 3rd is where a lot of expression _lives._ Playing the major 3rd and (effectively) minor 3rd in the same chord really gives it that Bluesy dirt! Brilliant! I've never really thought about the "Hendrix Chord" before, so it's great (1) to realize the Beatles did it years earlier and (2) to contemplate it's roots in a "parent genre". Thanks for providing analysis that inspires _further_ analysis. I'm so glad I subscribed. I've always loved the Beatles, and _this_ video actually made me a better musician.

[@ianbartle456]

Very true - another part of the genius of the Beatles songwriting is the placement of that D7#9 is how it creates and emphasising dissonance on the lyric "because I told you before...". This creates what is sometimes called word-painting of more technically prosody - i.e. when the music has elements that support the meaning of the lyric. Here it almost has the effect of making Lennon shout or underscore the words "I TOLD you beFORE!" before re-asserting his belief that "you CAN'T do THAT - setting up the lyrical title phrase using a V7 IV7 I7 progression to return the A section back to musical resolution. Because John and Paul had heard and studied these and many other songwriters' devices on so many other songs during the period 1956-1962, they appeared to seem to know intuitively what to do. Which they did - from listening with wide open ears.

[@OmniphonProductions]

@@ianbartle456 SO COOL!!! In fact, speaking of using the music to emphasize tension, how about that tritone interval that actually makes the word, "...pain," _hurt_ a little?

[@slipperynoodle20]

This was so much fun! They were all such polished live players. The 2 BBC CD sets really drive that home.

[@peterjones4621]

Thank you Fil, I've missed John Lennon, his loss was horrific for millions of us.

[@TheJimburke]

Great video Phill. There is a guy on this platform that breaks down Beatles vocal harmonies. He sings all three parts to show exactly what they sang it in the studio. Its very interesting.

[@Wheresthelove7]

Paul is my favorite vocalist ever but I have to say John absolutely positively tore this song to pieces. Power with range with character. " I can't help my feelings I'll go out of my mind" Outfrigginrageous singing

[@bryandunn425]

What a great song choice Phil. A brilliant fairly obscure gem of a song.

[@sw-yz9fi]

I've known musicians who would give their right arms to sound this good in harmony during a recording session, much less live. Amazing vocal work. They were a tight tight band. Even though I saw them when I was a kid I learn more about them as time goes on and continue to marvel at the new things I discover about them. Great analysis, Fil!

[@TRJ2241987]

There is no greater magic than John & Paul singing 'Ticket to Ride' & 'A Hard Days Night' together live

[@thepagan5432]

Really interesting to see your interpretation of a song that was out when I was 9. I enjoyed it very much, thank you.

[@douglashall5795]

Fil, great job as always. I think John was very self conscious about his guitar playing and he requested cameras not to focus on his leads when he played them and is why you will never see shots of him anywhere playing lead in any live performance.

[@kevinkilduff2064]

Brilliant analysis, Fil. Thanks!

[@andythrush3341]

If you watch "Get Back" you really get to see John's overall talent. George mentions his limits as a lead in Get Back too. The Beatles were a team band each played their rolls. which worked out well for them. Thanks Fil.

[@Rick-lo9sd]

Excellent analysis! This has always been one of my favorite early Beatle songs that seems very advanced for the times. I particularly enjoyed your description of how the lead guitar playing didn't need to be too fancy to get across a greater impact with far simpler lead guitar links. In any event, in the future I'll be paying closer attention to your breakdown of a song because you have a real gift to teach and explain with great lucidity what is really going on in the song to convey and how the Beatles were able to deliver with much greater emotion. Thank you!

[@billnelson2406]

ANY study of the Beatles' music is time well~spent.

[@LeadoffCF]

I’ve heard that John told George Martin that he somewhat didn’t like his own voice, that he wanted it electronically altered a bit for the recordings. I’ve often thought about how “beautiful” some soprano voices sound in operas or at church. John’s voice was usually not beautiful that way. It was, however, so expressive and so touching. It made me think, made me cry, and gave me great joy. It was “beautiful” in a much more wonderful way.

[@cmuir6757]

I saw them in Brisbane Australia at the old boxing stadium Festival Hall when I was about 18 years old. We were all seated but as soon as they came on the stage every single female except me jumped up on their seats and screamed their heads off for the whole of the show. The noise was so loud I could not distinguish what songs were playing and I could not even see them. I staggered out at the end with PERMANENT hearing loss and vertigo and fell over trying to board the tram to go home. I have had to wear two hearing aids since then. I loved their early songs and Eleanor Rigby and A Hard Day's Night.

[@texasredneckhippy]

Great explanation of technical subtleties. As a 4th grader in1964 I met a kid that had just came to N.Texas from London and had Beatles 45's.

[@fbello18]

This song is one of my favorites of that period. A ‘helluva’ good song. Good choice Fil. Tks

[@willarellano833]

And just the fact that john played that short scale Rickenbacker is pretty amazing they are not easy guitars to play lead or ryhthm on

[@johnfoster535]

Like Babe Ruth who WAS baseball itself in his era, John Lennon WAS " Rock and Roll" itself in 1964. People forget that they rocked harder, played louder, and actually CREATED modern rock and roll with their sound, much like Ruth transformed baseball with his home runs. Lennon was the " Pied Piper" who enraptured the world with his singing, energy, and creative genius. This example above....performed live....is a great example !

[@brenthooton3412]

Is it ever glorious to hear those isolated background vocals!! Paul and George were having a blast on this show. There's another moment between the two of them in Twist and Shout just after the guitar solo.

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

John was the coolest Beatle. You can't take your eyes off of him.

[@frankbarnwell____]

I agree John is the coolest Beatle. But Ringo ties with Ray Charles, as coolest person ever. Just my thoughts. Take care and rawk.

[@mares9393]

Oh for sure. Shame Yoko got her hooks in him. She destroyed his life

[@annakermode6646]

Oh yessssss.

[@katevalentine7075]

GEORGE !!!!!! 😍

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

@@katevalentine7075 George was the spiritual one.

[@johnrogers9481]

Fil, great job explaining what is going on in this Beatles song! Being ten in 1963, all we had was the songs. All we got is what they, Beatles, let out. I mean, no inside information or details on how they made their music. And it went bye so fn fast, a new hit song every few months. You had to just go for the ride, and that was changing all the time! Fil, your digging deep into diff aspects of Beatles music really helps in millions of Beatles fans understanding the band much more than we did at the time. As said, it all went bye so fast, there wasn't time or technology to analyze Beatles music.So please Fil, dig into all the Beatles songs you can. Your analysis adds many pieces to the puzzle we knew existed but had no access to at that time. Hope I make sense.?

[@nickdryad]

George and Paul sang into the same mic. That’s why they’re so accurate with their pitch as well as having a very good ear for harmonies.

[@sketchartist1964]

When we study Beatle songs today we find them to be pretty simple in many ways. The songs use mostly basic chords and chord changes. But the real magic begins when we start hearing stuff like Black bird, Yesterday, Here Comes the Sun, Julia, etc. Beautiful and highly original guitar work that, unlike modern guitar work, is within the capabilities of intermediate level guitarists. It shows guitar playing needn't always be flashy in order to be effective. One is tempted to believe that good melodic phrasing is far better than advanced technical abilities that are only there to impress.