All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release

I also have the Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin editions of All The Songs from these same authors. Both of those are also very well done. I’m a little bit too young to have been a “first generation” Beatles fan, so last summer I decided to see what all the hoopLa was about and I started listening to the Beatles and reading about them. I knew some of their music—I think anyone over the age of 25 knows at least a couple of songs—but now, I’m digging in and learning quite a bit more about them. And the great thing, other than their great music itself, is that there is so much of it to discover. For someone like me, too young to be a first-generation Beatles fan, but too old to find much in today’s music that interests me, truly discovering the Beatles is like finding all new music—and what great music it is. They deserve every bit of respect, admiration and adulation surrounding their legend. This book, like the other two I have from these same authors, is very well done. It keeps my interest quite well. There are lots and lots of photos, interesting stories to go with most entries, all the technical info an amateur can hope for, and more. These books keep me busy for long periods of time. They’re also very attractive hard covers, so the kruse is fair, not to mention you can keep these books out with your other favorite “coffee table books.” I’m not informed enough about the Beatles to know if there might be some mistakes in facts (like so,e other reviewers), but I will say that I’m having quite a good time with all of this, including the little factoids every few pages: “For Beatles Addicts,” etc. There is enough here to keep me busy fir quite some time while I work my way through their vast catalogue. I also liked the introduction by Patti Smith, who is a really good writer as well as a trusted authority on music from that era. Her intro takes you right into the heart of what it felt like to be a “first-generation” Beatles fan. If you or someone you know is into the Beatles, this is the book to buy. Just be forewarned—it takes a long time to work yiur way through these books. That’s a good thing : )

I gave this as a gift to a very enthusiastic Beatles fan and she loves it.

Holy moly! This is 670+ pages of Beatles goodness! First note: do not expect lyrics to the songs. This book does not contain them. I would guess there are probably complex copyright issues with the lyrics and rather than the publisher dealing with tedious and expensive legal spelunking, they opted to omit. Instead just google the lyrics - they are easily found online. Or many Beatles album jackets have the lyrics (I have all the albums on original vinyl, so many have the lyrics - not sure about CDs and recent releases). The book does contain hundreds of amazing photos - awesome for fans! There are also oodles of trivia tidbits! Each song has a page (or more) devoted to it - basically the story behind the song - why they wrote it, who actually wrote it (most were credited to Lennon/McCartney but were often not written by both). The book is laid out chronologically, so it really makes sense and it is easy to locate specific songs and albums. I recommend this book for any fan of the Beatles. I consider myself a pretty avid fan and this book contains a LOT of great content I didn't even know!

People Magazine got it right- this book has great "facts" about the songs. Or another words not the main story behind a lot of songs. For example, "This Boy" is supposed to be written about John having an affair with the married woman next door to his flat and the husband pounding him over it. I would have liked it more if the authors included these kinds of interpretations because the Beatles denied a lot of stories and for the authors to just say that after a member admitted to something they later reneged on it. Then we can learn more about the songs. But the facts are cool and the pictures cool. The posters sucked but the rest was cool. I think this plus Anthology in the Beatles own words, The Beatles Encyclopedia with many little known stories about the band and the Bob Spitz work are all you really need if you are a hardcore nerd. Yes Bill Harry's Encyclopedia at least had stupid mistakes but overall the info is great and fun to read and novel for almost all fans. Anthology is in the Band's words which is cool. The Spitz book discusses the Beatles in terms of the evolution of success and the ups and downs of it in a way that is an exhaustive look at the band as well as a perspective on fame/success/money/creative achievements that can be reinterpreted as universal self-help about what to do and not to do to achieve outcomes. On that level it goes beyond the band. So I find it the one biography worth having of the boys. Complex and also universal. And Spitz will insert a worst case example of sex on the road during tours briefly to indicate yes the hedonism got in the way. Including the band members spending all night at parties laughing like schoolgirls high on acid while constantly photographing the underneath of the table. But then move on from there to other stuff. But in my mind Songs should definitely be on the list for the times you need to spend more time on the Toilet All the Songs is a great read as well...

This book is larger than I thought it would be. It is very thick...like an old dictionary. The photos are very good and the print is easy to read. I have four other Beatle books that contain photos. This book contains a lot of photos that I've never seen before. There is at least one error in the book. For example, on page 14, it reads: "June 6, 1962. On this exact date, the fate of the Beatles shifted.... Around 6:00pm, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best entered EMI Studios in London for the first time - they would return for the following seven years". Oh, really? Seven years including Pete Best? What about Richard Starkey? I was too young to absorb and appreciate the years of Beatlemania. But around 1966, I became interested in music and the Beatles have been my favorite group ever since. For many years, I assumed that George Harrison played all the lead guitar parts and John played all the rhythm parts. I also assumed that Paul played the bass and piano "only". I was wrong. As time went on, I learned that Paul played the drums on a few songs and the guitar on many songs. Plus, Paul and John played keyboards on many songs. In the song, "You Can't Do That", I love the guitar solo. I was thinking that the solo was one of the best that George had ever played. Yet, "it didn't sound like George". In reading this book, I learned that John Lennon played the guitar solo in that song. Did any of us know that John could play "like that"? I didn't, until I read this book. Also, George Martin contributed some keyboard work. For each song, the book lists: who played piano; who played drums; who played acoustic guitar; who played electric guitar; who played bass, etc., etc. Yet, it doesn't always specify who played the guitar solo, or who played the piano solo (sometimes we are told). But, because you are told who played each instrument, you should be able to figure out "who played what" in each song. I have about 5 Beatle books and this one has become my favorite. I am not much of a reader. But, this book is a great read. I'm glad I bought it.

Exactly what I ordered and delivered ahead of schedule. Thanks!

I wanted this book for a long time and finally ordered it. Unbelievable the detail and comprehensiveness of information. I have to keep it out on the table all the time. It’s certainly not a sit and read through book. I can barely lift it! But it will answer any question you can think of about the Beatles. Who needs internet searches!

Excellent!!!!! book for us REGULAR Beatles Fans. I have read a lot! of the memoirs, by all the people involved, Pete Shotten, Patti Boyd, almost any biography, by anyone involved with the Beatles, that I see come out. If you are going to nitpick, about musical/technical for crying out loud, don't get this book. To me, it was like, they had who did the HANDCLAPS in the songs. I personally think they did pretty excellent considering back then considering who even kept track of of stuff like that? I thought the research was pretty darn good. I really liked the stories behind the songs which was why I bought it. I thought it was GREAT! I did take the advice of kindle readers, though- since as you can see, in my other reviews, my absolute pet PEEVE is the absence of photos in the kindle version. Don't miss them. I'm sure any Beatles fan can find a spot for ONE big book.

Ich bin mit den Beatles aufgewachsen - buchstäblich. Die wichtigen und schönsten Bücher muss ich einfach haben. "All the Songs" ist ein typisches Coffee table book: Ich will es in der Nähe haben, um dann und wann in diese Zeit einzutauchen und mir die vielen Geschichten rund um die Songs, die mich in einer wichtigen Phase meines Lebens begleitet haben, in Erinnerung zu rufen. Und meine eigenen Geschichten natürlich.

As a huge beatles fan, i am beyond thrilled to know all about the production of their music! The book was new and came in perfect condition. An absolute steal too for only $40+!

Tiene una súper calidad, es muy grueso y pesado el libro, todo viene a color y es muy bonito

Descriptions of the musicians for each song give just the basic; who played lead, drums etc. I want to know which specific guitars and amps etc. were used. In the descriptions there are numerous factual errors and inaccuracies. I don't expect to have huge complete stories but at least they could have gotten their facts straight. So then how can I believe the stories that I don't know the facts for? All the stories sound reasonable and have some truth to them but Beatles fans need more.

Excellent Book! Every song is well researched. I've been a Beatles fan all my life and I thought there was nothing new to know. This book proved me wrong!