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The Beatles Lyrics: The Stories Behind the Music, Including the Handwritten Drafts of More Than 100 Classic Beatles Songs Paperback – October 20, 2015

by Hunter Davies (Editor)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,703 ratings
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"Rich with insider authenticity...Gives us a glimpse into genius": the definitive book of Beatles songs, shown as first written by their own hands and put into authoritative context (Wall Street Journal).

For the Beatles, writing songs was a process that could happen anytime — songs we all know by heart often began as a scribble on the back of an envelope or on hotel stationery. These original documents have ended up scattered across the world at museums and universities and with collectors and friends. Many have never been published before. More than 100 songs and lyrics are reproduced in The Beatles Lyrics, providing Hunter Davies a unique platform to tell the story of the music.

The intimacy of these reproductions — there are sections crossed out and rewritten, and words tossed into the final recordings that were never written down — ensures that The Beatles Lyrics will be a treasure for musicians, scholars, and fans everywhere.

"A fascinating, intimate glimpse into the creative process behind some of the greatest pop songs ever written." —Christian Science Monitor
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  4. Publication date
    October 20, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    7.5 x 1 x 9.63 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316247170
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316247177
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Rich with insider authenticity. To paraphrase Walt Whitman, Mr. Davies was the man, he suffered, he was there.... The book itself-with Mr. Davies's expert guidance-gives us a glimpse into genius. No better monument could mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America, nothing, that is, short of coming up with a hitherto lost scrap of paper with a Beatles lyric on it, wittily doodled on."―Alexander Theroux, Wall Street Journal

"Beatles expert Hunter Davies demonstrates that the Fab Four wrote their songs just about anywhere--many began as a scribble on the back of an envelope, on a napkin, or on hotel stationery. The collection reproduces more than one original manuscript, granting the reader an all-access look behind the music."―Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Publishers Weekly

"A fascinating, intimate glimpse into the creative process behind some of the greatest pop songs ever written."―Christian Science Monitor

"A stunning collection."―BookPage

A "chatty, knowledgeable, readable account of the back stories behind all the Beatles lyrics."―The Seattle Times

"An unprecedented glimpse into the true genius of the band."―Alan Petrucelli, Examiner.com

"This tome still finds some fresh ground to break and observations to make for diehard and casual fans alike, often derived from their handwritten words."―Bob Ruggiero, Houston Press

About the Author

Hunter Davies is the author of over 40 books, including the New York Times bestseller The John Lennon Letters, and has written for The Guardian, New Statesman, and The Sunday Times. He is married to the novelist and biographer Margaret Forster, and they live in London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; Reprint edition (October 20, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316247170
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316247177
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1 x 9.63 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,703 ratings

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Hunter Davies

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
1,703 global ratings
Great content, received damaged book.
4 Stars
Great content, received damaged book.
Very cool book. Very annoyed that it was sent with a corner torn. 😑
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Top reviews from the United States

I REVIEW 4U2 REVIEW
5.0 out of 5 stars SEEING THE BEATLES UP CLOSE THROUGH PERSONS WHO WERE THERE
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great Stories and great all around read from Hunter Davies who taught us Americans all about the lads - now finally we see the actual written down lyrics! Over the Top! Each one is a section in itself. I Loved it
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved it
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
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Beautiful book about they stories behind the songs, my son loved it
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Douglas A. Sommer
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
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My brother in law loved it.
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S. A. Eliot
5.0 out of 5 stars Hunter Davies is the best. His 1968 "Authorized Biography"is by far the most ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
Of the scores of authors who have published books about the Beatles, Hunter Davies is the best. His 1968 "Authorized Biography"is by far the most accurate and accessible account of the years prior to The White Album. His access to the band, their manager (to whom the book is dedicated), their producer (Sir George Martin), and their friends and associates, results in (a) accuracy and (b) first-person immediacy. His writing is clear. His research is impeccable. Who better to tell the origin tales behind the songs?
One of the delights of this tome is that it can be opened to any page with certainty that what one finds there is both interesting and fun. It can be read front-to-back, or the reverse, or just starting from the middle, if what interests you primarily are the songs.
If, like me, you like to know context and background, the traditional approach -- begin at the beginning -- is probably best. But if (like me) you have loved the Beatles for 52 years, just pick up the book, let it fall open where it may, and enjoy!
28 people found this helpful
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Cindy
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting gift
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Purchased as a gift for my Beatles loving husband. I know he will love learning things about the Beatles he may not have known. It’s more personal, and includes images of their written lyrics, which is cool. I do have to add… if published spelling or grammar errors bother you, then you might get a little irritated. It’s not as if there are dozens, but anytime I see spelling mistakes in a published book it bugs me.
One person found this helpful
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oscar ornelas
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for songwriters
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
If you're a songwriter in need of some inspiration I recommend this book. You get some great insight into how The Beatles crafted their songs. Takes away some of the magic, but makes them infinitely more relatable and inspiring.
4 people found this helpful
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Rainbyrd23
5.0 out of 5 stars As expected
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2023
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A reliable seller that I will do business with again.
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Abuenin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Beatle Fans
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was an anniversary gift for my husband and he LOVES the book!! It is done so well by the writer. There were a few obscure songs that were left out and only a Beatles super fan like my husband would miss. As yo the shipping it was perfect, it arrived the day before I needed so I didn't have to hide it very long.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Flavio Godoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente.
Reviewed in Brazil on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
A presença de imagens dos manuscritos é incrível.
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Tony.C.
5.0 out of 5 stars I dig it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
It's a fun book. Goes through all The Beatles back catalogue and has a little background on each song.

Great book for any Beatles fan.
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paulwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Beatles Lyrics
Reviewed in Spain on May 20, 2023
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Very informative and a fascinating read
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Autumnkid
2.0 out of 5 stars Good book but poor edition
Reviewed in Germany on July 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
The content of this book is top-notch. But look for a better edition, because this edition does not do the author's work justice. Poor paperback on recycled paper. A pity!
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Suzanne
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love the Beatles you’ll love this book!!!
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
My husband is a real Beatles fan... he loves this book because there are so many pages of hand written songs and comments.... so very interesting
One person found this helpful
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