THE BEATLES: ILLUSTRATED LYRICS | BOOK REVIEW
Welbeck Publishing
The 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s untimely death passed last month, just days before Paul McCartney released a new album. The Beatles’ popularity shows no sign of waning – nor the publishing of books about them. Welbeck have mastered the knack of publishing well-designed books relating to the Fab Four that are also reasonably priced. The Beatles: Album By Album gave a good overview of each LP from journalists, musicians and those who were there at the time; its author, former EMI press officer Brian Southall, called upon many to give their opinion, including former Apple Records CEO Tony Bramwell, Cockney Rebel’s Steve Harley and co-producer Chris Thomas. Now, to accompany that title, there is The Beatles: Illustrated Lyrics.
A book of lyrics might sound boring, but this tome seems to be anything but. There are stacks of arty black and white photographs of the band on duty and offstage, plus memorabilia in what is a very nicely typographically and graphically designed book. John Turner writes in the introduction: “John always wrote like a wounded lover expecting the worst, whereas Paul wrote with the cocky optimism of a born winner.” As the 1960s progressed the songs become more sophisticated and socially themed and less about love, which is evident in the lyrics: compare, for example, 1965’s Michelle to 1968’s Revolution 1.
One criticism can be that not all of the George Harrison-written songs are included here, which could be down to copyright complications. As a whole, though, The Beatles: Illustrated Lyrics is still a richly rewarding treat to delve into.
Price: £30. Info: here
words DAVID NOBAKHT