EP018 - Bad To Me

10/27/24 • 46 min

Peter and Kenyon dive into "Bad to Me," a song written by John Lennon in 1963 and gifted to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. They explore the track's origins, detailing Lennon’s songwriting process, including the rumored inspirations behind its lyrics and the distinct Buddy Holly influence. The discussion extends to the recording history, contrasting the Beatles' original demo with Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas' produced version, and assessing how George Martin's production style shaped the final sound. Peter and Kenyon also touch on the broader context of the era, from the Beatles' relentless touring schedule to Lennon's evolving role within the band. This episode offers an engaging exploration of how a lesser-known Lennon-McCartney composition fits into the Beatles' musical evolution and provides insights into their collaborative relationships with other artists during their early years.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

LS018 - Bad To Me - Lecture Series (bonus)

In this lecture, Kenyon delves into "Bad to Me," a 1963 song written by John Lennon for Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. The discussion covers the song’s lyrical themes, musical structure, and Lennon's use of innovative harmonic techniques. Kenyon examines the track's Buddy Holly influences, lyrical motifs involving nature, and the unique chord progressions that set it apart from other early Beatles compositions. He contrasts the Beatles' original demo with Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas' recorded version, exploring how subtle changes in arrangement and production by George Martin shaped the final sound. The analysis extends to Lennon's evolving songwriting style, including the influence of his personal experiences on the song's content. This lecture provides a deeper appreciation of "Bad to Me," revealing the intricacies of a song that connects the dots between the Beatles' early pop roots and their future musical experimentation.

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Next Episode

LS019 - I Call Your Name - Lecture Series (bonus)

In this Beatles lecture, Kenyon delves into "I Call Your Name," a song written by John Lennon when he was just 16. The discussion explores the song's straightforward lyrics and harmonic structure, highlighting its mix of blues and ska influences. Kenyon analyzes the use of unconventional chord progressions, melodic phrasing, and compositional techniques, noting how the song reflects Lennon's early experiences and emotions, possibly linked to his childhood and family life. The lecture also covers how the Beatles' version evolved from Lennon's initial ideas, the song's recording history, and its connection to Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas. Offering a deeper understanding of one of the Beatles' lesser-known tracks, this session provides insights into Lennon's development as a songwriter and encourages participants to experiment with reworking the song’s elements as a creative exercise.

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