Beatles' Legacy Continues to Evolve: From 'Get Back' Inspiration to Unreleased Gems
The Police rethink their past, John Lennon's experimental prowess shines, and lost albums tantalize fans decades on
• The Police, inspired by The Beatles' "Get Back" documentary, are revisiting their tumultuous past with a 6-disc box set of "Synchronicity", despite Stewart Copeland's admission that recording sessions were "very dark".
• John Lennon's experimental track "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" is revealed as one of his personal favourites, while George Martin's embarrassment during the recording of "A Day in the Life" offers a glimpse into the challenges of the Beatles' more avant-garde work.
• Three unreleased albums by former Beatles members - Paul McCartney's "Cold Cuts" and "Return to Pepperland", and John Lennon's "One From The Nursery" - continue to tantalize fans, highlighting the enduring fascination with the band's legacy six decades after their breakthrough.
Let's start with the curious case of The Police, shall we? It appears that Stewart Copeland and his merry band of blondes have been inspired by none other than Peter Jackson's "Get Back" documentary to revisit their own tumultuous past. One can only imagine the scene: Sting, Andy Summers, and Copeland, huddled around a telly, watching the Beatles bicker over facial hair and yoko ono's presence, only to turn to each other and say, "Blimey, we weren't so bad after all!"
Copeland, in a moment of candour that would make even John Lennon blush, admitted to The Guardian that The Police's recording sessions for "Synchronicity" were "very dark". "We beat the crap out of each other," he confessed, in what must be the understatement of the century. One imagines the studio looked less like Abbey Road and more like the set of Fight Club, with Sting's ego serving as Tyler Durden.
But fear not, dear readers, for all that violence has apparently transformed into nostalgia. The Police are now planning to release a 6-disc box set of "Synchronicity" on July 26th, complete with demos and outtakes. Because nothing says "we've moved past our differences" quite like repackaging and reselling the very album that nearly tore them apart.
Copeland, ever the optimist, claims that revisiting these old recordings has been "such fun". One can only assume he's using the same definition of "fun" that most people reserve for root canals or tax audits. He even goes so far as to promise more reissues, working backwards through their catalogue "like Wagner's Ring Cycle". Because if there's one thing the world needs, it's more reminders of Sting in his peroxide prime.
But let's not get too caught up in The Police's drama. After all, we're here to talk about The Beatles, aren't we? And speaking of drama, it seems that even the great George Martin wasn't immune to a bit of embarrassment when it came to recording the Fab Four's more experimental tracks.
According to Beatles acquaintance Dennis Puttnam, Martin was left red-faced during the recording of "A Day in the Life". Picture the scene: a room full of classically trained musicians, their sheet music adorned with nothing but a single line stretching from bottom to top, while Martin attempts to explain with a straight face that they should simply play any note they fancy. It's enough to make even the most avant-garde composer reach for the smelling salts.
Martin, ever the professional, soldiered on despite his discomfort. One can almost hear him muttering under his breath, "I trained at the Guildhall School of Music for this?" But his perseverance paid off, as "A Day in the Life" went on to become one of the most iconic tracks in the Beatles' catalogue. Sometimes, it seems, a little embarrassment is the price you pay for genius.
Speaking of genius, let's turn our attention to the experimental prowess of John Lennon. It appears that the man who once claimed the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus" had a particular fondness for his own composition, "Happiness Is a Warm Gun". Lennon, in a rare moment of self-congratulation, declared it "one of me best", praising the way it seemed to "run through all the different kinds of rock music".
One can't help but wonder if Lennon's enthusiasm for the track was influenced by the, shall we say, chemical enhancements that were so prevalent during the recording of the White Album. After all, a song that jumps from doo-wop to hard rock to blues in the span of two and a half minutes does suggest a certain... altered state of mind. But who are we to question the workings of a genius? If Lennon says it's one of his best, who are we mere mortals to argue?
But wait, there's more! For those of you who thought you'd heard every Beatles-related tune under the sun, prepare to have your minds blown. It seems that lurking in the shadows of music history are not one, not two, but three unreleased albums by former Beatles members that will probably never see the light of day.
First up, we have Paul McCartney's "Cold Cuts". Now, before you get excited thinking this is some sort of culinary adventure from the man who brought us "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime", let me assure you it's not. This was meant to be a collection of McCartney's hits mixed with some lesser-known tracks. Sadly, the record label, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the public couldn't handle anything less than wall-to-wall bangers. Because heaven forbid we get a glimpse of McCartney's B-sides.
Then there's John Lennon's mysteriously titled "One From The Nursery". This album, allegedly recorded at Tittenhurst Park in the late 1960s, features such intriguing track names as "John, I Love You" and "I Wish You Were My Father". One can only assume these were Lennon's attempts at lullabies, perhaps composed during a particularly intense acid trip. The album was sold at auction as a one-of-a-kind artifact, meaning whoever bought it is probably sitting in a dark room right now, cackling maniacally while listening to Lennon croon about paternal love.
Last but not least, we have McCartney's "Return To Pepperland". This unreleased gem was supposed to be a futuristic funk album, complete with a Beatles tribute titled "P.S. Love Me Do". One can only imagine the disco-infused nightmares that might have resulted from this particular project. Alas, it was not to be, with the tracks being cannibalized for McCartney's 1989 album "Flowers In The Dirt". Perhaps some things are better left in the vault.
As we reflect on these tantalizing glimpses into what might have been, one can't help but marvel at the enduring fascination with all things Beatles. Sixty years on from the release of "A Hard Day's Night", and we're still dissecting every note, every unreleased track, every behind-the-scenes anecdote. It's a testament to the band's impact that even their cutting room floor sweepings are considered treasures.
But perhaps the most intriguing Beatles-adjacent tidbit comes from author Kevin Barry, whose novel "Beatlebone" imagines John Lennon visiting his Irish island in 1978. Barry, in a moment of refreshing honesty, admits that tackling such an iconic figure was a daunting task. "You need a brass neck to get away with a novel like that," he says, in what must be the understatement of the century. One can only imagine the pressure of trying to capture the voice of John Lennon on the page. It's enough to make even the most confident writer reach for the bottle (or perhaps a more Lennonesque substance).
Barry's struggle with the novel, which he describes as his "most difficult book", is a reminder of the weight the Beatles still carry in our cultural consciousness. To write about them, to imagine their lives, to even attempt to capture their essence, is to grapple with titans. It's no wonder Barry spent four years on and off working on "Beatlebone". One imagines him hunched over his desk, muttering "I am the walrus" repeatedly in an attempt to channel Lennon's spirit.
As we navigate this never-ending sea of Beatles-related content, one can't help but wonder what John, Paul, George, and Ringo would make of it all. Would they be flattered by our continued obsession? Amused by our attempts to squeeze every last drop of meaning from their work? Or would they simply shrug and say, "It's all too much"?
Perhaps Ringo Starr, in his eternal wisdom, has the right idea. At the ripe old age of 84, he's announced plans for a country album. Because why not? When you've been a Beatle, conquered rock and roll, and spent decades spreading peace and love, why not try your hand at honky-tonk? One can only hope that Ringo's foray into country music will be more successful than Paul's ill-fated "Return To Pepperland" funk experiment.
As we close this chapter in the never-ending Beatles saga, let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer absurdity of it all. From The Police finding inspiration in the Fab Four's squabbles to John Lennon's lost lullabies, from George Martin's orchestral embarrassment to Kevin Barry's "brass neck", the Beatles continue to surprise, delight, and occasionally bewilder us.
So, dear readers, as you go about your day, why not put on your favourite Beatles track? Who knows, you might just hear something new in those familiar grooves. And if you happen to stumble upon a long-lost recording of John Lennon singing "I Wish You Were My Father", do let us know. The world could use a good laugh right about now.