A Hard Day's Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song Paperback – Illustrated, October 18, 2005

Turner's book is another essential one about Beatles music. I have read a few of these "about the songs" books, and while another title, Beatle Songs, used to be my favorite, it was nudged out recently by A Hard Day's Write. It feels more substantial, is easier to read, and has some great pictures.This is a book that focuses on the genesis of the Beatles tunes we know and love so well. It fills in a gap that the other books don't...they are more interested in the recording or instrumental aspects, while this one sticks with comments and quotes by the Beatles and other insiders that explain how and why they chose to write the songs they did. It is more about inspiration.I love this book because it gives a peak into the minds of some creative geniuses. Reading this book is as close as you will ever come to having the Beatles over for lunch some day and getting the chance to pick their brains over BLTs. This is because the contents of the book are mostly from the Beatles themselves; this book is not just some blowhards interpretation of how Lucy in the Sky stands for LSD. The information is from the horses' mouths (not Henry's) and that is the premier source.I like a lot of these new-fangled Beatles books. Improvements in technology have allowed new books on old subjects to be printed with more pictures, better quality, and good durability. It has a lot of the same information you can dig out of other books or interviews, but here is is collected and organized for easy access. This is another book that you can read straight though or as time allows. Pick out your favorite albums or songs, or just start from the beginning and see how the music evolved.

Despite the negative bits in some reviews, I couldn't put this book down. I'll consider a few cavils. If you've read the zillion books on the Beatles, you likely wouldn't find anything new here, but I found new bits on nearly every page. If you'd like to read further, there's a bibliography in the back. There are some typos; it seems you can't find a book these days that's not riddled with them. You would think they'd be corrected in later editions (they're not), but that also is par for the course. You'll find the same thing in editions of P.G.Wodehouse, the other best British export.So what do I like about the book? This 11 X 8.5 inch paperback has one or more color or black and white picture(s) on each of its 225 pages (except the indices). Besides having the back story on each and every Beatles song arranged by albums, from "Please Please Me" to "Anthology 1-3", there's also a discography of all the UK and US singles and albums, with label and release dates. Turner generally notes that in the text as well.There's also quite a bit on the musical inspirations of some songs, which is quite fascinating. One reviewer says Turner slips into psycho-analyzing the Fab Four, and projects that into the songs. Perhaps it's the proximity to Vienna, but a lot of Brit authors I've read do that. More than mythologizing, Turner tends to myth-busting: "No, that song wasn't about drugs, it turns out." Are his stories accurate? Who knows? If the Beatles themselves are the source, we have to assume they are. When they're not, he often cites a source, usually another book on the Beatles.Turner's entries can seem dismissive, merely because they're so short. One reviewer said he underrates George's musical contributions. Turner doesn't rate the songs at all, although most other Beatles authors do, and he does often give chart positions. He also notes that John and Paul continually underrated George's songs. At first, George could barely get a song on an album. I learned from Turner that George's line, "Only a Northern Song" on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack, was a protest against the inequitable publishing/ royalty arrangements that then prevailed.Those hungry for more might consider Turner's other unique book, which goes into far more depth, "The Gospel According to the Beatles" The Gospel According to the Beatles. Rather than damning with faint praise, as some reviewers have done with "A Hard Day's Write", I would reverse it. I can't imagine any Beatles fan would not learn something here, and for every one else, once pick it up, I don't think you can put it down.

I've bought this as a gift for two people and not only did they love it, but everyone who sees it needs to know where it's from. It's the perfect book to pick up for a second and read one entry real quick - it's not one that you need to read cover to cover for it to make sense. It's very personal too, the commentators are brutally honest - especially the Hey Jude description from Julian Lennon.

Great gift item

Great book. Focuses on the origins of their songs as well as the people who influenced them. Fantastic insight into the personal lives and minds. Relates what was happening in their lives and careers with how they expressed themselves in their music. Don't expect to hear much about controversial double intendres, etc. This book is based upon fact and states when conjecture is used. Much of it bears truth when compared to works written by people who spent a lot of time with them (e.g., Hunter Davies). You'll get a feel for how creative Lennon and McCartney really were, how they complimented each other psychologically and musically, and what destroyed Lennon's creativity and band leadership. A must have for any serious student of the greatest pop band in history. I recommend it as a companion book to Hunter Davies biography.

This book wonderful and brings back so many memories of my Beatles youth. The stories behind the songs are so amazing. Great coffee table book.

Great book. My husband is A big Beatles fan. So he loved this book. I got it for his birthday in June and he is still reading it. It has lotta information and pictures in it. I think it’s a must for any true Beatles fan!

I Love The Beatles. What a classic group. One of the most influential bands of all time. Not only is their music some of the best ever and their musical talent untouchable, but their personality and intelligent behind their music and their lives they lived are extraordinary. This book captures the theme behind their songs. I really enjoyed reading it!

I have been a big Beatle Fan from their beginning.I have every Beatle album on vinyl and a few on dvd.I started reading this book on receiving it and cannot put it down.Absolutely fascinating.If You are a Beatle fan you must have this book.

El libro detalla todas las canciones compuestas por el grupo, analizando su origen, temática, y dándole un sentido a su creación. No entra en detalles técnicos musicales, y por tanto se lee con facilidad. Muy interesante como acercamiento al origen creativo de los Beatles sin entrar en detalles que quizá nos superen. El libro está bien editado.

New some of the stories behind the songs such as ' Yesterday ' and ' Lucy in the sky with diamonds ' etc. The rest were quite amazing but logical when explained.

War "Lucy in The Sky Of Diamonds" wirklich die Hymne auf LSD? Welche Vorkommnisse werden in "The Ballad of John and Yoko" beschrieben? Was war mit den "Strawberry Fields" gemeint? Wer war Father Mackenzie in "Eleanor Rigby"? Wer war das Mädchen, über die in "She's leaving Home" gesungen wird? Diese und viele weitere Fragen zu den Beatles Songs werden in dieser gut recherchierten Zusammenstellung dieser Songs beantwortet. Interessante Fotos der Beatles und aller möglichen Hintergrundtatschen (Menschen, Häuser u. Ä.)zu ihren Songs runden dieses Buch, das auch als Geschenk bestens geeignet ist, ab. Es ist sein Geld auf jeden Fall wert! Ergänzend wäre sicher gut, sich die Texte zu besorgen. Ich besitze selber eine ältere Paperback Ausgabe "The Beatles Lyrics", aber da gibt es nun sicher Besseres.

I've read a book like this for the first time. It's more interesting than I thought.The book seems to be talking about backgrounds of each lyric based on adequate sources. So, I think it's worth while for fans to read this.