The Beatles: Note By Note

• EP057 - And I Love Her ft. Gareth (They Came to a Land Downunder)

  Today, we’re turning the spotlight on the Beatles’ first intentional ballad—“And I Love Her.” With guest Gareth from They Came to a Land Down Under, we unpack the origins, cultural shifts, and musical innovations that make this Hard Day’s Night gem so mesmerizing. Gareth shares vivid stories of Beatlemania in Australia, including the wild tale of a Ringo lookalike at a press conference and the moment he first heard “A Hard Day’s Night” over his school’s loudspeakers to honor Lennon’s death.We trace how George Harrison’s Spanish guitar work shaped the song’s sonic identity, dig into Paul’s evolving songwriting voice, and debate the best Beatles recording so far. Plus, a rich storytime on Jane Asher—Paul’s muse and cultural gateway.There are Beatles firsts galore in this one. Nylon strings, modulations, middle eights… and maybe even the best Beatles ballad yet? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• LS057 - And I Love Her - Lecture Series (bonus)

  In this episode of the Lecture Series, Kenyon unpacks the quiet power and tonal ambiguity of Paul McCartney’s “And I Love Her.” He traces how even the song’s title hints at emotional complexity—why not just “I Love Her”? With lyrical imagery like “the kiss my lover brings,” Paul paints love as something distant, mysterious, even cosmic. Kenyon highlights the unusual harmony and modal drift that blur the line between C♯ minor and E major, calling into question where the tonal center really lies. He explores George’s classical guitar solo, a pastiche of glissandos, pull-offs, and triplets, and argues that the surprise modulation into a completely foreign key at the end of the song mirrors the feeling of getting lost in space—an echo of the song’s emotional ambiguity. With Paul in full romantic mode, this track still carries a sense of unresolved tension beneath the surface. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• EP056 - I'm Happy Just To Dance With You ft. Nancy Howie (Fathom)

  George double-tracked his vocal “to perfection,” and the rest is Beatles history—maybe. In this episode, Kenyon and Peter are joined by special guest Nancy from Vinyl Friday for a full-bodied takedown (and celebration) of I’m Happy Just to Dance with You. They tackle why John and Paul dismissed the song as “formula,” why it might be way deeper than anyone admits, and why George’s vocals deserve a standing ovation. Along the way, they dig into danceable rhythms, surprising chord changes, and the early signs of each Beatle’s musical maturation. Nancy drops a “Beatles First” on George’s film debut, Peter defends romantic innocence, and Kenyon unveils the tragic, boozy tale of Alf Lennon dancing with a mannequin. If you ever wrote off this song, this episode might just change your mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:25:52

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• LS056 - I'm Happy Just To Dance With You - Lecture Series (bonus)

  In this episode of the Beatles Lecture Series, Kenyon dives deep into the oft-overlooked “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” written by John Lennon and sung by George. While John dismissed it as a “work song,” this lecture uncovers its quiet brilliance. Kenyon explores how the lyrics—simple on the surface—suggest deeper implications about love, sufficiency, and emotional restraint. From a music theory angle, the episode highlights the song’s unusual tonal movement between E major and C♯ minor, inventive use of plagal cadences, and melodic development that disguises repetition with elegance. Kenyon also draws comparisons to “Do You Want to Know a Secret” and finds echoes of Disney scores and jazz solos. It’s a playful, intricate tune that reveals the Beatles’ evolving harmonic language—and perhaps John’s own ambivalence about pop craft. A must-listen for fans of Beatles deep cuts and songwriting analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• EP055 - If I Fell ft. Peter Pisano

  In this episode of Note by Note, we unravel the layered vulnerability of If I Fell, a Lennon ballad that holds more than meets the ear. Kenyon, Peter, and Justin explore its striking intro—modulating from D♭ to D major—and how the tonal ambiguity sets the stage for a love song laced with self-doubt.They discuss the sincerity and irony woven into the lyrics, questioning whether John is making a true romantic plea or mocking the very sentiment. The trio also breaks down the vocal blend between John and Paul, focusing on the small imperfections that make the harmony feel human.There’s humor too—especially in the discussion of the shaky middle-eight and Paul’s comedic smirk in live footage. But at the heart of it is a Lennon song trying to sound confident, while quietly asking not to be hurt again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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