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UnBeatled

UnBeatled

A brand new podcast that dives into EVERY song by the Fab Four and discusses what made them great.

Virgin Radio · Anna Covell

25 episodesEN

Show overview

UnBeatled has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 25 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.

Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 27 min and 38 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Music show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 months ago, with 9 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Anna Covell.

Episodes
25
Running
2024–2026 · 2y
Median length
31 min
Cadence
Monthly

From the publisher

UnBeatled is a new podcast that will dive into EVERY song by the Fab Four and discuss what made them great. An expert talks us through all the details and a musician unpicks the lyrics and the music behind iconic hits like Here Comes The Sun, Penny Lane and Come Together. Songs will be picked at random from episode to episode, dancing around their hugely varied discography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes

View all 25 episodes

S1 Ep 24Paperback Writer

Welcome to episode 24 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.In 1966, The Beatles were stars at the forefront of music and culture, rubbing shoulders with other bright sparks from the worlds of literature, drama, photography, and fashion. A lot of them were also from working class backgrounds. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney's aunt has tasked him to write a song that isn't about love. They interrupt their recording sessions for Revolver to record their next hit single about the story of a man who wants to make his millions as a... Paperback Writer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 3, 202630 min

S1 Ep 23EP 23: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

John Lennon's son, Julian, brought home a painting he had done at school that day and showed it to his dad. To say John was impressed is an understatement. He was immediately taken by the psychedelic painting of Julian's classmate flying in the sky surrounded by diamonds. To a drug addled John Lennon this was the inspiration he'd been waiting for. They completed the song in 24 hours with Paul McCartney taking the reins from an increasingly unmotivated John Lennon. The song would be the most overtly psychedelic track on their Summer of Love masterpiece, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 202626 min

S1 Ep 22EP 22: Yesterday

Paul McCartney leaped out of bed one morning with a tune in his head. He sat down at the piano and found the chords, drumming the melody into his memory with a canny rhyme. He couldn't believe he'd written it. After figuring out it was his doing, The Beatles' producer, George Martin, posed the question... should this be the first Paul McCartney solo record? It would have been a financially prudent move for Macca... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 15, 202631 min

S1 Ep 21EP 21: Hey Bulldog

This episode is sponsored by EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. In IMAX Feb 20 / In cinemas everywhere Feb 27 https://www.epicmovie.co.ukWelcome to episode 21 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.The Beatles convened on Abbey Road studios with a film crew to record a promotional video for their upcoming single, Lady Madonna. Upon entering the deserted studios (it was a Sunday), they saw an opportunity to utilise this precious studio time before flying off to India. They worked on a scrap of a song John had written and ended up having the most fun they'd ever had in the band.Sit back and watch the history, the music and the trivia before listening to the song in full on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xYC2ZJJ9TMJL8BOl85O2R?si=c6508bdd9d5e4e2eOr here it is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vbJQ-MrKo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 202623 min

S1 Ep 20EP 20: Let It Be

This episode is sponsored by EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. In IMAX Feb 20 / In cinemas everywhere Feb 27 https://www.epicmovie.co.ukWelcome to episode 20 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.Paul McCartney, or so it is to be believed, is burned out and is visited by his deceased mother in a dream where she offers highly valuable words of... wisdom. This vision was the basis for a gospel inspired song that would go on to become one of the most universally adored and understood track from The Beatles' discography. Despite its success, it wasn't without turmoil during the recording process as tensions between the band reached fever pitch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 202637 min

S1 Ep 19EP 19: Nowhere Man

Welcome to episode 19 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.John Lennon, while feeling depressed and suffering from a bad case of writer's block, was sat up late into the night trying to write a song to be included on their upcoming album 'Rubber Soul'. After much self-criticism and introspection, inspiration struck! Nowhere Man spawned out of this and became a favourite from the album with praise lavished on their stacked vocals and signature 60s twangy guitar sound. This song is one of the quintessential examples of the 'Jingle Jangle' sound explored by the likes of The Byrds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 202629 min

S1 Ep 18EP 18: All My Loving

Welcome to episode 18 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.This episode we take a look at their 1963 song, All My Loving. Written while in a flurry of tours and growing success, the song was inspired by the band's roadie Mal Evans' promise to write home every day to his wife. In classic Beatles fashion, it took inspiration from jazz, R&B and Country & Western and became a live favourite. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 30, 202622 min

S1 Ep 17EP 17: Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight

Welcome to episode 17 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.This week we take a look at Golden Slumbers and Carry That Weight, the emotional climax of Abbey Road's medley. Written while looking through his step-sister's music book, the song is based on a 500 year old poem. However, Paul took the message and turned it into a message of consolation as The Beatles' personal relationships deteriorated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 202638 min

S1 Ep 16EP 16: Strawberry Fields Forever

Welcome to episode 16 of UnBeatled, a channel where we take a deep dive into every single song The Beatles ever recorded. In our discussion we unpick the music, the lyrics, the cultural context at the time, and the impact the song had on the band's success in the UK and the world.This week David Bennett takes us through his favourite song of all time - the psychedelic masterpiece Strawberry Fields Forever. Written while filming How I Won The War in Spain, it became the first track The Beatles worked on as part of their 'Sgt Pepper' sessions. Working with a sense of creative freedom, The Beatles continued to pioneer new recording techniques which they had begun on Revolver. When it was released the public didn't know what to think - who had turned their beloved mop tops so... weird? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 16, 202650 min

S1 Ep 15EP 15: And I Love Her

This episode discusses And I Love Her, a song that was written for Paul McCartney's first true love - Jane Asher. Tune in to hear about the band's use of musical concepts such as key changes and the Picardy Third. Also, UnBeatled will discuss how living with Jane Asher opened Paul's eyes to arts and culture at the outset of swinging London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 202527 min

S1 Ep 14EP 14: Cry Baby Cry

This episode delves into John's haunted nursery rhyme - Cry Baby Cry. The song was initially inspired by a TV advertisement before being finished while studying transcendental meditation in India. Tune in to hear discussion about John Lennon's childhood and the tensions while recording this track. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 202527 min

S1 Ep 13EP 13: She's Leaving Home

This episode discusses She's Leaving Home - a song that was inspired by a newspaper article about a runaway teenager. Tune in to hear about Mike Leander's arrangement and how it made Brian Wilson scrap an upcoming Beach Boys project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 202536 min

S1 Ep 12EP 12: I've Got A Feeling

UnBeatled breaks down the 1970 rocker 'I've Got A Feeling'. This song blended two unfinished tracks - one from McCartney and one from Lennon. This was the last time they collaborated in such a way. Tune in to hear about Billy Preston's keyboard contributions and discussion on why McCartney has chosen to continue including it in his current live setlists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 202533 min

S1 Ep 11EP 11: Michelle

UnBeatled takes a look at Michelle from Rubber Soul. It began life as a song Paul used to play at parties while singing in a French accent. Tune in to hear about Nina Simon's influence on the track and how they sought the help of their friend's wife to finish the lyrics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 202531 min

S1 Ep 10EP 10: Dear Prudence

UnBeatled inspects Dear Prudence from The Beatles' self-titled album. It's a beautiful song written by John that utilises a guitar finger picking style that John learned from Donovan while studying transcendental meditation in India. Tune in to learn about Paul McCartney playing the flugelhorn and why Ringo did not play drums on this track. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 202527 min

S1 Ep 9EP 9: She Said She Said

UnBeatled delves deep into She Said She Said - a song that was written after a memorable experience with the actor Peter Fonda. Tune in to hear how the song was written in the Mixolydian mode and changes time signature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 202536 min

S1 Ep 8EP 8: Eight Days A Week

This episode looks at Eight Days A Week - a song that was just an album track in the UK but went on to be a big hit in America. It's an optimistic, feel-good track that's driven by jangly acoustic guitar and a classic McCartney walking bassline. Despite this, the band didn't highly regard the song and thought it was merely writing for the 'meat market'.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 202527 min

S1 Ep 7EP 7: Penny Lane

UnBeatled breaks down Penny Lane - the song that Paul McCartney wrote as his response to Strawberry Fields Forever. Tune in to hear about the perfect piccolo trumpet solo and why this song encapsulated the confidence of the time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, 202540 min

S1 Ep 6EP 6: Yellow Submarine

UnBeatled examines Yellow Submarine - a song that was written as a children's rhyme. Listen in to stories about how Donovan helped with the lyrics and John tried to record his vocals underwater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 27, 202427 min

S1 Ep 5EP 5: She Loves You

UnBeatled inspects the song that catapaulted The Beatles to heights never seen before in the UK. Learn how such an iconic song was written on twin hotel beds and recorded merely a few days later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 20, 202440 min
Virgin Radio