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All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release Kindle Edition

by Philippe Margotin (Author), Jean-Michel Guesdon (Author), Patti Smith (Preface) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,292 ratings
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In this lively and fully-illustrated work, two music historians break down every album and every song ever released by the Beatles, from "Please Please Me" (U.S. 1963) to "The Long and Winding Road" (U.S. 1970).

All the Songs delves deep into the history and origins of the Beatles and their music. This first-of-its-kind book draws upon decades of research, as music historians Margotin and Guesdon recount the circumstances that led to the composition of every song, the recording process, and the instruments used.

Here, we learn that one of John Lennon's favorite guitars was a 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri, which he bought for £100 in 1960 in Hamburg, Germany. We also learn that "Love Me Do," recorded in Abbey Road Studios in September 1962, took 18 takes to get right, even though it was one of the first songs John and Paul ever wrote together. And the authors reveal that when the Beatles performed "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, John's microphone wasn't turned on, so viewers heard only Paul singing.

The hundreds of photographs throughout the book include rare black-and-white publicity stills, images of Beatles instruments, and engaging shots of the musicians in-studio.

All the Songs is the must-have book for the any true Beatles fan.
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  1. Part of series
    All the Songs
  2. Print length
    903 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Black Dog & Leventhal
  6. Publication date
    February 4, 2014
  7. File size
    3137 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* This hefty gem of a book catalogs every recording released by the Beatles, in chronological order of album release. The Beatles were early adopters of available technology and were known for using innovative techniques, and this book admirably captures the recording process of their English catalog, including all the singles and studio albums. Each song gets a minimum two-page spread, featuring the credits for the recording, a section on the genesis of the song, a narrative on the production, and a paragraph on technical details. While the bulk of the material is not new information, Guesdon and Margotin have done extensive research. They know their stuff (Guesdon is a musician; Margotin, a music critic), and it shows—especially in the Production and Technical Details sections, where the type of equipment is named and described, recording speeds are discussed, and there is much talk of the number of takes each song required and why. Footnotes are found in each entry. Side boxes of trivia (For Beatles Fanatics) are posted throughout, letting readers in on such trivia as If you listen carefully, you can make out an extra voice in the solo part at exactly 1:32 on Any Time at All. Large-scale black-and-white photos abound, with color shots popping up as well. A short glossary of technical and musical terms, an index of albums and songs, a list of release dates, and a general index round out the work.Comprehensive and entertaining, this is a good reference source of music trivia and a must for the circulating collections of most public and academic libraries. Beatles fans will be clamoring for this one. --Rebecca Vnuk

Review

"Fun facts about every one of the Fab Four's creations, with photos. Yeah yeah yeah."―People

"Fifty years ago, the Beatles released their debut album. ... if you're a fan and All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release makes it onto your coffee table, chances are that it'll be the one least likely to leave. Music historians Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin dissect, discuss and analyze every song, from 'Please Please Me' (1963) to 'The Long and Winding Road' (1970). There's a well- written 'Genesis' and 'Production' section for each song, as well as enough technical tables to please everyone's inner nerd, not to mention 600 photographs.―Wall Street Journal

"Everybody has a Beatles fan in their life, and you'll make them very happy if you give them a copy of All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release."―Newsday

"A perfect giftt for the Fab-Four fanatic."―New York Post

"This is rock-solid stuff .... Yields all sorts of surprises, even for the initiated.... Essential for Beatles fans and a pleasure to read."
―Kirkus Reviews

"Beautiful layout and plenty of photos throughout.... And if that isn't enough, Patti Smith wrote the book's preface."―A.V. Club, 'Our Favorite Books of the Year

"Impossible not to like for Beatle-types."―The Nation

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00I0HZIWU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Dog & Leventhal (February 4, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 4, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3137 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 903 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,292 ratings

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  1. Jean-Michel Guesdon

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,292 global ratings
Book hardcover damaged before receiving
2 Stars
Book hardcover damaged before receiving
It’s too late to return this damaged book and get another in time because it has to be given as a gift. Other than that, the book is big and heavy. My dad will still be happy to receive even through broken spine and torn edges. I’m embarrassed to gift.
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Top reviews from the United States

KBagain
5.0 out of 5 stars Another terrific resource book from these authors
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I also have the Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin editions of All The Songs from these same authors. Both of those are also very well done.

I’m a little bit too young to have been a “first generation” Beatles fan, so last summer I decided to see what all the hoopLa was about and I started listening to the Beatles and reading about them. I knew some of their music—I think anyone over the age of 25 knows at least a couple of songs—but now, I’m digging in and learning quite a bit more about them. And the great thing, other than their great music itself, is that there is so much of it to discover. For someone like me, too young to be a first-generation Beatles fan, but too old to find much in today’s music that interests me, truly discovering the Beatles is like finding all new music—and what great music it is. They deserve every bit of respect, admiration and adulation surrounding their legend.

This book, like the other two I have from these same authors, is very well done. It keeps my interest quite well. There are lots and lots of photos, interesting stories to go with most entries, all the technical info an amateur can hope for, and more. These books keep me busy for long periods of time. They’re also very attractive hard covers, so the kruse is fair, not to mention you can keep these books out with your other favorite “coffee table books.”

I’m not informed enough about the Beatles to know if there might be some mistakes in facts (like so,e other reviewers), but I will say that I’m having quite a good time with all of this, including the little factoids every few pages: “For Beatles Addicts,” etc. There is enough here to keep me busy fir quite some time while I work my way through their vast catalogue.

I also liked the introduction by Patti Smith, who is a really good writer as well as a trusted authority on music from that era. Her intro takes you right into the heart of what it felt like to be a “first-generation” Beatles fan.

If you or someone you know is into the Beatles, this is the book to buy. Just be forewarned—it takes a long time to work yiur way through these books. That’s a good thing : )
16 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Gobsmacked
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023
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I wanted this book for a long time and finally ordered it. Unbelievable the detail and comprehensiveness of information. I have to keep it out on the table all the time. It’s certainly not a sit and read through book. I can barely lift it! But it will answer any question you can think of about the Beatles. Who needs internet searches!
3 people found this helpful
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Julie Cheeseman
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
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The pictures and stories are amazing.
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Christopher Barrett
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for any Beatles fan!
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2016
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Holy moly! This is 670+ pages of Beatles goodness!

First note: do not expect lyrics to the songs. This book does not contain them. I would guess there are probably complex copyright issues with the lyrics and rather than the publisher dealing with tedious and expensive legal spelunking, they opted to omit. Instead just google the lyrics - they are easily found online. Or many Beatles album jackets have the lyrics (I have all the albums on original vinyl, so many have the lyrics - not sure about CDs and recent releases).

The book does contain hundreds of amazing photos - awesome for fans! There are also oodles of trivia tidbits!

Each song has a page (or more) devoted to it - basically the story behind the song - why they wrote it, who actually wrote it (most were credited to Lennon/McCartney but were often not written by both).

The book is laid out chronologically, so it really makes sense and it is easy to locate specific songs and albums.

I recommend this book for any fan of the Beatles. I consider myself a pretty avid fan and this book contains a LOT of great content I didn't even know!
14 people found this helpful
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Stu O' Boogie
4.0 out of 5 stars I hope most of the book tells the real details of the Band's songs + albums....
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015
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People Magazine got it right- this book has great "facts" about the songs. Or another words not the main story behind a lot of songs. For example, "This Boy" is supposed to be written about John having an affair with the married woman next door to his flat and the husband pounding him over it. I would have liked it more if the authors included these kinds of interpretations because the Beatles denied a lot of stories and for the authors to just say that after a member admitted to something they later reneged on it. Then we can learn more about the songs. But the facts are cool and the pictures cool. The posters sucked but the rest was cool. I think this plus Anthology in the Beatles own words, The Beatles Encyclopedia with many little known stories about the band and the Bob Spitz work are all you really need if you are a hardcore nerd. Yes Bill Harry's Encyclopedia at least had stupid mistakes but overall the info is great and fun to read and novel for almost all fans. Anthology is in the Band's words which is cool. The Spitz book discusses the Beatles in terms of the evolution of success and the ups and downs of it in a way that is an exhaustive look at the band as well as a perspective on fame/success/money/creative achievements that can be reinterpreted as universal self-help about what to do and not to do to achieve outcomes. On that level it goes beyond the band. So I find it the one biography worth having of the boys. Complex and also universal. And Spitz will insert a worst case example of sex on the road during tours briefly to indicate yes the hedonism got in the way. Including the band members spending all night at parties laughing like schoolgirls high on acid while constantly photographing the underneath of the table. But then move on from there to other stuff. But in my mind Songs should definitely be on the list for the times you need to spend more time on the Toilet All the Songs is a great read as well...
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Erika Paola Vital Liberato
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente para regalar
Reviewed in Mexico on April 19, 2024
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Tiene una súper calidad, es muy grueso y pesado el libro, todo viene a color y es muy bonito
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Katherine
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book!
Reviewed in Singapore on May 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
As a huge beatles fan, i am beyond thrilled to know all about the production of their music! The book was new and came in perfect condition. An absolute steal too for only $40+!
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Katherine
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect book!
Reviewed in Singapore on May 28, 2022
As a huge beatles fan, i am beyond thrilled to know all about the production of their music! The book was new and came in perfect condition. An absolute steal too for only $40+!
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Swiss-Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars Für Beatles-Fans
Reviewed in Germany on October 15, 2016
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Ich bin mit den Beatles aufgewachsen - buchstäblich. Die wichtigen und schönsten Bücher muss ich einfach haben. "All the Songs" ist ein typisches Coffee table book: Ich will es in der Nähe haben, um dann und wann in diese Zeit einzutauchen und mir die vielen Geschichten rund um die Songs, die mich in einer wichtigen Phase meines Lebens begleitet haben, in Erinnerung zu rufen. Und meine eigenen Geschichten natürlich.
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Enyo
5.0 out of 5 stars Sit back, listen... and just turn the pages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2014
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When listening to the Beatles, this is the one book by my side. I've got all the great Mark Lewisohn books as well as Ian MacDonald's Revolution in the head. The later I feel was good but a bit opinionated. I feel with this book 'All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release' the authors have really listened to the music and given a more accurate discription of the instrumentation, recording and mixing of the music with less detail than Ian MacDonalds did. For example, when the authours attribute a bass line to anyone but Paul you can see/hear the difference in playing... even when a solo is attributed to John or Paul you can tell the authors know what they are talking about. With this book you can pick out the styles of the Beatles guitarist if you haven't already... I disagree with a previous reviewer about the pictures which I feel go with the flow of the book. If you have this book and Mark Lewishohn's, then you kinda have what you need for a great Beatles lock oneself away readaton... and of course PLEASE PLEASE ME to LET IT BE lps with the PAST Masters playing close by so...1, 2, 3, 4 well she was just seventeen...............
9 people found this helpful
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Juan Montes
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on January 11, 2024
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Llego en tiempo y forma, muy buen libro para cualquier fanático de the Beatles
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