Product Description

Aiming to reflect the mood of the 1960s, this collection of Beatles lyrics and colour illustrations was first published in two separate volumes in 1969 and 1971. The many illustrators include Clive Arrowsmith, David Bailey, Mel Calman, David Hockney, Ronald Searle, Peter Max and Ralph Steadman.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #267986 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Originally published in 1969 in two volumes, this collection is issued for the first time in hardback. For those unfamiliar with previous editions, the book is a compilation of 206 Beatles lyrics as illustrated both by fans and by internationally famous artists of the time such as David Bailey, David Hockney, and Ralph Steadman. Edited by designer Alan Aldridge, it also features quotes from the band, specially commissioned photographs, and many of the songs they wrote for other artists such as Cilla Black and PJ Proby.

In interpreting the lyrics, the illustrators breathe new life into the words and flesh out basic love songs such as "Love Me Do" and "She Loves You" with their surreal and psychedelic images. Similarly, the more mature lyrics of later songs such as "Eleanor Rigby" and "Norwegian Wood", which are effective as words alone, also profit from visual enhancement. The diverse material on offer encompasses a broad spectrum of styles that range from the nursery rhyme-like "Yellow Submarine" through the hallucinogenic "Strawberry Fields Forever" and the abstract "I Am The Walrus" to the reflective beauty of "Across the Universe". As with poems, lyrics will always be open to interpretation and the Beatles songs have suffered more dissection than most. However, the illustrations not only successfully capture the essence of the songs but also provide a fascinating reflection of 1960s culture, perhaps most notably by the frequent use of sexist imagery.

The Beatles' enormous contribution to art, fashion, and music in the 1960s cannot be under- estimated, nor can their lasting impact on popular culture be disputed, making this definitive collection as relevant today as it was then. The lavish presentation with full colour illustrations ensures it is essential both for casual fans and for obsessive devotees who wish to deconstruct every word of every lyric. The Fab Four changed the world and this is a wonderful example of their colossal talent. --Robert Brookes

About the Author
Alan Aldridge was a close personal friend of the Beatles and worked with them on various projects. Winner of many design awards, his work is a familiar feature in magazines, advertisement billboards and record covers.

Customer Reviews

We all live in a Tub of Margarine
This book supplies the lyrics to most of the songs released by the Beatles during their recording career. It includes album tracks as well as singles but, as most beatles album tracks are nearly as well known as the singles that is no bad thing.

As far as I can see, it serves two purposes, one is for budding Karaoke singers to practice to and the other is to settle arguments (did they really sing Yellow Matter Custard Dripping From A Dead Dogs Eye - see I am the Walrus).

My personal view is that the illustrations merely break up the monotony of endless words. The fact that they are from well known (at the time) artists is neither here nor there. Still, they are pretty to look at.

If you want to know what the Fabs sang all those years ago, this is the definitive resource