"It seemed to Western youth that The Beatles knew - that they had the key to current events and were somehow orchestrating them through their records." - Ian MacDonald
How the Beatles Knew A Theory of How They Wrote Their Songs
What Made Their Songs So Compelling? "Completely Absorbing...Hugely Rewarding" - Kirkus Starred Review
This book does what no other Beatles book has done before - offers a well-researched and plausible analysis of what was behind even their most obscure songs, and what their basic method of writing songs was - it was an approach, the author suggests, which began when Paul moved into the Asher residence. This book is not about "the meaning" of the songs, but rather, their underlying subtext, and how they were written.
How The Beatles Knew Is an artistic biography of Paul McCartney, a theory of what his process was as an artist. The author argues that there was a consistent psychological subtext to Beatles songs, which was brought to the public in 1963 with "She Loves You" and which continued all the way to the songs on the last album. The author analyzes the lyrics to 78 Beatles songs in support of her theory. Details on social science research, psychological experiments in think-tanks, and behind-the-scenes researchers cast a fascinating light on the possible subtexts of the Beatles song lyrics.
Editorial Reviews
The Beatles' songs are given rigorous, exhaustive deconstructions in these pages... the result is completely absorbing. Niccolini's biographical approach is richly nuanced and refreshingly literary; every trace of possible inspiration is tracked down with sensitivity. The book is a must-have for any Beatles library. A comprehensive and hugely rewarding look at the Beatles' creativity.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
An important book on The Beatles... I finished the book, turned to the first page and read it all again... I am in love with Niccolini's mind.
Glenn Allen Howard, CEO American Musical Heritage Foundation
A deep dive into the lyrics of Paul McCartney... A must-read for Beatlemaniacs.
Ken Goffman, author, Counterculture Through The Ages
The way Niccolini analyzes Beatles lyrics through the filter of social sciences really connected a lot of dots for me for the 60s and 70s eras. The book is terrific. It's scholarly, but reads easy. To read this book is to come away thinking.
James Morgan, former Music Editor at Mondo 2000 Magazine
Explains Paul's process begun at the Asher's
Ilse Niccolini
Ilse Niccolini is a former San Francisco Bay Area journalist and editor of an award-winning trends and arts magazine. She has a degree in English literature with Honors from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a former Contributing Editor to Mondo 2000 magazine, and editor of Sources Security Intelligence News Service. Her work has also appeared in the Boston Herald writing for Associated Press.
TONAL PUBLICATIONS
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