How Good Were The Beatles’ VOICES? — Including Rare Recordings
Shadows of The Beatles
68,537 views
How good were The Beatles’ voices? Using rare recordings, alternate takes, live performances and seldom-seen footage, we explore what made John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison so distinctive—and so extraordinary together.
They could sound like a girl-group record, a close doo-wop trio, a raw rhythm-and-blues band, English folk singers—or something nobody had heard before.
❤️ Enjoy our Beatles films? You can support Val & Gary on Patreon from $3 a month, with personal stories, archive photographs, behind-the-scenes extras and our own music. Our first song, “English Sun,” is now available to both paid tiers.
Patreon: ShadowsOfTheBeatles
From “She Loves You” and “This Boy” to “I’m Down,” “Revolution” and “Because,” this is the story of three completely different voices that could change colour, character and role—then blend into one unmistakable sound.
Wherever possible, we have used unusual versions: studio outtakes, exposed vocals, live recordings and alternate performances, allowing us to hear familiar songs afresh.
Which Beatles vocal moment surprised you most? Tell us in the comments—and let us know which song you would have included.
00:00 When The Beatles Changed Pop Music
00:14 The Famous “She Loves You” Ending
00:28 The G6 Chord and Glenn Miller
00:37 The Beatles Enter Glenn Miller Territory
00:46 “Nowhere Man” — Take 1
00:57 The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman”
01:13 The Influence of American Girl Groups
01:29 The Beatles’ “Please Mr. Postman”
02:00 “You’re Going to Lose That Girl”
02:25 The Beatles Discover Doo-Wop
02:35 “This Boy” — Three Voices as One
03:18 “There’s a Place” — The Northern Edge
03:45 A Hard Day’s Night
04:32 “Money (That’s What I Want)” — Live
05:05 Paul’s Incredible Day: Three Classics
06:06 “Revolution” — Doo-Wop Goes Heavy
06:45 The Voice of “Lady Madonna”
07:08 The Tenderness of “I Will”
07:28 “Helter Skelter” at in a Glastonbury setting.
07:52 “Kansas City” Live on Shindig!
08:24 The Voice of John Lennon
08:35 “Across the Universe”
09:00 “Any Time at All”
09:10 “I’m Only Sleeping”
09:23 “I Am the Walrus” and the Leslie Speaker
09:38 George — The Essential Third Voice
10:02 “Because” — The LOVE Mix
10:22 “Don’t Let Me Down” on the Rooftop
11:12 The Beatles’ Voices — Final Thoughts
A Valgary Film for Shadows of The Beatles.
This is an original work of criticism, commentary and musical analysis. Brief copyrighted excerpts are included only where necessary to illustrate the subjects being discussed.
#TheBeatles #Beatles #MusicHistory
From our book Shadows of the Beatles: A Transatlantic Memoir of Love — true stories of music, memory, and connection across time.
🎸 Buy the Book: https://shadowsofthebeatles.com
📚 Read & Watch More: @shadowsofthebeatles
Follow our journey of love, music, and mystery inspired by The Beatles.
#TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney #ShadowsOfTheBeatles #Valgary #BeatlesFans #TrueStory #MusicDocumentary #RomanticMemoir
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How Good Were The Beatles’ VOICES? — Including Rare Recordings
Shadows of The Beatles
68,537 views
How good were The Beatles’ voices? Using rare recordings, alternate takes, live performances and seldom-seen footage, we explore what made John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison so distinctive—and so extraordinary together.
They could sound like a girl-group record, a close doo-wop trio, a raw rhythm-and-blues band, English folk singers—or something nobody had heard before.
❤️ Enjoy our Beatles films? You can support Val & Gary on Patreon from $3 a month, with personal stories, archive photographs, behind-the-scenes extras and our own music. Our first song, “English Sun,” is now available to both paid tiers.
Patreon: ShadowsOfTheBeatles
From “She Loves You” and “This Boy” to “I’m Down,” “Revolution” and “Because,” this is the story of three completely different voices that could change colour, character and role—then blend into one unmistakable sound.
Wherever possible, we have used unusual versions: studio outtakes, exposed vocals, live recordings and alternate performances, allowing us to hear familiar songs afresh.
Which Beatles vocal moment surprised you most? Tell us in the comments—and let us know which song you would have included.
00:00 When The Beatles Changed Pop Music
00:14 The Famous “She Loves You” Ending
00:28 The G6 Chord and Glenn Miller
00:37 The Beatles Enter Glenn Miller Territory
00:46 “Nowhere Man” — Take 1
00:57 The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman”
01:13 The Influence of American Girl Groups
01:29 The Beatles’ “Please Mr. Postman”
02:00 “You’re Going to Lose That Girl”
02:25 The Beatles Discover Doo-Wop
02:35 “This Boy” — Three Voices as One
03:18 “There’s a Place” — The Northern Edge
03:45 A Hard Day’s Night
04:32 “Money (That’s What I Want)” — Live
05:05 Paul’s Incredible Day: Three Classics
06:06 “Revolution” — Doo-Wop Goes Heavy
06:45 The Voice of “Lady Madonna”
07:08 The Tenderness of “I Will”
07:28 “Helter Skelter” at in a Glastonbury setting.
07:52 “Kansas City” Live on Shindig!
08:24 The Voice of John Lennon
08:35 “Across the Universe”
09:00 “Any Time at All”
09:10 “I’m Only Sleeping”
09:23 “I Am the Walrus” and the Leslie Speaker
09:38 George — The Essential Third Voice
10:02 “Because” — The LOVE Mix
10:22 “Don’t Let Me Down” on the Rooftop
11:12 The Beatles’ Voices — Final Thoughts
A Valgary Film for Shadows of The Beatles.
This is an original work of criticism, commentary and musical analysis. Brief copyrighted excerpts are included only where necessary to illustrate the subjects being discussed.
#TheBeatles #Beatles #MusicHistory
From our book Shadows of the Beatles: A Transatlantic Memoir of Love — true stories of music, memory, and connection across time.
🎸 Buy the Book: https://shadowsofthebeatles.com
📚 Read & Watch More: @shadowsofthebeatles
Follow our journey of love, music, and mystery inspired by The Beatles.
#TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney #ShadowsOfTheBeatles #Valgary #BeatlesFans #TrueStory #MusicDocumentary #RomanticMemoir
Enjoying our Beatles films? Help us keep them coming ❤ Join Gary & Val on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ShadowsOfTheBeatles
Which moment surprised you most: John, Paul, George—or the extraordinary sound they made together? And which vocal moment should we have included?