The Beatles’ unique chord progression
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
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When it comes to ultimate Beatles songs, I Am The Walrus is a close second to me, only after Strawberry Fields! This song is yet another example of John Lennon's unique approach to songwriting and harmony, and George Martin's magnificent ability to bring John's often eccentric ideas to life!
To avoid copyright strikes I've created my own version of the song. See how I did it in this video: • I recreated "I Am The ...
The vocals are by Jack Wolter. Check out Jack's band Penelope Isles: open.spotify.c... 🎤
The outro music to this video was my "Study in 5/4 time" which you can hear in full on Spotify: sptfy.com/davi... 🎶
And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
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Also, at 7:36 the audio is out of sync with the sheet music. Sorry about that! Thanks to the commenters who noticed it! At least somebody is paying attention 😅😂
Interesting how your two favourite Beatles songs are also mine.
The psychedelic stuff that they did is just so good man!
Mind you, it's very stiff competition all around.
Huh, we have the same top two Beatles songs...
That’s kinda funny lol😂
This song is one of many reasons why I classify George Martin as the 5th Beatle. Billy Preston was a good contributor for a few songs, but G.M. did it throughout their career.
George Martin was definitely the 5th Beatle!
agreed
in many songs he is the highlight
in Because he plays the harpsichord, the main instrument
I think he's the first Beatle.
@@DavidBennettPiano not to diminish the talent of the lads, but do you have an opinion or perspective on what they would have been without George? Commercial success is likely too hard to say with any certainty, but what about the massive strides they made through and beyond rock/pop at the time. Would they still have made those moves without George? And then I guess their musical legacy -would they still be one of the most influential bands of all time if the five were really only four?
Love your work. Would you ever consider looking at Tom Waits for a video. His Island Trilogy is one of the most incredible transformations of an artist I know of, but I've never considered his music in relation to music theory and what interesting/adventurous choices he may have made.
Ooh! And while I've got your ear, the Broken Record Podcast with Rick Rubin did a four part interview with each of the members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I never would have considered them virtuosic or musically inventive, although I love their music, but listening to this latest generation of the "elder statesmen" of rock, especially about their writing and recording practices was astounding. I highly recommend giving it a listen, even if you're not a fan.
Yeah… and never got a single songwriting credit. Imagine that today?!
It's sometimes hard to believe that The Beatles really existed.
I don’t believe in Beatles.
@@1000π I just believe in me.
Smoking are we
Cause the Beatles were just Ringo moving very fast
Unreal
I always found "I Am The Walrus" as the most Beatles-que song by the Beatles, it's got everything they were. I always fall in love with songs that inspire mystery and magic, and this is definitely number one. Surely one of their best songs.
It's so cool how it is both catchy and disorienting at the same time. It's like a beautifully demented pop song.
It's been hypothesized before that had this been chosen as the A-side instead of 'Hello, Goodbye', it would have changed the course of the band to a more progressive one, single-wise at least, as opposed to the more melodic, poppy one that they took.
You made me feel it's like a Van Gough painting translated into sound.
I Am The Walrus is the reason (together with Strawberry Fields) why I have always thought that whilst Paul Mc Cartney is an incredible musician , John Lennon was a genius, because he just envisioned the music differently
Agree 100%. Paul is a melodic genius, but I find John's odd vision of music much more unique and it pushed George Martin to break his understanding of arrangements. Paul did too, but he was more classic, John has more psychedelic, with songs I consider masterpieces of the band: Strawberry Fields, I Am The Walrus, Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite, A Day In The Life, Tomorrow Never Knows, among many.
@@carl_anderson9315 The two of them together in the same band is pure serendipity. Then add in George and Ringo and you have a phenomenon that will unlikely ever occur again. I consider it a blessing to have been alive when it all happened. Truly a magical, wonderful time. I think that succeeding generations will continue to rediscover the Beatles for as long as humans exist.
Exactly, as George Martin called Lennon “an aural Salvador Dalí”
I always felt the music became serious because of John Lennon.
@abc456f It's a legend that will last a lunchtime.
I honestly think that Magical Mistery Tour is up there with Revolver, Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road for being considered the greatest album by the Beatles
Same
It's somewhat discounted because Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane really belong to Sgt Pepper, they were its singles.
But it is considered semi cannon because it was an album made by capitol, putting songs that were released that very same year 1967 as singles, like all you need is love or strawberry Fields
Side two of the US LP gave us five brilliant singles. Side one was the film soundtrack. It’s the only case where the Capitol release was superior to the Parlophone. (Well, the tracks and sequencing on the American pressing of Rubber Soul were pretty good, too.) True that ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and ‘Penny Lane’ were recorded a year earlier but, from the listener’s point of view (not collector’s) the US LP is buzzin’!
could've been better with mixing some of yellow submarine songs instead of putting strawberry fields forever/penny lane. My suggesting list is -
1. magical mystery tour
2. the fool on the hill
3. flying
4. blue jay way
5. its all too much
6. your mother should know
7. i am the walrus
8. hello goodbye
9. only a northern song
10. all together now
11. the inner light
12. baby your a rich man
13. all you need is love
for putting "inner light" instead of "hey bulldog" is because... first, "hey bulldog" deserves to be a single release, especially by the fact that it has a similar style with "lady madonna" (they were recorded together). And second is that, I discovered "baby your a rich man" flows incredibly well after "the inner light".
so i think something similar would make up a good scenario of linking the missing gap
Whenever anyone says all social media is vapid nonsense, I point them to content such as this gem. Stellar content, good sir.
👍👍👍
Alright... UA-cam isn't really social media though.
As much as the public wants to paint UA-cam as social media: it isn't. It's a video sharing platform
Today has been extremely fruitful. Thanks for the clarification. ☮️
Akshully, social tube might not maybe be definitely you media. It's a garbage platform video distribution enabler and I very much get all the point of comments made. Fight me.
Thank you Mike 😊
Brilliant video. My theory with this song is that John set himself a task to try and write a song using only 'white key' major chords: A, B, C, D, E and F. I think it's that restriction which he imposed on himself that makes the song so unique and brilliant.
(Also aided by an ambulance or police car driving by which prompted the nee-naw nee-naw style melody, allegedly.)
Is the ambulance claim something that is documented?
What's remarkable is, as you've pointed out in the past, the Beatles probably didn't even know the music theory they were implementing. Yet they managed to create such sophisticated compositions. It's a tribute to their exposure to diverse music in their youth.
Yeah this is what really gets me. Having evolved as a guitar player in high school from being In jazz band, I built a knowledge of harmony and melody that was really based in theory. Even despite having a decent grasp of it, I find the theory for this song to be insanely complicated. It truly blows my mind that John Lennon could come up with the basic melody and chords from ear without a single bit of understanding as to why it works. It's borderline depressing to know someone could have such an innate understanding of melody and harmony that even extends into intuitively understanding concepts like modal interchange just by pure musical intuition. It really shows the limitations of developed vs. gifted talent.
Exactly What i feel. I think that theory is made to explain Music, not to create music. The best way is to listen all kind of music every day probably like the Beatles did… with a touch of genius .
Yes, yes, yes! As I was watching this analysis, I just kept thinking that John definitely wasn't aware of all the theory behind it when he wrote it. It was what sounded good and right to him. Simply intuitive genius.
And if anyone questions George Martin's contribution to the Beatles success, think again. The fifth Beatle indeed.
John has said that he writes about his feelings. That's what differentiates himself from many others who are just trying to create songs.
I love your Beatles analysis, thank you for this I know you worked hard on recording your own version so you could properly analyze for the video!! Great job!!
This song got me into the Beatles and honestly music in general. I remember, i was walking through a target looking at the games and the displays and saw one showing off the beatles rockband and this song in particular. I couldn't move. It was such a cool sounding song.
Another brilliant job at analyzing a masterpiece. I think Lennon’s music in terms of songwriting was the most experimental in the Beatles. McCartney tended to be very sophisticated but more conventional in form . On WALRUS like Strawberry Fields Lennon kind of merged his poetry and surreal vision with his music, this era was his most innovative and his high point to me, 66 through 69.. he was at the height of his genius.
I agree. I´d like to think of Paul as more of a musical genius and John as more of an artistic genius. Paul is very much a regular guy, very down to earth kind of like most of us in terms of personality, but he has this fantastic gift for music. John on the other hand was a very unique personality with no filter (for better or worse), but I think it made him very groundbreaking artistically and culturally.
No doubt, John in 1967 is peak groundbreaking Lennon like nobody else
This is a brilliant exposé on song I hadn't paid much attention to. It's incredible to hear the explanation of the weird key movements and contrasting melodic paths. The version you've done of the song is also sensational - great vocals, I watched the 'making of' video. You really have taken the musical knowledge I got at school doing A level (in which I sadly only got an E!) a lot further. You are producing some of the best, most sophisticated and innovative content on UA-cam.
Thanks!!
I have been mesmerised by this song ever since I first heard it about 40 years ago. I know very little about music theory but I can honestly say I have never heard anything like it. It shouldn't work but it does. There are no spectacular guitar solos, no catchy tune (try to sing it... it's really hard!), no attempt to perform some kind of virtuoso technical performance and yet it's just perfect. Even the silly rhymes and the distorted radio reception is spot on, perhaps because it's short and not pretentious.
And I didn't even have to listen to it for several times to appreciate it, immediately as I heard the fist few bars, with the electric piano playing the two tones that sound a bit like a police siren, the whole thing hit me and I just "got it". The orchestration is perfect too. For me it gives me a feeling of being in a feverish dream. Amazing.
Thanks, David, for the musical analysis, I can't say I have the knowledge to follow it more than at a very basic level but I appreciate your expert treatment of the song.
I've always thought this is actually the best Beatles song.
Great review David!! I share your view that Strawberry fields & Walrus were the greatest pieces of music that John ever wrote!! The chord progression of "Walrus" is SO inventive (as are the lyrics). John was never more creative. But what George Martin did here is nothing short of genius!! This is George Martin's stellar moment of his career.
George Martin was instructed by Lennon on the arrangement. It’s said John sand the string arrangement to George Martin
@@hw343434source?
I'm glad you recreated this track, it was really interesting to hear the harmonies more clearly.
Fun fact: That chat you hear at the end of the song were recorded directly off a radio broadcast of King Lear. They are taken from Act 4, Scene 6. Lennon tuned his radio to the BBC Third Program on its final day before becoming Radio 3 and captured these lines quite by chance. They hold no thematic significance but add to the song’s trippy atmosphere.
Serviceable Villain.
I have no idea what you are talking about but it's Beatles stuff so I'm already liking it...
video idea: songs with riffs that make dissonant intervals work (Fade to black intro, Fix you intro solo...)
I think Sun Ra's Rocket #9 would be an interesting riff for this vid. If it were to happen.
ua-cam.com/video/Iw4RkUbGOFs/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/1WXQ2mTlBEY/v-deo.html
Those are the 2 good versions.
I am the walrus actually made my friend give a shot to now one of his favorite bands
I love how bonkers this song is
Never fails to put a smile on my face
I Am The Walrus is a most incredible song and all of the instrumental arrangements are so timeless and brilliant.It's hard to believe these four guys who only a few years earlier went from two minute hit singles to these compositions of monstrous proportions! Hiring orchestra musicians for a rock band was never done before but they created the very beginning of the progressive music period .
Great stuff man.
A song that I love that's packed full of interesting stuff musically is Autumn Almanac by The Kinks.
Its really am amazing song when you look into it.
Yes, yes, yes! 😉
A true masterpiece, both musically and lyrically. Very interesting segment, David. Thank you!
Dear David :
I AM THE WALRUS IS MY FAVOURITE :BEATLES SONG!
Thank you so much for this wonderful analysis and the superb work of recreating the song.
Wish you all the best.
Your version was awesome. Wish I could do that!
I'm going to guess this is why I never tire of the Beatles.
I saw your video about recreating this song, and was waiting with so much suspense for when you finally released the video it was for. A month after you released it, I finally found it. This has made me very pissed at the UA-cam algorithm, it has made me wait a month for this video I really wanted to watch
The song itself is obviously a masterpiece and this analysis is really riveting, thanks
I was soooo crazy about this song when I was 8 years old. At 7 it was Tomorrow Never Knows and at 6 it was Rain. But even so, Pleasant Valley Sunday was also especially high on my list at the same time. The Monkees were cool to me too.
The Monkees did a great version of that Carole King song!
I'll admit it too. I love the Beatles but was a big fan of the Monkees.
I used to drive myself crazy wondering what electric piano John had used on this song, because it’s the same electro piano he was playing in the video for “The Night Before” from Help! It wasn’t a Wurlitzer because it didn’t have that mid scoop and it looked nothing like a Wurlitzer. And I knew it couldn’t have been a Rhodes because they didn’t exist until 1968, and a Rhodes would’ve had that unmistakeable full rich chime. I was so happy when I got a book on beatle gear/session logs and it listed the Hohner Pianet as the go-to electric piano (until the “Get Back” session footage where you see them unboxing a brand new Rhodes, which Billy Preston pretty much claimed as his own as he could get his hands on it! They really lucked out to have him in their lineup for those last recording sessions. Billy must have also been thrilled to play their final rooftop gig. He always had a big ol smile on his face.
What keyboard is used in the Anthology version?
@@andrea-mj9ce hohner pianet t both versions
@@williambent9636 The sound of the keyboard is really different between the Magical Mystery Tour album and the Anthology album.
How can it be the same instrument?
@@andrea-mj9ce according to the liner notes of the Beatles anthology, this is the basic track. effects, overdubs and edits added later. assume the vibrato sound on the keyboard added in production. will look at some other accounts for confirmation. remember for years people claimed it was a wurlitzer electric piano, which I owned, but even with chorus effects was never quite rite. don't remember where i first heard it was a hohner pianet, which we sold in the mujsic store I used to work.
On 6th April 1966, The Beatles started work recording Tomorrow Never Knows. On 29th September 1967 they finished recording I Am The Walrus. During this time they also recorded Eleanor Rigby, She Said She Said, Here There and Everywhere, A Day in the Life, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields Forever, Within You Without You and She's Leaving Home, amongst several other fantastic tunes.
I don't think anybody else can lay claim to this high level of innovation and creativity within such a short span of time. And all this, having already changed the world with their output from '63 to '65. Astonishing.
Love your analysis of my 2nd fav song ever - the 1st one being Strawberry Fields Forever (another gem) and the 3rd Tomorrow Never Knows (ditto).
Amazing. It is phenomenal how you explain things so simply and clearly.
Thanks a lot, I have been waiting for this analysis for years. This is not a song, it is a piece of art. The outro section has also been compared to Eschers descending staircase, or penrose stairs.
Or a mobius strip
I have only this to add:
"Villain, thou hast slain me! Take the letters which thou findst upon me to Edmund, Earl of Gloucester." "A servicable villain ..." "What? Is he dead?" "Sit you down father, rest you."
As always you never cease to amaze with your know-how and love of Beatles music. You are priceless.
I mean, I was young and into "underground" at the time and didn't appreciate what the Beatles were doing. However, I wonder if they gave songs like this as much thought and intense scrutiny, dissecting each chord progressions as are considered here? In any case, thanks so much for this truly fascinating 'revelation'!
Download Solocontutti on mobile or desktop totally free of charge and start jamming online: www.solocontutti.com 🎵
Thanks for your astute analysis, David! I've loved this song for over 50 years, from back when I owned the vinyl. It was the very first song where I saw the juxtaposition of tritones (in this case B and F), and as such, was the start of my musical journey that would culminate with jazz. Such an important work and recording, and of course, JOHN wrote it. Again, BRAVO for a great post and superb content.
Once again you've outdone yourself. This is the best music channel on UA-cam. It's been great watching your channel explode the last few years.
Me, a Sonic fan, hearing "I am the Eggman": OH, GOOD LORD.
When I arranged this one a couple of years ago for fingerstyle, the research I spent on it was some of the most enjoyable musical theory time I've had. Especially discovering the Shepherd tone at the end. It's still my favourite Beatles tune, and such a cracker to play. Really enjoyed this video David. Credit to you putting the time to make all these. 👍
my favorite Beatles tune as well, although so many worthy ones, especially when you consider George as well and John & Paul
Excellent video as always! Please never stop making this kind of content 💜
When I want pleasure and an easy-going melody, Paul is my man.
But when I want inspiration and excitement, I will forever go for John.
You could take a look at “the analogues” is a German band that plays Beatles’ songs identically as the recordings. The sheets transcriptions are really amazing and hearing the songs live with all the elements is fantastic!!
Sorry, Analogues is a dutch band... but they are fantastic!
@@advanbeek9226 thanks, I thought they were German my bad,😅😅
Silly me.... I always thought John was singing "coo coo ca'-choo." Now it all makes perfect sense.
I loved the (correct) observation that this song is all major chords. The heavy use of major chords lying on the 3-flat, 6-flat and 7-flat - which btw Paul, George & John all did a LOT, but maybe never this abundantly - gives a wonderful false impression of minor.
David, I am so happy for you! Thank you for this. Brilliant.
Merci for this. I have been watching your videos for years and I finally bought a piano last month and started taking lessons on the web. Your music theory videos have been a great help.
I really enjoyed this analysis. One of my favorite songs.
Great job recreating the song and explaining the complexities of the chords.
Wonderful job you did with the analysis. Thank you for that. I stumbled upon your video nust after posting this song on my Facebook page as one of the greatest records ever made. Small world!
A lot of work went into this video, thanks for the finished product!!
One of my favourite songs ever. Great analysis. Many thanks.
I’m sure John Lennon would have been truly staggered at this musical analysis. When you think he wrote this chord progression and melody with no musical/technical understanding of what he was doing…..genius!
It's always a good day when you put out a video. But it's an especially good day when you put out a video analyzing a Beatles song.
8:06
I'm beginning to learn how to notate music and one of the little tunes i came up with i could only notate with a series of triplets. I had no idea if it was acceptable to notate it like that or not. This confirms it is acceptable.
Thank you for all the work you do, David!
A labour of Love. I like your vocals top, they give some awe inspired innocence to the song.
There are so many Beatles songs that besides the amazing lyrics are just equally amazing sounding with the music itself. I think walrus, bulldog come to mind.
Awesome trippy weird tune with so many literary references. Always loved it. One of oasis' best covers they did too
Amazing analysis and appreciation of I am the Walrus - thank you so much
Superbly done and full of fascinating details (eg the cellos breaking into triplets in the final loop section.)
This song is an example of how some of the Beatles work at this stage was revolutionary in that it was clearly not designed for dancing or for romantic canoodling. It was popular music as "art" music, designed for listening and perhaps even close listening at that. In this regard it had more in common with some strands of jazz (eg be-bop) than it did with the rock and roll that they started with.
And talking of art it has been suggested that this final loop with its contrary motion etc. is an aural equivalent of the Escher drawing of the "impossible" stairs that perpetually ascends.
Fantastic analysis! Thank you very much
Great stuff, David.
I totally agree with you that 'I Am The Walrus' is one of the most unique songs ever written. And I also agree that 'Strawberry Fields Forever' is another outstanding composition from John Lennon. And I think the two songs have some similarities, but Strawberry Fields is more straight forward than Walrus, which is all over the map chord-wise which gives it the chaotic feel. Great video, thanks!!
I perceive the B as V/V in A major. What an endlessly fascinating song.
Thank you, big hug from Argentina.
I've always loved the Beatles and their music, and now you've added another dimension by helping me understand the theory behind their songs. Thank you!
Thanks God, I have been in love with the Beatles for 40 years 😊❤
finally the analysis is here! thank you, the way you explain everything is clear, concise, and interesting.
I always feel like I've a lot to learn about music theory when I watch these videos. I'm a relatively new to music theory so I`m not following it completely, but I just keep coming back to your channel and watch videos again because it's extremely interesting and very well made. Well done!!
I'm lucky to have lived during the time of the Beatles.
7:33 the chords are different, It supposed to start with D chord and go down a ton. The inverval between G and F(supposed to be C and B) is a semitone like in the andalusian cadence and not a whole tone.
Can't wait for ur 3rd favorite beatles song video analysist.
I really enjoy ur video.
Brilliant absolutely Brilliant!
I loved this one.
It's above my current ability but I love the bits I can do.
My stuff sounds a bit Flamenco esq so I can go with it.
Thank you David.
Amazing video absolutely love your recreation of the song
Great video as always David but I have a comment. I am a professional musician and when I was in the Conservatory we tried to analyze a Debussy piece with the parameters of "tonal music" and my harmony teacher told us that we can´t do it. You have to have another vision about it. And that is what I think of "Walrus". Lennon was using the chords as unique entities not belonging to a specific tonality. Anyway, this is my favorite Beatle song. I am your fan. Thanks a lot.
Impressive analysis and recreation. Thank you for bringing insight to the Beatles’s stellar creativity for new generations.
If your third favourite one is "Blue Jay Way", we share the same taste.
And here i thought I was unique
I bet it is Happiness is a warm gun.
I think it’s hey bulldog which would be really fun to analyse
is it possible that your favourite album is Magical Mystery Tour?
Yeah. Third from the bottom. It's not good. Imagine ranking that above "Hey Jude" or "Revolution".
Yes it is a great song. Thanks for the video
Excellent presentation of the score. Thank you.
The content on this channel is always top quality. Superb analysis.
Love your videos David, I learn new stuff everytime I watch and since I'm a big Beatles fan I love these deep dives into their music. I was playing along and noted an error at 7:26 (the outro). I think the chords should be D/G/B/A/G/F/E.
Sorry, I see you've already addressed that.
Amazing analysis of a mind-boggling song! Goo goo gajoob!
It's an amazing track. It almost sounds like nightmare fuel. A few things I've noticed/read over the years about it:
1. John read an article about folks finding "hidden messages" in Beatles songs. Bemused by this, he was inspired to write this. "Let the f***** figure this one out!"
2. The guitar is buried in the mix. So much, I had to hear isolated tracks to find it.
3. The distorted tone of the vocals is achieved through plugging a mic through a guitar amp.
It's an amazing track. The chord progression, the string arrangement, the choir vocals. The Beatles were ahead of their time....❤️
They still are
I have loved the Beatles music, from 1966 when I was only 4. What’s amazing is how they changed so quickly, they did almost every type of music going. Incredibly in just 6 years they sold around 600000000 records. And I am the walrus is a marvellous song.
Is that 600 million?
@@dickmonkey-king1271 yes. Amazing when they where only together for 7 years.
I love your videos David. I always learn something new. And props for recreating such a complex track! I bet that was a blast to make.
Another excellent video, thank you ,David.
Amazing
You are so talented!
Your two favourite Beatles songs were both released in 1967, as were the other fan favourites "Penny Lane" and "All you Need is Love", and the Sgt. Pepper album, which everyone knows is nothing but bop after bop. 1967 was truly a golden age for the Beatles.
What key is 'I am the Walrus' in? Yes.
major
which major?
all major
B Major. I used to play this song in a guitar and yes, started with B then decreases to A, then etc.
The intro (which is actually the 'middle eight') is in B major and the verses are in A major.
Great analysis and breakdown! Wonderful job!
🙏🏻 loved this analysis!!!
I have found when playing the song, using simple major chords in the first verse and chorus, and adding more and more strategically placed flat sevenths to these major chords as the song goes on gives the song a building intensity. I believe this is also in the recording of the original song. Just something I didn't see mentioned in your video.
Reinforced by the fact the vocal melody keeps going to the flat-7 in both A Major and B Major.
@@DeflatingAtheism Oh yeah, right. That's what I'm hearing.
My favourite Beatles song
Not only did George Martin produce and play piano but his arrangements are unreal, total genius 🤯
True but give a listen to the 'naked' intro of just John's keyboard. Plus, McCartney says Martin drove to Lennon's house to work out the arrangement for IATW with John. (Don't know if this is so or one of Paul's memory flights of fancy.)
I watch quite a lot of EDM/pop tutorials that emphasise the need for songs to stay in key and follow various music theory "rules" in order to sound good... but this song breaks so many theoretical "rules" and yet is popular with people of all ages and cultures. This song can sound as good to a clueless two-year-old in South Africa as it does to a 99-year-old musicologist in Norway, which isn't something you can say about most of the formulaic tunes that are produced today. The Beatles captured something magical.