The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics

The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics is a must-have for every Fab Four fan. The seminal band of the sixties and seventies, the Beatles commanded an unparalled influence that crossed all barriers and lifted pop music to a new level of recognition and artisitic achievement.

The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics features color photographs and delightful artwork on every page—more than 300 illustrations—along with the lyrics of more than 200 songs. Quotes from John, Paul, George, and Ringo provide candid, witty, insightful commentary on the songs and their origins, often clarifying controversial lyrics.

Take a “magical mystery tour” through the poetic musings of the band that continues to captivate generation after generation. It’s the ultimate tribute, in words and pictures, to the best band of all time.

First published in 1969, this reissued collection of illustrated lyrics for 200 Beatles songs will be a treasure for any fan of the Fab Four. Editor and Beatle-buddy Alan Aldridge states in his introduction to the original edition: "What I have tried to do is present a book [that] is as entertaining to the eye and the imagination as a Beatles album is to the ear." Indeed, he more than succeeds, creating a lavish pageant of art and music that embraces not only the Beatles but also the psychedelic spirit of the entire era.

In 320 photos and illustrations, renowned artists offer their interpretations of various songs. "Help" is visualized by Ronald Searle; "Fixing a Hole," by Tomi Ungerer; "Glass Onion," by Peter Max; "I'm So Tired," by David Hockney; and "Oh, Darling," by Ralph Steadman. Aldridge also contributes his own trippy illustrations, which reflect the bold, bulbous, cartoons-on-acid style of 1960s poster art. This rich compilation also has brief quotes from the Beatles explaining the origins of the themes and lyrics of certain songs. For example, despite the buzz that "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is about LSD, according to Paul, "What happened was that John's son Julian did a drawing at school and brought it home, and he has a schoolmate named Lucy, and John said, 'What's that?' and he said 'Lucy in the sky with diamonds.'" Band members also share their thoughts on superstardom, including this now weighty comment from John: "I don't intend to be a performing flea anymore. I was the dreamweaver, but although I'll be around I don't intend to be running at 20,000 miles an hour trying to prove myself. I don't want to die at 40." It can't bring them back, but The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics can take you on a long and winding road of nostalgia. --Brangien Davis