THE BEATLES LYRICS: THE UNSEEN STORY

Hunter Davies introduces his brand new book, an expertly edited guide to nearly 100 Beatles lyrics.

When: Fri 26 Sep 2014, 19.00-20.30

Where: Conference Centre, British Library

Price: £8, (£6 Over 60s) and £5

This is the first study of the lyrics to have tracked down the original handwritten manuscripts, often quickly scribbled pieces of paper or backs of envelopes, with crossings-out and changes and sometimes even changed titles. Almost every Beatles song has a great story behind it - whether it is In My Life, For No One, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, or Yellow Submarine.

 Many books have appeared over the years about the Beatles lyrics - about the words of those songs which the whole world knows and sings. But nobody has ever tried to track down the original versions and gain permission to publish them. 

By revealing these original manuscripts for the first time we gain a unique insight into the creative process of Lennon and McCartney: how they did it, what they were thinking, how they changed their minds, and then came up with the words we find so familiar today.

A selection of the original Beatles manuscripts is on permanent display in our Treasures Gallery.

Hunter Davies is the author of the only authorised biography of the Beatles. He is editor of The John Lennon Letters, published in 2012. He lives in London.