Looking Through the Glass Onion: A Beatles Song Podcast

Nowhere Man Feb 22, 2022

Under pressure to finish recording Rubber Soul, John retreated to his home to write some new material. After several hours, he was unsuccessful. He decided to give up on writing a new song and go to bed. In that moment, he wrote ‘Nowhere Man’ in its entirety.
So many layers of the Glass Onion to unravel. How did they get that Strat sound? Jay knows. What new bit of gear did Paul play on this track? Billy will tell you. What makes this song different that any other Lennon/McCartney penned track prior to this one? You’ll have to listen.
You don’t what you’re missing.
Enjoy our look through the Glass Onion at Nowhere Man.
billymcguigan.com/glassonionpodcast

I Feel Fine Feb 04, 2022

Riff Riff Riff!! What are the ingredients that make a great Beatles song? Billy and Jay make up their list of must haves and ‘I Feel Fine’ definitely checks all of the boxes!

While recording the Beatles For Sale album, John’s guitar was left leaning on an amp. The result? The magical and mysterious opening to this track.

Some many goodies unraveling the layers of this classic Beatles number one hit. Billy and Jay discuss how The Beatles recorded it, how amazingly high it charted, what piece of gear they’d take from Mal, they ponder if this is Ringo’s best Beatles drum track and wait until until you hear what they’ve found on their deep dive

Side note: Billy practiced the riff after and finally got it correct after this episode was recorded.

Baby’s good to me, ya know she’s happy as can be ya know she said so. Enjoy Billy and Jay’s Glass Onion treatment of I Feel Fine.
billymcguigan.com/glassonionpodcast

Glass Onion Dec 30, 2021

Can’t believe it took us this long to do this song! We’re doing our last song of the year and we’re going out with a bang. An example of self referential brilliance, Lennon’s gobbledegook lyrical style shines in the White Album gem, Glass Onion.

We told you about Strawberry Fields already, but Glass Onion has some deep dive gold in it. Find out all you’ve ever wanted to know about this one. Billy and Jay talk Paul Is Dead, Beatle gear and recording techniques and try to unpeel all the layers of this song while referring to themselves in 3rd person.

Here’s another clue for you all…Glass Onion on Glass Onion.

Happy New Year.
Sponsored by A Hill of Beans Coffee Roasters. ahillofbeans.com, billymcguigan.com

Slow Down Dec 15, 2021

Baby, whatcha trying to do? In this episode of Looking Through The Glass Onion, Billy and Jay tackle their first Beatle cover song. Hidden within the layers of this track is the incredible story of Larry Williams, who wrote a string of 50s smash hits, three of which were covered by The Beatles. A cover song from their days in Hamburg, Slowdown was recorded in a brisk 30 minutes at Abbey Road studios June 1, 1964. That’s right, 30 minutes. After listening to the song, you can hear it the mistakes scattered throughout this catchy Beatles single.

We have a new layer of the onion that you’ll love - Billy and Jay pick the gear that they’d take from the session. Yeah, that’s right, we’ve introduced a time machine into our discussion. Find out what else we uncovered on our deep dive and find out why this one may get the lowest ratings from Billy and Jay yet.

As always, thank you to our sponsor, A Hill Of Beans Coffee. More information at www.billymcguigan.com/glassonionpodcast.

Strawberry Fields Forever Nov 24, 2021

In the summer of ‘66 the post touring Beatles did something that had not happened since Beatlemania began. They took a break from being Beatles. John Lennon went to Almeira, Spain to shoot Richard Lester’s film, How I Won The War. Missing his musical brothers, John started to reminisce about his childhood in Liverpool. Perhaps the next Beatle album would be about Liverpool and the places where The Beatles grew up? He begins to write a song called It’s Not To Bad. After a couple of demos, the line Strawberry Fields Forever is added and one of the BEST Beatles tracks is born.

Billy and Jay dive deep on this classic as there is so much to uncover on this one.

Find out what the best version of this song may be.

- Billy and Jay break down each version released on the Anthology.

- Find our how this song is a break from all of the things the Beatles did prior to this and a bridge into their psychedelic future.

- And was the release of this song as a double A side with Penny Lane the biggest mistake in The Beatles career?

- Billy and Jay discuss how they would remedy this issue.

Billy and Jay talk about the difficulties of playing this song live and also once again give kudos to the genius that is Ringo Starr. How many Glass Onions could this one get?

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see. Let us take you down, cause we’re going to Strawberry Field (s)…Forever.
Looking Through The Glass Onion is sponsored by A Hill of Beans Coffee Roasters in Omaha, NE. Shop signature coffee at billymcguigan.com/merchandise.

Free As A Bird Aug 25, 2021

Is it a Beatles song? A money grab? A marketing ploy? The most macabre song ever recorded (so says Prince)? Or a classic Beatles track that reunited the world’s greatest band one last time?

Billy and Jay take a deep dive on this one! Discussing how this “Threatles” came to existence.

So, whatever happened to…the love that we once knew…always made me feel…Enjoy, Free As A Bird.

Here Comes The Sun Aug 25, 2021

This amazing George Harrison song off of Abbey Road was a request from one of our Australian listeners. It ended up being our favorite song we’ve done.

We hope it’s one of your favorites too. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.

And Your Bird Can Sing Aug 25, 2021

What’s not to love about this one? Jangly Guitars. Killer harmonies. Rockin’ Bass line. Mysterious lyrics. A true gem on the Revolver record. What’s that? John Lennon called this one a ‘horror’ and a ‘throwaway’. As Jay Hanson says, ‘I like a lot of songs that John hates’.
We uncovered a lot of great info about this song! Peel back the layers on this one and you’ll find out something you may have never known about Frank Sinatra and his ‘bird’.

You tell me that you’ve heard every sound there is? AND your bird can swing? You can’t hear me. You can’t hear me! Enjoy AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING.

Happiness Is A Warm Gun Aug 25, 2021

American Rifleman had an 1968 article that caught John Lennon's eye. A lovely little article about a kid hunting with his Dad. The title? Happiness Is A Warm Gun. This is a rollicking number by John penned and recorded in 1968 for The Beatles (White Album). Is it a drug song? Oh yeah. Is it a sexual innuendo? Oh yeah? Do we think it's awesome? Of course.

How many takes did it take to record it? What did John and Paul and George think of this one? Is it the MOST complicated Beatles track? What Cartoon inspired the song title and did you know that this song is a history of rock and roll in song form? This and more from inside the Glass Onion. You might even get a lesson on how to count out this song's complicated rhythmic section in this episode...but you don't seem like a listener that misses much. Do do do do do, oh yeah. Enjoy.

BONUS LISTENER QUESTION - What is George Harrison's best guitar solo? Our answers may surprise you! "

Why Don’t We Do It In The Road Aug 25, 2021

Here’s a question - Why don’t we do it in the road? No one will be watching us. Why don’t we do it in the road? Billy and Jay tackle these pressing questions. No one may be listening but, Billy and Jay tackle these pressing questions anyways. Enjoy!

Eight Days a Week Aug 25, 2021

The fall of 1964 was an outrageously busy time for The Beatles. In the midst of live appearances and constant touring, they went into the studio to record Beatles For Sale. Relying on some of their favorite covers to fill out the album, John and Paul were still able to write a few gems - including the song Eight Days A Week. In its brilliant simplicity, Eight Days A Week is classic Beatle rocker.

Billy and Jay of course discuss the writing and recording process and they uncover some great deep dive items as well! It's the first pop song with what feature? What Beatles hit surprisingly replaced this song as a single? Did the boys like this song? And just WHO uttered the phrase I've been working eight days a week? So much to uncover in this one! Hold me (clap/clap), love me (clap/clap). HOLD me (clap/clap), LOVE me (clap/clap), enjoy Eight Days A Week!

Eleanor Rigby Aug 25, 2021

"Miss Daisy Hawkins picks up the rice in a church where a wedding has been". This line came to Paul while sitting at a piano in Jane Asher's parent's house. Paul then took these lyrics to John's house where Ringo added the 'darning the socks' line and George added, 'look at all the lonely people.' With that, the beautiful and haunting Eleanor Rigby was born. Billy and Jay go deep on this one!
Learn the names of all of the string players and why George Martin had to flex on them. Which version of the Eleanor Rigby Origin story do Billy and Jay think is the most likely story?
You'll hear a lot of familiar names in this episode as well - they discuss the connection that Paul's Dad, Mal Evans, Donovan, Vivaldi, Bernard Herrman, Jerry Lieber and the band America all have with Eleanor Rigby. Jay and Billy also discuss the interesting reasons people have given when requesting this song to be played live - THE UNDERTAKER! This is the perfect episode to listen to if you find yourself darning your socks in the night when there's nobody there. We hope you care! Enjoy Eleanor Rigby!"

Help! Aug 25, 2021

It’s a number one hit. It’s a movie title. It’s an album title. It could be the best Beatles song. Written during a ‘trough’ in John’s life (what he referred to as his ‘fat Elvis’ period), Help! is an incredible piece of art.
Suggested by director Dick Lester and actor Victor Spinetti as the title for their next movie - John went home and wrote this amazing song.
Recorded in 1965, Jay talks about the techniques used to record it, what instruments they used and how this record indicates a huge step forward in their careers.
Big questions in this episode -
- Why are there so many versions?
- Jay discusses the art of the reduction mix…oh yea, it’s a rabbit hole of ‘nerdy’.
- Did the Beatles release the best 6 consecutive hits in rock history?
- Is this song the best collaboration between John and Paul?
We think you’re going to love this episode! Either way, we do appreciate you being ‘round. Enjoy Help!

Octopus’s Garden Aug 25, 2021

Written on Peter Seller’s yacht (know the name? We do!) about the little gardens built by the amazing Octopus. We dive into the what Beatle does what, what gear they used (including a deep dive into what guitar George may have played) and Jay explains how they added the underwater effects onto the background vocals (next level Jay explanation on this one). Big questions...is Octopus’s Garden a better song than Yellow Submarine? Is this the best Ringo song? We discuss. An epic deep dive including John playing drums, EDM, Allen Parsons, other songs Ringo brought to Abbey Road, The Muppets and a lot of Octopus info! And Jay talks about how this song was his worst moment onstage with Yesterday and Today. Lotsa laughs and a super high Glass Onion rating. We would sing and dance around to this one. How about you?

Revolution Aug 25, 2021

What a year it has been! 2020. Riots, pandemics, elections and general upheaval around the world. The world wasn't much different in 1968 when The Beatles went to India to meditate and study with the Maharishi. The result? A myriad of songs that reflected the times. That collection led to the making of the White Album. John started those sessions with this iconic number - Revolution. Billy and Jay dig deep highlighting the differences between Revolution 1 and the single that followed. Of course, Jay talks about that GUITAR TONE! Maybe he'll even reveal how you can recreate that tone at home. Enjoy our final offering of 2020. You say you want a revolution? Don't you know that you can count me out...in? You know it's gonna be alright. Shooby doo wop!

Hold Me Tight Aug 25, 2021

A song unloved by The Beatles! Wait, what? A song hated by critics! A song recorded during the Please Please Me sessions, but scrapped because it was not working. A barely audible bass and out of tune Paul singing? Jay and Billy peel back the layers of the Glass Onion to try to convince you that this 'work song' is a real rocker! Do you love this one? Because it feels so right, yeah! From 1963, here's HOLD ME TIGHT!

You Never Give Me Your Money Aug 25, 2021

Welcome to the Paul McCartney love fest. Maybe one of his best songs, best vocal performances, best piano songs? Written as homage to the 60s and The Beatles career, You Never Give Me Your Money is an absolute masterpiece. It’s a medley within ‘THE’ medley on Abbey Road and it’s amazing.

A lot of topics in this episode! Why does Abbey Road sound so good? Jay discusses. Who was this song written about and how does it echo the 60s? How does it indicate a look ahead into Paul’s solo career? Billy discusses. George Martin’s advice to Paul on this song? Think symphonically. And boy, did he.

Is Paul the greatest untrained musician of the rock era? Billy and Jay discuss the genius that is Paul McCartney. You’ll also hear a heartfelt discussion between Billy and Jay about playing this song live.

Enjoy our deep dive into this fantastic song. Of course, after we peel all of the layers of this song, Billy and Jay give this one extremely high marks. Know where to go…nowhere to go? Well the yellow lorries slow. Find us a better Beatles song than this one - we don’t think you can! And remember, hold on to your gear!

I Want To Hold Your Hand Aug 25, 2021

Our biggest and BOLDEST episode yet (also our longest)! The Beatles were surely ready for their big moment...Will Billy and Jay be ready for theirs?

Let’s start with a question…if The Beatles were a one-hit-wonder, what would be their one hit? Without a doubt, it would have been this song. Billy and Jay break down Beatlemania from the day John and Paul met in Liverpool to the day of their now iconic performance in New York City on the Ed Sullivan Show. It is on this 5 year journey we see that John, Paul, George, Ringo, Brian Epstein and George Martin were all prepared and poised when THIS song broke them in the USA and then all over the world.

Written nose to nose at Jane Asher’s parents house on a piano and recorded nose to nose WITHOUT headphones in Abbey Road Studios, I Want To Hold Your Hand is a marvel of writing and recording genius. It highlights a point in The Beatles’ career when this collection of brilliant young minds came together to make one of The Beatles most important recordings. Jay talks gear and recording techniques and Billy talks about American music’s influence on both The Beatles and George Martin.

How fun is this song to play in a live setting? Billy and Jay offer their unique perspective having played I Want To Hold Your Hand live hundreds of times in the past 13 years.

Could this be the highest rated song we’ve done?! Take a look through the Glass Onion and find out - We think you’ll understand!!

I Want You (She’s So Heavy) Aug 25, 2021

We brought notes for this one! Another of John’s great songs with an odd time signature. Featuring blistering bass, a killer John Lennon guitar solo, wicked drums and Billy Preston.
The first song recorded for the Abbey Road album, I Want You (She’s So Heavy) gets high marks from Billy and Jay. This episode dives into Trident Studios, Billy Preston, white noise and more amazing Beatle outros.
If you don’t love this song as much as we do, you just may after listening to this episode of Looking Through The Glass Onion. We bet you like it better than Robbie Roberson did...

Good Day Sunshine Aug 25, 2021

Good day! The summer of ‘66 was a fruitful year for summertime songs. ‘Daydream’ by the Lovin’ Spoonful and ‘Sunny Afternoon’ by the Kinks dominated the airwaves in England. Paul went to John’s house on a sunny day and wrote this classic, ‘Good Day Sunshine’.
Billy and Jay talk about the Beatles desire to make an American sounding album in Revolver, Jay dives into George Martin’s use of the varispeed technique and Billy reveals his thoughts on Rolling Stone magazine’s top 500. And of course, Billy and Jay offer up their unique perspective on playing this one live!
Do you love this song as much as they do? It burns their feet as they touch the ground!!

Because Aug 25, 2021

A Moog Synth, an electric Spinet, Ringo as a metronome and heroin. These ingredients lead us to another Beatles classic. This is the only Beatles song that uses a flat second. A rare occurrence in pop music. Probably all influenced by Yoko.
This is a snobby Beatles song. You know, in a good ‘musically snobby’ way. Don’t attempt this one live without listening!! The difficult harmonies are reminiscent of Yes It Is and this song is George and Paul’s favorite song on Abbey Road.
Does this start the Abbey Road Medley? We offer our opinion! A couple of language bits in here, but enjoy Because.
BONUS
McCartney vs. Joel. We discuss.

Hey Bulldog Aug 25, 2021

Dave Grohl’s favorite Beatles song gets a lot of love on this episode! Fun game, google what drugs were the Beatles using in 1968 - we did!
Do you know who played the guitar solo on this song? We offer our expert opinion. Did you know this song before 1998? This one is potentially the most obscure Beatles song.
The last true group effort from the group, what is it about this track that contributes to The Beatles being the greatest band of all time? If you’re lonely, you can talk to me.

Get Back Aug 25, 2021

We certainly found out a lot of unknowns about this rooftop classic! Jay discusses the differences in all of the releases of this track, introduces us to the term ‘wow and flutter’ and gives himself a ‘78%’ accuracy score when playing Johns iconic guitar solo. Billy brings up the brilliance behind the fifth Beatle, Billy Preston.
With this song being all about feel, Get Back may be one of the most difficult three chord songs to pull off in a live setting. And how could they fit a Dr. Evil impersonation in when discussing the tape operator? Listen to find out!

Anytime At All Aug 25, 2021

On June 2, 1964, The Beatles went into the recording studio and belted out 3 songs: Things We Said Today, When I Get Home and the song discussed in today’s episode.
A song that John Lennon called a ‘rewrite’. A song that was released unfinished.
A song picked by Yesterday and Today superfan, Kevin Klimowski.
A song that got Billy and Jay talking about the BeatBugs and Playboy magazine in the same episode!

Old Brown Shoe Aug 25, 2021

Back to back George songs! Jay picked this George Harrison song to give the ‘Glass Onion’ treatment. Who played drums? Who produced this? Who played bass? Did this song get the ‘Beatle’ treatment it deserved? There are a lot of questions to be discussed this week...I’m so glad you came here, it won’t be the same now when I’m with you.

I Need You Aug 25, 2021

Billy and Jay discuss this George Harrison track from the Beatles 1965 album, Help! Who is the greatest rock muse? How does George get that cool guitar sound? Why does Jay stare extra hard at the teleprompter when performing this song live? Well, take a peak through the glass onion and find out!

Blackbird Aug 25, 2021

Billy and Jay take a look at one of the Beatles most complicated guitar songs yet simplest recordings: Blackbird. Written by Paul in 1968, this song is as relevant in 2020 as it has ever been.
As always, there’s a lot of insight and info on the song, but this is the one where we get a little political...enjoy!

Tomorrow Never Knows Aug 25, 2021

Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream… Billy and Jay dig into one of the most innovative songs of the rock and roll era. Did Paul invent Sampling? Who came up with the title? Find out how The Beatles and George Martin created a one of a kind tape loop that can never be recreated. And Jay draws a line from Tomorrow Never Knows all the way to Imagine that, much like this song, blew Billy’s mind.

Hey Jude Aug 25, 2021

This episode concentrates on one of the MOST popular of The Beatles' songs, Hey Jude. Who did what in the studio and where it was recorded. You’ll find out what Paul’s inspiration was behind this iconic track - and who it was written for. Billy and Jay also discuss what it means to perform this song night after night and the emotional bond it creates with the audience. And of course, they'll rate it with their unique Glass Onion rating system.

A Hard Day’s Night Aug 25, 2021

Billy and Jay peel back the layers of the Glass Onion on this Beatles classic. So much information in this episode…what’s a malapropism? Can Billy and Jay unlock the mystery of the opening chord? Who wrote this song and how quickly? What are the issues performing it live? How many Glass Onions for this song/album/movie? Listen and find out!

Something Aug 25, 2021

Something is one of the most beautiful and deep songs The Beatles ever recorded. The only #1 hit George Harrison had as a Beatle, it encapsulates the genius of all of The Beatles and George Martin. Billy and Jay break this one down as only they can.

I’m Looking Through You Aug 25, 2021

Billy and Jay delve into this classic cut off of Rubber Soul. Do you hear the American false start version or the British without the error? Do you have any idea what we're talking about? After episode 4 of this podcast, you'll soon know the answer!

I’ve Got a Feeling Aug 25, 2021

Recorded on the rooftop of Apple in Saville Row in January, 1969. Paul's written his part for his new found love, Linda Eastman and John is reflecting on his chaotic and drama filled year. Each part of the song sheds light on the differences in the two men's lives at that point.

Yellow Submarine Aug 25, 2021

A song that is deeper than just a movie title or a catchy kid song. Yellow Submarine tip toes the psychedelic tightrope and serves as an appetizer for the follow up record to Revolver. Could it have fit on Sgt. Pepper? How difficult is it to pull of live? How many Glass Onions? Billy and Jay answer all of these questions and more.

Love Me Do Aug 25, 2021

An in-depth look at The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do. Billy and Jay walk you through different layers of the song...songwriting, recording, performing it live, interesting facts about the song and rate it using their unique Glass Onion rating system.

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