Book Review: Who Could Ask for More? Reclaiming The Beatles by Chris Gregory
Published February 22, 2008
In Ken Mansfield’s The White Book, which I previously reviewed here, Mansfield wrote that when he asked John Lennon what a line from one of the Beatles’ songs meant, John said, “We’ve learned over the years that if we wanted we could write anything that just felt good or sounded good, and it didn’t necessarily have to have any particular meaning to us. As odd as it seemed to us, reviewers would take it upon themselves to interject their own meanings on our lyrics.” Therefore, as compelling as his arguments may be, I do not feel that it is necessary or even wise to accept Gregory’s viewpoints as canon.
I am, however, intrigued by his analysis, and enjoyed reading his thoughts and using them as a starting point for my own re-exploration of the Beatles’ music. It is a fun exercise to read Gregory’s take on a song, then listen to it again, paying particular attention to the musical nuances pointed out in Who Could Ask and to re-discover the lyrics that led Gregory down a particular psychological path. I may agree or disagree with the author on certain points, but I have to admit that I am enjoying this intellectual and emotional trip down memory lane. Nostalgia is not all bad!
- Book Review: Who Could Ask for More? Reclaiming The Beatles by Chris Gregory
- Published: February 22, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: Nonfiction, Books: Entertainment, Books: Biography, Music: Rock
- Writer: CindyC
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Thanks for pointing out the typo. Fixed!
I agree that Gregory's Freudian analysies of the Beatles' songs are purely subjective. Did Lennon and McCartney (barely out of their teens at the time) have these ideas in mind when they wrote their songs? I agree with you that they did not! BUT Freudian analysis is always based on a person's unconscious desires. So maybe Gregory's take on the meanings of their songs are right! John and Paul could not have known this and no one will really know, but it's always interesting to read someone's intelligent take on something. And it is not the first time I've heard these interpretaions of Beatle songs.
I agree that Gregory's Freudian analysies of the Beatles' songs are purely subjective. Did Lennon and McCartney (barely out of their teens at the time) have these ideas in mind when they wrote their songs? I agree with you that they did not! BUT Freudian analysis is always based on a person's unconscious desires. So maybe Gregory's take on the meanings of their songs are right! John and Paul could not have known this and no one will really know, but it's always interesting to read someone's intelligent take on something. And it is not the first time I've heard these interpretaions of Beatle songs.
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It McCartney not McCarthy.