Tag Archives: A Hard Day’s Night

Music Monday: August 12, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Robert Palmer would have celebrated birthday #75 this year. Born January 19, 1949 in England, the incredibly gifted soul singer who oozed suave sophistication and elegance in his bespoke suits, honed his craft listening to blues, jazz and soul music while living in Malta during his father’s service in the British Naval Intelligence Division.

After his tenure in the jazz-rock fusion band, Dada, Palmer was signed as a solo act for Island Records in 1974. His early hits included 1979’s “Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)” and 1980’s “Looking For Clues”. In 1984 he joined forces with drummer Tony Thompson of Chic, guitarist Andy Taylor and bassist John Taylor-the brothers from Duran Duran-to form the supergroup, The Power Station. The quartet’s self-titled debut album was released nearly 40 years ago in March 1985 and peaked at #6 a month later on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

That record set the stage for Palmer’s solo breakthrough with his album, Riptide, released in November 1985. It peaked at #8 on the US Billboard 200 chart in May 1986, the same month he hit #1 with “Addicted To Love” (also made memorable thanks to its striking video featuring an all girl rock band). He also had a #2 hit with “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” in November of the same year. In June 1988 he released the album, Heavy Nova, which produced another #2 hit with “Simply Irresistible” in September 1988. Palmer died of a heart attack in September 2003 at the very young age of 54.

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Robert-Palmer

Top: The Power Station circa 1985 (L-R): Tony Thompson, John Taylor, Robert Palmer and Andy Taylor. Middle: Palmer & his all girl band from the “Addicted To Love” video. Bottom: Palmer circa 1990. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On August 12, 1964 The Beatles first movie was released in the United States. “A Hard Day’s Night”, which opened in the U.K. a month earlier, introduced us to more of their incredible music, capitalized on their enormous popularity and showcased the comedic side to The Fab Four. And it was hilarious.

The U.K. soundtrack album was released at the same time the movie opened there, but the U.S. soundtrack was released in June 1964. It featured a different cover picture and several different song selections than the U.K. version, most notably instrumental versions of “I Should Have Known Better”, “And I Love Her”, “Ringo’s Theme (This Boy)” and the title track.

US Hard Days Night
HardDayUK
Movie poster

Top: The U.S. soundtrack album for the movie along with the UK version (middle). Bottom: The movie poster. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Robert Palmer: “Every Kind Of People” (1978, written by Andy Fraser).

The Power Station: “Some Like It Hot” (1985, written by Robert Palmer, Andy Taylor and John Taylor).

The Beatles: “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: July 8, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A Hard Day’s Night, the first movie by The Beatles, opened in the United Kingdom 60 years ago on July 6, 1964. It premiered in the United States a month later. With Beatlemania in full swing, the film was a huge success and turned the band into megastars. It also showcased their comical sides, brought out their personalities and let the audience see them as individuals as well as a collective group of musicians.

This anniversary coincided with Ringo Starr’s 84th birthday on July 7. The movie was the perfect way for the fans to finally hear from the man behind the drums. We saw his affable charm and his naturally funny demeanor highlighted by his wry wit. It helped earn him the moniker “The Funny Beatle” and his own theme in the movie.

It was an instrumental version of a Lennon & McCartney tune that was originally released by The Fab Four in 1963. Their producer, Sir George Martin, arranged the movie track which featured musician Vic Flick on guitar. His expertise was previously showcased on the James Bond Theme song, written by Monty Norman, which was heard first in 1962’s Dr. No movie.

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Ringo 1964
Ringo

Top: The movie poster for “A Hard Day’s Night”. Middle: Ringo Starr circa 1964. Bottom: Starr circa 2010. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Beatles: “This Boy” (1963, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The George Martin Orchestra: “Ringo’s Theme” (1964. Arranged by George Martin, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 7, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On February 7. 1964 The Beatles arrived in America for the very first time. Two days later they made their historic appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. After their first song that night, as I have written before, the world changed into a brand new color called John, Paul, George & Ringo. The rest of the hues, along with music, life & Sunday nights from that point on, would never be the same ever again. And for this I and the 73 million viewers who tuned in that night are eternally grateful. Today’s song is from The Fab Four’s first movie, released five months after that landmark evening.

“It’s been a hard day’s night
And I’ve been workin’ like a dog
It’s been a hard day’s night
I should be sleepin’ like a log“.

Feb 7

The Beatles arriving in New York during their first trip to America on February 7, 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 517

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Aug 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On this day last year (Day 152), we celebrated the 55th anniversary of The Beatles’ Shea Stadium concert which took place August 15, 1965. That means today marks 56 years since that momentous occasion. So we will celebrate again.

The clips from the show are rarely up on YouTube because of copyright laws (BBC Television owns the film rights to the concert they released a year later). So even though today’s song was on the set list that night over five decades ago, the video I chose is of the group performing it in their movie, “Help“.

It was released four days before their historic concert and a year after their first big screen smash, “A Hard Day’s Night“. What a bland uninspired and sad color this world would be without John, Paul, George & Ringo in it, Thank you for everything, boys, especially the first play at Shea.

“She said that living with me
Is bringing her down yeah
For she would never be free
When I was around“.

Beatles Shea

The Fab Four on stage at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965 (L-R): Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “Ticket To Ride” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 478

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On July 6, 1964 The Beatles first movie, “A Hard Day’s Night” made its premiere in London. A year later on July 29, 1965, their second movie “Help” was released. But neither of those movies or the band itself would exist if it were not for the event that took place on July 7, 1940. For it was on that day that Ringo Starr (real name Richard Starkey) was born.

Of course, the other three Beatles were needed as well. But Starr was the oldest; therefore, his birth put it all in motion, despite being the last member to join the band. Every year on his birthday for many years now, Starr issues the following statement on his social media platforms:

“I’m inviting everyone who wants to join the peace and love celebration for my birthday at noon your time wherever you are, 7-7-21 – you can post it, you can say it, you can even think it – but it would be really cool if you go “Peace and Love” at noon on my birthday – so let’s spread peace and love on my birthday – c’mon everybody!”

So if you are a fan of his-or a fan of peace & love-or both, then why not join him on this request? If nothing else, it will take you out of whatever situation you are in at that time, clear your mind and bring you good energy. And while you are thinking those happy thoughts, join me for a little underwater ride. Here’s to 100 more very happy birthdays to you, Ringo!!! Peace & love forever times infinity plus eternity!!!

“In the town where I was born
Lived a man who sailed to sea
And he told us of his life
In the land of submarines”.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr circa 2014. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles (in honor of Ringo Starr’s birthday): “Yellow Submarine” (1966, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 152

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Charlie Brown No Music No Life

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

It happened fifty-five years ago today on August 15, 1965.  The Beatles performed a concert at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY.  It was a Sunday night just like their appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” over a year earlier.  The Fab Four accomplished so many great things as a band, and becoming the first ones to ever play a stadium venue was just one more unbelievable achievement to add to their resume.  If you asked any of the 56,000 fans in attendance, the staff or security guards who worked this show I doubt any of them could name the songs the group played since the screams by hysterical heart sick girls were so loud they drowned out the music.  Luckily the show was well documented and a film about the concert by BBC Television came out the following year.  August 11 also marked the anniversary releases of two of the group’s movies, “A Hard Day’s Night” in 1964 and “Help” in 1965.  The band performed both movie title songs at Shea along with 10 other songs.  Today’s pick is one of my top choices from the show.

“Baby says she’s mine, you know
She tells me all the time, you know
She said so
I’m in love with her and I feel fine“.

Beatles Shea
The Beatles on stage at Shea Stadium August 15, 1965.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles:  “I Feel Fine” (1964, written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 83

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today marks the 103rd birth anniversary of Dino Paul Crocetti, known to his friends as Dean Martin.  And the world could always use a little more Dean, am I right?  Today’s song went to number one on August 15, 1964.  What song did it replace?  “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles, which held that spot for the first two weeks of that month.  I love The Beatles, but my Italian pride kind of loves this little fact  🙂

Happy birthday, Dino!!!

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Dean Martin circa 1955.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin:  “Everybody Loves Somebody” (1964, written by Sam Coslow, Irving Taylor & Ken Lane).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.