The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics - Softcover

Beatles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 039559426X ISBN 13: 9780395594261

Publisher: Mariner Books, 1991

Synopsis

The only major collection of illustrated Beatles lyrics in book form, this commemorative edition features autobiographical comments and quotes from the Fab Four, interpretation of the lyrics from 206 songs, lavish, full-color illustrations, and specially commissioned photographs.

About this title

Review:

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

About the Author:

Alan Aldridge is an award-winning graphic designer and artist. A colleague and friend of the Beatles Illustrated Lyrics together in 1969. He asked notable contemporary artists to illustrate the lyrics in any way they liked and advertised for fan art from the public - this extraordinary collection is the result.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 039559426X
• ISBN 13: 9780395594261
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 267
• Editor: Aldridge Alan