Deciphering the inner meaning of Beatles lyrics goes back to playing the White Album backward and the “Paul is dead” hoopla, a technique that obviously proved to be flawed.
I believe a more hand-crafted approach to sifting through Beatles lyrics paves the way to storytelling gold.
My crack researcher Grace Hoffman – who says nepotism is dead? – combed through virtually every Beatles’ word that made the vinyl page.
The conclusion –
Paul and John and to lesser extent George often channeled the PR agency business in crafting lyrics (sorry, Ringo).
I won’t numb you with all the data, but here are 10 proof points that make the case:
| 1.We Can Work it Out (1965) | Try to see it my way, Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on? |
In spirited discussions with clients, strength of conviction can easily give way to yada yada yada.
| 2. “Nowhere Man” (1965) | Doesn’t have a point of view, Knows not where he’s going to, |
Few things torpedo a thought leadership campaign faster than an executive who isn’t willing to take a stand.
| 3. I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963) | Oh please, say to me You’ll let me be your man |
The Beatles empathize with the anxiety that comes from a new-biz pitch. You desperately want the business. Yet, you don’t want to come across doing the two-step grovel.
| 4. Hello, Goodbye (1967) | You say yes, I say no You say stop and I say go go go, oh no |
What comes at you when you tangle with the client’s legal department over what appears to be an innocuous news release.
| 5. From Me to You (1963) | If there’s anything that you want If there’s anything I can do Just call on me and I’ll send it along |
Clients do love a can-do attitude.
| 6. Revolution (1968) | You say you want a revolution Well you know We all want to change the world |
There’s nothing quite like launching a startup.
| 7. Hard Day’s Night (1964) | It’s been a hard day’s night And I’ve been working like a dog. It’s been a hard day’s night, I should be sleeping like a log. |
24 X 7 accessibility often means today’s PR pro grinds into the evening, finding joy in the Falafel joint that stays open late.
| 8. Don’t Pass Me By (1968) | You said that you would be late about an hour or two I said that’s all right, I’m waiting here, just waiting to hear from you |
How can I put this diplomatically? Many clients’ track record for being on time for meetings makes the airline industry look like a bastion of promptness. Still, we deliver a chirpy face with the perfunctory “no problem.”
| 9. Glass Onion (1968) | Well, here’s another place you can go Where everything flows |
Sure, there are times when you’d like to tell the client where to go. Using the destination “where everything flows” gives it finesse instead of using a cuss word.
| 10. You Never Give Me Your Money (1969) | You never give me your money You only give me your funny paper |
What usually happens when an agency takes stock in lieu of cash from a startup to fund the PR campaign.
Comments
gary garchar
How about A Day in the Life (1967)?
“Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head.”
Starting up the inevitable cycle of birth and rebirth, the first action is often followed by falling down, then rearrangement of the strands to present a more successful appearance.
hoffman
Appreciate you taking the time.
Love that opening lyric.
Martin Chorich
Little known fake fact: Early versions of this song had its narrator proclaiming “I want to be a press release writer.”
hoffman
Good stuff.
Now there’s a tidbit that should help when you play the PR version of Trivia Pursuits.
Always partial to that song since I mentioned my hometown, Tucson, Arizona (which Jo Jo left)