The Beatles Lyrics the Unseen Story Behind Their Music Edited by Hunter Davies

Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 25 September 2014 in hardback at £25, eBook £12.99

The Fab Four wrote their songs as the mood came upon them - at any time and in any place. They were scribbled onto napkins in restaurants; jotted on to the backs of birthday cards or letters, and scrawled on to hotel stationery; 'Yesterday', 'Eleanor Rigby', 'Yellow Submarine' - every Beatles classic has a great story behind it.

Hunter Davies, the author of the Beatles' only authorised biography has tracked down over 100 of these original manuscripts, most of them never seen before, from across the globe. In this definitive volume they are gathered together and reproduced in superb quality.

Davies, who knew and worked with the Beatles during their heyday, examines every song in forensic detail. Placing each one in context he determines: how, when and where they written; what the Beatles were doing at the time of writing, and when they were recorded; who the songs are about, and how the original differs from the final version.

In this fascinating exploration of their lyrics we gain an extraordinary insight into the remarkable creative process of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. Ultimately this is the definitive story of the Beatles' lives told, uniquely through their music.

Hunter Davies is the author of over 30 books which include such modern classics as the authorised biography of The Beatles, The John Lennon Letters, The Glory Game and A Walk Around the Lakes. He is a renowned broadcaster and journalist and writes for The Independent, The Sunday Times the Daily Mail and the New Statesman. He is married to the novelist and biographer Margaret Forster. He lives in London.

Hunter Davies is available for interview and to write features.

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