One And One Is Two - Lecture Series 47 (bonus) episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 15, 2025 · 14 MIN

One And One Is Two - Lecture Series 47 (bonus)

from The Beatles: Note By Note

Welcome to the Beatles Lecture Series, where Kenyon unpacks the hidden layers of even the most overlooked entries in the Lennon–McCartney catalog. In this episode, we explore “One and One is Two,” a discarded McCartney composition ultimately recorded by The Strangers with Mike Shannon. Kenyon examines the lyrical inconsistency, the unrequited-love theme, and the rushed nature of its composition—all signs of a quick commission for Billy J. Kramer. From a harmonic perspective, the lecture focuses on pentatonic phrasing, modal contrasts, and Paul’s surprising use of C minor7 over expected major chords. The result? A charming yet structurally flimsy tune that works better as a jingle than a full-fledged song. Kenyon also draws comparisons to other early Beatles material and argues that Paul’s demo version hints at stronger musical instincts than the final release suggests. Ideal for songwriters and theory buffs alike, this episode highlights how even a “bad Beatles song” can reveal creative insightsWebsite: https://www.notebynoteseries.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoteByNoteSeriesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/notebynoteseries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Beatles Lecture Series, where Kenyon unpacks the hidden layers of even the most overlooked entries in the Lennon–McCartney catalog. In this episode, we explore “One and One is Two,” a discarded McCartney composition ultimately recorded by The Strangers with Mike Shannon. Kenyon examines the lyrical inconsistency, the unrequited-love theme, and the rushed nature of its composition—all signs of a quick commission for Billy J. Kramer. From a harmonic perspective, the lecture focuses on pentatonic phrasing, modal contrasts, and Paul’s surprising use of C minor7 over expected major chords. The result? A charming yet structurally flimsy tune that works better as a jingle than a full-fledged song. Kenyon also draws comparisons to other early Beatles material and argues that Paul’s demo version hints at stronger musical instincts than the final release suggests. Ideal for songwriters and theory buffs alike, this episode highlights how even a “bad Beatles song” can reveal creative insightsWebsite: https://www.notebynoteseries.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoteByNoteSeriesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/notebynoteseries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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One And One Is Two - Lecture Series 47 (bonus)

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This episode was published on June 15, 2025.

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Welcome to the Beatles Lecture Series, where Kenyon unpacks the hidden layers of even the most overlooked entries in the Lennon–McCartney catalog. In this episode, we explore “One and One is Two,” a discarded McCartney composition ultimately...

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