#162 – Another Girl with Ken Womack (author, podcast host, professor of English and Popular Culture)

It’s easy to overlook a song like “Another Girl,“ as it sits on an album (Help!) with multiple major Beatles classics, and is featured in a film (also Help!) that’s usually given the short straw when discussing the Fabs celluloid catalog. However, for something tossed off on a holiday, then captured basically in one take, it’s a really fun, breezy pop rock tune. Musically (and visually in the film), it’s essentially the blueprint for what The Monkees would come out with: an easy-bop-along pop tune with a catchy vocal and a fun beat. However, just below the surface a bit more sinister undertone of requiring love on Paul’s terms, or he’s going to go off to his next girl, because she’s already here.

Joining us this week is author/podcast host/teacher and Beatle-knowledge wellspring Ken Womack. At the end of 2020, he released John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life, a deep dive in the final year of Lennon’s life and creative resurgence, and now in July 21, with co-author Jason Kruppa, we have All Things Must Pass Away: Harrison, Clapton, and Other Assorted Love Songs, which takes into the creations of George’s solo debut, Clapton’s Derek & The Dominos’ Layla album, and the dynamics at play in their relationship. We chat about everything from falling in love with the story of the Beatles (as well as the music), seeing in real time how an artist’s story and history unfolds when they live a long time, Ken’s wonderful “Everything Fab Four” podcast, and Paul’s BDE. You can check out Ken’s books, blog, and so much more at https://kennethwomack.com.

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