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Ian MacDonald
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Revolution in the Head Paperback – Import, January 1, 1995

by Ian MacDonald (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
'No book has taken us closer to the music of the Beatles' Tony Parsons 'Consistently brilliant' SUNDAY TIMES 'Essential' Q The Beatles achievement was so dazzling, so extraordinary, that few have questioned it. Agreement that they were far and away the best pop group ever is all but universal. And nowhere is the spirit of the Sixties - both in its soaring optimism and its drug-spirited introspection - more perfectly expressed than in the Beatles' music. Taking all the elements which combined to create each song as it was captured on vinyl - the songwriting process, the stimuli of contemporary pop hits and events, the evolving input from each of the Four, the brilliant innovations pulled off in the studio and, ultimately, the twisting grip of psychedelic drugs - the Beatles are pinpointed, record by record, in precise and fascinating detail against the backdrop of that vibrant era.
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  1. Print length
    388 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pimlico
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    5.04 x 0.98 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0712662081
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0712662086
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There is a newer edition of this item:

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties
Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pimlico
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1995
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ New Ed
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 388 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0712662081
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0712662086
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.04 x 0.98 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

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Ian MacDonald

Ian MacDonald

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's content engaging, with one review highlighting its fascinating mini essays. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its music analysis, with several customers praising its serious and astute critiques of Beatles songs.

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Content qualityMusic score
4 customers mention "Content quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content engaging, with one customer noting it is full of fascinating detail.

"...part MacDonald is serious in the best sense of the word; he is intensely attentive, and his mastery of the catalogue escapes pedantry -- it's just..." Read more

"One of the best books I've ever read on pop culture. Endlessly fascinating mini essays on every single Beatles recording." Read more

"Amazing book, full of fascinating detail and solid information." Read more

"Great resource. Clearly written and highly enjoyable." Read more

4 customers mention "Music score"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's music analysis, with some describing it as the most seriously astute critique of Beatles music, and one customer noting how it brings a new perspective to their songs.

"...here I might as well say that this is not only the best critical analysis of the Beatles' work ever written; it's almost the only such book I can..." Read more

"...It's also really fun to listen to a Beatles song you've heard five million times, and then read the back story...." Read more

"One of the most seriously astute critiques of Beatles music I have ever read. Highly recommended to fans who think that they have read it all." Read more

"Best book on Beatles' songs..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • jgc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is there a revised edition of this book ANYWHERE?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2007
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    More a question than a book review here. This edition is described as being updated; comparing it to the original hardcover, however, I found only one update -- a footnote in which MacDonald briefly comments on the 'Live at the BBC' album. Otherwise it is identical to the first edition. There is nothing on the Anthology material. So the question is this: Is that one little footnote the extent of MacDonald's "revisions"? If there is a fatter, better edition out there, I'd love to have it.

    Anyway, now that I'm here I might as well say that this is not only the best critical analysis of the Beatles' work ever written; it's almost the only such book I can even take seriously. MacDonald does come up with the occasional strange opinion here and there (his dismissals of "Day Tripper" and "Helter Skelter" come to mind), but critics are not machines, folks, and even the best of them are not infallible. For the most part MacDonald is serious in the best sense of the word; he is intensely attentive, and his mastery of the catalogue escapes pedantry -- it's just plain jaw-dropping.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • David Irland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fundamental
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If you're interested in the Beatles, beyond simple fandom, this is a must-have. How MacDonald got all this anecdotal stuff is beyond me, but you'll have a much more nuanced view of how the Beatles functioned as a band after reading this. It's also really fun to listen to a Beatles song you've heard five million times, and then read the back story. Brings a whole new element to their music.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Linda Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for my "Beatles Fan" son
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great book for my "Beatles Fan" son. He loved it. I almost didn't want to give it to him and keep it for myself.
    One person found this helpful
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  • greg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Transaction‼️
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Great Book‼️
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  • Bill
    4.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent account of the songs by the Beatles
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016
    Format: Hardcover
    This is an excellent account of the songs by the Beatles, one by one, and with great technical detail of the music itself. Of course the Beatles were not versed on the technical side of music and were surely not aware of much of what Ian MacDonald has written. His reviews run the gamut, from what he considers pure genius to garbage (and the Beatles might agree with some of his analysis). I, for one,. don't much care if a song is technically good, only that I enjoy hearing it. In general, I believe the author saw an overall decline in their songs. For instance, McDonald writes about "The Beatles" album: "Mere expert presentation, however, cannot hide the fact that half the tracks on it are poor by earlier standards, or that many of its lyrics are little more than the lazy navel-gazing of pampered recluses." While I appreciate his professional opinion - and agree in many cases - I enjoyed every Beatles album ever produced (though hardly every song). How can he find fault with "Let it Be", a true masterpiece in my estimation. And yet MacDonald says the song "has achieved a popularity well out of proportion to its artistic weight". Certainly not in my book. And yet, for its often negative side, I found the book fascinating and a wonderful resource.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Elizabeth A. Verhoeven
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    One of the most seriously astute critiques of Beatles music I have ever read. Highly recommended to fans who think that they have read it all.
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  • Isabella
    1.0 out of 5 stars Old used library book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2022
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Not happy
    Did not expect an old library book
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  • James B. Nipe
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good...not essential
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2004
    I've read this book twice. It's an interesting book but I still find it somewhat irritating as well. MacDonald seems to almost have a personal vendetta against George Harrison...even for 'Something' and 'Here Comes the Sun' the best he can muster is a sort of backhanded praise. Most of the remaining Harrisongs, including 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps,' he dismisses as dour, unimaginative, and musically inferior. MacDonald seems to be trying too hard, in my mind, to find something negative to say about nearly every single song, including those by Lennon and McCartney. However, the 35 page introduction is worth the price of the book. It is one of the better analyses of the 60s and the Beatles' influence on that decade that I've ever read. Ultimately, this is an intelligent, highly opinionated, look at every Beatles song. I don't agree with much of what MacDonald has to say but at least he makes me think about the music and more importantly makes me want to go back to the albums and listen to them yet again. Walter Everett's two volume 'The Beatles As Musicians' is a much superior, if occasionally nearly impenetrable, analysis, though, and I'd urge you to seek them out instead of this out of print book.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent purchase!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 9, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Excellent book
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  • Nicolas Schipper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Spain on April 28, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    muy bueno Recomendado muy muy buen libro perfectas condiciones facil de leer y muy util para todos los q estamosen esa industria
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  • G.G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Although in parts it can be a bit tedious talking in technical musical terms that are nonsensical to ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I bought this book following a recommendation in a newspaper as one of the books you should read. Although in parts it can be a bit tedious talking in technical musical terms that are nonsensical to non-musicians there are some amazing insights into the songs that you've heard so many times but not really listened to.
    Do you know which song the Beatles are singing Frere Jacque in the background or which song ends with John singing "baby your a rich fat jew"? Which song does Paul get the lyrics wrong but they can't be bothered to record it properly? This book is absolutely brilliant at highlighting where the "perfectionist" Beatles were happy to Let it Be!
    The book talks about rare unreleased studio tracks which are now easily found on Youtube.
    Listen to the Beatles tracks after reading the paragraphs about each and every track that the Beatles recorded and you know what the author it talking about is true.
    For real Beatles fans this book is a must!
    Mine was a second hand copy that was perfectly acceptable.
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  • Willem WESTENBERG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Excellent book!
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  • michaelwrites
    5.0 out of 5 stars Still fantastic 20 years on!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Bought this the day it came out some twenty years ago and read it cover to cover in a week. Now, all those years later, it still resonates. A fantastic song by song journey into the band that the world will not forget. For any Beatles fan, this is the book you need. 10/10.
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