In a recent interview about The Beatles\u2019 Help! album, a radio show host asked me, \u201cJohn was singing about his depression and struggles; Paul was singing about his problems with Jane Asher, and George was singing about squabbles with Pattie Boyd\u2026but we never heard them saying those things, did we? How could we have missed this, Jude?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I thought for a moment and said, \u201cI guess we were too focused on ourselves. I mean, we happily sang along to serious songs like \u2018Help!\u2019 and \u2018Tell Me What You See\u2019 and \u2018You Like Me Too Much\u2019 without listening to the words, really. We danced. We snapped our fingers and smiled and laughed, but we didn\u2019t really hear what The Beatles were saying. We were thinking of our own lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It was the same when The Beatles broke up. I remember breaking down, throwing myself on the bedspread, and wailing, \u201cHow could they do this? How could they leave us? I never even got to see them in concert, and now I never will!!!! How could they just abandon us like this?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It never occurred to me back then that John, Paul, George, and Ringo were the ones who were really hurting \u2013 that their friendships had crumbled; their spirits had been wounded. Over the years, as I researched and wrote about this era in their lives, the truth hit home. But about a month ago, as I was out running one day, I finally got it! My trusty iPod selected a Taylor Swift hit. And as the song played out, I finally heard not Taylor, but The Beatles speaking! In almost rock opera fashion, I heard them singing about the pain they\u2019d endured when \u201cThe Fab Four\u201d became just \u201cthe four.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Who would\u2019ve guessed that it would take Taylor Swift to make me aware of the anguish that John, Paul, George, and Ringo had experienced in the months and years that followed their \u201cdivorce\u201d? Who would\u2019ve imagined?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But now, when I hear \u201cWe are Never Ever Getting Back Together,\u201d it\u2019s a different song indeed! It\u2019s a song about the loss of trust and companionship and brotherhood and love. And through Swift\u2019s words, I hear the lads speak to me at last. It\u2019s not about \u201cme\u201d anymore. It\u2019s all about them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Boys, I\u2019m so very sorry.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here they are \u201csinging\u201d Taylor Swift\u2019s \u201cWe are Never Ever Getting Back Together.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I remember when we broke up\u2026the first time
\nSayin\u2019, \u201cThis is it! I\u2019ve had enough!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paul:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018Cause like we hadn\u2019t seen each other in a month
\nWhen you said \u201cyou needed space!\u201d WHAT???<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Then you come around again \u2019n say,
\n\u201cBa-beeee, I miss you, and I swear I\u2019m gonna change! Trust me\u2026\u201d
\nRemember how that lasted for a day?
\nI say, \u201cI hate you!\u201d
\nWe break up\u2026you call me\u2026I love you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paul:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ooooohh\u2026 we called off again last night.
\nBut oooooh, this time, I\u2019m tellin\u2019 you, I\u2019m tellin\u2019 you\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John, Paul, Ringo, and George:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We are never ever ever getting back together.
\nWe are never ever ever getting back together!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ringo:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You go talk to your friends,
\nTalk to my friends,
\nTalk to me!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
All:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But we are never ever, ever getting back together!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
George: (disgusted)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I\u2019m really gonna miss you pickin\u2019 fights,
\nAnd me? Fallin\u2019 for it, screaming that I\u2019m right!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paul:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And you? You hide away \u2019n find your peace of mind
\nWith some Indie record that\u2019s much cooler than mine!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ooooh, you called me up again tonight,
\nBut oooooh, this time I\u2019m tellin\u2019 you, I\u2019m tellin\u2019 you\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John, Paul, George and Ringo:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together.
\nWe are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together!
\nYou go talk to your friends,
\nTalk to my friends,
\nTalk to me\u2026
\nBut we are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
George:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I used to think that we were forever, ever\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paul:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And I used to say, \u201cNever say never\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
John: (speaking bitterly)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Huh! He calls me up, and he\u2019s like, \u201cI still love you\u2026\u201d
\nAnd I\u2019m like, I\u2019m just\u2026I mean, this is exhaustin\u2019, y\u2019know\u2026
\nWe are NEVER gettin\u2019 back together\u2026like ever!!!!!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
All:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together!
\nWe are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ringo:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You go talk to your friends,
\nTalk to my friends,
\nTalk to me<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
George:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But we are never ever ever getting\u2019 back together.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
All:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We\u2026.oooh, oooh\u2026not back together!!!
\nWe\u2026oh\u2026gettin\u2019 back together\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You go talk to your friends,
\nTalk to my friends,
\nTalk to me…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paul: (quietly)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But we\u2026are never ever ever gettin\u2019 back together.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n