Best JG McQuarrie and Andrew Deacon Podcasts (2025)

1
If I Needed Someone 33:34

Play Pause

8d ago33:34

33:34

We're almost at the end of Rubber Soul now but before the album bows out we have two final tracks to cover. One is rather notorious and the other is this, If I Needed Someone. How is George's songwriting coming along? Has he managed to pull up alongside Lennon and McCartney in the writing stakes? And how much jangle can one song meaningfully contai…

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Wait. 33:46

22d ago33:46

33:46

There's probably some really clever way of saying that we made you, um, wait for this episode but here it it now but I can't think of one so anyway, it's Wait! Is there much to get worked up about here? Does it continue to give Side 2 of Rubber Soul a boost? And who is the stand-out performer on the track? (Hint: rhymes with Bingo Car) Rankings: Tr…

1
In My Life 50:00

1M ago50:00

50:00

It's another all-time classic to fall under the Stuffology microscope this episode with Lennon's mighty In My Life. Does the song deserve its reputation as one of his very best pieces of work? Do the rest of the band contribute equally? And just how many cover versions are there to be discussed? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffo…

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I'm Looking Through You 28:54

2M ago28:54

28:54

It's another Bitchy McCartney Number (tm), of which we have had a few lately but how does "I'm Looking Through You" comare to the others? Is there a Wilburys-esque twist (pun very much intended) in the mix? And who's playing what, exactly? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatles…

1
Girl. 23:07

2M ago23:07

23:07

Time for a little Euro-jaunt? Why, I think it might be, as it's time for Girl to take the centre stage! Is it a metaphor around Catholic values? Can Lennon manage to land the genre style? And how funny can one set of backing vocals be? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatlesstuf…

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What Goes On 20:55

3M ago20:55

20:55

It's Ringo's chance to take centre stage on Rubber Soul as What Goes On dolefully shuffles into view. Is this song as doleful as all the other doleful songs Ringo has sung? Is it worthy of inclusion in a list of doleful Ringo songs at all? And is there any other world to describe this song as other than doleful? Doleful. Rankings: Track-by-track Ra…

1
Michelle 39:14

3M ago39:14

39:14

It's time for a little Gallic flair in podcastland as "Michelle" sashay's into view. How unusual is the song in the Beatles back catalogue? Do cover versions add anything at all? And how did our beloved podcast hosts (it says here) come to the song in the first place? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @bea…

1
The Word 41:10

4M ago41:10

41:10

It's time for Andrew and JG to discuss The Word this episode, but what is The Word anyway? Does this song work as a precursor to All You Need Is Love? How convincing does the whole thing sound? As is this where the mythologisation of Lennon as "the love one" really begins? Plus there's a discussion around JG's overall rankings of literally every si…

1
Think For Yourself 40:06

4M ago40:06

40:06

Time for George's first entry into Rubber Soul as JG and Andrew tackle Think For Yourself. Is the song as bitter as it sometimes appears? How does the political angle work? And who's the impost important player on the track? Plus we dive into the postbag for a little correspondence. (Also, apologies for JG's slightly odd sound - thanks to some tech…

1
Nowhere Man 30:31

4M ago30:31

30:31

It's time for a minor-league Lennon "classic" this week as we stray into Nowhere, Man (cough). Does the song deserve its high reputation? Is it fair to call it entry-level Beatles? And does it have the weight that's often attributed to it? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatles…

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You Won't See Me 35:39

5M ago35:39

35:39

We turn to relationships and their success or lack thereof as Paul gives us "You Won't See Me" this week. How does the song stand up to the other Jane Asher songs? How must it feel to have your relationship very publically catalogued in this way? And is the song a little under-rated? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected]…

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Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) 51:07

5M ago51:07

51:07

Time for a bit of Scandi fun this episode as we indulge in a bit of Norwegian Wood (missus). Does the song represent a genuinely new direction for The Beatles? Does it actually manage to qualify as poetry? And are there any cover versions that do it justice? Plus we dip into the mailbox for a bit of commentary. Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMai…

1
Drive My Car 40:08

6M ago40:08

40:08

It's time for a fresh new album with a fresh new sound this episode, as JG and Andrew kick off their Rubber Soul discussions with Drive My Car. Does the song prove to be a worthy album opener? Are there any interesting cover versions? Does this truly herald a new period in the band's history? And, perhaps most importantly, why did nobody check out …

1
Day Tripper 37:19

6M ago37:19

37:19

We flip the single this episode to cover the other A side of the first doube-A, Day Tripper. Do Andrew and JG manage to settle which is the best of the two songs? Does Day Tripper stand up to We Can Work It Out's high bar? And how many cover versions do you need to listen to in order to find a decent one? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: bea…

1
We Can Work It Out 30:43

7M ago30:43

30:43

It's time for not only a double-A single but in some ways the double-A single. In this case, Andrew and JG are tackling We Can Work It Out first (despite some faffing about). Is it the better of the two songs on the single? Will they both agree on which song is superior? And does the song work on its own terms? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMai…

1
I'm Down 14:34

7M ago14:34

14:34

It's something of a minisode this week, as JG and Andrew plug a(nother) gap by covering I'm Down vastly out of sequence (but hey, at least they remembered!). Does the song work as a straightforward rocker? Is there a cover version that might surpass the original? And do minisodes work (answers to the mailbag please!)? Plus... well, plus nothing act…

1
Help! (Album!) 49:06

8M ago49:06

49:06

We draw our various discussions around Help! to a conclusion as JG and Andrew finally get to tackle the entirety of the actual album itself. Does the album cohere as a single unit despite being half-soundtrack, half-other-stuff? Is it effective as an overall piece of product? And does it really signify a change of eras? Plus we jump into our inbox …

1
Help! (Movie!) 1:07:32

8M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

We return to movie-land this week as Help! hoves unconvincingly into view. Is the movie a worthy successor to A Hard Day's Night? Is the depiction of race as bad as everyone thinks it is? And, perhaps most importantly, is it actually entertaining in any way? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology…

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Yesterday 39:48

9M ago39:48

39:48

With the unquestionable professionalism that everyone has come to expect from this podcast, unfortunately Dizzy Miss Lizzy got posted instead of Yesterday. Entirely JG's fault and he holds his hands up and admits it. Which is nice. So, um, here's Yesterday! Is one of the best-known songs of all time really worthy of that reputation? Is it possible …

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Dizzy Miss Lizzy 26:58

9M ago26:58

26:58

We wrap up the Help! album this week with the closer, the classic (in some, none, or more sense of the word) Dizzy Miss Lizzy. Does the song provide a worthy album closer? As the last "proper" rock'n'roll cover version, does it earn its place alongside the likes of "Boys" and "Twist and Shout"? And will tracks like this be missed going forwards? Ra…

1
I've Just Seen A Face 28:02

9M ago28:02

28:02

Time for a bit of folk this episode as JG and Andrew face up to I've Just Seen A Face. How does the old folk angle work? Would this song have worked in the movie, had it been written in time? And do Simon and Garfunkel comparisons work? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatlesstu…

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Tell Me What You See 21:48

10M ago21:48

21:48

Tell me what you hear this week, other than two people struggling to find mind to say about Help!'s latest efforts to keep us listening, Tell Me What You See. How Monkeesian is the song? Did John or Paul have much to say about it? And how much of a salvage job can a funky electric piano achieve? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffo…

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You Like Me Too Much 20:09

10M ago20:09

20:09

Things take a turn for the meh this week as George - somehow - manages to get a second song released. Does You Like Me Too Much deserve it's mediocre reputation? Does it have any redeeming features at all? And, in fact, is there much to say about it that isn't just shameless vamping until a run-time is hit? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: b…

1
It's Only Love 33:08

11M ago33:08

33:08

It's Only Love this week, and that is why we are talking about it! Does the song deserve a less-than-glittering reputation? Why is there is a disagreement over Bryan Ferry? And how does the song affect the shape of the album? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatlesstuffology JG'…

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Act Naturally 30:07

11M ago30:07

30:07

It's Ringo's turn to mount the microphone like a bucking bronco (now there's an image for you) with the, let's say, country classic Act Naturally. Is it, in fact, a country classic? Is it a song in need of reappraisal? And how does it compare with the non-Ringo songs on the album? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] …

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You're Going To Lose That Girl 36:45

12M ago36:45

36:45

We turn to the (mean-spirited?) You're Going To Lose That Girl this week as JG and Andrew contemplate another one of Lennon's less-than-progressive lyrics. Is the song as sour as the lyrics look on paper? Why is this such a giggly episode? What do the Tindersticks have to do with anything? And how long can a diversion go on for before returning to …

1
Another Girl 35:31

1y ago35:31

35:31

It's time for something a little jaunty this week as Another Girl hoves into view. Does the song help pick up the album's pace? Do the lyrics stand up to scrutiny? And can enthusiasm be mustered? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatlesstuffology JG's Blog: Judgementally Reviews……

1
I Need You 26:14

1y ago26:14

26:14

It's George's second go-around on the songwriting carousel this week as - still live and in the same room! - JG and Andrew tackle I Need You. Is the song a step up from Don't Bother Me? Does the volume pedal (or waaaa-waaa WWAAAA WAAAAA bit if you prefer) work? And how often can the same points be made in a desperate attempt to pad out the running …

1
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away 44:34

1y ago44:34

44:34

It's time for a new innovation on Stuffology this episode as Andrew and JG are... unplugged? Live? Something like that. Anyway, rather than the usual two-tin-cans-and-a-bit-of-string approach to recording over the internet, this time they're both in the same actual room! How exciting? And the episode they're discussing? Slightly ironically, You've …

1
The Night Before 26:09

1y ago26:09

26:09

It's time for the second song on Help! as JG and Andrew find out what happened The Night Before. Why does the episode start with Andrew apologosing (you know, apart from the obvious reasons....)? Does the song really... er, inspire a future band? Can it hold it's head up next to the title track? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffo…

1
Help! (song!) 51:36

1y ago51:36

51:36

It's time to start a new album this episode as we launch into the movie soundtrack - well, half of a movie soundtrack anyway - Help and kick off with the title track. Does it deserve to be the Big Album Opener? It's its reputation overstated? And can the song survive being covered? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected]…

1
Yes It Is 30:30

1y ago30:30

30:30

We're back (Pt 2)! This is the first episode recorded post-hiatus and we return with the exciting, pulse-racing, thundering climax of a track Yes It Is (ahem). Does the song deserve a higher status than a slightly-beloved and slightly-obscure B-side? Does the genre work for the Beatles? And can the boys keep it together after such a long recording …

1
Ticket To Ride 59:04

1y ago59:04

59:04

We're back! After a rather longer-than-hoped-for hiatus thanks to JG's wobbly health, Stuffology returns with one of the all-time classics of the band's back catalogue - the mighty Ticket To Ride. But does the song manage to live up to its titanic reputation? Does the song's reputation get in the way of actually appreciating it? And are cover versi…

1
A Pause 0:38

1+ y ago0:38

0:38

A quick explanation as to why we haven't posted anything for a while! Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Instagram: beatlesstuffology JG's Blog: Judgementally Reviews… Andrew’s Blog: Stuffology Produced By: JG McQuarrieBy JG McQuarrie and Andrew Deacon

1
Beatles For Sale 58:11

1+ y ago58:11

58:11

It's time to put individual tracks behind us and tackle The Whole Of The Thing as this week we deal with the album Beatles For Sale. Does it continue the upward trajectory of the albums so far? How many times will the word "nascent" appear? And does the album deserve its knackered reputation? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffolog…

1
What You're Doing 27:58

1+ y ago27:58

27:58

We continue playing catch-up on Stuffologgy this week as we plug the remaining hole in Beatles For Sale with What You're Doing. Does the song manage to point to the future of what the Beatles will do? How inevitable are discussions about the Byrds? And is this the most shambolic episode yet? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffology…

1
Every Little Thing 30:43

1+ y ago30:43

30:43

It's mea culpa time on Stuffology this week. The more eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed two tracks absent from our Beatles For Sale coverage - Every Little Thing and What You're Doing. This is because - and there's no delicate way of putting this - JG is an idiot and mis-posted. So Every Little Thing will post this week, What You're Doing nex…

1
Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby 44:23

1+ y ago44:23

44:23

We draw a veil over Beatles For Sale with the final song on the album, George's take on Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby. How does the song stack up against the other cover versions? Who actually wrote it? And are the live versions better than the studio recording? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatle…

1
I Don't Want To Spoil The Party 33:38

1+ y ago33:38

33:38

It's a stroll through country, er, country this week, as I Don't Want To Spoil The Party moseys on up to the stand. Does the song work for the band? Can they embrace country as easily as other influences? Does anything about this actually, you know, work? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: / X / Rated @beat…

1
Honey Don’t 25:04

1+ y ago25:04

25:04

We head back to the land of Carl Perkins this episode, population Ringo. Yes, it's another cover version but how does this one fare? Can Ringo manage to sound enthusiastic? Does anyone - presenters included - care that much about this track? And will there be yet more Jeff Lynne commenatry? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: beatlesstuffology@…

1
Words of Love 27:08

2y ago27:08

27:08

It's another cover version to be addressed in this episode as the Buddy Holly number "Words of Love" falls under the Beatles influence. Do they manage to capture anything of the original? Who says something nice about Jeff Lynne? And why no Ringo praise? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter: @beatles_ology Ins…

1
Eight Days A Week 46:07

2y ago46:07

46:07

It's Christmas! Or at least it was when this episode dropped which makes this our Christmas episode! That means we kick off the episode with a discussion about Beatles music that gets used in Christmas adverts - is it effective? Or just blatant manipulation? Or something else? Then it's time to move on to our main feature, Eight Days A Week. Does t…

1
Now And Then / Kansas City - Hey Hey Hey Hey 53:08

2y ago53:08

53:08

Like every living creature on planet Earth, it will come as no surprise to discover We Have Opinions on the new Beatles single Now And Then. So we kick off the podcast with a discussion about the new track, the video, whether it really is a Beatles song (spoiler: it is) and whether it's better than the 90s Beatles singles. And then after that it's …

1
Mr Moonlight 28:10

2y ago28:10

28:10

Well, the time has arrived. We've talked about it often enough in the run-up to this episode but, finally, it's time to tackle the much-reviled Mr Moonlight. Does the song deserve it's reputation as one of the big stinkers of the early Beatles career? Is there much justification for it on the album? And just how far down the ranking (or up - it's t…

1
I’ll Follow The Sun 27:57

2y ago27:57

27:57

It's a brief (very brief, in fact) foray in to the world of the Short McCartney Ballad with the rather charming "I'll Follow The Sun". Does the song deserve to be thought of as slight? How many weather-related other songs can get mentioned? And is there enough content to actually justify calling it a ballad? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: …

1
Rock and Roll Music 21:36

2y ago21:36

21:36

It's time for a cover of one of the most well-known songs ever as The Beatles cover Chuck Berry's Rock and Roll Music. Does the song deserve the classic status it holds? Do The Beatles manage to make a decent fist of it? And how many times can the word "Showaddywaddy" me mentioned in one podcast? (If you're thinking the answer is "too many" then yo…

1
Baby’s In Black 22:35

2y ago22:35

22:35

Oh dear, what can we do, it's time to talk "Baby's In Black" at you. Ahem. Yes, it's waltz-time here at Stuffology! Can the song carry the change of pace for the album successfully? Why is the baby in black? Why is Han Solo mentioned? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter / X / Seventh Circle Of Hell: @beatles_…

1
I’m A Loser 25:11

2y ago25:11

25:11

It's time for Lennon's first Dylan attempt this week... or is it? It's I'm A Loser, either way! Does the song deserve its reputstion as following on the heels of Mr Zimmerman? Why are Spandau Ballet brought up (and dismissed out of hand)? Could this be the episode that talks least about the actual song itself and just provides a series of minor div…

1
No Reply 38:26

2y ago38:26

38:26

It's time for a new album as Beatles For Sale falls under the spotlight and it's opening track, No Reply. Does this different way of starting an album on a more melancholy note work? Do the Anthology versions shed any light on the situation? And does this really signify Lennon's increasing maturity as a songwriter? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking …

1
She’s A Woman 37:59

2y ago37:59

37:59

We flip the I Feel Fine single over to its B-side this time out to cover the McCartney rocker She's A Woman. Does the song manage to maintain the quality of its A-side? How do the cover versions stack up this time? And just how many other words rhyme with "presents" anyway? Rankings: Track-by-track Ranking eMail: [email protected] Twitter…

JG McQuarrie And Andrew Deacon Podcasts