Beatles Exclusively on iTunes?

[nemaslov]

There's no doubt Apple would pull some kind of neat marketing campaign to announce this deal to the world (assuming it goes through). The people questioning the value of that don't understand how iconic The Beatles are.

Heck, even if not a single person downloads a Beatles track from the iTunes store, the fact that they're finally online, the media exposure that will produce (I've already seen several stories on it in the local news) and the fact that it could lead to things liked branded iPods make it worthwhile to promote in a marketing blitz.

I agree with those that say "Come Together" isn't the right choice. "Revolution" would have been great, but as far as I'm concerned, Nike *owns* that track after their incredible use of it in the 80s (and I'm not a Nike fan!).

I could see them being very coy and using a non-mainstream track such as "Tomorrow Never Knows" or something like that...

They should use the new LOVE mix of Tomorrow Never Knows with Within You Without You. The drumming is so cool and it would attract so much attention since although so many have heard the two separate songs, hearing the Mashup of the two is quite stunning and very modern. You should check it out if you have not yet. Amazing sound. Especially in 5.1

 

[autrefois]

I think this is wonderful news! But not surprising. People have been waiting for this for so long. We always knew this partnership was meant to be, for it was written, or rather sung...After all, in the song “A Hard Day’s Night” there is a line that has a double reference to Apple Computers.

"You know I work all day to get you money to buy you things"

The reference to "iWork" is obvious, and it’s disappointing no one noticed this earlier. This is the Beatles urging people to use iWork instead of Microsoft Word when doing stuff for business.

But more importantly, if you play the second part of this line backward, “to buy you things”, you can clearly can hear John Lennon singing “Now ya have a iPod”.

Sure, it should be "an iPod", but it's amazing enough the Beatles knew back in 1964 that the iPod would exist, we don't need to quibble over their grammar here. So expect a Beatles and Apple Computer partnership soon, with a clear possibility of a Beatles iPod -- you wanted the Beatles on iTunes, well now ya have a iPod!

For any naysayers out there, listen to the song clips yourself on the links above or use your own copy (for example, once you download it from iTunes in the near future!). This at long last explains why in the forward version of the song John clearly sings " thin' " instead of "things" — all the time there was a backward message about the iPod just waiting to be discovered.

Now what's this I hear about Paul being dead?



Anyway, this will be great once people can finally get Beatles songs from the iTunes Store. The greatest music group on the greatest music store.

 

[Unspeaked]

They should use the new LOVE mix of Tomorrow Never Knows with Within You Without You. The drumming is so cool and it would attract so much attention since although so many have heard the two separate songs, hearing the Mashup of the two is quite stunning and very modern. You should check it out if you have not yet. Amazing sound. Especially in 5.1

I'll totally check that out - but is it something you can download on iTunes?

It'd be a little weird to use a song in an iTunes commercial that can't be purchased there!

 

[tk421]

I'll totally check that out - but is it something you can download on iTunes?

It'd be a little weird to use a song in an iTunes commercial that can't be purchased there!

This whole forum is about Beatles music being on iTunes!

 

[rlreif]

Suing doesn't automatically make you greedy or unpeaceful or unloving. They're protecting their property which I wouldn't fault anyone for doing (if that's all it really is.)

For the ad, I'm thinking:
"Hi, I'm a PC."
"And I'm a Mac." in a beatle wig
(crowd of screaming 12 year-old girls run in and mow down the Mac guy)

uh no... wrong.
IANAL, but A. the beatles lost... apparently a didnt believe they were protecting their property

B. exactly what property do you think they were protecting? the idea that no company should be allowed to be called apple, in any business, ever? even after the same exact case had been settled before? ever heard of the 5th amendment?

 

[morespce54]

Just can't wait...

 

[Unspeaked]

This whole forum is about Beatles music being on iTunes!

Woops, when you said "Mashup" I thought it was some third party mashup - I didn't realize it was a new Beatles album that came out!

Have to pay closer attention to those new releases...

 

[Flowbee]

B. exactly what property do you think they were protecting? the idea that no company should be allowed to be called apple, in any business, ever? even after the same exact case had been settled before? ever heard of the 5th amendment?

You mean this 5th Amendment?

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

 

[iMeowbot]

uh no... wrong.
IANAL, but A. the beatles lost... apparently a didnt believe they were protecting their property

The Beatles prevailed in the first trademark dispute, and Apple Computer are still barred from using that name and logo for music. In the more recent case, Apple Computer were found not to infringe because they carefully avoided using the Apple logo for the iTunes Store itself.

B. exactly what property do you think they were protecting? the idea that no company should be allowed to be called apple, in any business, ever? even after the same exact case had been settled before? ever heard of the 5th amendment?

The fifth amendment is US law, and does not apply in the UK where the the most recent trademark dispute was resolved. Even if it happened in the US, the fifth amendment is about crime, not civil disputes. Finally, the two Apple disputes were not for the same instance of alleged infringement, so even if it was a crime, a new case would be fine (the fifth amendment wouldn't prevent you being tried for alleged involvement in two robberies of the same bank).

 

[gauchogolfer]

B. exactly what property do you think they were protecting? the idea that no company should be allowed to be called apple, in any business, ever?

I don't think there was a problem until Apple entered the music business. At that point Apple Records got a bit nervous, since there might be confusion. Obviously if I want to start Apple Lawnmowing Incorporated, there is no problem between me and Apple Records. It's all about the similar markets.

 

[jpryde]

I've been reading about every other post in this thread and as a long time Beatles fan, wanted to weigh in. I already own the entire Beatles catalog on CD and carry all their releases (minus "Live at the BBC" and a good number of tracks on the Anthologies) around with me on MP3 CD. I used to have it on iPod, but I got a shuffle and gave my 15GB to my wife. So, I have no need to purchase the music. Even if they remastered it, it would still be in 128kb AAC, and that would be a waste.

I would, however, buy a Beatles iPod in a second. Hell, I might even camp out at an Apple store for that. Some people here have said the band is old, and their time is over. I couldn't disagree more. Their music is as fresh as it was in the 60s. They completely changed the face of rock and roll and more importantly, the face of recording. Some of the things the band and George Martin did in the studio are groundbreaking. My list of favorite bands changes on a near daily basis, but the Beatles are always locked in at number 1 on that list. Their influence on modern artists is undeniable. I hear the influences in so many types of music, although that is disappearing with the garbage pawned off on the public as music these days.

I hope these rumors are true because I do think:

1) Apple Computer innovated computing and the music industry with the iPod and iTunes, just as the Beatles did.

2) The ads would be classic

3) The thought of McCartney and Ringo with Steve Jobs on the MacWorld stage makes me tingle with anticipation.

4) Apple Corps was created to breed and inspire creativity, and I think Apple computer does the same thing. It's a match made in heaven.

 

[50548]

As someone said earlier... Come Together. That's my bet.

I am with ya here...Come Together is a sure shot for an iPod/iTMS ad...

 

[mediababy]

Finally someone woke up.

Some great composers, but Mc Cartney is not the sharpest business tool in shed. Evidence.... Michael Jackson & the fact he lost so much money waiting this long to license the music to a legitimate outlet. Allofmp3.com & bearshare,all the other peer2peer & preloaded ipods being sold stole from all of them big time.

MY friends all have complete Beatles on their mp3 players & computers. Cost probably nada. Whether it is right or wrong people will buy if it is easily available & steal more if it isnt.

SteveO has to be drinking the Beatles kool-aid to give an overgenerous deal.

 

[Edge100]

Some great composers, but Mc Cartney is not the sharpest business tool in shed. Evidence.... Michael Jackson & the fact he lost so much money waiting this long to license the music to a legitimate outlet. Allofmp3.com & bearshare,all the other peer2peer & preloaded ipods being sold stole from all of them big time.

MY friends all have complete Beatles on their mp3 players & computers. Cost probably nada. Whether it is right or wrong people will buy if it is easily available & steal more if it isnt.

SteveO has to be drinking the Beatles kool-aid to give an overgenerous deal.

The issue with the Michael Jackson thing goes back years to when Lennon/McCartney originally sold the publishing rights to Dick James, and then didn't/were'nt given the chance to buy them back once they became wealthy men. In the Michael Jackson case, it was simply that Paul couldn't raise the money to buy them. This was mainly because he couldn't get Yoko to join him in the bidding. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Songs

And don't forget, Apple (Corps) aren't stupid. The 40th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper is next year (June 1, for those who are keeping track). AND...not so coincidentally, it's the 20th anniversary of the CD releases. There is a massive opportunity there, and I've been saying for some time that I expect the remastered, next-gen Beatles releases to coincide with this event. "It was 20 years ago today...", and all that.

The fact that Apple can continue to make heaps of money after 40 years on just the Beatles images/likenesses (remember, they don't own the publishing OR the master recordings), is amazing.

 

[princealfie]

I've been reading about every other post in this thread and as a long time Beatles fan, wanted to weigh in. I already own the entire Beatles catalog on CD and carry all their releases (minus "Live at the BBC" and a good number of tracks on the Anthologies) around with me on MP3 CD. I used to have it on iPod, but I got a shuffle and gave my 15GB to my wife. So, I have no need to purchase the music. Even if they remastered it, it would still be in 128kb AAC, and that would be a waste.

I would, however, buy a Beatles iPod in a second. Hell, I might even camp out at an Apple store for that. Some people here have said the band is old, and their time is over. I couldn't disagree more. Their music is as fresh as it was in the 60s. They completely changed the face of rock and roll and more importantly, the face of recording. Some of the things the band and George Martin did in the studio are groundbreaking. My list of favorite bands changes on a near daily basis, but the Beatles are always locked in at number 1 on that list. Their influence on modern artists is undeniable. I hear the influences in so many types of music, although that is disappearing with the garbage pawned off on the public as music these days.

I hope these rumors are true because I do think:

1) Apple Computer innovated computing and the music industry with the iPod and iTunes, just as the Beatles did.

2) The ads would be classic

3) The thought of McCartney and Ringo with Steve Jobs on the MacWorld stage makes me tingle with anticipation.

4) Apple Corps was created to breed and inspire creativity, and I think Apple computer does the same thing. It's a match made in heaven.

Paul McCartney is quite a jerk. I wouldn't want to see Steve Jobs insult himself by appearing with him.

Apple Corps breed, inspire creativity? Geewhiz, I don't know whether that's the case... enough LSD and that helps

Honestly I like some Beatles songs but this is the most overrated band in the history of mankind. Even Cat Stevens and Steely Dan turned out much better.

 

[Unspeaked]

Paul McCartney is quite a jerk. I wouldn't want to see Steve Jobs insult himself by appearing with him.

Apple Corps breed, inspire creativity? Geewhiz, I don't know whether that's the case... enough LSD and that helps

Honestly I like some Beatles songs but this is the most overrated band in the history of mankind. Even Cat Stevens and Steely Dan turned out much better.

Well, it appears someone's certainly looking for some venomous exchanges on the MacRumors forums...

 

[seashellz]

Now here is one place where the superiority of the Zune comes through. Many, many words rhyme with "Zune", in contrast to the sadly rhyme-challenged "iPod". You can even have:

"I played a mellow tune
On my yellow Zune."

With iPod, you pretty much run out after "tripod".

---
Ha!
Ive an even better one:

"Id really go to town if I had a Zune t'was brown"
And we all know what brown reminds us of besides chocolate....

 

[princealfie]

They should use the new LOVE mix of Tomorrow Never Knows with Within You Without You. The drumming is so cool and it would attract so much attention since although so many have heard the two separate songs, hearing the Mashup of the two is quite stunning and very modern. You should check it out if you have not yet. Amazing sound. Especially in 5.1

That album is completely lame. I was bored to tears listening to it on the Virgie magastore booth...

This is the best Beatles album period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grey_Album

Enough Jay-Z meets the Beatles is way more creative. Someday Applecorps will need to release this.

 

[nemaslov]

That album is completely lame. I was bored to tears listening to it on the Virgie magastore booth...

This is the best Beatles album period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grey_Album

Enough Jay-Z meets the Beatles is way more creative. Someday Applecorps will need to release this.

Well it sounds pretty wonderful in 5.1 and rememberit is just really a soundtrack for a show. I find that is works wonderfully about 80% of the time and just entered the Billborad Charts at number 4..Not too shabby. There is also a different audience soundwise now who listens to most music from iPods (or the like) or from their computers, and really don't seem to listen to or care about really good high fidelity. I listen via itunes and ipods for fun and convenience but home through a really good stereo I listen mostly to vinyl and CDs. Again the DVD 5.1 of Love is one of the best sounding albums I've ever heard especially from almost 40 year old music.

 

[seashellz]

Just read that EMI (the Beatles' label) have received a bid of £2.5bn from an unknown company.

That would make the negotiations easier

---
gulp.
thats a LOTTA cash.

But Im wondering if EMI-APPLE Ltd., despite legal tussles with APPLE computer, probably like the ideas of:
1. twin-named brand association, and
2. how the iTunes store, with its huge market and sales system, is already in place, RIGHT NOW, and could drive the sales of Beatles music up-right now, also, unlike ZUNE, which is still at zero, market wise.

Its been noted that MS has finally just decided to just brazenly copy the iPod/iTunes sales model to the letter-since theyve failed in the past, but they may already too late.
MS doesnt have 'mystique' , 'exclusivity' or 'clue' of Apple seems to have.
(ad line: Listen to APPLE on an APPLE!)

Now, MS could easily afford it (if this rumour is true)

But then, so could Apple-they have a big wad of cash, too-and their collateral: the iTunes store-with a huge sales/marketing/hardware system already in place, could stand to make back a lot of that money QUICKLY-whereas if ZUNE had exclusives to the Beatles-most people, already owning iPods, but checking out ZUNE, (or when they finally got around to buying one), would wonder: "why wont this play on my iPod?" Or "Why can I only listen to a song 3 times?"

Im also betting the mp3 player market is near saturated-even though Wall Street predicts 2007 to be another winning year in sales for Apple.

Could MS pump MILLIONS to break into a market already owned by APPLE-
from a corporate culture associated with suits and ties in Offices?
Especailly with some of the new iPods coming out that will make a ZUNE an obsolete desk paperweight overnight?

I cant speculate if the Beatles could jump-start ZUNE, but it would definately keep the iTunes store humming along to an even greater degree, since it and the iPod have-what? 90% name and market recognition/penetration?)

Dont count ZUNE out just yet, but dont be suprised if, like previous MS mp3 and other attempts into non-OS ventures, it all collapses.
And then theres the XBox:
--------------------------
from 1up.com-a games site:
Sales breakdown for November 6th through November 12th, courtesy of Media Create:

# PlayStation 3: 81,639 units
# Xbox 360:........3,864 units
These are sales in Japan, but likely will reflect a similar ratio in the US.

MS makes and sells WINDOWS and OFFICE-they know how to cater to THAT market and culture.
But having a bunch of old guys in mid-life crisis trying to sell ZUNE (or XBox) as 'with it' or 'hip' should be interesting, as the sales numbers above illustrate.
(nothing against old guys)

Zune could end up being to iTunes/iPod what SACD/DVD-A is to the standard CD:
DOA.

 

[A Robot]

This means I'll finally get album art from itunes.

 

[Edge100]

---
gulp.
thats a LOTTA cash.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9071-2477279,00.html

Well, it's not MS or Apple, so this probably doesn't change anything.

 

[LastZion]

I can't wait to be able to have the beatles entire collection on my ipod

 

[charkshark]

Finally, All I can say, FINALLY!!

 

[jimN]

What's with all the Beatles references

Did anyone else expect a Beatles announcement after all the mentions they got? He played two Beatles songs, name checked a couple of albums and even used their album art in his summary.

It looked like he was setting up for a by the way kind of announcement, not that the Beatles should ever be mentioned as an aside. Certainly when the first mention of them came up capitalised on the macrumorslive report I thought something might be up but it all came to nothing - why do you tease us so Steve?