The theme album that never was

[DarkHorse]

From the Compleat Beatles:

"They(The Beatles) had tentatively planned on doing a theme album about their childhood but Capital and the States was pressing them for a new album..."

Perhaps the reason why they never started it was not because Capital Records was pressing them for a new album but because something tragic had happened to Paul and there was no way to do it from that point on. It was not too long since Revolver had been released. One would imagine that Strawberry Fields was probably intended for that album or was its first creation for that album but the song turned into a song about something else.

[BandOnTheJet]

That's interest. Do you know the exact months that this album was in consideration?

Cheers,
Umang

[DarkHorse]

The documentary mentioned it was around November of 1966 or it was implied at least. I am not totally sure. Since most of the Beatles history seems to be switched around to cover up JP's death, I think the date was sooner than November, maybe like July or August of '66 or even earlier that year.

I honestly think that Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields were Lennon and McCartney's first contributions for this album and then the idea was obliterated when Paul died. As George said, "After that...it became like work".

[BandOnTheJet]

Interesting idea.

[-Wings-]

Yeah, that is an interesting idea. I've always overlooked the fact that both Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane were songs with places from their childhoods.

Of course, whatever Strawberry Fields Forever was originally about, John probably rewrote it that fall after... whatever... happened to Paul.

[DarkHorse]

-Wings- said:

Of course, whatever Strawberry Fields Forever was originally about, John probably rewrote it that fall after... whatever... happened to Paul.

Yes, exactly!