About this episode
In this lecture, Kenyon explores “This Boy,” one of the Beatles’ earliest attempts at doo-wop-inspired songwriting. The session examines the track’s compound 12/8 meter, close vocal harmonies, and unusual pronoun construction, where Lennon opts for the ambiguous “this boy” instead of the more direct “I” or “me.” Kenyon breaks down the song’s harmonic structure, focusing on its use of appoggiaturas, minor-key resolutions, and the signature D-Bm-Em-A7 progression that anchors the verses. The lecture also highlights the intricate vocal layering, with George’s internal melody and Paul’s soaring high harmonies creating a tightly woven choral texture. Special attention is given to the middle eight, where the Beatles break from their usual rock formula with a series of unexpected chord shifts, lending the song a sense of longing and unresolved tension. This lecture provides a deep dive into one of the Beatles’ most harmonically ambitious early compositions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.