“We Can Work it Out”: John Lennon’s Prophetic Words Were Never More True

Archive Commentary

So you “Can’t Buy Me Love,” but now that iTunes carries Beatles tunes, fans (read: everyone) can come close to it.

Today, seven years after iTunes first opened its music catalog in April 2003, searching for “Blackbird” doesn’t exclusively turn up an unfortunately operatic and very discernibly not Paul McCartney cover by Evan Rachel Wood.

While the news of full availability of Beatles music is enough to make anyone forget their credit card debt and click the iTunes “Purchase” button one too many times, the bigger news is that the full anthology, including every studio album, all A and B sides, the Past Masters collection, and a collection of photos, liner notes, and documentaries, is available for $150. Christmas came early this year.

Naturally, iTunes is milking this for all its worth (which is, admittedly, probably a lot). But who can blame them?  Just two years ago, Paul McCartney intimated to  Billboard that those seeking a deal between Apple Computer and EMI, the label that previously had exclusive rights to the Beatles catalogue, had a long road ahead of them.

Good thing those in the Beatles camp know a thing or two about “A Hard Day’s Night.”

For a teaser of the types of things iTunes is now offering on the Beatles, see the Apple website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top