In the Disney+ documentary Beatles ‘64, produced by the renowned Martin Scorsese, an astonishing moment unfolds approximately 52 minutes into the film. The footage, originally shot by Albert and David Maysles during The Beatles’ inaugural U.S. tour in February 1964, reveals something unexpected. As the band awaits their transport to CBS Studio 50 for their highly anticipated debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, John Lennon playfully engages with a melodica, creating a captivating sound that seems strangely prophetic.
This documentary, masterfully directed by David Tedeschi, encapsulates the fervor of Beatlemania in North America, a movement that gained momentum following the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The significance of this era in American history serves as a backdrop for the film, with the Beatles’ legendary Ed Sullivan performance being a focal point. However, the tune emanating from Lennon’s melodica carries a haunting familiarity, giving viewers a glimpse into a future filled with music that would define a generation—specifically, hinting at the beloved track “Strawberry Fields Forever,”which wouldn’t be released until 1967.
Lennon Hints at “Strawberry Fields Forever” with His Melodica
Exact Chord Pattern and Sound Resemble the Song’s Intro
If this moment in Beatles ‘64 does indeed represent the inception of Lennon’s songwriting for “Strawberry Fields Forever” —even in its most preliminary stages—it carries profound implications for the narrative of The Beatles’ history. The notion that Lennon may have been conceptualizing one of the band’s most revered tracks well ahead of its actual creation and long before the psychedelic rock movement took hold is indeed remarkable.
It’s intriguing to consider that mere moments before stepping onto the stage for arguably the most significant live performance of his career, where he would present early Beatles classics like “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” the 23-year-old Lennon was inadvertently nurturing a masterpiece. This assertion of Lennon’s musical brilliance may warrant a reevaluation of the timeline associated with his artistic evolution.
“Strawberry Fields Forever” Released Three Years Post-Tour
Lennon’s Early Ideas for the Song in 1964
The Beatles officially released “Strawberry Fields Forever” on February 13, 1967, coinciding exactly with three years after their mesmerizing performances on the Ed Sullivan Show. Conventional wisdom attributes the song’s conception to John Lennon in September 1966, during a break while filming How I Won the War in Spain. However, the captivating footage captured by the Maysles brothers in Beatles ‘64 presents a different narrative.
Furthermore, it’s vital to recognize that Lennon could not have crafted a song that reflected the complexity of the final version of “Strawberry Fields Forever” back in early 1964, as the musical landscape had not evolved to that point at such an early stage of rock history. The song is renowned as one of The Beatles’ most groundbreaking and experimental creations. Its impact was immense, reportedly influencing Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, who feared he could not surpass its brilliance during the ambitious SMiLE project.
Nonetheless, it appears increasingly possible that some seeds for this iconic composition were sprouted in February 1964, with ideas germinating before being fully developed two and a half years later. The melodica tune that Lennon is seen playing in Beatles ‘64 has not gone unnoticed among devoted fans, leading to a logical conclusion that it may very well be the precursor to one of the most celebrated introductions in pop music history.