Two Tales of a City

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Anthony Dominick Benedetto - better known as Tony Bennett -- may have been born and raised in Astoria, Queens, but his timeless love song to San Francisco would convince you he'd lived there all his life. Seriously, how could he NOT have left his heart in a place as beautiful as San Francisco? Well, the working-class seaport city of Liverpool, England, may be on the opposite end of the scale when it comes to romantic settings, but four famous rockers left their hearts there, nonetheless. And, like Mr. Bennett, they drew their inspiration from the city they loved. Forty-seven years ago this month, the Beatles released their 24th U.S. single, a double A-side record featuring two songs inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhood memories of Liverpool: "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane."

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She Loves You — The Beatles’ One and Only Swan Song

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"Swan song" is a term that refers to a final effort or performance. But, when I think of swan song as it relates to The Beatles, their early hit "She Loves You" comes to mind. By September 1963, the band was fast becoming a phenomenon in England, but couldn't manage to grab the attention of a major record label in the U.S. Beatles' manager Brian Epstein finally turned to the small Philadelphia-based Swan Records to release the single that was flying off the shelves in the U.K.

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The Word of Law — Courtesy of Robert Zimmerman, Esquire

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"Your Honor, the defense is trying to sway the jury with inane references to a counter-culture rock song," said the District Attorney. So, what song could the defense attorney possibly be citing? It's Bob Dylan's word-twister from 1965, "Subterranean Homesick Blues." This iconic '60s rap-anthem contains a line that's been quoted by judges, lawyers and law scholars more than any other lyric from popular music. If you ever get busted, you better hope your lawyer is a Dylan fan.

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Hela, Heba Helloa, Everybody

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Forty-five years ago today, The Beatles' "Hello, Goodbye" was the number one song in America. For me, the best part of the tune is the sing-along ending coda, "hela, heba helloa." I just love the way it chug-chugs along. (Those words, written by Paul McCartney, mean absolutely nothing in any any foreign language, by the way). "Hello, Goodbye" was the first Beatles single to trick us with a fake ending, then restart with a completely different rhythm. The band referred to the coda as the Maori Finale, due to its tribal sound.

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