Beatles songs in movies

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The Vintage Vinyl news blog has a story about an upcoming movie where a Beatles song appears in their own version.

However, the blog implies that there has been a ‘ban’ on using The Beatls’ recordings in a film, and the headline says that this is only the third time that happens. It’s the new “Social Network” film which has The Beatles’ recording of “Baby You’re a Rich Man”. The blog also lists the upcoming japanese film “Norwegian Wood” featuring the song of the same name, and “Dinner For Schmucks” features “Fool On The Hill”.

Of course, we can list many more films.

In ’82 it was “When I’m 64” by the Beatles that opened “The World According to Garp“.

Being the Superman and Beatles fan that I am, I was of course delighted when I heard the Beatles play “Roll Over Beethoven” in “Superman 3” in 1983.

“Twist and shout” performed by The Beatles was played in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” way back in 1986. The recording was even tampered with, as it featured an overdubbed horn section.

Next up was “Withnail and I” in 1987, featuring “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. Of course, it was a Hand Made Film, a company owned by George Harrison.

The same year saw a new Hollywood release, “Can’t Buy Me Love” with the Beatles providing the title track.

There are lots more, listal.com has a list of movies with Beatles songs, although it also includes versions performed by other artists.

4 Responses

  1. VVN Network says:
    September 18, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Thanks for your input. You're are obviously correct that there have been instances in the past of Beatles recordings being used in films. I've updated my site and linked back to your article.

    Reply
  2. The Byzantine Rambler says:
    September 18, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Both lists omit the Walter Matthau classic “House Calls” from 1978, which includes the original Beatles recording Something.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    September 20, 2011 at 9:32 am

    there is also a (horrible) film from the mid-80s that used "Let It Be" – its playing on the radio in the beginning of the movie.

    imdb.com/title/tt0270588/

    i had always thought there was a ban on using Beatles music in a film, which is why, when i heard the song being played, i had to look it up online and ended up finding this blog 🙂

    ~Brendan

    Reply
  4. stpetric says:
    August 5, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Thanks for the link to "The Beatles songs in movies" site. I had no idea there were so many–even though most of them seem to be cover (and one is simply someone whistling "Strawberry Fields Forever!). I'm surprised, though, that they missed "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", which features 17 songs by the Beatles themselves.

    Reply

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