Just before getting out of bed this morning I heard a song called "Look to the Future" (words which seemed meant for me!).  And the singer was .... Paul McCartney.

Last few days ...

Thursday, 20th November: "Ringo Starr (Thomas the Tank Engine). The most unlikely post-Beatles career turn of any of the Fab Four came with Starr's contribution to the mid-1980s TV incarnation of the rail icons".  This came from the Top Ten Children's TV Voices list in added to the end of a review of the new Paddington film (T2, p9)

Saturday, 22nd November: "Paul McCartney earns 60K per day".  Overheard conversation at Whitemoors Antique Centre - a group of unit holders were discussing an article in a tabloid newspaper.

Monday, 24th November: "Pete Best, original drummer for the Beatles, 73" from The Times "Birthday's Today" (p30).

I was doing a bit of tidying up in the Library and saw some discarded papers near the printer.  I picked up them to put in the "lost work tray" and saw they were lyrics for "She Loves You" - some budding musician must have printed them off ... aargh.

And as I type this Johnny Walker is telling me about his new radio show which will follow Paul McCartney's career after he left the Beatles and formed Wings.

Friday, 14th November

Children in Need took over R2 today.  It was All Request Friday.  On Simon Mayo's show you could pay a little extra to get Dr Mosh to introduce your choice - providing it was heavy rock, of course.  Simon helpfully explained that "Dr Mosh will not be introducing the likes of ... Paul McCartney, but Slayer - yes"

I caught a bit of Tom Odell's cover today on Graham Norton's R2 show - if I hadn't read the news earlier in the week I wouldn't have recognised it as a John Lennon song.  I'm looking forward to seeing the advert. I listened to the radio for most of the day - too wet to venture out.  No Beatles number in Tony Blackburn's chart show but he did introduce his first countdown as "long before the Beatles ... 1958".

Of course I also watched "Strictly".  And very glad I did.  Pixie Lott danced to When I'm 64. Tess Daly couldn't resist the temptation to say that she hoped the routine would get them A Ticket to Ride to Blackpool - next week's venue.

I caught a little bit of Sweet Sixteen by Ringo this afternoon on Johnny Walker's show.  This week's guest was Captain Sensible who spoke about his early days touring explaining it was a "Magical Mystery Tour-like the Beatles film".

But my favourite reference was in The Times Saturday Review (p9).  In a review of a new book, "A history of the 20th century in 100 maps" I read the following sentence: "And the childhood haunts of John, Paul, George and Ringo are meticulously plotted on a 1974 map catering for the millions of Beatles fans making the pilgrimage to Liverpool". Great, eh!

I heard "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright on R2 this afternoon.  Johnny Walker explained the song was based on a poem in a book that was given to the songwriter by George Harrison.

I went to the movies last night so missed "Strictly Come Dancing" so watched it tonight.  One couple danced the Paso to Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die". It was a good performance - got them second place on the leader board.

I went along to our Art students exhibition today.  One of artists was wearing a T-Shirt sporting Dr Who

Beatles-inspired Dr Who t-shirt

characters walking across a zebra crossing in the style of that famous Beatles album cover. In conversation with two other members of staff (who noticed my Beatles decorated purse) the subject of Liverpool came up which led, of course, to talk of visits to The Cavern.

I had two references before 8.00 am.! The first was Twist and Shout on the radio and the second ... a picture of The Beatles on Libby Piggott's tote bag as she crossed the bridge at Hinckley Station.  I was waiting for my train, she was on her way to catch the bus.  Both of us en route to College.

I listened to the last bit of Elaine Page's R2 show and was surprised to learn that Paul McCartney's song "All my Life" featured in the film "Rainy with a chance of Meatballs!".  Later on the in the afternoon, Johnny Walker, interviewed Joan Armatrading - whilst talking about playing to big crowds she mentioned a famous gig at "Black Bush" adding, it was where she met her first Beatle, Ringo Starr.

Chris Evans' "Beatles Monday" tune was Strawberry Fields. I listened to it in my coat at the bottom of the stairs to make sure I got the right song, then dashed out of the house.

Tonight's "Only Connect" came up with a reference too.  The first clue in a four-part sequence was Peace.  One of the contestants mentioned John Lennon.  In fact, the clues revealed the answer to be "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orwell (Peace, Love, Truth, Plenty - the names of the regime's ministries!)

A music business expert was talking on Simon Mayo's show tonight about "covers" and the money they make for the writers.  He mentioned Lennon and McCartney but I didn't catch any details - I was too engrossed in my T2 crossword.

But I did hear Iggy Pop on "Newsnight" explaining that his boyhood musical influences where The Beatles and The Kinks which he listened to on the radio.  He was being interviewed by Kirsty Wark because he's recently delivered a lecture on music and its relationship to business (I think).

Yellow Submarine was played by Simon Mayo on Drive Time (R2) - I was washing down kitchen cupboards at the time.

I walked into Hinckley's little shopping mall this morning to the sound of Ringo, singing "With a Little Help from my Friends".  

I never watch "Would I lie to you" - but I caught the last 10 minutes tonight.  Lee Mack was trying to convince the others that he had a system for remembering the teletubbies and added ... "Stuart, but he left before Ringo"! I must have missed something, because doesn't really make sense does it?

Something else I missed was in yesterday's Times (until I read it late last night in bed): was a little piece about  lego artworks:  "Lego recreations of The Beatles, One Direction and a telephone box will go on display as part of The Art of the Brick ... " (p21).

And as I type this I'm listening to "Mull of Kintyre" as Anton and Judy dance a waltz on "Strictly Come Dancing"

I watched "Sexy Beast" last night: a tense gangster-style film.  It ended in the early hours of today.  In the final scene of the film one of the characters tells a silly story about a futuristic product: hairstyle pills!  He says it's been trialled on monkeys - who chose Beatles haircuts and after two years they are still very happy with them. The film ends with his friends laughter.

I heard Twist and Shout this morning - Chris Evans' "Big Screen Belter".  No prizes for guessing the film.

I heard on Simon Mayo's show tonight as I did a bit of painting in the kitchen When I'm 64. 

I've put my brushes down now to watch "Oh You Pretty Things: The story of Music and Fashion" (BBC4) - It starts in the 1960s so I'm fully expecting to see at least one picture of The Beatles ... 10 minutes in there was a bit about the tailor shop "Lord John": there's a cape hanging on the wall, made for John Lennon but he never collected it. 

And in a segment about the "Granny takes a trip" shop there's a shot of George Harrison wearing a floral jacket - the very one shown in this photo.

Saturday, 13th September

I caught two Beatles numbers on the Radio2 today: "For No One" at 16.52 pm and "Because" at 18.42 pm

I got ready for work to Hey Jude (Chris Evan's Monday Beatles slot is alive and well).  And was delighted with a question on BBC2's "Only Connect" as I ate my tea.  Q: What's the link between four clues, the last being Musical Subaqueous Craft.  The answer was yellow and the final clue: Yellow Submarine (ta-dah).