Synopsis
Who knew that Paul McCartney originally referred to Yesterday as 'Scrambled Eggs' because he couldn't think of any lyrics for his heart-breaking tune? Or that Patti LaBelle didn't know what 'Voulez-vous couches avec moi ce soir?' actually meant?
These and countless other fascinating back stories of some of our best-known and best-loved songs fill this book, a collection of the highly successful weekly The Life of a Song columns that appear in the FT Weekend every Saturday.
Each 600-word piece gives a mini-biography of a single song, from its earliest form (often a spiritual, or a jazz number), through the various covers and changes, often morphing from one genre to another, always focusing on the 'biography' of the song itself while including the many famous artists who have performed or recorded it.
The selection covers a wide spectrum of the songs we all know and love - rock, pop, folk, jazz and more. Each piece is pithy, sparkily written, knowledgeable, entertaining, full of anecdotes and surprises. They combine deep musical knowledge with the vivid background of the performers and musicians, and of course the often intriguing social and political background against which the songs were created.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of...
Stock Image
Life of a Song: The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Songs
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1473668190I5N00
Stock Image
Life of a Song : The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Songs
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 46271385-75
Stock Image
Life of a Song : The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Songs
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 15320190-75
Stock Image
Life of a Song : The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Songs
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 19165662-20
Stock Image
Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_441934450
Stock Image
Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
Seller: My Dead Aunt's Books, Hyattsville, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Hardcover with no jacket as issued. Contains many markings throughout with foxing on top and edges. Cover has wear around spine, wear on corners of cover very light. Seller Inventory # 69207T
Stock Image
The Life of a Song Volume 1: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
Published by
John Murray Press, United Kingdom, 2017
ISBN 10: 1473668190
ISBN 13: 9781473668195
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Who knew that Paul McCartney originally referred to Yesterday as 'Scrambled Eggs' because he couldn't think of any lyrics for his heart-breaking tune? Or that Patti LaBelle didn't know what 'Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?' actually meant? These and countless other fascinating back stories of some of our best-known and best-loved songs fill this book, a collection of the highly successful weekly The Life of a Song columns that appear in the FT Weekend every Saturday. Each 600-word piece gives a mini-biography of a single song, from its earliest form (often a spiritual, or a jazz number), through the various covers and changes, often morphing from one genre to another, always focusing on the 'biography' of the song itself while including the many famous artists who have performed or recorded it. The selection covers a wide spectrum of the songs we all know and love - rock, pop, folk, jazz and more. Each piece is pithy, sparkily written, knowledgeable, entertaining, full of anecdotes and surprises. They combine deep musical knowledge with the vivid background of the performers and musicians, and of course the often intriguing social and political background against which the songs were created. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR008740458
Buy Used
US$ 3.64
US$ 7.50 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 3 available
Stock Image
Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1757952392. 9/15/2025 4:06:32 PM. Seller Inventory # U9781473668195
Buy Used
US$ 7.43
US$ 7.35 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life of a Song: The fascinating stories behind 50 of the world's best-loved songs
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. has a remainder mark. Seller Inventory # mon0003195407
Stock Image
Life of a Song : The Fascinating Stories Behind 50 of the World's Best-Loved Songs
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 19165662-20
Buy Used
US$ 6.08
US$ 10.71 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available