Deconstructing A Hard Day’s Night

DECONSTRUCTING A HARD DAY’S NIGHT explores the creation of the Beatles’ first feature film, A Hard Day’s Night, and the music written for the film and accompanying album. The presentation examines how Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr captured the energy of their live performances while simultaneously expanding their musical ambition. From the instantly recognizable opening chord to the sophisticated vocal arrangements and rhythmic drive of the songs, A Hard Day’s Night marks a creative leap that defined The Beatles of 1964. Through musical examples, film clips, and historical context, DECONSTRUCTING A HARD DAY’S NIGHT reveals how the pressures of fame shaped both the music and the movie, resulting in a work that felt fresh, witty, and unmistakably modern. By unpacking the songwriting, recording techniques, and cultural impact of this landmark project, the presentation shows why A Hard Day’s Night remains a defining statement of The Beatles at the height of Beatlemania.

1964 was a critical year in Beatles history. After being ignored by Capitol Records in America, the Beatles finally broke through, releasing several hit singles and albums and making a triumphant debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Later that year, they created the groundbreaking film, A Hard Day’s Night, for which Lennon and McCartney wrote some of their best songs to date.

In DECONSTRUCTING A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, Scott will share the stories behind the 1964 Beatles along with a track-by-track look at the songs of A Hard Day’s Night, including “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “And I Love Her,” and the title track.