She Loves You - 'You never had it so good'
Stuart Maconie recounts the social change, economic optimism and Beatlemania of Britain in the early 1960s, hearing memories of those who were told they'd 'never had it so good'.
1963 was a monumental year in Britain. The Profumo Affair was uncovered. The Great Train Robbery took place. The Dartford Tunnel and the National Theatre opened. And a manufactured Northern pop band started doing rather well.
A new economic and social optimism coincided with the birth of Beatlemania in a country that had, according to Prime Minister Harold MacMillan, "never had it so good". However, it was an optimism that had been almost two decades in the making, following the horror of WW2, then the lean years of rationing, poverty and re-building. The Beatles' humour, drive and infectious music chimed perfectly with the country's new-found confidence.
Last on
Clips
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Listening to The Beatles in the local record store
Duration: 00:46
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The Beatles' final performance at the Cavern Club
Duration: 00:28
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Hearing about the Beatles for the first time
Duration: 00:42
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Episode 3 Preview
Duration: 01:28
Music Played
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The Beatles
Please Please Me
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Barrett Strong
Money (That's What I Want)
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The Beatles
A Taste Of Honey
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Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas - Humdinger
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Chuck Berry
Sweet Little Sixteen
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The Isley Brothers
Twist And Shout
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The Beatles
Twist and Shout
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The Beatles
A Hard Day's Night
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Pacemakers
How Do You Do It?
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The Beatles
Love Me Do
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The Beatles
I Saw Her Standing There
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The Beatles
She Loves You
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The Beatles
Tomorrow Never Knows
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The Beatles
I've Just Seen A Face
Share your comments and stories
Your contributions will play a key part in this episode, take a look at the questions below and :
- Do you remember hearing The Beatles for the first time?
- Do you remember finding jobs easy to come by?
- How did you feel when Harold McMillan said βyouβve never had it so goodβ?Β
- Did Britain feel like an exciting, vibrant place to be in the early 60s?
You can
or read about
Broadcasts
- Wed 16 Jan 2013 22:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Tue 19 Jan 2016 23:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
Song Profiles
Read the stories behind featured songs, listen to & watch related clips & cover versions!
