In addition to yesterday's volley of news about The Beatles' rhythm game, Variety has a few new details. According to the publication, who spoke with Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones, Harmonix can select 45 songs from The Beatles' 1962 to 1969 EMI catalog. Apologies to all who were dying for a cameo from The Quarrymen. Ladies and gentlemen, you now have a number. It's time to start making those "confirmed track lists" you all are so fond of sending us.
Giles Martin, who served as music director to Cirque du Soleil's Beatles Love alongside father and Beatles producer George Martin, will oversee the game's music. Still no word on whether the original recordings will be remastered or not. Additionally, Sony/ATV Music Publishing CEO Martin Brandier told Variety that the deal was -- shocker -- unprecedentedly expensive. "We signed a deal that would be considered very rich by the videogame company but fair for the artists," he said. "It will have online implications that will be enormous."
Reader Comments (66)
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 12:59PM (Unverified) said
I'll be pleased if even one of the following makes the cut:
Dear Prudence
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
I Want You
Because
Across The Universe
Norwegian Wood
Reply
Dear Prudence
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
I Want You
Because
Across The Universe
Norwegian Wood
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 3:30PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
You're out of your element, Donny.
Reply
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 12:39PM BananaBoat said
Basically, every hit not owned by Michael Jackson.
Come on Helter Skelter....Come onnnnnnn
Reply
Come on Helter Skelter....Come onnnnnnn
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 2:55PM BananaBoat said
Wait...upon further (further) reading OTFA, am I to understand that EMI, and not Apple....what...pants?!
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Posted: Oct 31st 2008 3:10PM Rockshop said
Doesn't matter who owns the writers rights, you can record any song and just pay the music unions representatives who sort out who gets what (RIAA I believe in USA), the rights for the recorded versions thou are copyrighted and owned by a corp/person at anyone time and only they can say if that recording can be used.
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Posted: Oct 31st 2008 3:02PM BananaBoat said
Some of those songs are incredibly short, and not suited for a game. Others have very little guitar, drums, etc. There are songs that consist of little else than them playing their goofy Indian instruments for four minutes because noone knew how to tell them no =P
I think it's a shame not to have EVERY available song included (including the lesser known ones) but I'll settle for whatever I can get.
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I think it's a shame not to have EVERY available song included (including the lesser known ones) but I'll settle for whatever I can get.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 3:07PM BananaBoat said
Oh, and Beatles DLC for extra songs.
Barrel *BANG* fish dead inside
Reply
Barrel *BANG* fish dead inside
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 4:43PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
280 of those songs are complete rubbish.
Go ahead vote me down. It's true no matter what.
Reply
Go ahead vote me down. It's true no matter what.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 5:48PM (Unverified) said
Well, fortunately they did include the years '65-'69. Unfortunately, they ALSO included the horrendously awful worthless Beatles years '62-'64.
So it's possible we'll get a song as wonderful as Fool on the Hill. It's also possible we'll get pop radio market ear poison like Love Me Do. We'll just have to wait and see.
Reply
So it's possible we'll get a song as wonderful as Fool on the Hill. It's also possible we'll get pop radio market ear poison like Love Me Do. We'll just have to wait and see.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 12:54PM (Unverified) said
"We signed a deal that would be considered very rich by the videogame company but fair for the artists,"
In other words, MTV Games/Harmonix got completely hosed on the deal. The music industry hasn't known what "fair" is in a long, long time. I'm assuming that means something like an insanely big up-front payment, plus 95% of any profits that come in. Plus the souls of the children of all the MTV Games and Harmonix employees.
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In other words, MTV Games/Harmonix got completely hosed on the deal. The music industry hasn't known what "fair" is in a long, long time. I'm assuming that means something like an insanely big up-front payment, plus 95% of any profits that come in. Plus the souls of the children of all the MTV Games and Harmonix employees.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 2:19PM (Unverified) said
Dude, they're not going to pay out the ass for the Beatles and then limit their audience by only selling it as DLC.
For this (and AC/DC) they can't have you picking and choosing tracks. I understand that and I'm cool with it.
Reply
For this (and AC/DC) they can't have you picking and choosing tracks. I understand that and I'm cool with it.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:10PM (Unverified) said
I'm hoping for a few songs from Klaatu... Keep dreaming, I know
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Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:12PM gotjpeg said
I'm not a real big Beatles fan they were before my time, but I don't honestly see this selling enough to make back profits they used to purchase the songs in the first place. Sure people would know x, y, or z said song but would they really know enough to buy a full Beatles game? Well, then again people did buy the GH Aerosmith game so I guess anything can happen.
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Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:18PM Duke said
I think you are selling these guys a tad short. The Beatles are still huge with many age groups - further, I would bet they are before the time of 50% of those that listen to them. I think this game might actually have something to offer.
I wasn't big on the Beatles growing up, but one day they just clicked with me and now I have to give them credit for being a top notch band if there ever was one.
Reply
I wasn't big on the Beatles growing up, but one day they just clicked with me and now I have to give them credit for being a top notch band if there ever was one.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:19PM (Unverified) said
Unless you are over 55, the Beatles are before your time. I think most readers of Joystiq will be below that age.
And do you really think the Beatles and Aerosmith are that similar? Interesting.
Wrong.
But interesting.
Reply
And do you really think the Beatles and Aerosmith are that similar? Interesting.
Wrong.
But interesting.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 2:45PM (Unverified) said
I'm 25, and love the Beatles.
Not a band out there with a library like they have either. This is probably the only band that I'd pay for a 45-track RB album.
If I can't import it to my DLC, though, I will be hesitant.
They definitely transcend generations, though.
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Not a band out there with a library like they have either. This is probably the only band that I'd pay for a 45-track RB album.
If I can't import it to my DLC, though, I will be hesitant.
They definitely transcend generations, though.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 4:57PM chantastic said
I'm 27. The Beatles are the greatest rock band ever. It's pretty much that simple. I realize that is going with the hype, but our lame baby boomer parents are correct when it comes to this band.
I really don't see how anyone could NOT like the Beatles giving them a fair shake, especially if that person is into, umm... virtually any other rock band. I mean, okay, if you only like Scandinavian death metal, you might not like the Beatles... fair enough. But everyone else? Their influence is everywhere, their songs are so well-crafted, their is so much variety, there's literally something for everyone.
Reply
I really don't see how anyone could NOT like the Beatles giving them a fair shake, especially if that person is into, umm... virtually any other rock band. I mean, okay, if you only like Scandinavian death metal, you might not like the Beatles... fair enough. But everyone else? Their influence is everywhere, their songs are so well-crafted, their is so much variety, there's literally something for everyone.
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 5:26PM (Unverified) said
The Beatles had terrible recording practices, so I'm rooting for some remasters.
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Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:26PM (Unverified) said
This is the rhythm game that I've been waiting for...
Now, I know that Let It Be was produced before Abbey Road... but it was released in 1970. Hopefully some of the tracks from Let It Be make the cut. :(
Reply
Now, I know that Let It Be was produced before Abbey Road... but it was released in 1970. Hopefully some of the tracks from Let It Be make the cut. :(
Posted: Oct 31st 2008 1:37PM (Unverified) said
Only 12 year old PIGS don't apprecate the Beatles so STFU you little pigs and listen to your manufactured horse shit..
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