Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2013 November 14

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November 14

Hey, I heart the Beatles--all 23 of them

Remembering The Beatles (understood as widely as reasonable--so include Brian Epstein, Stu Sutcliffe, Peter Best, Klaus Voorman, Phil Spector, Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, Linda McCartney, Linda McCartney's Dad, Ringo Starr, Alan Klein, Mick Jagger etc. et al.) What evidence is available that they speak or spoke (oral communication only--not interested in writing right now) in a language or language(s) besides that which would be referred to as their mother's tongue i.e. their primary language? (And no points for Yoko Ono's English and Japanese--everybody always already knows that piece of the puzzle). Thank you, [and should I reproduce this paragraph in the Languages section?] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.240.77.215 (talk) 15:37, 14 November 2013 (UTC)

No, you should not ask the same question on multiple reference desks. RudolfRed (talk) 17:27, 14 November 2013 (UTC)

I find it odd that you include Mick Jagger as a member of the Beatles when he was a member of their main opposition! But the Beatles (i.e. the Fab Four) did produce German versions of their songs (Komm gib mir Deiner Hand being the one I remember from German lessons at school), and as they were resident in Hamburg for quite some time they must have picked up some German. Klaus Voorman wasn't English but conversed in it. --TammyMoet (talk) 18:28, 14 November 2013 (UTC)

Mick Jagger and other members of the Rolling Stones sang backup vocals on All You Need Is Love. John and Paul sang back up on a couple songs on Their Satanic Majesties Request. Hot Stop talk-contribs 01:33, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

Like, the French bits in "Michelle"? I'm not sure what this question is even asking. Adam Bishop (talk) 11:39, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

I think the question is asking for references on which acquired languages the individual members of the Beatles (as generously defined) actually were able to speak. The OP already is aware of the fact that Yoko Ono spoke English as a second language, but what about other acquired languages spoken by Yoko, and what about the other members? (I have no references, but I think the question is asking for that, not about foreign lyrics included in some of their songs). ---Sluzzelin talk 12:23, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

A posting here claims that "Paul had picked up a fair amount of German during the Beatles' Hamburg days", but that when they recorded "Komm, gib mir deine Hand" they had to be coached phonetically to sing in German. Ghmyrtle (talk) 12:58, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

Probably the same deal with the flip side, "Sie liebt dich". The funny thing about that recording was that instead of ja, ja, ja they still said "yeah, yeah, yeah". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:21, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

I remember hearing an interview with (I think) Paul McCartney who said that he was the only member of the band who could speak any German when they arrived in Hamburg, and the only phrase he knew meant "Jacob was a very naughty crow". Alansplodge (talk) 00:08, 16 November 2013 (UTC)