Blog Tour and Beatles Rock Band for Nintendo Wii Giveaway: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

A warm welcome to Author Elizabeth Eulberg, here to tell us about her favorite Beatles song (or make that songs...). Read my review of The Lonely Hearts Club in a separate post.

I had this coming to me. How could I not? When one writes a book influenced by The Beatles and their songs, it only makes sense that I’d be asked about my favorite Beatles song. But the problem is I don’t have a favorite Beatles song. I have many…

Where to begin… Since I always recommend Beatles novices to start with the superb Beatles 1 album that features their numerous #1 hits, I will start with songs on that album. Several of my favorite songs are on this compilation: “Ticket to Ride,” “We Can Work it Out,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Something.” The Beatles have so many songs that can take me on an emotional journey (very much like my character Penny in The Lonely Hearts Club).

The first line of “Ticket to Ride” pulls at my heart every time: “I think I’m going to be sad, I think it’s today…” Very simple, very beautiful. I recently learned to play this on the guitar and when I first played the opening guitar line, I said, “Awww…. So sad.” I thought I was going to cry. My poor, poor guitar teacher.

“We Can Work it Out” is a song that makes me want to sing along and dance. The lyrics about well…working things out have a great message, especially the line “life is very short and there’s no time for fussing and fighting my friend.” There was an entire scene in an early draft of The Lonely Hearts Club that was inspired by this song.

While the Beatles were best known in the beginning of their career for their guitar riffs, “Eleanor Rigby” took them in a different direction. Strings replaced the guitar and the gorgeous melody of this song is one of my favorites. The line “I look at all the lonely people…” was originally the opening line of The Lonely Hearts Club, but I decided that might seem a little too depressing.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote the majority of the Beatles’ songs, but George Harrison wrote two of my favorites: “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” “Something” is one of the purest love songs in the world. When George sings, “You’re asking me if my love will grow? I don’t know, oh I don’t know…” The force and emotion he puts into “I don’t know” gives me chills.

There are so many more songs that I could talk about, especially in relation to my book, but there is one song that I will always think of The Lonely Hearts Club when I hear. And oddly enough it isn’t “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (although I do love that song). Whenever I finished a draft of my manuscript, I would turn on the electric version of “Revolution” and dance around my apartment like a lunatic to celebrate. I smile anytime I hear that song and think about how excited I was when I would play that.

I have no doubt that I’ll be playing that song, and many more Beatles song, for years to come.

Thanks Elizabeth!

Giveaway details:

Not content to just listen to the Beatles? If you want to sing and play along, then the Beatles Rock Band game (Special value edition) for Nintendo Wii is for you. I have (1) game to give away. You must have a mailing address in the US and you must leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Beatles song is to enter.

+1 entry for posting a link to this contest on your blog (sidebar is fine) and leaving a separate comment telling me you did so

+1 entry for tweeting about the contest (include @lenoreva in your tweet) and leaving a separate comment telling me you did so

The contest will remain open until Monday Jan 11th at 11:59 CST. I will annouce the winner (and the winners of all my other open contests) the next day.

Here is some product information:

The Fab Four take center stage once more in this exclusive Rock Band spin-off. More than a compilation of songs from the Beatles, the game re-creates the band's historic concerts, signature instruments, and changing appearances over the span of a 12-album career. Digital versions of John, Paul, George, and Ringo will not only perform at authentic venues, but also within dreamlike environments inspired by some of the band's more colorful songs.

As with previous entries in the Rock Band franchise, the game involves playing songs by following onscreen cues with one of four peripherals: a microphone, lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Vocals now offer three playable parts, a first for the series, including one lead and two harmonies. A built-in vocal trainer will help you get accustomed to singing each melody, as you are able to freely switch between all three parts with a press of a button. Three microphones are required to harmonize with your friends.

Featured on the disc are 45 tracks, including "Back in the U.S.S.R.," "Here Comes the Sun," "I Feel Fine," "Taxman," "Octopus' Garden," "Get Back," "Day Tripper," "I Saw Her Standing There," "I Am the Walrus," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Downloadable content is also supported to expand the initial track list, with 1969's Abbey Road the first album scheduled for online distribution.

Hope you enjoyed this installment of The Lonely Hearts Club tour. Check in at Green Bean Teen Queen on Wedesday for the next stop where Elizabeth talks about her favorite road trips. And for all the tour dates as well as more information about the book, visit the author's website.