Why Earth Wind & Fire’s Beatles cover is BETTER than the Original 

“Why are The Bee Gees on the thumbnail instead of The Beatles?!!” The answer lies within the video 😉

After getting the Beatles "blue" record for Christmas in 1977, I was a huge Beatles fan. By summer, I had saved up some some money from cutting lawns, and delivering newspapers, I went to the local record store to buy Sgt. Pepper, but came home with this Bee Gees movie version by mistake, i guess because it had just come out. Needless to say, I was one of those 4 million people who returned it!

A few additional notes: Maurice White and Philip Bailey stated in their autobiographies that The Bee Gees were pretty salty about the success of EWF’s cover. The Bee Gees acted very cold shouldered to them during the movie premiere. When EWF arrived, the red carpet and press were long gone. The intro arrangement was the brainchild of Larry Dunn (keyboardist) and Maurice White. Pure EWF unpredictable chord changes and punches. Their musical signature. Maurice also had release rights to the song separate from the soundtrack. That in turn gave the song an early release prior to the soundtrack. That was a pure genius move, imo. Once George Martin heard EWF’s version, he mentioned to Maurice that’s the way the whole soundtrack should’ve been recorded.

I literally did not know of the Beatles version of this song. My dad is a HUGE EWF fan and until now, I always thought it was their song. Love this channel

AS AN OLD SENIOR CITIZEN NOW,FIRST LET ME SAY I SAW SGT. PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS BAND,THE MOVIE AND JUST BECAUSE THE MOVIE CRITICS HATED OR JUST BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY,DOESN'T MEAN IT WAS A BAD MOVIE.WHAT'S BAD TO YOU OR WHOEVER MAY BE GOOD TO ME OR WHOEVER.THEN AS A OLDER BLACK MAN WHO REMEMBERS THE MUSIC FROM THE 1960'S ALL THE WAY UP TO RIGHT NOW,THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER BEATLES SONG REDONE BY LAKESIDE,CALLED I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND THAT TO ME IS AT LEAST,100 TIMES BETTER THAN THE BEATLES VERSION.AND NO NEED TO THINK I'M YELLING ALL THAT EITHER,I JUST PREFER TO TYPE IN BIG LETTERS.IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE FROM ME TO YOU.

Drummer here. The bass is the heart of SO many great songs, yet it is ignored far too often, mostly from the general public who doesn't understand why they like the song.

The we can work it out cover by Stevie wonder is definitely incredible. His back up vocals are next level

Okay FIRST OF ALL my brother, I FRICKIN LOVE YOU!!! You are the bass brother that I was missing back in high school!!! I’m a former professional drummer and I personally feel that you and I would have been Inseparable had we known each other back then. SECOND… Great job at demonstrating how the baseline should have gone for “Got to get you in my life” Motown style. THIRD…I have the Sergeant peppers album I got it for my 12th birthday back in 1978. My favorite parts are She came in through the bathroom window because of the fender Rhodes and because of the Bee Gees back up vocals and then for the Sergeant peppers lonely hearts club band reprise that bass player is groove in his fucking ass off. And LASTLY…My grandfather worked in the artist development department at Motown from 1964 - 1973 he did MOST of the chorography for The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops , my Aunt Gladys Knight and my Uncle Pips, etc. Growing up most of my musical exposure was soul and jazz music, I had only heard OF The Beatles and didn’t become familiar with their music until John Lennon was killed. A radio station out here in Southern California played 24 hour Beatles music for that entire weekend as a tribute. Not knowing much of anything about them you can only imagine my CULTURE SHOCK when I heard their version of “Eleanor Rigby” and “We can work it out” which I had ALWAYS assumed were original songs by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uH87XjoyKlA.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JgHIm5AqtXc.html

Very interesting. I did not know the EW&F version and just listened it completely after this video. I think the reason why it works so well - and you can see this also in the comments - is that it targets a complete different audience. A good cover is always more than just an update or repetition, but somehow a translation. That's also what Joe Cocker made with his version of "With a little help from my friends" which I would consider the best Beatles cover of all time - and accidentally also one of the best live performances of all time.

As my substitute teacher for band once said: “earth wind and fire was ahead of their time”

I love both versions. The Beatles version was all over the radio when it hit the charts in the summer of 1976, and then two years later EWF’s version hit the charts in the summer. I remember them both being played constantly! I’m a little more partial to the Beatles version, but they’re both so good, I understand why this could be a big debate. Which is a huge complement to EWF.

When this movie came out in 1978 I was 17, and a huge Beatles fan. I went to see the movie with friends who were also Beatles fans, and we all enjoyed it. The plot was ridiculous, but the movie was fun, and many of the songs were great! EWF's "Got to get you into my life" was the best, but there were many other good ones. Another stand-out was Aerosmith's "Come Together". I owned the Beatles Sgt Pepper album at the time, but I bought the movie soundtrack, too.

Always been a favorite of mine. I remember how my high school mates hated it because this (Black) band redid a Beatles song, but damn EWF just smoked it. Oh; Al McKay's solo? Absolute fire.

Thats how I feel about Joe Cockers version of “with a little help from my friends”. Transformed into something totally new

Revolver is my personal favorite beatles album. First album to sample (and in reverse) and the influences from George are nuts. Its just so fire🔥

I think they're just different, because they work into two different contexts, the 60s psychedelic movement and the 1970s soul scene. Both are great in their own fashion.

Whats crazy is, I never even knew they were the same song and heard them both. Wow!

I have to say that as a big EWF fan growing up, when there was no internet to help with those things, Got to get you into my life was one of my favourites of their songs and I really thought it was theirs. That's how good this cover is! And I also have to say that the discovery that it was a Beatles song is what reintroduced them to me. I was fascinated that a pop/rock band could create such a briliant soul tune. To this day I can't pick one version over the other, I love them both for totally different reasons. Oh, and great video, thanks for that deep dive...

This is the most bonkers bit of music trivia RU-vid I think I've ever seen. For literally 13 minutes, I was thinking, "this is hilarious and also what does this have to do with the Beatles?" Amazing!

Really like your channel. As a bass player my self and as someone who diggs 90s hiphop and music history in general... this is gold

I was 15 when This Sargent Peppers Soundtrack came out, and yep, I bought the album. The EWF cover was astonishing. I played it over and over. I still have it in my regular playlist to this day. What you just shared is exactly what I have been saying since 1978….that the EWF cover was the one time someone covered a Beatles song and did it so much better.

The Siouxsie and the Banshees cover of "Dear Prudence" and The Chameleons cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows" are both awesome.

Im 33 and my mom grew me up on 70s rnb and classic soul and i was like 17 when i found out earth wind and fire coverd that song lol. Ewaf made that song so much better

Saw the movie in 1978 when I was 12 years old. Went immediately to buy the album and loved it. Still have it, along with the poster that came inside the album, to this day. EWF's "Got to Get Into My Life" is definitely one of the highlights of the movie and album 😊

"The Best of The Beatles Sung by Motown's Greatest Stars" is one of my favorite records. Marvin's version of Yesterday is untouchable.

This is an awesome retrospective... I was there! Spot on! Indeed, transformed! I totally loved The Beatles, and I absolutely love Earth, Wind, and Fire! Great episode!

I was a teen when I saw the movie and I loved it ,I had a smile on my face the whole time. I am glad I didn`t know I wasn`t supposed to like it.

Been seeing this as "recommended video" but not watched til I today stumbled across the soundtrack on vinyl at a local thriftstore for about 2$, watched it and am now a proud owner of greatness with a story to tell ;)

James Jamerson's bass on Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight & The Pips is one of my favourite basslines of all time.

WOW…. This explains a LOT about my development of musical tastes and love of funk covers. I was raised in a family of… eclectic… musical tastes. A lot of classical music, Queen, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Joe Cocker, Moog (yes the original gatefold album I can still picture before Heart’s Magic Man), and my parents loved movies. Went out in a snowstorm and we’re the only ones in an orchestral ballroom converted into a movie theatre to see “The Shaggy DA”, and a few months later my 9 year old eyes watched a red planet rise up over the row of seats in front of me, and a massive Starship come swooping down from the back of the theatre. I spent the next several months with the curly corded giant can headphones absorbing all the musical moment from the John Williams Star Wars soundtrack and listened to the motifs and characters just like the way my dad introduced me to Peter and the Wolf or Jesus Christ Superstar. Between that Sgt Peppers album and the (equally horrible movie that I also didn’t see but soundtracks that were played over and over in my headphone) The Wiz… to my childhood ears, those WERE the originals. Funky, dance oriented, rock tinged…. and the first album I bought with my own allowance was a compilation with “Wanna Be My Lover” by Prince and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by Kiss. Honestly, the “Old” version of Sgt Peppers I thought was the Original was the Jimi Hendrix version. I can follow my music journey from teen age years playing “Dance the Night Away” from Van Halen, through my holy grail… Prince’s “Sign O’ the Times”, to things like Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” or Jason Mraz “Live on Earth”… but my band mates (who are faithful to the Beatles originals) tease me for wanting to play “Covers of Covers” when I prefer the Aerosmith “Come Together”, and as fair play to Aerosmith, prefer Ratt’s “Walk-in’ the Dog”, Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” but (full circle) Earth Wind and Fire’s epic version of “Voodoo Child” (trust me, look it up from the Powe of Soul Hendrix Tribute.) ☮️❤️🎶

Damn, this is the second video from your channel that I watched and you already became one of my favorite RU-vidrs. Congrats for the nice work and cheers from Brazil.

I LOVE Earth Wind and Fire. I'm happy they found success following this atrocity of a movie/soundtrack. Love your channel as well. New subscriber. Thank you!

I swear, I had no idea the EW&F version was a cover. Not until this very moment. I must have been about 9 when it came out. It always seems like the definitive version to me.

I actually personally loved the movie. I thought they actually did a great job, and never thought of it as a war to beat the Beatles, (which they could have never done) but I saw it as a great spin based on the success and influence of the Beatles. Still one of my favorite movies.

Man you explained and laid out so perfect,I've argued with so many "people "about this topic Thank you keep up the great work.

This was so fun. I grew up in a jazzy household and heard Beatles songs as played by artists like Wes Montgomery, Sergio Mendes, Freddie Hubbard, etc way before hearing the original Beatles’ versions. Still, I did enjoy the Beatles-my favorite songs are probably “Do You Want to Know a Secret, “Good Day Sunshine,” and “Daytripper.” I did go back and listened to the Beatles’ version of “Got to Get You into My Life” and … sigh … will Paul ever learn how to tune his bass properly? I enjoy his playing, but once you realize that he’s been flat throughout his entire career, it’s hard to ignore. Thanks for this fun video!

Man, I love your videos. The deep dives, the musical analysis, the history, everything! Would love to hear your take on “That Lady” by The Isley Brothers.

I Believe Earth Wind And Fire And The Beatles Are The Greatest Groups In Music History❤😁

I ran across you channel many times and really enjoyed it, however today I had to subscribe, I really love a channel that delves deep into the subject and gives the knowledge of the essence of the subject.

Fascinating breakdown, thank you. subbed for more great insights

I’m a working horn player and have played both versions of these (as well as others!) many many times. The EWF version wins hands down and not just for the horn parts - the whole groove is better and it’s a pleasure to play.

I was 9 when this movie came out, and I was in the full embrace of my youthful obsession with the Beatles. The Red and Blue compilation albums had just come out the year before and I was listening to the Beatles non-stop. So of course I went to see this movie at the cinema (I think my older sister took me as she dug Peter Frampton) and yes, I bought the gatefold vinyl double LP. I loved it! I played it all the time when I was 9 and 10 and then slowly started to realize how it was no where as good as the original songs, except for the Aerosmith cover and the Earth, Wind and Fire cover. To this day, I still love both those songs!

Thanks for the links man I’m a bass player who can’t get enough of this Motown stuff

I learn something new every time I watch your videos, thank you.

EWF was in the middle of a tour and faced a deadline to deliver the song for the soundtrack. They recorded it in Denver on one of their off days after hurriedly securing a recording studio. I think one reason the song was so hot was because the band had been constantly playing when it was recorded.

I will defend Aerosmith's cover of "Come Together" on this album too, G2GUin2ML is not the _only_ gem. Somebody else mentioned Stevie Wonder's vocals too. But your thesis is flawless, the Earth Wind & Fire cover is superb and a treasure. Thanks for reminding me to listen to this. NOT ON STREAMING SERVICES BUT I RIPPED MY OLD L.P. TO MP3's!!!

Awesome Video dude! I didn't know the background of the movie or the soundtrack. I went to see it when it came out, because EWF was in it.

Hey, Low-Ender. I'm digging your channel. I respect your research and love of great music.

I didn't even know that this song was originally sung by The Beatles. It's an EWF song for me ever since. 😁

Phenomenal storytelling. Great perspective and context.

This video has put into words what I’ve always felt about Earth, Wind and Fire’s version of “Got To Get You Into My Life.”

Thank you I love your insight, background info, feel your take on bass grooves, etc. Learned something when I thought I knew everything Beatles!

I'm so glad you made this! This was one of the records hidden at the back of old LPs from my dad's childhood that he gave me (i'm not sure if he was one of those who bought this by mistake thinking it was the actual Sgt. Pepper's album, or if he bought it because he was a Peter Frampton fan, but it was one of the most pristine records, so I doubt it was played much). I started to listen once or twice but was not feeling it at all. This was literally one of the records in the pile to go sell for in store credit at the record store, but after watching this I pulled it out and put on the first song of side 3 and it was so good. I'm glad I didn't sell it. That one song is worth way more than the few bucks I would have got for it.

I looove this song and always felt the same as you, but I never knew this! Thanks for the lesson Brandon!

My two ALL-TIME favorite bands. Earth Wind & Fire, followed by the Beatles. I absolutely LOVE the EWF version of this song. The manager of the store in which I was working at the time (in 11th grade) brought the LP into the store and played it the day he purchased it. I hopped on the city bus the next morning and bought my own. Played it all day.

I agree with you completely, love the EWF version more than the Beatles version, which is very rare! I personally think MJs cover of Come Together is a good Beatle cover too, but besides that, few come close to their orignal tracks!

I have hidden my true feelings about these two versions for fear of being called “blasphemous”. I feel vindicated!

I haven't heard this song in many years but that guitar solo is incredible

Great cover. Eddie Hazel's cover of I Want You (She's So Heavy) is also fucking phenomenal if you haven't checked that one out before

Wonderful learnt so much luvvit! Thank you for your passion ☺️

So good man! I personally love both versions, but man did EWF make it there own Please keep making videos like this it's so good!

What song should I do next??

I was 13 when the Sgt Pepper movie was released I freaking loved it! I grew up on the Beatles, the music, the cartoons, the movies, this was just an extension of that for me.

i had to subscribe to you now, cause im interested in musical history, and you brought a lot of new knowledge to me and some new ways to discover more... thank you, and you do it in a sympathic, and humourus way, that it doesnt get boring, thank you for your lessons....!!!

Hey, what do you think of Eddie Hazel's cover of The Beatles I Want You She's So Heavy? 1977 founding guitarist of Funkadelic & the cover is part of his debut solo album. I think it's a jam, sort of like the song this video is about, Eddie was able to bring a little more out of the song soulfully than the original has to offer.. I love both versions of I Want You. Brides of Frankenstein on backing vocals.

I totally dig the mashup of Paul's voice with My Girl. I would love to put that into my rotation. Any chance there is a complete version of that?

EWF was not the first choice of the producers, they wanted the group Chicago but couldn’t get them. Lucky us!

This is my favorite cover period. My mother took my sister and I to see this at the RKO on Church Ave. in Brooklyn. Back before they cut it up. On the BIG screen. Just like she took us to see Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Unlike those two, we never got the soundtrack... Now I see why. I do have a rip on cd. So... There's that. Billy Preston's Get Back and Aerosmith's Come Together were good, and the finale was crazy. I remember enjoying this... And the Star Wars Special... But, I was also 5 at the time...

Just started the video but… is because is Earth, Wind and Fire! I’m a big Beatles Fan, But EW&F was just exceptional and know popular music in a deeper level most people can get. Just like Tower of Power

Dude, you drilled this. All of it. It’s literally 17 minutes of perfect takes, lol. Could not agree more, period. 👍👍

I love to see a narrator that knows their subject matter and definitely know their music and artist. This content is a solid 10!

Except for the Bee Gees career being destroyed, I agree with everything you said here. Very well done video. I knew of the Earth, Wind, and Fire version first...in 1988, my family got a new Lincoln Mark VII. When you bought the optional JBL stereo (which sounded really good), it came with a demo tape for the system. At the beginning of side two was the EWF "Got To Get You Into My Life", and Ioved it from the first time I heard it there. I didn't hear the original until probably four years later, and while ai liked it (and still do), I always preferred the Earth, Wind and Fire version. It's the best cover of a Beatles song I've ever heard... it's like the song was meant for them.

The EWF version is so good that just about everyone that covers that song, covers the EWF version of it. Dave Koz has a cover of EWF's version.

Great storytelling. Thanks for the ride!!

This is an absolute excellent video! You should be very proud of yourself for this !

First time watching,I’m a bass player also. very entertaining and informative thank you ! Great job! I’m now a subscriber.

Two of my fave Beatle covers are Yes- Every Little Thing, and The Jerry Garcia Band-Dear Prudence…but there are many more, including EWF.

My favorite part (besides the bass playing) is the KILLER EWF breakdown to just vocals, finger snaps and guitar soloing at the end of their verson

You put me onto this track, big time - absolutely love it! Thanks for the heads up!

I’m not saying it’s better than the original but James Brown’s cover of Something was George Harrison’s favorite out of every single cover of that song.

Great phoenix story comparison to Star Wars. EWF is one of my all time favorite bands. Wide and tight at the same time, and ALWAYS in the perfect groove.

😮this is the best cover ever made you ate right in ever thing you said, I also don't like or rate most cover songs, but as an EWF fan they can do no wrong, they where the best band in the world at their time ,music fans need to play respect the the elements, we all owe them massive honour 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

I was 4 in 1978, and that movie's soundtrack introduced me to the music of the Beatles, and began my lifelong fandom of EWF, Aerosmith AND Alice Cooper.

I am a lifelong Beatles fan, and there are only 2 Beatles covers that I think are better than the Beatles. One is Joe Cocker, With A Little Help From My Friends, the other is this one! You go, bro!

I"m going to be the weirdo, and say that I absolutely LOVE the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie. I've loved it since I saw it on cable when I was a child. I recently re-watched it, and I STILL love that movie. It isn't a great movie, but it's bad in all the right ways. It just FEELS like the 70s! I just adore the movie so much! Having the Bee Gees playing the Lonely Hearts Club Band was a genius move. If anyone gets the chance to watch this movie on a streaming service, if it becomes available, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Dude I can watch you all day. You love the music and know the music. Great video

Just found the channel from MJ rock with u video but after watching that one I subscribed and fell down the rabbit hole but feel so educated now!

Robin Gibb's cover of "Oh, Darling" is simply fantastic. May be as great as the original one.

I only bought the LP for Peter Frampton's The Long and Winding Road. Peter's guitar solo is beautiful. His vocal performance is very soulful.

The Bee Gees long quote was really hysterical. I was born in 1977 and grew up on The Beatles. I remember seeing this movie on TV when I was a kid and it was....overall kind of disturbing to me. LOL! I didn't realize that the EWF song was a part of the movie/soundtrack. Smart move of them to retain the rights and pre-release it. Probably the best Beatles cover ever! :)

I had no idea that song was a Beatles cover! Loved this video. You're exactly the person I want to listen to and learn from. Subscribing! :)

I have very fond memories of the 70s Sgt Pepper. I had a cousin that was a BGs fan, she took us to the movies, and then made us listen to that record many times. I think it is a product of the 70s, and there were some good bits in there, but this song was incredible. Haven't heard any of this in decades... thanks man!

Thanks for bringing light to this record. A lot of EWF fans don't give this song the love it should get. 👍

I am a die hard Beatles fan but I absolutely LOVE EW&Fs version of GTGYIML! It just feels so damn good!

I was one of the few who went to the theater to see this movie back in '78 (Actually, the whole family went to see it) I was 11 years old, so I thought it was all just silly fun, but the one thing I credit it for--it introduced me to the Beatles Music! I was a black kid growing up in DC, and most of what I was hearing was R&B, Jazz, and 70's Pop - the only thing I really knew about the Beatles was Yellow Submarine, and maybe Come Together------this movie made me go seek out albums like Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper, Let it Be, The White Album, Magical Mystery Tour...Revolver also became one of my favorites...EWF was already one of my favorites....and BTW, we did own the Soundtrack to this movie...and I have to say, besides EWF, I also dig Aerosmith's version of Come Together, and I really like Peter Frampton's version of The Long and Winding Road!

This version reflects the era and the band's interpretation when it was recorded, love the original and like this one too.

EW&F’s version is the one I first discovered as a 45 in my parents record collection as a kid in the late ‘70’s. I don’t think I heard the original version until the ‘80’s. That’s also when I discovered the Beatles did it first.

Luv the riffs btw. Bass & tone carry a lot to the feel of a great song. As a Trumpeter, Have always lived jazz & big band. Thank you for sharing with us.

Big props to your channel. I’m officially a fan.

I love the Michael Jackson cover of Come Together. That's another well done cover