“We used to do a great trick with acoustic guitars…” – Paul McCartney

In a 1990 Guitar Player interview, Paul casually dropped three tricks the Beatles used that set them apart from other bands. And while some of it may sound technical, it really comes down to feel, instinct, and a willingness to break the rules.

1. Go Obscure (on Purpose)

The Beatles didn’t just write great songs — they curated their covers like crate-digging DJs. While every other band was doing obvious hits, the Beatles were digging into B-sides and forgotten album tracks.

“All the other bands knew the hits… But not everybody knew [Bo Diddley’s] ‘Crackin’ Up.’”

The result? Their sets sounded totally fresh, even when they weren’t playing originals. Songs like “Anna (Go to Him)” and “Three Cool Cats” stood out because most fans hadn’t heard them before — and the Beatles sang them like they meant it. Their passion for those “deep cuts” made every performance feel like a discovery.

2. Break the Studio

By 1965, the Beatles were getting bold in the studio. They learned how to push analog equipment past its safe limits to make things sound warmer, crunchier — more human.

“We got them to record the acoustic guitars in the red,” said Paul, describing how they overloaded the tape machines to get that rich, slightly gritty texture you hear in songs like ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.’

Back then, that was considered bad technique. But the Beatles loved those “mistakes” — the hiss, the overload, the imperfections. Today we’d call that vintage warmth. For them, it was just chasing a sound that felt real.

3. Let the Bass Tell a Story

Early on, Paul just held down the low notes. But by Rubber Soul, he realized the bass could add drama, tension, and movement to a song — not just support it.

“If you put the bass on the root note, you’ve got a straight track. But if you go to another note — like a G instead of a C — it holds the track. Then when you finally resolve, it’s like, ‘Oh, thank God!’”

You can feel this in “Michelle.” The descending melody is lovely, but it’s the bass that gives it elegance and surprise — the kind of detail you don’t notice until it’s gone.

What does it all mean for fans?

The Beatles weren’t just writing great tunes. They were curators, sonic tinkerers, and emotional architects — finding unexpected ways to make each song feel fresh, textured, and emotionally satisfying.

They were just different — not by accident, but by choice.

Which of these techniques stands out most to you?

Have you ever felt the Beatles doing one of these things before you even knew what it was?