NASA to blast the Beatles' "Across The Universe" into outer space
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' song "Across The Universe" being recorded today (February 4th, 1968), NASA has announced that it will be the first song beamed directly into space.
Britain's New Musical Express reported that "Across The Universe" will be "transmitted through their Deep Space Network of antennas, towards the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth" at midnight GMT, and are asking fans to play the song themselves at the same time.
Paul McCartney was quoted calling the event, which also celebrates NASA's 50th anniversary, as an "amazing feat" and said, "Well done, NASA. Send my love to the aliens!"
"Across The Universe" has an interesting history. The song was originally demoed by John Lennon in 1967, and was in the running as the Beatles' followup to "Hello Goodbye" for their spring 1968 single release. The song eventually lost out to McCartney's "Lady Madonna," and because the band was never happy with the way it was recorded, it was left unreleased at the time.
Lennon later said it was one of his favorite compositions, and was one of his few lyrics that work just as well as poetry.
In December 1969 the song was quietly released on a various artists compilation album to benefit the World Wildlife Fund.
Several months later, the song was remixed by Phil Spector for the Let It Be soundtrack album, which featured a stripped down, slower mix of the song including orchestration and a female choir.
In other Beatles-related news:
Paul McCartney announced on his official website (paulmccartney.com) that his latest album Memory Almost Full has been certified platinum, for sales of over one million copies.
Also:
Legendary British pop star Cliff Richard took time out to knock the Beatles for releasing music that, to his ears, was out of tune.
Richard told Britain's Q magazine, "I couldn't believe that here they were in this high-tech age, with four-track recording machines, and they couldn't go back and do it with a tuned guitar. Being out of tune -- I find it unforgivable."
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Britain's New Musical Express reported that "Across The Universe" will be "transmitted through their Deep Space Network of antennas, towards the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth" at midnight GMT, and are asking fans to play the song themselves at the same time.
Paul McCartney was quoted calling the event, which also celebrates NASA's 50th anniversary, as an "amazing feat" and said, "Well done, NASA. Send my love to the aliens!"
"Across The Universe" has an interesting history. The song was originally demoed by John Lennon in 1967, and was in the running as the Beatles' followup to "Hello Goodbye" for their spring 1968 single release. The song eventually lost out to McCartney's "Lady Madonna," and because the band was never happy with the way it was recorded, it was left unreleased at the time.
Lennon later said it was one of his favorite compositions, and was one of his few lyrics that work just as well as poetry.
In December 1969 the song was quietly released on a various artists compilation album to benefit the World Wildlife Fund.
Several months later, the song was remixed by Phil Spector for the Let It Be soundtrack album, which featured a stripped down, slower mix of the song including orchestration and a female choir.
In other Beatles-related news:
Paul McCartney announced on his official website (paulmccartney.com) that his latest album Memory Almost Full has been certified platinum, for sales of over one million copies.
Also:
Legendary British pop star Cliff Richard took time out to knock the Beatles for releasing music that, to his ears, was out of tune.
Richard told Britain's Q magazine, "I couldn't believe that here they were in this high-tech age, with four-track recording machines, and they couldn't go back and do it with a tuned guitar. Being out of tune -- I find it unforgivable."
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