"A Letter to the Beatles" is a

novelty song A novelty song is a type of song built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs partially overlap with comedy songs, which are more explicitly based on humor, and w ...

the Four Preps The Four Preps are an American popular music male quartet. In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the group amassed eight gold singles and three gold albums. Their million-selling signature tunes included "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)", "Big Man (The Four ...

. It was released as a single on March 9, 1964, by Capitol Records who had both the Beatles and the Four Preps signed to their roster. "A Letter to the Beatles" rose to number 85 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100; however, the single was soon deleted by Capitol after Duchess Music, the publisher of "I Want to Hold Your Hand", refused to give permission for a parody version."Capitol Halts Preps' Beatles" ''Billboard'' April 11, 1964: 6 The recording was later included on a compilation CD by the Four Preps.

Background

The song parodies the

Beatlemania Beatlemania was the fanaticism surrounding the English rock band the Beatles in the 1960s. The group's popularity grew in the United Kingdom throughout 1963, propelled by the singles "Please Please Me", "From Me to You" and "She Loves You". By ...

of the era, telling the story of a woman who expresses her undying love for

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

in a series of letters, to which the Beatles respond by insisting she send "25 cents for an autographed picture" and "one dollar bill for a fan club card". In the end, the woman sends in the money. The track was co-written by two of the Four Preps, Glen Larson and Bruce Belland and includes parts of the Beatles' song "

I Want to Hold Your Hand "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and recorded on 17 October 1963, it was the first Beatles record to be made using four-track equipment. With advance orders ...

Chart performance

References

Songs about the Beatles Songs about letters (message) 1964 songs Novelty songs Capitol Records singles The Four Preps songs Songs written by Bruce Belland Songs written by Glen A. Larson {{1960s-pop-song-stub