Lucy In The Sky

Take Good Care Of My Baby

Dear Lucy,

I've arrived in Hamburg and it's a right state! I didn't think St Pauli would be this slummy. It's pretty rough and people give us funny looks cus we don't look like the local German blokes (thank fuck, they're a right grotesque lot!) but we're doing just fine. Don't you worry.

We've been playing in a place called the Kaiserkeller and we've got a decent crowd, full of krauts, although some of them are all right. Some nights the place is bursting full! The feeling we get when we perform is great, people chant our name and sing a long, it's awesome and I wish you could see it!

We have changed our band name by the way, we thought 'The Silver Beetles' was a little shitty and unoriginal so we changed it to 'The Beatles'. How'd you like it? It was a last minute decision before the show last night, we've had mixed reactions, some bloke who could vaguely speak English told us 'Beatles' sounded like 'Peedles' which means 'small boy's penis'!?!! We're still keeping it though, it's a bit of banter and soon I'll be back with you in Liverpool anyway and things will be back to normal.

I've been missing you tons and tons and tons and tons!!! I have thought of you every moment of every day just like I promised you. xxx I hope you're doing the same xxxx

I'm dreaming of your kisses. Each night before I go to sleep I picture you in my head and remember your beautiful long brown hair and glimmering blue eyes and remember your soft lips. I wish I could kiss you now!! xx Anyway I should end the letter now, it's a late night and we usually get woken up early each morning from the noise of other people, plus Paul will start snoring soon and I'll never get to sleep with that racket!

I miss you xx

John

P.S  I love you xxxxxx

PAUL'S P.O.V

We arrived in St Pauli three days ago, after almost two full days of travelling - and we have already performed two gigs! Honestly, it's pretty grotty here but I have never had a more thrilling time in my entire life! Now we are here in Hamburg, we're finally away from our parents or in John's case, Mimi. We are free to do what we please when we please! The main thing on our mind right now is drinking and performing. The past couple of days have been insane, John passed out last night from all the beer he had drunk, it was hilarious; he was sprawled across the bar unconscious and people were just resting their drinks on him! It's actually surprising how many people offered to buy us beers after the show, none of us have spent a bean on buying drinks since we have arrived! The Germans have been very generous and welcoming, even to George who looks about eleven.

The whole experience seems surreal and dream-like, as if this freedom is all an illusion. Me and John have been performing songs we wrote in Liverpool and the crowd here love it! They all yell for 'The Peatles, Peatles!' the vibe here is so much more energetic and everyone seems so passionate, who would have thought the Germans were such a great bunch?! I composed a song on the journey here, I reckon with a bit more practise, I may be able to perform it some time soon down here in the Kaiserkeller!

I feel as if this spontaneous trip to Hamburg has done me good. I've still been thinking about Lucy, but in moderation. I miss her terribly although all the mucking around, drinking and performing I've been doing with the lads has really put my mind at ease, I've also got no school work to worry about any more! Each morning and each night when all the guys are asleep, I still picture her: laughing with little wrinkles under her eyes and dimples in her cheeks from smiling. I still dream about her ... imagine what life would be like with her, I know I shouldn't but I just can't help it.

Extract from a performance in the Kaiserkeller / Night #3 of The Beatles

ASTRID KIRCHHERR' S P.O.V

It was finally time for the odd looking English boys to perform again. My friend Klaus insisted I come and see 'The Beatles' down in The Kaiserkeller, a place I had never knew existed before tonight. He insisted I must listen to them and their 'outstanding excellency and originality', I must listen to 'their unique sound' and notice how they dress funny and have silly haircuts. So I found myself sitting at a table straight in front of the stage in a tiny crowded room full of mods and rockers, waiting for a bunch of young British boys to sing some songs.

"'Ello?" one of the boys said, followed by a huge roar from the audience. "Urm, hallo Kaiserkeller!" he continued. "Ich bin Paul." His German accent was terrible. "We are ... The Beatles!" he said, followed by another huge roar of screams from the crowd. "I'm not sure how many of you speak English, but, urm, ich spreche kein Deutsch. I think that's how you say I don't speak German, anyway? So let's just begin with a song!" he yelled into the microphone, pulling his bass from his back. I barely understood a word he said. "Who likes Bobby Vee?" Bobby Vee! I like him! I joined in the screams that followed this time. "Okay, ye all like Bobby Vee! Here's one to start the night off, one of me favourites." he said as himself and the rest of his band began to play their instruments. I had not a clue what he even said, something about 'nights' and Bobby Vee, but I screamed too.

"My tears are fallin' cus you've taken her away,

and though it really hurts me so,

there's something I've gotta say.

Take good care of my baby,

please don't ever make her blue,

just tell her that you love her,

make sure you're thinking of her,

in everything you say and do"

I couldn't help but notice how all the boys bob their heads at the same beat, causing their strange greasy quiffs to float up and down simultaneously. Intriguing.

"Aw, take good care of my baby,

now don't you ever make her cry,

just let your love surround her,

paint a rainbow all around her,

don't let her see a cloudy sky.

One upon a time that little girl was mine,

If I'd been true I know she'd never be with you,

So, take good care of my baby ..."

Klaus was right, there was something peculiar yet spectacular about the band. Whether it was the huskiness of Paul's voice or the way they all bopped up and down in unison. There was something that attracted me to 'The Beatles', and I could tell the entire room must have felt the same way. I carried on listening to their songs the entire night, singing along when I could, desperately trying to understand what they were talking about.

That was the night I knew I had fallen in love with The Beatles.