The year 1963 was monumental in Britain. The Profumo Affair was uncovered. The Great Train Robbery took place and the National Theatre opened. And a manufactured Northern pop band started doing rather well. A new economic and social optimism coincided with the birth of Beatlemania in a country that had, according to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, never had it so good.
However, it was an optimism that had been almost two decades in the making, following the horror of World War II, then the lean years of rationing, poverty and re-building. The Beatles' humour, drive and infectious music chimed perfectly with the country's new-found confidence.
Due to music copyright restrictions, this digital version of The People s Songs, episode 3: She Loves You: You Never Had It So Good does not contain any original songs by The Beatles. Tracks by other artists are featured, along with Stuart Maconie's narrative and listeners' memories.
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