Beatles to iTunes "Stalled," Says McCartney

Still wondering when the Beatles' catalog will finally make it to iTunes? Don't hold your breath, as Paul McCartney told a press conference today in London that negotiations between Apple Records and EMI have "stalled." "When it's something as big as the Beatles, it's heavy negotiations," Macca said. "We're [the band members and their estates] very for it, but there are a couple of sticking points. It's stalled. No change there then!" McCartney didn't elaborate on the supposed stumbling blocks, but past theories range from iTunes' strict 99 cent a la carte song fee — which upsets pretty much all the major labels — to the much-needed remastering of the catalog. Back in March, a deal between the Beatles and iTunes seemed imminent, especially considering the solo careers of all Fab Four members are on Apple's download service, but with McCartney's announcement, we'd hold off from including a download of Revolver as a Christmas present.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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