STRAWBERRY FIELDS

S A T U R D A Y,  1 1  F E B

Woke up with the most vile sore throat, I could hardly talk. It wore off throughout the day, but it never completely went.

Laid the table for lunch for the French hospital consultant, and for Mr Godding and Michael from the office. Ma spoke some marvellous French with the French consultant and even though he spoke very fast I understood everything. The trouble is, whenever I have to say something in French I get in such a flap I can't get it out! He's an awfully nice man, miles younger than I thought he'd be. We had a fab lunch: rice and prawns Provencale, and Danish almond cake with lemon icing. All had coffee in the sitting room.

Juke Box Jury was marvellous. They played Strawberry Fields and I’ve never heard such praise for the Beatles before. Everyone without exception gave a little lecture on how incredible their music is, always changing yet always perfect. Simon Dee said their music is greater than their publicity.

Perhaps Daddy will start taking them seriously now.

“Strawberry Fields Forever”

One of The Beatles’s masterpieces, Strawberry Fields Forever was written as an homage to John Lennon’s childhood in Liverpool. The title refers to a Salvation Army-run girl’s orphanage named Strawberry Field; John identified with the orphans who lived there.

When John brought the song to the band in November 1966 it was met with awe. “There was a moment of stunned silence, broken by Paul, who in a quiet, respectful tone said simply, ‘That is absolutely brilliant.’” One of The Beatles’ most complicated recordings to date, the song made use of a string quartet arrangement written by the legendary producer (and "fifth Beatle") George Martin.