Spielberg Reveals Beatles Song That Sparked His First Kiss
The legendary director shares an intimate college memory tied to a Beatles classic, explaining why this particular track holds special meaning in his heart and creative journey.
While some musicians fade into obscurity after brief moments in the spotlight, certain artists transcend their era to become cultural monuments. The Beatles stand among these rare giants, continuing to inspire creators decades after their peak.
Steven Spielberg counts himself among those influenced by the Liverpool quartet. The acclaimed filmmaker has openly discussed how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr shaped his artistic vision alongside other influences like Walt Disney.
A College Romance Soundtrack
During a BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs appearance, Spielberg revealed his favorite Beatles track while sharing a personal story from his college days. The director chose 'Michelle,' explaining the song's connection to a pivotal romantic moment.
'I was a freshman in college, and there was a girl I liked a lot,' Spielberg recalled. 'She would agree to let me take her out to dinner, or to a jazz club, or out to a movie, but she would never ever, ever let me kiss me. And we were driving back from someplace, and we pulled into the big parking lot by the dorms on the college campus at Long Beach.'
The magic happened when 'Michelle' played on the radio. 'I think we heard it for the first time together on the radio, and the melody is just heart-achingly beautiful. I look over at her, and she's got tears in her eyes, and just before the song is over, she jumps over on my side of the car and starts kissing me.'
McCartney's French-Inspired Ballad
Written by Paul McCartney for the band's Rubber Soul album, 'Michelle' features romantic lyrics sung partly in French. The song represents a transitional period when The Beatles evolved from pop sensations into experimental rock innovators.
John Lennon described the song's creation during a 1980 Playboy interview. 'He and I were staying somewhere, and he walked in and hummed the first few bars, with the words, and he says, Where do I go from here?' Lennon explained his contribution came from listening to Nina Simone's 'I Put A Spell On You,' which inspired the middle section.
'My contributions to Paul's songs was always to add a little bluesy edge to them. Otherwise, Michelle is a straight ballad, right?' Lennon noted.
Not Everyone's Cup of Tea
Despite widespread appreciation, 'Michelle' drew criticism from Bob Dylan, who dismissed it alongside 'Yesterday' as overly smooth and commercial. 'Yeah, it's the thing to do, to tell all the teeny boppers I dig The Beatles, and you sing a song like Yesterday or Michelle. Hey God knows, it's such a cop-out, man, both of those songs,' Dylan said during one interview.
Spielberg later shared his college story with McCartney when they met, demonstrating how the song's beauty influenced not just his personal life but potentially his filmmaking approach in romantic works like The Terminal and his autobiographical film The Fabelmans.