The Storyteller: Jim Keller
The Song: The Beatles, “She Loves You”
The Background:
Jim Keller first made his mark as a founding member of Tommy Tutone, co-writing the chart-topping 1980s hit “867-5309/Jenny.” Decades later, its irresistible hook and sing-along chorus still appear in pop culture references, with its melody materializing in listeners’ minds at random times.
Keller, a consummate singer-songwriter, traces his unlikely musical path to seeing The Beatles’ first U.S. live broadcast performance on The Ed Sullivan Show — specifically their early classic, “She Loves You.” In retrospect, that moment inadvertently set the stage for his vast and varied musical forays: serving as president/director of Dunvagen Music Publishers, managing the works of world-renowned composer Philip Glass; forming St. Rose Music, overseeing the publishing rights of artists including Ravi Shankar and Tom Waits; and ultimately returning to songwriting with longtime collaborator Byron Isaacs, bassist of The Lumineers. The latter partnership led to Keller’s seventh and most recent solo release, End Of The World, on Continental Record Services.
THE STORY:
Having taken piano lessons at the age of six at his great aunt’s studio — one filled with a plethora of instruments — music naturally coursed through Keller’s veins. His innate inclination for seeking out captivating sounds compelled him to pick up a plastic Philips radio, where he tuned into stations playing The Fab Four’s fabulous sonics. “I’d been following the Beatles prior to their arrival in the States, listening to their music as much as possible,” he recalls. “I even slept with that Philips radio next to my ear so my parents wouldn't know I was staying up, listening to them.”
Keller’s compositional curiosity extended specifically to analyzing the radio play of the single “She Loves You.” He explains, “I think it was that quick drum fill that led directly into the insane chorus: it was so irresistibly joyful.”
Looking back, the undeniable magnetism threading through The Four Lads from Liverpool’s early songs stemmed from their flair for crafting striking harmonics. One of the most emblematic moments is the “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” followed by the major G6 chord full-stop ending to “She Loves You.” The sweet, bright triad has since become affectionately known as “The Beatle Ending.”
When word arrived in the States from the UK that The Beatles would be performing live stateside on The Ed Sullivan Show, Keller took note. “I particularly remember it because it was on my 10th birthday, February 9th, 1964,” he recalls. “It was magical. As soon as I heard that quick drum fill hit ‘live’ for “She Loves You,” it blew my mind. It felt as though I was being shot out of a cannon.” He adds, “And it was as if everyone at that moment was experiencing this incredible thing — whatever the hell that was.”
That incredible, indescribable sensation remained strong enough that capturing musical sparks became a fascination—a driving force for Keller. “There are so many Beatles songs that have this magic component. I wanted to understand how each element—melody, harmonies, chords, instruments, vocals, performance—could come together to create that stardust-like feeling,” he explains. “It typically takes writing a lot of songs, hundreds even, just to get one mediocre, maybe okay song. Finding or creating a special moment, or writing a unique riff, is something you just can’t sit down and make happen. So for me, it is best to keep The Beatles’ music as a reference point.” Keller summarizes, “After all these years in the industry, I’ve learned the best way to write is simply to start playing my guitar, grounding myself in what feels practical and comfortable, yet remaining open to whatever special spark might ignite.”
Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine
