He sat down. In his hand he held a dark-brown stiffener. ‘I often think,’ he muttered, the glass a few chill centimetres from his mouth, ‘that the Beatles were just like a love affair.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘At first it’s all love and happiness. “I never danced with another girl since I saw her standing there”. On their first LP. Can you imagine anything more life-affirming than “Twist and Shout”? It was brilliant, uncomplicated classic rock. Afterwards there was With the Beatles and Beatles for Sale, then they began to understand that life had its dark sides too. A Hard Day’s Night and the need to shout for Help!’ The ice cubes in his drink clinked. ‘Do you agree?’

I nodded.

He carried on: ‘Of course, the question of when the Beatles were at their best is an endless discussion. In a way the turning point came with Revolver, as the name suggests, in 1966. Before it they sang relatively uncomplicated, happy rock songs with a few elements of youthful melancholy. Afterwards they went in every which way and triggered the greatest musical revolution since rock ‘n’ roll came onto the scene in the fifties.’

‘Music’s 1968 in other words?’100

‘1967. Most people consider Sergeant Pepper a masterpiece. The White Album has its advocates too. For me, though, they were never better than on this one.’ He nodded towards the gramophone. ‘Rubber Soul, 1965. That was the peak of early marital bliss. Melancholy, charm, tunes that sing in your heart from the very first verse, but at the same time there’s an acknowledgement that times will change: “You won’t see me. Think for yourself, for I won’t be there with you. What goes on in your mind…” And so on and so on. And in Revolver the watershed’s been passed. “Eleanor Rigby”: “Ah, look at all the lonely people…” The retreat into the yellow submarine. Sergeant Pepper with all its experimental styles, followed by the even greater imaginative flights in The White Album, which in many ways is the best stuff they ever did before the downward curve started, along the lonely pavements of Abbey Road, until the split is a fact and they go their separate ways humming, with resignation: Let It Be.’

He looked at me. I grinned. ‘Impressive summary.’

‘What do you think is their best song, Varg?’

I gave the question some thought. ‘Some of the best songs are on the record you’re playing now. Of course, connoisseurs will never agree which is better between “Michelle” or “Girl”. Personally, I’ve always gone for “Girl”. But there’s another masterpiece on this LP. The one we’ve just listened to. “In My Life”, which is one of the most attractive love songs ever written.’

‘But…’

‘But … then you have “Hey Jude” of course, and “Lady Madonna” is one of the best rock songs they wrote, with a touch of Elvis from his Jailhouse Rock days. And then you have “Lucy in the Sky” and “All You Need Is Love”. For some inexplicable reason I’ve always had a soft spot for “Your Mother Should Know” from the Magical Mystery Tour double EP – my God, 101Jakob, so many masterpieces! Has there ever been anyone better?’