Pearl Jam have made quite a reputation for themselves as the kind of band to make a cover song entirely their own. It’s little surprise then that frontman Eddie Vedder has covered The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” for the upcoming Netflix series “Beat Bugs,” featuring Beatles covers from Pink, Chris Cornell, Regina Spektor, James Corden and more.
Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell has covered “Drive My Car” for the series, which arrives this Summer. “Beat Bugs” features original characters and a world created by Josh Wakely, who will direct, write and produce the series, following a deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for worldwide rights to record covers of the Beatles song catalogue for this production.
The show incorporates songs from the Lennon/McCartney ‘Northern Songs’ catalogue, to tell uplifting and life-affirming stories filled with hope and melody. World-leading artists, animators and writers have come together to work on this extraordinary show. The Beat Bugs are charming, funny, adventurous, and have a knack for getting themselves into mischief and mayhem.
The show will feature some of the most well-known Beatles songs woven into the narrative of each episode, with Vedder, Sia, The Shins, Of Monsters and Men, and Birdy each recording their rendition of an iconic song in addition to those mentioned above. Further artists joining the project are expected to be announced in the coming months. Among the songs featured include “Help!,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Come Together,” “Penny Lane,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and “Magical Mystery Tour”.
“Personally, I’m very grateful to be part of Josh’s vision,” said Eddie Vedder. “A tremendous show for kids that combines beautiful animation with great stories and obviously some of the best songs ever written.”
“It’s a rare occasion to be presented with a truly one-of-a-kind children’s show that is so perfectly suited to Netflix,” said Andy Yeatman, director of original kid’s content at Netflix. “Josh and his team have not only developed a compelling children’s show filled with life lessons, but they’ve built a show that will transcend generations and have parents and grandparents enjoying right alongside their little ones.”
