We are a product of our experiences, both as characters, and as creators. The smallest exposure to a certain piece of music, a certain book or film, can have the most profound effects on us. From John Lennon’s appreciation of Roy Orbison, the first Beatles composition was born. “Please, Please Me” took elements of Orbison’s writing style while simultaneously breaking new ground to allow McCartney et al to combine and produce works that were clearly greater than the sum of their four parts.

So many musicians fall into the trap of "we are in the studio, let's turn up to 11". But if you can't clearly hear the vocalist, or the guitarist's lead parts, you are not rehearsing. It's the musical equivalent of two chefs agreeing to make a pie, and then just throwing apples at each other.