2/27/2008

in

Hits by the Fab Four may be performed by "Idol" contestants.

Jessica Chung

*E! News* reports that on Wednesday, it was announced on *American Idol* host Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show in Los Angeles that contestants on Fox's singing competition can now sing Beatles songs.  
  
"It's something we've waited for, for seven seasons now," *American Idol* executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Seacrest. "Sony has agreed to release the Lennon and McCartney songbook to us."  
  
The songs *Idol* hopefuls have been given permission to sing on the show belong to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a company formed by Sony and "The King of Pop" Michael Jackson.  
  
It was not immediately known, however, if all of those songs are available to *Idol*.  
  
More than 180 songs are listed on the Sony/ATV Web site, either written by Lennon-McCartney; McCartney alone; Lennon-McCartney with Starkey (the real last name of Ringo Starr); or Lennon-McCartney with Starkey and (George) Harrison. The Sony/ATV songs do not include those written only by Harrison, including Beatles' hits "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun."