Revolver (The Beatles) - Music - Forums : Best Ever Albums

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

MadhattanJack wrote:

Hmm... Of all the songs on the album, it's the easiest to play if you're just sitting there with an acoustic guitar. I don't know if that's why everyone likes it, but it's one of the reason I like it, at least.

Totally get that and sometimes, simple = genius and I'd don't think that it's a bad song, just not outstanding.

Thanks for engaging the the tread. Really appreciate it. I'm going to try to do a critic of all of the songs before my discussion group meets so would love to hear any other thoughts that you have.

Romanelli

Bone Swah

Gender: Male

Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Moderator

Johnnyo wrote:

Here There And everywhere

I know that this is regarded as one of Paul McCartney’s greatest songs but I really don’t get that. He really did love a “love ballad” and this, for me, is just another example of a fairly decent tune performed well. I really don’t get, what I feel is, the disproportionate love for this song. Lennon felt that this was the best song on the album. Ah. I just don’t get it

The beauty of "Here, There And Everywhere" is in the melody. McCartney was 24 years old, and was inspired by "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys. You can hear that in the Boys-like harmonies that run through the entire song. The instrumentation is sparse, and even the small lead guitar part by Harrison serves as a harmony to Paul's vocal.

Probably more than any other Beatles song (outside of "Because"), the vocal arrangement is key, and it's perfectly executed. This from a man with zero musical training. The main part, though, is Paul's lead vocal. That melody is undeniably perfect, and stands up against the melody of any other pop song of its time...and there aren't many period that can claim to have a stronger melody than this one. Sure, it's another McCartney sappy love song, but it's still better than some of his later love ballads (like the awful "My Love"), but remember that the history of pop music is very heavily populated with love songs...many of the greatest pop songs of all time are about this very subject.

It's all in the melody. And this melody is a truly great one.
_________________
I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

Yellow Submarine

Until I started researching this album, I hadn’t appreciated that it was written by Lennon & McCartney. I always assumed that, as Ringo sang it, it was written by him.

I really don’t know what to make of this song. A children’s song on the Beatles most experimental album up to this point. I guess that fits but it breaks up the flow of the album. Not a fan but I know that others on this thread will talk about its merits and that fine. I’m just not a fan of this track

It would be nice to hear others thoughts so that I can understand its appeal

MadhattanJack

Just to end the list...

Gender: Male

Johnnyo wrote:

It would be nice to hear others thoughts so that I can understand its appeal

My understanding was that it was originally entitled "(We All Live in a) German Submarine," but the label forced them to change it because it had only been about 20 years since World War II ended, and they were worried about offending record buyers on the Continent. But that would explain the oom-pah band backing track, and of course why they had Ringo sing it (he hadn't been with the band during their residency at Hamburg's Top Ten Club during the 1960-62 period, so they figured he could "get away with it" while the others would have had to sing it using phony accents).

Perhaps more importantly, you said this was your favorite Beatles album, but four songs in and you're down on three of them. Are you sure your favorite isn't Magical Mystery Tour after all? Come on over to the Dark Side, man! Think

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

MadhattanJack wrote:

My understanding was that it was originally entitled "(We All Live in a) German Submarine," but the label forced them to change it because it had only been about 20 years since World War II ended, and they were worried about offending record buyers on the Continent. But that would explain the oom-pah band backing track, and of course why they had Ringo sing it (he hadn't been with the band during their residency at Hamburg's Top Ten Club during the 1960-62 period, so they figured he could "get away with it" while the others would have had to sing it using phony accents).

Perhaps more importantly, you said this was your favorite Beatles album, but four songs in and you're down on three of them. Are you sure your favorite isn't Magical Mystery Tour after all? Come on over to the Dark Side, man! Think

Wasn't aware of the "German" thing. Weird.

Actually that's a good point about being down on a few tracks. I have been a little critical of this album but it will still remain my favourite Beatles album I think. The thing is, it's all relative. I'm not a huge Beatles fan so even an album with a few not so hot tracks could still be my favourite album of theirs.

A few more track reviews coming up when I can and a few of those are very good tracks so it will all even out in the end (I think).

maybe the dark side beckons. Who knows.

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

She Said, She Said

I can’t put my finger on it, but I really love this track. Written by John Lennon, my second favourite composer in the band after George, my understanding that this was written shortly after or maybe even during, an acid trip. There’s a slight Indian music feel to this song, no doubt influenced by Harrison, which I like a lot.

It’s also my understanding that Paul did not appear on the final recording because of a bust up with the rest of the band.

It wasn’t in this thread but I’m sure I’ve seen someone on BEA refer to it as an example of early acid rock. I get that

Romanelli

Bone Swah

Gender: Male

Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Moderator

Johnnyo wrote:

She Said, She Said

I can’t put my finger on it, but I really love this track. Written by John Lennon, my second favourite composer in the band after George, my understanding that this was written shortly after or maybe even during, an acid trip. There’s a slight Indian music feel to this song, no doubt influenced by Harrison, which I like a lot.

It’s also my understanding that Paul did not appear on the final recording because of a bust up with the rest of the band.

It wasn’t in this thread but I’m sure I’ve seen someone on BEA refer to it as an example of early acid rock. I get that

There is a book called Beatlesongs by William J. Dowlding that came out in 1989 that is pretty much the bible for who wrote what on their songs...and who played what as well. It's proven to be as accurate as anything I've seen. I highly recommend it.

According to Beatlesongs, McCartney did play bass. It also quotes the book The Long And Winding Road: The History Of The Beatles as stating that McCartney and Harrison provided backup vocals. Paul's voice can be heard clearly on the recording.
_________________
I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

Romanelli wrote:

Johnnyo wrote:

She Said, She Said

I can’t put my finger on it, but I really love this track. Written by John Lennon, my second favourite composer in the band after George, my understanding that this was written shortly after or maybe even during, an acid trip. There’s a slight Indian music feel to this song, no doubt influenced by Harrison, which I like a lot.

It’s also my understanding that Paul did not appear on the final recording because of a bust up with the rest of the band.

It wasn’t in this thread but I’m sure I’ve seen someone on BEA refer to it as an example of early acid rock. I get that

There is a book called Beatlesongs by William J. Dowlding that came out in 1989 that is pretty much the bible for who wrote what on their songs...and who played what as well. It's proven to be as accurate as anything I've seen. I highly recommend it.

According to Beatlesongs, McCartney did play bass. It also quotes the book The Long And Winding Road: The History Of The Beatles as stating that McCartney and Harrison provided backup vocals. Paul's voice can be heard clearly on the recording.

Really. Just goes to show, you can't trust the internet over the written word. Not being a huge Beatles fan, I just took the word of Wiki that he didn't appear on the recording. That's an entry that needs to be amended. Must admit, I couldn't make out Paul's vocals but I'll bow to yours and William Dowlding's expert knowledge.

Thanks for contributing to the thread.

Just wondering, what are your overall impressions of the track?

Romanelli

Bone Swah

Gender: Male

Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Moderator

I think this is one of John's stronger songs. Lennon said that it was Peter Fonda who whispered in his ear that he knew what it was like to be dead. Lennon heard a song in that. And he smartly changed the person from male to female. It's more compelling hearing that line from a female perspective. For me, that's the kind of girl I was always (tragically) attracted to...the woman who would gently whisper in my ear "I know what it's like to be dead".

I think that is genius songwriting. Good for John for stepping outside the box and making that happen.
_________________
I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history

Johnnyo

Gender: Male

Age: 66

Location: London Town

Good Day Sunshine

Not really got a lot to say about this track.

According to McCartney, this was influenced by The Lovin’ Spoonfuls Daydream. There are thoughts that it might also have been influenced by The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon.

I find it a very pleasant listen. Not particularly ground breaking but a decent tune.