A Hard Day's Night (soundtrack album)
by The Beatles

This marks a big leap from 'With the Beatles' in terms of both songwriting and sonic sophistication. It is the Beatles first all-original album and a landmark in their artistic development. I think the ballads and slower numbers steal the show but the two hit singles can't be ignored. I say this because I think the ballads/slower songs demonstrate a cohesiveness and confidence in writing style that produces songs that are lyrically more mature and emotionally more expansive. But the jangly guitars and tighter arrangements on the rock numbers add another new dimension to an album (and film) which ultimately led to their global breakthrough.

From SomethingSpecial 06/29/2025 12:14 | #309774

This, not Rubber Soul, was The Beatles' first masterpiece. Comprised of entirely original compositions, a change from their preceding records, A Hard Day's Night showed that Lennon and McCartney could write beautiful melodies early on, in the process creating classics like If I Fell, And I Love Her, Things We Said Today, and I'll Be Back.

Not a huge Beatles fan but this is another solid album even by today's standards. Highlights are A Hard Day's Night, Can't Buy Me Love, Any Time At All.

From HoldenM 04/17/2023 19:32 | #296165

The culmination of their boy band dominance, not to mention an electrifying companion to one of the best and funniest films of the '60s.

"A Hard Day's Night" is the title of the Beatles' third album and their first feature film. The first seven tracks were included in the film's soundtrack, and these were the first to be recorded. One interesting thing is that the album is the first and only one on which all titles are credited to Lennon-McCartney. The fact that the two songwriters usually wrote their songs separately is a different matter.
There something special and recognizable about the group's 1964 sound; what this exactly is can be difficult to describe, but Harrison's 12-string guitar is definitely one of the reasons. Numbers like "Can not Buy Me Love," "You Can not Do That" and "Anytime at All" are good examples of this sound.

The group shows of the album an impressive continuation of the rapid musical development that had started with the first recordings with George Martin late in 1962. The songwriting is with very few exceptions outstanding first class. Vocally both Lennon and McCartney are on top, and Harrison beautifully falls into the delicate harmonies. he playing is very tight, which could also be a reason for the aforementioned 1964-sound.

Lennon is on most Beatles albums the dominant singer and songwriter, and this is particularly evident on this album. He is the man behind many of the most memorable numbers from the album, including the titletrack, "I Should Have Known Better" (a sure hit had it been released as a single), "Anytime at All," "You Can not Do That" and the beautiful ballad "If I Fell". The remainder of Lennon's contributions are more average, but far from weak.

McCartney is in focus on the hit single "Can not Buy Me Love", and he also contributes the two evergreen ballads "Things We Said Today" and "And I Love Her".

It was normally European standard that a Beatles album contained 14 songs, but in this case for unknown reasons, only 13 were selected - especially strange because the very strong Lennon's song "I Call Your Name" was recorded during the same sessions. "I Call Your Name" was along with three coverversins released on the 1964 EP "Long Tall Sally". The song should have earned a place on this album, as it subsequently often has been forgotten / ignored - at least in Europe. In the U.S., the songs was included on the album "The Beatles' Second Album". Well, at any rate this is great album.

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This was my introduction to The Beatles and I fell in love instantly. Best Songs: A Hard Day's Night, Should Have Known Better, If I Fell, And I Love Her, I'm Happy Just to Dance With Her, Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today, and I'll Be Back.

1964. Bloody amazing. Uncomplicated great tunes. How can anyone knock the Beatles

Most consistant of the ones before Help. Title track, should've known Better, Can't buy me love, And i love her. The latter half sinks a bit in consistancy, but still a safe top 10 Beatles album. 10/13 Beatles

This is probably the most consistent early Beatles album and although my favorite tracks from that period land on Help! I enjoy a lot of material here too.
Best tracks: A Hard Day's Night, Things We Said Today, If I Fell, Any Time At All

Yeah for me this shows an improving quality and maturity with even more top tunes on a single album