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2022 FBG, 172 to 1 Beatles Countdown 1-25 lists... And 173 to 1 Countdown from 1-64 lists! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Zegras11
- Start date
simey
Footballguy
This song wasn't in my top 25 favorites, but I do love it, and it is a top 5 favorite from the White Album.
Shaft41
Footballguy
One of the songs I've grown to appreciate so much more in the last few years. I was very pleasantly surprised to see my son put this down at #11, because he's a chalk guy, and, while I figured this group would dig it, I didn't know if the general world-at-large Beatles fans would put this very high. I love it but it's also not one I will actively seek out to listen to. Love the K4 2022 supplement.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I'm not sure I would say ridiculously overrated but I'm not a big fan and kind of agree with you on the LZ stuff. It's a nice change of pace and definitely shows the chops of these guys - they could have easily shifted to a more LZ type band - but not in my top 50 Beatles tunes.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Dear Prudence is one I just don't care for - it's not a bad song I just don't like it and skip it almost every time it comes up.
Zegras11
Footballguy
I Am the Walrus
2022 Ranking: 33
2022 Lists: 18
2022 Points: 230
Ranked Highest by: @neal cassady (2) @Man of Constant Sorrow (3) @shuke (5) @simey (6) @prosopis (11) @worrierking (13) @Oliver Humanzee (13) @Anarchy99 (13) @Gr00vus (15)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 28/9/137
Getz comments: Like Prudence, I like it, but never overly excited when I hear it.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 44
2019 write-up:
I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour, 1967)
Since I'm being lazy, I've decided to post a guest write-up for this one. From @simey a page or two back:
"I like this song. It is quite weird, especially lyrically, but there are several things about the song I like. I love the intro, and the orchestra throughout the song. I also like the nonsensical lyrics. krista, I'm not sure if I am hearing it right, but after John sings, "see how they smile like pigs in a sty see how they snide," do I hear two pig snorts after that? I know how you feel about pig snorts. My favorite part of the song comes right before that pig line, when they go Ho Ho Ho Hee Hee Hee Ha Ha Ha.
John says he wrote the first line after one acid trip, and the second line after another acid trip. He got the idea for writing the whacked out lyrics from getting a letter by boy that said his English teacher was having the class analyze Beatles songs. I reckon John chuckled with the thought of them analyzing the lyrics to this song. This was also the song that started the rumor that Paul was dead."
From me: I don't mind pig snorts so much in a song that's not named "Piggies." A little too obvious with that one.
Also from me: In my write-up I intended to mention that this song probably had the biggest drop of any on my list. When I started, it was in my top 15 or so, but I realized along the way that, while I loved the song, I found myself tuning it out a lot rather than actively listening. There isn't that same level of instant excitement for me that a lot of other songs provide.
Mr. krista: "I like the song. I like the distorted vocals and the obscurant lyrics, referencing Lewis Carroll. Funny cause the walrus is the bad guy in that poem. Like the brief bits of noise. It’s still just a strange song. There’s something terrifying and jarring about it. It’s creepy. It’s a haunted house of a song."
Suggested cover: I like the uptempo rock version from Oingo Boingo
2022 Supplement: Although it again didn’t make my top 25, I think this song is a masterpiece. John pulled from various sources for the lyrics (including, yet again, Lewis Carroll), most of which are intended to be non-sensical, but you can probably find an entire book or numerous essays trying to interpret them.
This was the first song that the band worked on after the death of Brian Epstein, and the sorrow in the room turned to befuddlement when John first introduced the song, with its largely two-note melody and odd lyrics. George Martin even spoke up to ask what the hell he was supposed to do with it. The Beatles dutifully worked on the song despite Martin’s hesitation, but the pallor in the room returned and the band was off its game, with John making numerous mistakes on the Pianet and metronome Ringo somehow unable to keep time until Paul helped him out by standing in front of him with a tambourine. Geoff Emerick wrote: “I distinctly remember the look of emptiness on all their faces while they were playing ‘I Am The Walrus.’ It’s one of the saddest memories I have of my time with The Beatles.”
Somehow, in a six-hour recording session, they pulled it all together, laying down 16 takes of the rhythm tracks. Take 16 of this session, with no orchestration yet and John’s vocals later overdubbed, was released in the Anthology series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXQEqCXII4
The band seemed to be satisfied with the un-orchestrated version of the song, especially after John added an actual radio sequence from a broadcast of King Lear, but George Martin still hated it. Martin, with John’s input, wrote an orchestral score for eight violins, six cellos, three horns, and a clarinet. Martin also brought in 16 members of the Mike Sammes Singers, who were excited to do something outside of their usual pop standards. In the score, Martin “simply orchestrated the laughs and noises, the whooooooah kind of thing. John was delighted with it.” Paul agrees: “John worked with George Martin…and did some very exciting things with The Mike Sammes Singers, the likes of which they’ve never done before or since, like getting them to chant, ‘Everybody’s got one, everybody’s got one…,’ which they loved. It was a session to be remembered. Most of the time they got asked to do ‘Sing Something Simple’ and all the old songs, but John got them doing all sorts of swoops and phonetic noises. It was a fascinating session. That was John’s baby, great one, a really good one."
To me, the orchestration and additional singers form the point where the band turned a very good song into a classic. The build and fall of the off-kilter, sometimes dissonant strings, along with the multitude of chanting voices and oddball sounds gives the song a disorienting but deep sonic texture. In fact, it’s so disorienting as to be almost alarming, but that’s all part of the uniquely satisfying experience of listening to this song.
Guido Merkins
John loved to write songs that confused the listeners. I Am the Walrus is on another level when it comes to that.
John based the melody on a police siren (think of the line “mister city policeman”) to see what I mean. The lyrics are John returning to Lewis Carroll, except this time, the Walrus and the Carpenter. Strange images like “Semolina Pilchard climbing up the Eiffel Tower” and “yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog’s eye” are a couple of the lines that seem to mean something, but are mostly nonsense.
Musically, the song is classic Lennon in that the melody is around a couple of notes, but the chords underneath are all over the place. There is a section of the song that is a literal performance of King Lear from radio pulled into the track, John was just kind of messing around with the radio dial and happened upon King Lear. Because this was fed into the mono mix directly, the 2nd half of the song is in fake stereo, not true stereo.
The outro continues the strangeness of the rest of the track with a bunch of nonsense syllables and people saying “got one got one everybody’s got one” or “smoke pot smoke pot everybody smoke pot” depending on what you hear.
I Am the Walrus was the B side of the Hello Goodbye single. A #1 hit
2022 Ranking: 33
2022 Lists: 18
2022 Points: 230
Ranked Highest by: @neal cassady (2) @Man of Constant Sorrow (3) @shuke (5) @simey (6) @prosopis (11) @worrierking (13) @Oliver Humanzee (13) @Anarchy99 (13) @Gr00vus (15)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 28/9/137
Getz comments: Like Prudence, I like it, but never overly excited when I hear it.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 44
2019 write-up:
I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour, 1967)
Since I'm being lazy, I've decided to post a guest write-up for this one. From @simey a page or two back:
"I like this song. It is quite weird, especially lyrically, but there are several things about the song I like. I love the intro, and the orchestra throughout the song. I also like the nonsensical lyrics. krista, I'm not sure if I am hearing it right, but after John sings, "see how they smile like pigs in a sty see how they snide," do I hear two pig snorts after that? I know how you feel about pig snorts. My favorite part of the song comes right before that pig line, when they go Ho Ho Ho Hee Hee Hee Ha Ha Ha.
John says he wrote the first line after one acid trip, and the second line after another acid trip. He got the idea for writing the whacked out lyrics from getting a letter by boy that said his English teacher was having the class analyze Beatles songs. I reckon John chuckled with the thought of them analyzing the lyrics to this song. This was also the song that started the rumor that Paul was dead."
From me: I don't mind pig snorts so much in a song that's not named "Piggies." A little too obvious with that one.
Also from me: In my write-up I intended to mention that this song probably had the biggest drop of any on my list. When I started, it was in my top 15 or so, but I realized along the way that, while I loved the song, I found myself tuning it out a lot rather than actively listening. There isn't that same level of instant excitement for me that a lot of other songs provide.
Mr. krista: "I like the song. I like the distorted vocals and the obscurant lyrics, referencing Lewis Carroll. Funny cause the walrus is the bad guy in that poem. Like the brief bits of noise. It’s still just a strange song. There’s something terrifying and jarring about it. It’s creepy. It’s a haunted house of a song."
Suggested cover: I like the uptempo rock version from Oingo Boingo
2022 Supplement: Although it again didn’t make my top 25, I think this song is a masterpiece. John pulled from various sources for the lyrics (including, yet again, Lewis Carroll), most of which are intended to be non-sensical, but you can probably find an entire book or numerous essays trying to interpret them.
This was the first song that the band worked on after the death of Brian Epstein, and the sorrow in the room turned to befuddlement when John first introduced the song, with its largely two-note melody and odd lyrics. George Martin even spoke up to ask what the hell he was supposed to do with it. The Beatles dutifully worked on the song despite Martin’s hesitation, but the pallor in the room returned and the band was off its game, with John making numerous mistakes on the Pianet and metronome Ringo somehow unable to keep time until Paul helped him out by standing in front of him with a tambourine. Geoff Emerick wrote: “I distinctly remember the look of emptiness on all their faces while they were playing ‘I Am The Walrus.’ It’s one of the saddest memories I have of my time with The Beatles.”
Somehow, in a six-hour recording session, they pulled it all together, laying down 16 takes of the rhythm tracks. Take 16 of this session, with no orchestration yet and John’s vocals later overdubbed, was released in the Anthology series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXQEqCXII4
The band seemed to be satisfied with the un-orchestrated version of the song, especially after John added an actual radio sequence from a broadcast of King Lear, but George Martin still hated it. Martin, with John’s input, wrote an orchestral score for eight violins, six cellos, three horns, and a clarinet. Martin also brought in 16 members of the Mike Sammes Singers, who were excited to do something outside of their usual pop standards. In the score, Martin “simply orchestrated the laughs and noises, the whooooooah kind of thing. John was delighted with it.” Paul agrees: “John worked with George Martin…and did some very exciting things with The Mike Sammes Singers, the likes of which they’ve never done before or since, like getting them to chant, ‘Everybody’s got one, everybody’s got one…,’ which they loved. It was a session to be remembered. Most of the time they got asked to do ‘Sing Something Simple’ and all the old songs, but John got them doing all sorts of swoops and phonetic noises. It was a fascinating session. That was John’s baby, great one, a really good one."
To me, the orchestration and additional singers form the point where the band turned a very good song into a classic. The build and fall of the off-kilter, sometimes dissonant strings, along with the multitude of chanting voices and oddball sounds gives the song a disorienting but deep sonic texture. In fact, it’s so disorienting as to be almost alarming, but that’s all part of the uniquely satisfying experience of listening to this song.
Guido Merkins
John loved to write songs that confused the listeners. I Am the Walrus is on another level when it comes to that.
John based the melody on a police siren (think of the line “mister city policeman”) to see what I mean. The lyrics are John returning to Lewis Carroll, except this time, the Walrus and the Carpenter. Strange images like “Semolina Pilchard climbing up the Eiffel Tower” and “yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog’s eye” are a couple of the lines that seem to mean something, but are mostly nonsense.
Musically, the song is classic Lennon in that the melody is around a couple of notes, but the chords underneath are all over the place. There is a section of the song that is a literal performance of King Lear from radio pulled into the track, John was just kind of messing around with the radio dial and happened upon King Lear. Because this was fed into the mono mix directly, the 2nd half of the song is in fake stereo, not true stereo.
The outro continues the strangeness of the rest of the track with a bunch of nonsense syllables and people saying “got one got one everybody’s got one” or “smoke pot smoke pot everybody smoke pot” depending on what you hear.
I Am the Walrus was the B side of the Hello Goodbye single. A #1 hit
Zegras11
Footballguy
Least amount of songs to have appeared so far...
62 --Ted Lange as your Bartender---7
63 --Krista (TJ/Slug)---7
64 --WorrierKing---7
65 --Just Win Baby---6
66 --falguy---6
67 --pecorino---6
68 --DocHolliday---6
69 --Bobby Layne---6
70 --Oliver Humanzee(Dad)---5
71 --Tom Hagen---5
62 --Ted Lange as your Bartender---7
63 --Krista (TJ/Slug)---7
64 --WorrierKing---7
65 --Just Win Baby---6
66 --falguy---6
67 --pecorino---6
68 --DocHolliday---6
69 --Bobby Layne---6
70 --Oliver Humanzee(Dad)---5
71 --Tom Hagen---5
simey
Footballguy
I've loved this song since the first time I heard it. The nonsensical lyrics are interesting and weird, but what puts them together to me is the star of the song, which is George Martin and his orchestra. That orchestra has a foreboding sound about it, and that makes the craziness of the lyrics seem to make sense. To me that orchestra sounds eerie and theatrical, and the scene is someone slowly losing their mind, and the orchestra is working towards the climax of the breakdown. I especially love the strings swirling when John sings, "Semolina Pilchard, climbing up the Eiffel tower," I envision someone spinning round and round while the strings are swirling. The person is descending into madness, and then they break and the madness rains down. That orchestra totally makes the craziness marvelous. I know all of that sounds weird, but so is this song. Maybe I am too. Ho Ho Ho He He He Ha Ha Ha
If you were to ask me (not that you did) I would also say this is my least favorite Beatles period. Yet I have way more songs from this era compared to 1 song before Help!
The highs were higher in the psychedelic era (pun not intended) but man are there some stinkers in there too.
Zegras11
Footballguy
Day Tripper
2022 Ranking: 32
2022 Lists: 21
2022 Points: 231
Ranked Highest by: @FairWarning (2) @Getzlaf15 (7) @Man of Constant Sorrow (7) @Encyclopedia Brown (7) OH (dad) (8) Rob (9) @heckmanm (11) @ProstheticRGK (12) @DocHolliday (12) @Ted Lange as your Bartender (13)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 24/10/151
Getz: #13 for me in 2019. Moves into my Top 10 and #7 this time.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 42
2019 write-up:
Day Tripper (single, 1965)
This one stayed grouped tightly with "I Feel Fine" during most of my maneuverings, with the two flip-flopping frequently but staying close in ranking. Until I spontaneously decided to rank "I Feel Fine" lower (for Binky: "higher"), the two were in pretty much the opposite positions than where they ended up. I'm still not sure which one I prefer. I think of them similarly primarily because they both feature outstanding riffs. When I had "I Feel Fine" in this position, it was because of the downward repeated guitar solos and the drumming, and when this one was higher (Binky: "lower"), it was because it rocks harder and has a vocal that I prefer, though it's hard to follow the lead since Paul and John trade off and weave in and out of unison and harmonies as well.
As mentioned in the "We Can Work It Out" write-up, this was the double-a-side to that song, though in the US it did slightly worse in the charts than its sister-a-side. Paul later indicated the song is about drugs, specifically LSD, though the band downplayed that significantly at the time. John's comments were at times more mysterious, saying it was about "weekend hippies" that only took day trips, "usually on a ferryboat or something" and at times more blunt: "It was a drug song."
Mr. krista: "Yeah, I love that song. Classic riff. It’s one of those things you think of if you think of classic rock, if you’re one of the unfortunate type of people who have to think of classic rock, or think of things as classic or not. I’m not going to keep harping on how good of a drummer Ringo is. I’m just going to keep saying things like, 'I’m not going to keep harping on how good of a drummer Ringo is.'"
Suggested cover: I didn't have to look any up for this, since Otis exists. Love how he seems either not to know or not to care about the lyrics.
2022 Supplement: I’ve found myself turning to this song less and less over the past few years, and it would likely drop out of my top 50 today, to be replaced by (not at all) new, shiny objects. My love for the song chiefly surrounds that heavy guitar riff, with its unusual placement front and center at both the beginning and end of the song. Is it the most well-known riff in a Beatles song? Perhaps. Is it the most well-known riff in any song? Also perhaps. Recorded in the midst of the pronounced folk influence on most of Rubber Soul, I can see why this fierce, heavy rock song went the single route instead.
A couple of earlier instrumental versions for you to enjoy more of that riff as well as excellent work by John and Ringo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OB3zsE4X1Y
And a hilarious attempt by the boys at lip-synching this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_stP3VkAb0
Guido Merkins
A Day Tripper was a person who was committed to tripping but not fully. Like a weekend alcoholic. It was written as a 12 bar blues for the verses, which wasn’t super common with the Beatles. The song also has a line that says “she’s a big teaser”, which was originally “she’s a ##### teaser.” Obviously they had to change it.
John claimed he wrote the whole thing. Paul claims they both wrote the song, so I listed it as both.
The best parts of the song is the riff and the harmony. I also like the Twist and Shout style ahhhhhhhhh that builds up, but this one is a little different in that they all go up together instead of each of them holding their note. Also, the guitar solo in the background during that part is very very cool. One other detail, which was cleaned up with the 2009 remaster, but I kind of miss it, is the guitar line dropping out after the line “tried to please her….” Not sure if this was on the mono version or not, but it was definitely on the stereo version. I love mistakes. You never hear mistakes on songs anymore because they are mostly made by computers, but I love little mistakes. It makes it human.
There was some debate about which would be the A side Day Tripper or We Can Work It Out, so they made both of them an A side, a first for the Beatles and maybe a first for anybody. Once again, two songs this strong on one single is crazy.
2022 Ranking: 32
2022 Lists: 21
2022 Points: 231
Ranked Highest by: @FairWarning (2) @Getzlaf15 (7) @Man of Constant Sorrow (7) @Encyclopedia Brown (7) OH (dad) (8) Rob (9) @heckmanm (11) @ProstheticRGK (12) @DocHolliday (12) @Ted Lange as your Bartender (13)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 24/10/151
Getz: #13 for me in 2019. Moves into my Top 10 and #7 this time.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 42
2019 write-up:
Day Tripper (single, 1965)
This one stayed grouped tightly with "I Feel Fine" during most of my maneuverings, with the two flip-flopping frequently but staying close in ranking. Until I spontaneously decided to rank "I Feel Fine" lower (for Binky: "higher"), the two were in pretty much the opposite positions than where they ended up. I'm still not sure which one I prefer. I think of them similarly primarily because they both feature outstanding riffs. When I had "I Feel Fine" in this position, it was because of the downward repeated guitar solos and the drumming, and when this one was higher (Binky: "lower"), it was because it rocks harder and has a vocal that I prefer, though it's hard to follow the lead since Paul and John trade off and weave in and out of unison and harmonies as well.
As mentioned in the "We Can Work It Out" write-up, this was the double-a-side to that song, though in the US it did slightly worse in the charts than its sister-a-side. Paul later indicated the song is about drugs, specifically LSD, though the band downplayed that significantly at the time. John's comments were at times more mysterious, saying it was about "weekend hippies" that only took day trips, "usually on a ferryboat or something" and at times more blunt: "It was a drug song."
Mr. krista: "Yeah, I love that song. Classic riff. It’s one of those things you think of if you think of classic rock, if you’re one of the unfortunate type of people who have to think of classic rock, or think of things as classic or not. I’m not going to keep harping on how good of a drummer Ringo is. I’m just going to keep saying things like, 'I’m not going to keep harping on how good of a drummer Ringo is.'"
Suggested cover: I didn't have to look any up for this, since Otis exists. Love how he seems either not to know or not to care about the lyrics.
2022 Supplement: I’ve found myself turning to this song less and less over the past few years, and it would likely drop out of my top 50 today, to be replaced by (not at all) new, shiny objects. My love for the song chiefly surrounds that heavy guitar riff, with its unusual placement front and center at both the beginning and end of the song. Is it the most well-known riff in a Beatles song? Perhaps. Is it the most well-known riff in any song? Also perhaps. Recorded in the midst of the pronounced folk influence on most of Rubber Soul, I can see why this fierce, heavy rock song went the single route instead.
A couple of earlier instrumental versions for you to enjoy more of that riff as well as excellent work by John and Ringo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OB3zsE4X1Y
And a hilarious attempt by the boys at lip-synching this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_stP3VkAb0
Guido Merkins
A Day Tripper was a person who was committed to tripping but not fully. Like a weekend alcoholic. It was written as a 12 bar blues for the verses, which wasn’t super common with the Beatles. The song also has a line that says “she’s a big teaser”, which was originally “she’s a ##### teaser.” Obviously they had to change it.
John claimed he wrote the whole thing. Paul claims they both wrote the song, so I listed it as both.
The best parts of the song is the riff and the harmony. I also like the Twist and Shout style ahhhhhhhhh that builds up, but this one is a little different in that they all go up together instead of each of them holding their note. Also, the guitar solo in the background during that part is very very cool. One other detail, which was cleaned up with the 2009 remaster, but I kind of miss it, is the guitar line dropping out after the line “tried to please her….” Not sure if this was on the mono version or not, but it was definitely on the stereo version. I love mistakes. You never hear mistakes on songs anymore because they are mostly made by computers, but I love little mistakes. It makes it human.
There was some debate about which would be the A side Day Tripper or We Can Work It Out, so they made both of them an A side, a first for the Beatles and maybe a first for anybody. Once again, two songs this strong on one single is crazy.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Day Tripper and Paperback Writer are similar to me in that I love them both but couldn't find room for them in my 25. Two of my 18 Last 10 out.
krista4
Footballguy
simey
Footballguy
Mine are too, for now. I threw mine together right before I had to get on the road. On my drive it popped in my head that I forgot to put Penny Lane on it. That song just seems like one a lot may have on their list.
Magical Mystery Tour is the First album to have all songs included. It's only 6 songs so probably not too surprising although I, personally, wouldn't have expected all of these to be in someone's top 25.
171 Flying
137 Blue Jay Way
125 Your Mother Should Know
94 Magical Mystery Tour
78 The Fool On The Hill
33 I Am The Walrus
171 Flying
137 Blue Jay Way
125 Your Mother Should Know
94 Magical Mystery Tour
78 The Fool On The Hill
33 I Am The Walrus
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14. She Loves You
15.
16.
17.
18. Revolution
19.
20. I am The Walrus
21.
22. Blackbird
23.
24. All You Need is Love
25.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14. She Loves You
15.
16.
17.
18. Revolution
19.
20. I am The Walrus
21.
22. Blackbird
23.
24. All You Need is Love
25.
Zegras11
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
In 1964, a group of 5 high school students skipped school to go see The Beatles in concert. They ended up missing the concert, but while they were pulling up to the venue,
Ringo Starr took their picture.
When they told their friends, no one believed them. 50 years later, Ringo published his book of photos and they were in it! The "kids" reenacted the shot!
Ringo Starr took their picture.
When they told their friends, no one believed them. 50 years later, Ringo published his book of photos and they were in it! The "kids" reenacted the shot!
Last edited by a moderator:
otb_lifer
Footballguy
#3 "Helter Skelter" joins the party ...
Scorebored:
25.I Should Have Known Better
24. She's Leaving Home
23. Every Little Thing
22. Not A Second Time
21. Blue Jay Way
20. Happy Just To Dance With You
19.
18. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
17. It Won't Be Long
16.
15. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
14.
13. Hello, Goodbye
12. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
11. I'll Be Back
10.
9. It's All Too Much
8. I Feel Fine
7.
6.
5.
4. RAIN
3. Helter Skelter
2.
1.
Day Tripper & Walrus were never under consideration for my 25 - no knock on them at all - fantastic tunes, both ... just goes to show the depth.
Scorebored:
25.I Should Have Known Better
24. She's Leaving Home
23. Every Little Thing
22. Not A Second Time
21. Blue Jay Way
20. Happy Just To Dance With You
19.
18. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
17. It Won't Be Long
16.
15. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
14.
13. Hello, Goodbye
12. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
11. I'll Be Back
10.
9. It's All Too Much
8. I Feel Fine
7.
6.
5.
4. RAIN
3. Helter Skelter
2.
1.
Day Tripper & Walrus were never under consideration for my 25 - no knock on them at all - fantastic tunes, both ... just goes to show the depth.
Guido Merkins
Footballguy
I've always thought of Zeppelin as a heavier Who, but also with diversity that the Who never dreamed of.
Helter Skelter is one of many records at that time that could be considered a move to "hard rock." Zeppelin was another step down that road that led to metal. The Beatles had a role, but Helter Skelter didn't "invent" hard rock.
I disagree with you, however, in that I think Helter Skelter is a FANTASTIC record. Ringo and Paul alone makes that a classic track. Both drumming and singing as if their lives depended on it.
Zegras11
Footballguy
And Your Bird Can Sing
2022 Ranking: 31
2022 Lists: 17
2022 Points: 235
Ranked Highest by: @heckmanm (2) Worth (3) @krista4 (5) @Alex P Keaton (5) @Oliver Humanzee (7) @Wrighteous Ray(hub) (8) Sharon (9) @landrys hat (9) @Tom Hagen (10) @Encyclopedia Brown (14)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 41/8/96
Getz: Every time this song started to fall counting the votes, someone would come in and rank it high. Four Top 5 and Nine Top 10 votes. More than doubled votes and points from 2019 and went up ten slots. The last song in the countdown to not get 20 votes.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 5
2019 write-up:
And Your Bird Can Sing (Revolver, 1966)
“I don't think that "casual" Beatles' fans appreciate "And Your Bird Can Sing" enough.
Musically speaking, my own personal crank is turned primarily by a particular kind of combustion (not occurring entirely in rock music, though mostly that is where it happens) that has little to do with the "pop" aspects of music that most folks seem to respond to. That is to say, I truly don't give a fig about a song's "catchiness", its "tunefulness", or whether or not one can bop one's painfully Caucasoid head along to it while driving. "Danceability" is hahahaha, whatever chief, people manage to dance to Stravinsky and I look like a raccoon drunk on fermented crabapples when I try to perform a movement more artful than "walk briskly in a straight line".
That said, "And Your Bird Can Sing" burns in the ways that the best rock music does: it is funny and spiteful and is built around a seemingly endless, hall-of-fame caliber riff as good as "Black Dog" or "Supernaut".
And Christ if it isn't "catchy" and "hooky" and "fuzzy" and two minutes of absurdly radio-friendly pop music from one of the best bands on the planet at the height of their powers.
I mean, The Posies, Guided By Voices, Cheap Trick, Game Theory and that whole LA "Paisley Underground" spent whole decades trying to achieve that kind rock/pop/art synthesis and it has just been hanging out there on side B of Revolver this whole time.
The hell. Why aren't all of you "power pop" music aficionados jabbering about this song so ceaselessly that I have to mute you on Twitter? Why the hell do you all keep jabbering about Weezer? (I mean, I assume. That's what you were all jabbering about when I muted you on Twitter.)”
I've bumped Mr. krista's prior post on this song; between that post and his comments below, he covers much of what I have to say about why I love the song, plus some. One thing he doesn't mention is that this has one of those blast starts that I've mentioned in several of my top 25 Beatles songs, immediately launching you into the ride, and the ride remains energetic and ebullient throughout. The vocals, both lead by John and the harmonies from Paul and George, are outstanding. And as Mr. krista references below, the lyrics are fantastic, with plays on words throughout; in addition to the one he mentions, John also cycles through double meanings on the senses of sight ("you can't see me") and hearing ("you can't hear me") to emphasize the absence of understanding and empathy.
Both "She Said She Said" and "Ticket To Ride" have been mentioned as the most Beatle-y Beatles songs, but I'd like to throw this one in the mix for consideration as well. I can't wait to hear @fatguyinalittlecoat rock our faces off by simultaneously playing both George's and Paul's guitar parts!
Mr. krista's earlier comments: "What I love most in rock music is a good riff, though I don’t know how to describe what makes a riff better than other riffs. But that is The Good Riff. [instructs me to use initial caps there] A great riff. Unlike a lot of riffs, it’s ascending, and it goes over two bars. But it’s fuzzy. The tempo is really fast. It’s really tough to play a good riff that fast. The best metal riffs are slowed down. It’s very fast but unhurried. Says a lot about what a great drummer Ringo is. Everything could go off the rails easily, but he keeps it together. While the riff ascends, Lennon’s vocals go down. The lyrics are incredibly good – you’ve seen seven wonders but a total inability to empathize (“but you don’t get me”). Double meaning of “you don’t get me”? It’s like a really happy ####-you song. Gleefully being pissed off. Not explicit but smarter – #### you."
Suggested cover: Not in the same league (how could it be), but adequate: The Jam
2022 Supplement: Hanging tight in the #5 slot for me, and a top 10 finish on Mr. krista’s list as well.
In a recent interview, Paul said that the guitar solo was Celtic in nature: "We're Liverpool boys and they say Liverpool is the capital of Ireland, so it's likely the solo is influenced." Now I can hear that every time I listen to this song.
Paul has cited this Byrds-ian, giggly, whistly earlier take of the song as one of his favorites in the Anthology series: “One of my favorites on the ‘Anthology’ is ‘And Your Bird Can Sing,’ which is a nice song, but this take of it was one we couldn’t use at the time. John and I got a fit of the giggles while we were doing the double-track. You couldn’t have released it at the time, but now you can. Sounds great just hearing us lose it on a take.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf22VR71ags I’m with Paul – love it!
Guido Merkins
One of the most speculated upon songs in the Beatles catalog lyrics wise is And Your Bird Can Sing from Revolver. John had a very low opinion of the song and never shared what the lyrics are about. I’ve read speculation as wide ranging as referring to a clock with a windup bird in a cage she gave to John. Or it was written about Frank Sinatra and had something to do with his penis and being able to have any woman he wanted. Marianne Faithful thought it was about her and Mick Jagger (bird is British slang for woman). So who knows what the song is about.
John had a low opinion of this song for some reason, but the bottom line is that this song was extremely influential mostly for the harmonized lead guitar. Guitar harmony was not used much in 1966, but just a few short years later, metal bands and Southern rock bands built their entire careers around what they first heard on And Your Bird Can Sing. I also love the way the guitars kind of explode out of the speakers at the very beginning of the song. A funny story about the guitars is that Joe Walsh, with great effort and lots of time, finally figured out the lead guitar part of And Your Bird Can Sing. Walsh became Ringo’s brother in law because he married Barbara Bach’s sister and told Ringo how long he had worked to master that solo. Ringo informed him that “George and Paul played that together.” So Walsh may be the only person in the world who can play that part alone, including George.
And Your Bird Can Sing started off very much influenced by the Byrds. On Anthology 2 you can hear an early verison that makes this very clear before it went to much more rocking electric sound.
2022 Ranking: 31
2022 Lists: 17
2022 Points: 235
Ranked Highest by: @heckmanm (2) Worth (3) @krista4 (5) @Alex P Keaton (5) @Oliver Humanzee (7) @Wrighteous Ray(hub) (8) Sharon (9) @landrys hat (9) @Tom Hagen (10) @Encyclopedia Brown (14)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 41/8/96
Getz: Every time this song started to fall counting the votes, someone would come in and rank it high. Four Top 5 and Nine Top 10 votes. More than doubled votes and points from 2019 and went up ten slots. The last song in the countdown to not get 20 votes.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 5
2019 write-up:
And Your Bird Can Sing (Revolver, 1966)
“I don't think that "casual" Beatles' fans appreciate "And Your Bird Can Sing" enough.
Musically speaking, my own personal crank is turned primarily by a particular kind of combustion (not occurring entirely in rock music, though mostly that is where it happens) that has little to do with the "pop" aspects of music that most folks seem to respond to. That is to say, I truly don't give a fig about a song's "catchiness", its "tunefulness", or whether or not one can bop one's painfully Caucasoid head along to it while driving. "Danceability" is hahahaha, whatever chief, people manage to dance to Stravinsky and I look like a raccoon drunk on fermented crabapples when I try to perform a movement more artful than "walk briskly in a straight line".
That said, "And Your Bird Can Sing" burns in the ways that the best rock music does: it is funny and spiteful and is built around a seemingly endless, hall-of-fame caliber riff as good as "Black Dog" or "Supernaut".
And Christ if it isn't "catchy" and "hooky" and "fuzzy" and two minutes of absurdly radio-friendly pop music from one of the best bands on the planet at the height of their powers.
I mean, The Posies, Guided By Voices, Cheap Trick, Game Theory and that whole LA "Paisley Underground" spent whole decades trying to achieve that kind rock/pop/art synthesis and it has just been hanging out there on side B of Revolver this whole time.
The hell. Why aren't all of you "power pop" music aficionados jabbering about this song so ceaselessly that I have to mute you on Twitter? Why the hell do you all keep jabbering about Weezer? (I mean, I assume. That's what you were all jabbering about when I muted you on Twitter.)”
I've bumped Mr. krista's prior post on this song; between that post and his comments below, he covers much of what I have to say about why I love the song, plus some. One thing he doesn't mention is that this has one of those blast starts that I've mentioned in several of my top 25 Beatles songs, immediately launching you into the ride, and the ride remains energetic and ebullient throughout. The vocals, both lead by John and the harmonies from Paul and George, are outstanding. And as Mr. krista references below, the lyrics are fantastic, with plays on words throughout; in addition to the one he mentions, John also cycles through double meanings on the senses of sight ("you can't see me") and hearing ("you can't hear me") to emphasize the absence of understanding and empathy.
Both "She Said She Said" and "Ticket To Ride" have been mentioned as the most Beatle-y Beatles songs, but I'd like to throw this one in the mix for consideration as well. I can't wait to hear @fatguyinalittlecoat rock our faces off by simultaneously playing both George's and Paul's guitar parts!
Mr. krista's earlier comments: "What I love most in rock music is a good riff, though I don’t know how to describe what makes a riff better than other riffs. But that is The Good Riff. [instructs me to use initial caps there] A great riff. Unlike a lot of riffs, it’s ascending, and it goes over two bars. But it’s fuzzy. The tempo is really fast. It’s really tough to play a good riff that fast. The best metal riffs are slowed down. It’s very fast but unhurried. Says a lot about what a great drummer Ringo is. Everything could go off the rails easily, but he keeps it together. While the riff ascends, Lennon’s vocals go down. The lyrics are incredibly good – you’ve seen seven wonders but a total inability to empathize (“but you don’t get me”). Double meaning of “you don’t get me”? It’s like a really happy ####-you song. Gleefully being pissed off. Not explicit but smarter – #### you."
Suggested cover: Not in the same league (how could it be), but adequate: The Jam
2022 Supplement: Hanging tight in the #5 slot for me, and a top 10 finish on Mr. krista’s list as well.
In a recent interview, Paul said that the guitar solo was Celtic in nature: "We're Liverpool boys and they say Liverpool is the capital of Ireland, so it's likely the solo is influenced." Now I can hear that every time I listen to this song.
Paul has cited this Byrds-ian, giggly, whistly earlier take of the song as one of his favorites in the Anthology series: “One of my favorites on the ‘Anthology’ is ‘And Your Bird Can Sing,’ which is a nice song, but this take of it was one we couldn’t use at the time. John and I got a fit of the giggles while we were doing the double-track. You couldn’t have released it at the time, but now you can. Sounds great just hearing us lose it on a take.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf22VR71ags I’m with Paul – love it!
Guido Merkins
One of the most speculated upon songs in the Beatles catalog lyrics wise is And Your Bird Can Sing from Revolver. John had a very low opinion of the song and never shared what the lyrics are about. I’ve read speculation as wide ranging as referring to a clock with a windup bird in a cage she gave to John. Or it was written about Frank Sinatra and had something to do with his penis and being able to have any woman he wanted. Marianne Faithful thought it was about her and Mick Jagger (bird is British slang for woman). So who knows what the song is about.
John had a low opinion of this song for some reason, but the bottom line is that this song was extremely influential mostly for the harmonized lead guitar. Guitar harmony was not used much in 1966, but just a few short years later, metal bands and Southern rock bands built their entire careers around what they first heard on And Your Bird Can Sing. I also love the way the guitars kind of explode out of the speakers at the very beginning of the song. A funny story about the guitars is that Joe Walsh, with great effort and lots of time, finally figured out the lead guitar part of And Your Bird Can Sing. Walsh became Ringo’s brother in law because he married Barbara Bach’s sister and told Ringo how long he had worked to master that solo. Ringo informed him that “George and Paul played that together.” So Walsh may be the only person in the world who can play that part alone, including George.
And Your Bird Can Sing started off very much influenced by the Byrds. On Anthology 2 you can hear an early verison that makes this very clear before it went to much more rocking electric sound.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
so how is the poker going?
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
Zegras11
Footballguy
Didn't play today. None of us knew until we got here that these 3pm starts would wind up having the final table play the next day at 1pm. I guess all the guys day 1 decided to play on til 3am and finish that night. Last night they did not and finished today. I can't take that risk (all have to agree to finish that night) with a flight tomorrow am, so I didn't play today. Kinda sucks.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Some of my favorite poetry,
Well, do you, don't you want me to love you?
I'm coming down fast, but I'm miles above you
Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on, tell me the answer
Well, you may be a lover, but you ain't no dancer
Well, do you, don't you want me to love you?
I'm coming down fast, but I'm miles above you
Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on, tell me the answer
Well, you may be a lover, but you ain't no dancer
otb_lifer
Footballguy
talk about them geetars all you'd like, and they are sublime (George using capo?), but Macca's 4 string is flawless, he's just serving rock n' roll bass 101 up here like nobody's biz ... absolutely grooving this thing.
#19 on my list:
25. I Should Have Known Better
24. She's Leaving Home
23. Every Little Thing
22. Not A Second Time
21. Blue Jay Way
20. Happy Just To Dance With You
19. And Your Bird Can Sing
18. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
17. It Won't Be Long
16.
15. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
14.
13. Hello, Goodbye
12. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
11. I'll Be Back
10.
9. It's All Too Much
8. I Feel Fine
7.
6.
5.
4. RAIN
3. Helter Skelter
2.
1.
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simey
Footballguy
Another song that I love, and it was in my top 25, but I booted it out to fit in Sgt. Pepper's Reprise.
Zegras11
Footballguy
simey
Footballguy
Zegras11
Footballguy
simey
Footballguy
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heckmanm
Footballguy
My biggest "discovery" from the 2019 countdown - I wasn't as well-versed in the non-big-hit Beatles as I probably should have been, and this one just grabbed me by the ears and hasn't let go since. Another one that is automatic volume-up for me whenever
landrys hat
Footballguy
2. I'm Only Sleeping
5. Eight Days a Week
7. Rain
9. And Your Bird Can Sing
10. She Said She Said
11. For No One
12. I'm So Tired
23. I Am the Walrus
24. Octopus's Garden
25. Tell Me What You See
5. Eight Days a Week
7. Rain
9. And Your Bird Can Sing
10. She Said She Said
11. For No One
12. I'm So Tired
23. I Am the Walrus
24. Octopus's Garden
25. Tell Me What You See
krista4
Footballguy
In all seriousness, I'm pleased that And Your Bird Can Sing placed this high. It's largely unknown by casual Beatles fans, so this is a fantastic ranking for it compared to where it would come in on, say, a SiriusXM poll.
I'm joking about being
over any of the rankings. Of those in my top 25 that have been revealed so far, most are about where I'd expect or better. The only ones I'd protest a little would be Rain at #42 and She Loves You at #38.
krista4
Footballguy
lardonastick
Footballguy
And Your Bird... is such a great song. The Anthology version is so much fun! In fact, that version coming out is what made me re-examine the original.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Zegras11
Footballguy
Hey Bulldog
2022 Ranking: 30
2022 Lists: 20
2022 Points: 238
Ranked Highest by: @Getzlaf15 (1) @Shaft41 (3) @otb_lifer (5) @FairWarning (5) @Guido Merkins (6) @Dr. Octopus (8) @DaVinci (11) @heckmanm (12) @Binky The Doormat (14) @Ted Lange as your Bartender (14)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 38/7/103
Getz: Didn't rank it in 2019. It's been my #1 since the 2019 countdown ended. I love the opening. I love the video. I love all the different sections of it. I love all of it. And I think John's best singing is this song.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 31
2019 write-up:
Hey Bulldog (Yellow Submarine, 1969)
BASS LINE! That's what it's all about for me. Mr. krista (bass player) describes it much better than I could, below.
I've kept this one within shouting distance of "Taxman" through my many re-orderings of the rankings. I see them similarly in that they rock your face off and have great bass lines, but some questionable lyric choices. I detail below some of the lyrics I love, but just the overall "Hey Bulldog" part and the barking at the end turn me off a bit. Obviously, not much, since this still lands in the upper echelon of my rankings.
Just before the group's trip to India, a film crew came to the studio to record a promotional video during which they were to act as if they were recording "Lady Madonna." But John asserted that they should film the recording of his new song, "Hey Bullfrog," instead. That's not a typo - the song was originally titled "Hey Bullfrog" until Paul's barking inspired the title change. The video was then released with the overlay of "Lady Madonna" on sound while the footage is actually showing the recording of "Hey Bulldog," but the fans didn't seem to notice. Years later, Neil Aspinall edited the video with "Hey Bulldog" being properly played instead; join the cheesy fun of his finished product.
Geoff Emerick described the vibe in the studio for the recording of this song to be great, as "all four Beatles were in an exceptionally good mood." The atmosphere was relaxed and fun-loving, which I think shows in the end result of the song itself, especially all the clowning around in the coda. It's one of the last times that they all worked together seemingly joyously, and it was the last session at which neither Yoko nor Magic Alex attended, which undoubtedly contributed to the positive spirits.
In addition to the bass, other highlights of this song for me are the screaming guitar solo and John's vocal, especially the escalating, gritty urgency of the "You can talk to me" repeat. I also love some of the lyrics, and yes, I'm accusing the lyrics to a song called "Hey Bulldog" of being good. Specifically, I love these lines in the verses:
(Verse one): Some kind of happiness is
Measured out in miles
(Verse two): Some kind of innocence is
Measured out in years
(Verse three): Some kind of solitude is
Measured out in you
Each of those lines is terrific on its own, but combined with each other in a not-quite-repetitious pattern they're brilliant.
Mostly, I just love this song because it rocks in every way. Every Beatle was at the top of his game for this one.
Mr. krista: "####! Listen to the bass line, though. Paul McCartney’s a mother####er of a bass player, man. During the verses, the bass line walks all over the place and sounds super busy, but he’s still right there building a pocket with Ringo. But then during the chorus he hits that riff right on time with everybody else. No longer playing that contrapuntal thing but just digs in, just a monster. What a great rock song."
Suggested cover: I post this more for the introduction to the playing of the song, rather than the cover itself. It brought something wet I can't quite recognize to my eyes. Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne
2022 Supplement: I get so pumped about Paul’s bassline in this song that I sometimes neglect George’s screaming guitar solo, which is loud and filthy in part due to the use of his new fuzzbox on it. There’s been some controversy over the years as to whether that could be John or even Paul on the solo instead of George, but it’s generally accepted that it is George, and it’s one of his best. The song also has the distinction of being one of the only pre-Get Back sessions songs where we can see video of the lads working on the song in the studio, in the link I posted back in 2019. Hey Bulldog is raucous and aggressive yet fun, and I’m happy it’s been rising higher and higher (Binky: lower and lower) in the minds of Beatles’ fans over the years. It barely missed my top 25 again this year.
Guido Merkins
I have been a Beatles fan for 40 years. The music existed for 15-20 years before I discovered it. Therefore, the Beatles music has been around for 50-60 years. You would think with all that time, every single Beatles nugget would have long ago been uncovered, but what is amazing is that there are still songs that are just being kind of discovered by people. No song has grown more in stature in my lifetime than Hey Bulldog.
Hey Bulldog is one of the Beatles great rockers. Ringo holding down a serious groove on drums. Paul with a bass line that will absolutely rip the top of your head off. George with a guitar solo that absolutely slams. And John, with a sound that only John Lennon’s voice can make. The song sounds so immediate, like it was made up on the spot, and that’s almost true. It was recorded in one session which lasted about 7 hours. It also has this great thing at the end of the song with John and Paul riffing off of each other, which is funny and sounds totally off the cuff. In fact, the ONLY time the phrase Hey Bulldog is even mentioned is at the very end of the song. The lyrics are typical Lennon nonsense, but I’m not sure why the song wasn’t called “You Can Talk to Me.” Overall, it’s like a really really good novelty track.
So why has it taken so long to discover this gem? I think it’s mostly because it’s on the Beatles most obscure album Yellow Submarine. Yellow Submarine only had 4 new Beatles songs upon its release with more than half the album instrumental music by George Martin.
A couple years back when the Grammys did a salute to the Beatles, Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne did a good version of it as most of the audience had no idea what song they were doing. Great moment.
2022 Ranking: 30
2022 Lists: 20
2022 Points: 238
Ranked Highest by: @Getzlaf15 (1) @Shaft41 (3) @otb_lifer (5) @FairWarning (5) @Guido Merkins (6) @Dr. Octopus (8) @DaVinci (11) @heckmanm (12) @Binky The Doormat (14) @Ted Lange as your Bartender (14)
2019 Ranking/Lists/Pts: 38/7/103
Getz: Didn't rank it in 2019. It's been my #1 since the 2019 countdown ended. I love the opening. I love the video. I love all the different sections of it. I love all of it. And I think John's best singing is this song.
Krista4
My 2019 ranking: 31
2019 write-up:
Hey Bulldog (Yellow Submarine, 1969)
BASS LINE! That's what it's all about for me. Mr. krista (bass player) describes it much better than I could, below.
I've kept this one within shouting distance of "Taxman" through my many re-orderings of the rankings. I see them similarly in that they rock your face off and have great bass lines, but some questionable lyric choices. I detail below some of the lyrics I love, but just the overall "Hey Bulldog" part and the barking at the end turn me off a bit. Obviously, not much, since this still lands in the upper echelon of my rankings.
Just before the group's trip to India, a film crew came to the studio to record a promotional video during which they were to act as if they were recording "Lady Madonna." But John asserted that they should film the recording of his new song, "Hey Bullfrog," instead. That's not a typo - the song was originally titled "Hey Bullfrog" until Paul's barking inspired the title change. The video was then released with the overlay of "Lady Madonna" on sound while the footage is actually showing the recording of "Hey Bulldog," but the fans didn't seem to notice. Years later, Neil Aspinall edited the video with "Hey Bulldog" being properly played instead; join the cheesy fun of his finished product.
Geoff Emerick described the vibe in the studio for the recording of this song to be great, as "all four Beatles were in an exceptionally good mood." The atmosphere was relaxed and fun-loving, which I think shows in the end result of the song itself, especially all the clowning around in the coda. It's one of the last times that they all worked together seemingly joyously, and it was the last session at which neither Yoko nor Magic Alex attended, which undoubtedly contributed to the positive spirits.
In addition to the bass, other highlights of this song for me are the screaming guitar solo and John's vocal, especially the escalating, gritty urgency of the "You can talk to me" repeat. I also love some of the lyrics, and yes, I'm accusing the lyrics to a song called "Hey Bulldog" of being good. Specifically, I love these lines in the verses:
(Verse one): Some kind of happiness is
Measured out in miles
(Verse two): Some kind of innocence is
Measured out in years
(Verse three): Some kind of solitude is
Measured out in you
Each of those lines is terrific on its own, but combined with each other in a not-quite-repetitious pattern they're brilliant.
Mostly, I just love this song because it rocks in every way. Every Beatle was at the top of his game for this one.
Mr. krista: "####! Listen to the bass line, though. Paul McCartney’s a mother####er of a bass player, man. During the verses, the bass line walks all over the place and sounds super busy, but he’s still right there building a pocket with Ringo. But then during the chorus he hits that riff right on time with everybody else. No longer playing that contrapuntal thing but just digs in, just a monster. What a great rock song."
Suggested cover: I post this more for the introduction to the playing of the song, rather than the cover itself. It brought something wet I can't quite recognize to my eyes. Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne
2022 Supplement: I get so pumped about Paul’s bassline in this song that I sometimes neglect George’s screaming guitar solo, which is loud and filthy in part due to the use of his new fuzzbox on it. There’s been some controversy over the years as to whether that could be John or even Paul on the solo instead of George, but it’s generally accepted that it is George, and it’s one of his best. The song also has the distinction of being one of the only pre-Get Back sessions songs where we can see video of the lads working on the song in the studio, in the link I posted back in 2019. Hey Bulldog is raucous and aggressive yet fun, and I’m happy it’s been rising higher and higher (Binky: lower and lower) in the minds of Beatles’ fans over the years. It barely missed my top 25 again this year.
Guido Merkins
I have been a Beatles fan for 40 years. The music existed for 15-20 years before I discovered it. Therefore, the Beatles music has been around for 50-60 years. You would think with all that time, every single Beatles nugget would have long ago been uncovered, but what is amazing is that there are still songs that are just being kind of discovered by people. No song has grown more in stature in my lifetime than Hey Bulldog.
Hey Bulldog is one of the Beatles great rockers. Ringo holding down a serious groove on drums. Paul with a bass line that will absolutely rip the top of your head off. George with a guitar solo that absolutely slams. And John, with a sound that only John Lennon’s voice can make. The song sounds so immediate, like it was made up on the spot, and that’s almost true. It was recorded in one session which lasted about 7 hours. It also has this great thing at the end of the song with John and Paul riffing off of each other, which is funny and sounds totally off the cuff. In fact, the ONLY time the phrase Hey Bulldog is even mentioned is at the very end of the song. The lyrics are typical Lennon nonsense, but I’m not sure why the song wasn’t called “You Can Talk to Me.” Overall, it’s like a really really good novelty track.
So why has it taken so long to discover this gem? I think it’s mostly because it’s on the Beatles most obscure album Yellow Submarine. Yellow Submarine only had 4 new Beatles songs upon its release with more than half the album instrumental music by George Martin.
A couple years back when the Grammys did a salute to the Beatles, Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne did a good version of it as most of the audience had no idea what song they were doing. Great moment.
fatguyinalittlecoat
Footballguy
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ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Way late but Brittany Spears, based on the "yuck"?krista4 said:
lardonastick
Footballguy
simey
Footballguy
I think this is a great song, and I love all the music in it including the piano. John is in great voice too. The main reason it didn't make my top 25 favorites is because I felt I was too heavy on John songs, and I wanted to spread the love with some other songs I liked just as much.
Zegras11
Footballguy
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Neither of the last two songs made my top 25 because Beatles. But I love and have personal attachments to both.
I am relatively new to Beatles fandom, really stemming from Krista's original countdown. (Though I didn't actually read it until the countdown was over. Actually I didn't read the writeups at all)
I told my wife about the countdown since she was a Beatles fan and her first question was where did And Your Bird Can Sing rank? On any given day it might be her number one (in competition with No Reply and In My Life). So she was intrigued since clearly Krista has great taste. Anyway, we used the original thread as a guide to listening through the whole catalog and I was hooked.
As for Hey Bulldog, I probably say "Hey Bulldog" to my Shar Pei/Bulldog mix Eloise at least 10 times per day.
I am relatively new to Beatles fandom, really stemming from Krista's original countdown. (Though I didn't actually read it until the countdown was over. Actually I didn't read the writeups at all)
I told my wife about the countdown since she was a Beatles fan and her first question was where did And Your Bird Can Sing rank? On any given day it might be her number one (in competition with No Reply and In My Life). So she was intrigued since clearly Krista has great taste. Anyway, we used the original thread as a guide to listening through the whole catalog and I was hooked.
As for Hey Bulldog, I probably say "Hey Bulldog" to my Shar Pei/Bulldog mix Eloise at least 10 times per day.
krista4
Footballguy
Wow! Now that is very cool.
Did you post six today because you were so excited for it?! Love this song even though it didn't make my 25. On another day, it might.
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